Prayer for Judgment

North Carolina has a unique court ruling called a Prayer for Judgment Continued (PJC). Based on a few minutes of internet searching, I believe the predominant use of a PJC is for traffic violations (to avoid license points and insurance points) or for minor criminal convictions for youths.

NC state law § 15A‑101 defines PJC as conviction, without judgment:

Prayer for judgment continued upon payment of costs, without more, does not constitute the entry of judgment.

- This means the court collects fees, but no prison time nor other penalties levied. However, felonies must have a sentence levied within one year per § 15A‑1331.2.

NC state law § 58-36-75, section f, clarifies a PJC cannot charge driving points:

...with respect to a prayer for judgment continued for any moving traffic violation, there shall be no premium surcharge nor any assessment of points unless the vehicle owner, principal operator, or any licensed operator in the owner's household has a driving record consisting of a prayer or prayers for judgment continued for any moving traffic violation or violations during the three years immediately preceding the date of application or the preparation of the renewal."

- This means only one PJC per household within the 3 years prior to the court hearing.