Legal Question in Criminal Law in Michigan

Re: No contest plea

Sometimes a "no contest" plea is entered because of the possibility of civil litigation. A " no contest" plea is also used when the defendant can not recall the circumstances surrounding the crime for a variety of reasons, under the influence of alcohol, drugd etc., passage of time, bad memory. A " no contest" is also entered where the defendant states he/she is not guilty but wants to enter a plea to a lesser offence so as not to risk a guilty verdict and the possibility of either jail or prison time. Hope this answers your question.