Plea of Guilty of Nolo Contendere

• In some cases, the court can agree to allow a defendant to enter a plea of " nolo contendere," which is a Latin phrase meaning "I do not contest," or a conditional plea of guilty. The terms of the plea agreement may specify that a government attorney will dismiss other charges, or agree to recommend a specific sentence.
  
  

Plea Agreement Disclosure

• Whenever a plea is agreed, the plea agreement must be disclosed in open court, meaning during a proceeding open to the public. The courts may allow the plea agreement to be disclosed in private if there is good cause, such as if disclosure would put the defendant or his or her family at risk.
  
  

Rejecting a Plea Agreement

• The court can reject a plea agreement reached between the prosecution and the defense. The court must inform the parties to the agreement that the agreement is rejected, and must inform the defendant that his or her plea can be withdrawn.