A prayer for judgment continued (PJC) is a procedure that may be available in traffic ticket court to allow a person who has received a traffic ticket or citation to avoid some or all of fines, penalties, and other consequences.

A PJC essentially allows the driver to plead guilty to the infraction or offense (or to be convicted by the judge or jury) and for the court/judge to continue the judgment or final effect of the guilty plea or conviction indefinitely—allowing the driver to avoid large fines, penalty points added to their driver’s license or record, increased insurance premiums, and possible suspension of their driver’s license.

In this context, a prayer is a request by the prosecutor/government to enter judgment (a final decision or determination) against the driver based on their guilty plea, and for the judge to indefinitely continue or postpone the entry of judgment, which prevents it from becoming final and effective.

Laws vary from state to state and in states where a PJC is an option, it is limited and in the judge’s discretion—a driver or household may only be allowed one PJC every few years, for example. But if a driver receives a more serious ticket or citation (with a significant fine or penalty points) and is unable to get it dismissed or reduced to a lesser infraction or offense, a PJC may be an option. A driver who gets a PJC may still be required to pay court costs, for example, as they are not classified as a penalty.

In the state of Delaware, the concept of a 'Prayer for Judgment Continued' (PJC) does not exist in the same form as it might in other states, such as North Carolina where it is more commonly recognized. Delaware law does not provide for a PJC procedure that allows a court to indefinitely continue or postpone the entry of judgment on a traffic violation. Instead, Delaware traffic court procedures typically involve either pleading guilty and accepting the penalties, pleading no contest, or contesting the ticket in court. If a driver pleads guilty or is found guilty, the court will impose fines, points, and other penalties as prescribed by Delaware law. It is important for drivers in Delaware to understand that they do not have the PJC option and should consider other legal avenues for addressing traffic citations, such as attending a defensive driving course to reduce points, or negotiating with the prosecutor for a lesser charge. An attorney can provide guidance on the best course of action based on the specifics of the traffic offense and the driver's record.