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 Minnesota, 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. Minnesota traffic law does not provide for a PJC procedure. Instead, Minnesota courts may offer different types of resolutions for traffic offenses, such as a continuance for dismissal or a stay of adjudication. A continuance for dismissal involves the defendant agreeing to certain conditions, such as paying a fee and not having any similar offenses for a set period, after which the charge is dismissed. A stay of adjudication is where the court does not enter a conviction and may impose conditions, and if the defendant complies, the charge may be dismissed. Both alternatives aim to give the defendant an opportunity to avoid the full impact of a conviction, similar to the goals of a PJC, but they are distinct legal options with their own specific requirements and limitations. It's important for drivers in Minnesota to consult with an attorney to understand the options available for their specific traffic offense situation.