What's the difference between No Contest, Guilty, Innocent, etc.? Does the plea have any effect on a possible trial, etc.?
Guilty: Basically you say "I did it, my bad, give me what you will"
No Contest: Basically you're not saying that you did it, but you're also accepting responsibility of it
Not Guilt: "I didn't do it"
Plea bargaining happens in place of a trial, basically. You reach an agreement with the system and that is your punishment and what have you.