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 Nebraska, 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. Nebraska law does not provide for a PJC procedure in traffic ticket court. Instead, when a person receives a traffic ticket in Nebraska, they can either pay the ticket, contest it, or in some cases, attend a defensive driving course to potentially reduce the charges or points against their driver's license. The option to plead guilty and have the judgment indefinitely continued to avoid fines and penalties is not a recognized legal procedure in Nebraska. If a driver is convicted of a traffic offense, the penalties typically include fines, points on their driver's license, and potential increases in insurance premiums. It is important for drivers in Nebraska to consult with an attorney if they are seeking to mitigate the consequences of a traffic ticket or citation, as the options available will be different from those in states where a PJC is an option.