Criminal Restitution And Civil Case Cross Complaint California

Hi people of Reddit,

My situation is thus: There is a pending criminal case against my neighbor who cut down two trees on my property without permission. The criminal case is headed to restitution. I filed an unlimited civil case for damages. The neighbor filed a cross complaint alleging that I filed a false police report as well as intentional emotional distress.

My question is: Assuming neighbor has plead no contest in the criminal case - does that preclude me from being able to use information from the criminal case in defense against the cross complaint? I know that a no contest plea cannot be used in a civil case, but as they have countersued me for the exact offense they were convicted of and ordered to pay restitution.

Thanks so much