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 North Carolina, a Prayer for Judgment Continued (PJC) is a unique legal option available in certain traffic violation cases. When a driver receives a traffic ticket, they may plead guilty or be found guilty, but the court, upon request, may grant a PJC. This means the court does not enter a final judgment of conviction, and as a result, the driver may avoid points on their driving record, increased insurance rates, and other penalties. However, the driver is typically still responsible for paying court costs. The use of PJCs in North Carolina is limited; a driver can only benefit from two PJCs for insurance purposes every five years, and for driving record purposes, the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) allows only one PJC every three years. It's important to note that PJCs are not available for all types of traffic offenses, and they are granted at the discretion of the judge. More serious offenses, such as driving while impaired (DWI), may not be eligible for a PJC. Additionally, commercial drivers may not use a PJC to avoid points on their licenses. It is advisable for drivers considering a PJC to consult with an attorney to understand the potential implications and eligibility.