How a PJC works
When you get a PJC, you are found guilty or plead guilty, but the judge does not impose a sentence. The case ends without a judgment. In many traffic cases, that means the conviction is not treated the same way for DMV and insurance purposes.
A PJC is up to the judge. The court may also require you to pay court costs or meet other conditions. The conditions a judge attaches can affect how the PJC is treated later. Details matter.
Limits on PJCs
A PJC is not automatic, and it is not unlimited. Key limits include:
- Insurance companies honor only a limited number of PJCs per household within a set period.
- DMV honors only a limited number of PJCs per driver within a set period.
- A PJC is not allowed for some charges.
- Commercial drivers face extra limits.
- A PJC still counts as a conviction for some purposes.
Because the number of PJCs is limited, it is often wise to save one for a ticket where it helps the most. We look at your record and your household before recommending it.
The rules on PJCs are technical and have changed over the years. Before you rely on one, ask a lawyer to check the current limits against your record.
When a PJC may be a good fit
A PJC is often worth considering when you have a clean or nearly clean record, the ticket would add insurance points, and no better reduction is available. Sometimes another outcome, such as a reduction to a non-moving violation, protects you just as well and leaves your PJC available for later.
PJCs outside traffic court
Judges can also grant PJCs in some criminal cases, not just traffic tickets. In a criminal case, a PJC usually still counts as a conviction for many purposes, such as background checks, immigration, and licensing. It does not erase the charge. If you are offered a PJC in a criminal case, talk to a lawyer about what it means for you before you accept.
How a PJC affects insurance and your license
For a traffic ticket, the main reason to ask for a PJC is to keep the conviction from adding insurance points and license points. When the court grants a PJC and the ticket is eligible, insurance companies generally do not add points for it, as long as your household has not used up the limited number they honor. DMV also generally does not add license points for an eligible PJC within its own limit.
If you go over either limit, the PJC may be treated like an ordinary conviction for that purpose. Your record, and the record of others in your household, matter. Before you ask for one, we check how recently you, and others on your policy, have used a PJC.
Common misunderstandings
- “A PJC means the case was dismissed.” It does not. You were still found guilty or pleaded guilty.
- “A PJC is always the right choice.” Not always. Saving it for a ticket that would cost more can be smarter.
- “I can ask for a PJC on my own.” You can ask, but the judge decides, and the prosecutor’s position often matters.
- “A PJC never shows up anywhere.” It is still part of the court record and can be seen in some background checks.
The court file will show the PJC. Some employers, licensing boards, and immigration officials may treat it as a conviction. Ask before you accept one if any of those matter to you.
How we help
We review the ticket, your driving record, and your household’s insurance picture, then tell you plainly whether a PJC makes sense now or whether another outcome is better. We explain our fee in writing before you hire us.
Call (336) 281-2008 or request a consultation. Hablamos español.
This page is general information about North Carolina law, not legal advice. Every case is different, and no lawyer can promise a result.
Questions people ask us
Does a PJC go on my record in NC?
A PJC still records that you were found guilty or pleaded guilty, but no judgment is entered. For many traffic tickets, it can keep license points and insurance points from applying. It may still count as a conviction for some purposes.
How many PJCs can I get in North Carolina?
There are limits. Insurance companies and DMV each honor only a limited number of PJCs within a set period, and the insurance limit applies to your whole household. We check your history before recommending one.
Can I get a PJC for any traffic ticket?
No. Some charges are not eligible, and commercial drivers face extra limits. A judge also decides whether to grant a PJC.
Is a PJC better than a reduced charge?
Not always. A reduction to a non-moving violation can sometimes protect your license and insurance while saving your PJC for later. The right choice depends on your record and the ticket.
Does a PJC help in a criminal case?
A PJC in a criminal case usually still counts as a conviction for background checks and many other purposes. It ends the case without a sentence, but it does not erase the charge. Talk with a lawyer before accepting one.