Legal Question in Criminal Law in California

Re: can I be sued civily?

You can be sued regardless of what you plea. No contest means they can't use it as an admission in that civil suit.

Re: can I be sued civily?

Of course you can. Why should your decision about how to plead deprive the victim of his right to sue you?

A guilty plea can be used against you in a civil suit as proof that you did what you are charged with doing. A no-contest plea can't be used this way, but the plaintiff can still persuade the jury by using whatever evidence is available.

A no-contest plea thus makes a lawsuit against you somewhat harder to win, but it does not shield you from being sued or from being held liable.