| Nolo contendere means a person is not contesting the | | | | sentence of probation and a contribution to the violent |
| charges. When a defendant takes a nolo plea in | | | | crimes indemnity fund or court costs will not constitute |
| Rhode island, the defendant is indicting that he does | | | | a conviction under Rhode Island law! For example, A |
| not want to contest the charges but is also essentially | | | | plea of nolo contendere with a sentence of a filing and |
| admitting to the charges. | | | | a contribution to the violent crimes indemnity fund (vcif) |
| What is the difference between a guilty plea and a | | | | will not constitute a conviction under Rhode Island law. |
| nolo contendere plea in RI? There is a huge difference! | | | | However, anything with a fine attached to it will be a |
| A guilty plea is always a criminal conviction under RI | | | | conviction under Rhode Island law. Therefore, it is |
| law. A criminal conviction has major negative | | | | important that the defendant gets either no fine or a |
| implications especially when a person applies for | | | | contribution to the victims fund or court costs rather |
| employment. A plea of nolo may not constitute a | | | | then a fine. |
| criminal conviction. It is only a conviction in RI if there is | | | | All misdemeanor plea agreements in Rhode lsland (RI) |
| a sentence of confinement (such as the ACI or home | | | | should be nolo contendere with court costs or a |
| confinement), a suspended sentence or a fine | | | | contribution towards the victims indemnity fund rather |
| imposed. | | | | then guilty pleas! |
| For example, A plea of nolo contendere with a | | | | |