What is the legal term for a plea that does not admit guilt but is treated as such by the court?

The legal term for a plea that does not admit guilt but is treated as such by the court is "Nolo Contendere," often abbreviated as "nolo." When a defendant enters a nolo contendere plea, they are essentially saying that they do not wish to contest the charges against them. This means the court will treat the plea as if the defendant is guilty for the purposes of the case, but the defendant does not admit to the actual guilt of the offense.

This type of plea can be strategically advantageous because it allows defendants to avoid the direct admission of guilt, which could have implications in civil cases or future legal issues. It provides a way to resolve criminal charges without necessarily impacting one's civil liability.

In contrast, a guilty plea involves an explicit admission of guilt, and a not guilty plea asserts that the defendant contests the charges. The Alford plea is a distinct type of plea that allows a defendant to maintain their innocence while accepting a guilty plea, usually in cases where there is a strong likelihood of conviction. Each of these terms has specific legal meanings and implications, but "Nolo Contendere" specifically fits the description given in the question.