Have a traffic ticket? Please call me now at 919-683-2175 for a free consultation.
What about Prayer for Judgment Continued?
With a prayer for judgment continued (or “PJC”), the defendant pleads guilty to an offense, but the judge never enters an official judgment in the case — the act of entering the judgment is “continued” (postponed) indefinitely.
For insurance purposes, each household may have one (1) PJC every three years. So, if you plead guilty to a charge that ordinarily would result in insurance points, but the judge gives you a PJC, your insurance rates will not go up, as long as your household has not had any other PJCs in the past three years.
PJC’s also are useful if a driver is facing a license suspension. For drivers license purposes, each driver is allowed two (2) PJCs every five years. Here is an example of how a PJC could save a person’s license:
North Carolina law [G.S. Sec. 20-16(9)] says that DMV may suspend the licenses of drivers who get two convictions of speeding over 55 mph within a 12-month period. So, what if you pleaded guilty to driving 64 in a 55 mph zone last March, and then the following February, you get charged with driving 68 in a 55? If the judge will allow you to have a PJC on that second charge, your license will not suspended.
Please note that just because you have not “used up” your PJCs does not mean that you are entitled to one. Whether a driver will be given a PJC is within the judge’s discretion. A driver (and their lawyer) may have to persuade the judge to give the driver a PJC – so it helps to be polite to the officer and to wear a coat and tie to court!
Note: This information is for general purposes only. It is not meant to apply to a specific case. Also, this information is based on North Carolina law. If you are licensed in another state, I suggest that you verify how a plea to a traffic case in North Carolina will affect your license where you live.
Have a traffic ticket? Please call me now at 919-683-2175 for a free consultation.
About ken