The defendant contends that notwithstanding his plea of nolo contendere, the court could not pronounce judgment without determining his guilt or innocence. The contention is without merit. A plea of nolo contendere is equivalent to a plea of guilty, in so far as it gives the court power to punish; and the court may impose sentence thereon as upon a plea of guilty. S. v. Parker, 220 N. C., 416, 17 S. E. (2d), 475; S. v. Burnett, 174 N. C., 796, 93 S. E., 473.

Affirmed.