Final answer:
A judgement against an applicant who pleaded nolo contendere is considered a conviction, which is a result of not contesting the charge without admitting guilt. Thus, option 1 is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
In legal proceedings, the plea of nolo contendere, or "no contest," occupies a unique position, with implications that vary across jurisdictions. The code under consideration explicitly classifies a judgment against an applicant who has entered a plea of nolo contendere as tantamount to a conviction. While this plea does not constitute an admission of guilt, it triggers legal consequences akin to those following a guilty plea.
Nolo contendere allows a defendant to signify their unwillingness to contest the charges brought against them without expressly admitting guilt. This plea is often strategically employed in plea bargaining, as it offers certain legal advantages. For instance, in civil lawsuits arising from the same incident, the nolo contendere plea may not be used as an admission of guilt, providing a shield against potential collateral consequences.
The code's stance reflects a legal interpretation that deems the practical outcome of a nolo contendere plea equivalent to a conviction. This characterization underscores the serious nature of the charges and the consequential impact of the plea on the defendant's legal standing. The legal landscape surrounding nolo contendere is intricate, and its acceptance as a valid plea varies, but the code, in this instance, positions it within the realm of convictions, despite its non-adversarial nature in the criminal context.