text: need legal advice about shoplifting? a few weeks ago i was picked up by lp for shoplifting, i was wondering my court date is in about two weeks, i haven't really talked to any lawyers, just one, i cant afford a lawyer, on my court date, i dunno if i should plead guilty or no contest. i am what did was wrong and they caught me with the stuff, but what does pleading "no contest"  mean, i heard it is not saying your are guilty or not, but it just says that you except what ever charges are being filed against you, you i plead guilty or no contest. i heard no contest has better benefits, what benefits are those. we love paying extra for all of our items to cover the shops losses due to parasites like you. how about you develop a conscience and do the right thing. you know you are guilty so plead guilty and stop trying to think of ways to manipulate the system, that's what got you into this trouble in the first place. you never know, acting with integrity here could be the start of a whole new life for you.