Legal Question in Traffic Law in North Carolina

There are many options to handle a red light violation but if you are interested in pleading to a lesser offense, a reduction to Improper Equipment is best if the District Attorney for the county in which you were charged allows that reduction. It is most definately worth it to avoid an insurance increase. The Prayer for Judgment Continued would accomplish the same end result and is substantially cheaper but most experienced traffic attorneys will advise you to save the PJC for a circumstance where it is clearly needed.

A reduction to Improper Equipment is a non-moving violation that will cause no insurance increase or license points and will not conflict with any tickets you may have in the past or future you will currently be required to pay court cost of $188 and a $75 fine.

A Prayer for Judgment Continued or PJC is relief that comes directly from a Judge at his or her discretion (you are not garenteed or entitled to a PJC) and results in no conviction and will also cause no insurance increase or license points. It is most useful in situations where it is important that you not be �convicted� of a Traffic Ticket, such as for employment purposes where a �clean� driving record is required. While this option is attractive because it is substantially cheaper and will save you some money, it is important that you realize that only one PJC will be effective for insurance purposes during any 3 year period and per insurance policy � meaning that once used, neither you nor any of the drivers on your insurance policy should use another PJC within the 3 year period at least for insurance purposes. If you or another driver on your insurance policy uses another PJC within the 3 year period, you will most likely see an insurance increase � possibly based on all tickets that have PJC's attached to them. Also, this option is completely ineffective if you have a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) or you were originally charged with a speed greater than 25 mph over the speed limit. Generally speaking, this option is best for people licensed in North Carolina, who get Traffic Tickets very rarely, are charged with speeding between 20 -25 mph over the limit or other serious offense and / or for whom cost is a factor. Otherwise, you may want to consider saving this option until it is clearly needed. You will currently be required to pay court cost of $188 or $190 (there is no fine associated with the PJC)