Under what circumstance would a plea of nolo contendere be inadmissible?

A plea of nolo contendere, or "no contest," is a legal term indicating that a defendant does not wish to contest the charges against them. This plea can result in a conviction without admitting guilt, and it has specific implications for use in subsequent civil litigation or criminal proceedings.

The correct context for inadmissibility pertains to the circumstances under which this plea can be withdrawn. When a defendant withdraws a nolo contendere plea, it cannot effectively be used against them later as an admission of guilt. This is because the withdrawal indicates a retraction of that plea, leaving the case in a status where the original charges still need to be addressed and the defendant has not formally accepted guilt.

To clarify why the other options don't represent circumstances under which a nolo contendere plea is inadmissible: In civil cases, a nolo contendere plea is generally inadmissible as evidence against the defendant regarding liability. In plea negotiations, a nolo contendere plea does not apply because negotiations are discussions and offers that have not produced a binding agreement. The notion that it would be inadmissible in "all circumstances" overlooks specific legal standards and rules regarding its use. Thus, the withdrawal of a plea is the singular scenario where its admissibility