A plea of nolo contendere is equivalent to what legal outcome?

A plea of nolo contendere, often referred to as a "no contest" plea, is indeed equivalent to a conviction of a crime. When a defendant enters this type of plea, they do not admit guilt but accept the penalty of the conviction without formally contesting the charges. This means that the court treats the plea as a conviction, resulting in a criminal record for the individual, similar to if they had pleaded guilty.

Additionally, this plea can have implications in subsequent civil cases where the facts of the criminal case may be used against the defendant. Therefore, while the defendant does not admit guilt, the outcome of a nolo contendere plea leads to a conviction, making it a significant legal decision for anyone facing criminal charges.

The other outcomes listed do not accurately represent the implications of a nolo contendere plea, as it specifically pertains to the acknowledgment of a conviction rather than an acquittal, rehabilitation recommendation, or civil penalty.