Legal Question in Criminal Law in Tennessee

Nolo contendere

I tried to enter a no contest plea for misdemeanor theft in Tennessee. The judge looked at me as if I were stupid and asked me what that meant. Are nolo contendere pleas not available in TN, or was the judge just an idiot?


Asked on 3/24/09, 10:04 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Jes Beard Jes Beard, Attorney at Law

Re: Nolo contendere

Yes Nolo Contendere (or No Contest) charges are available in Tennessee, but the Judge likely had serious doubts about whether YOU understood what it meant, and what the legal consequences of that plea would be, as well as why you were wanting to enter that plea.

While you are wanting to conclude the judge was ignorant, my guess is that the judge was simply trying to protect you from yourself.

Read more
Answered on 3/27/09, 8:35 am


Related Questions & Answers

More Criminal Law questions and answers in Tennessee