What is a PBJ in a DUI case?

PBJ is short for Probation Before Judgment. If the judge grants you a probation before judgment then you will not receive a conviction for the charge you are pleading guilty to. In other words, you are technically not convicted of the crime or charges. One caveat to receiving a PBJ is that you must waive your right to an appeal. That means you cannot file to appeal the court's sentence and are stuck with the court's sentence and judgment.

In a DUI and other traffic citations, if you receive a PBJ you do not get a conviction for the charge and you also do not receive points on your driver's license. This is important because points on your driver's license can affect your insurance rate and can lead to a suspension or revocation of your driver's license.

If you received 8 points on your driver's license you are eligible for a driver's license suspension. If you receive 12 points on your driver's license you are eligible for a driver's license revocation.

Since a DUI conviction will result in 12 points on your driving record and a DWI conviction will result in 8 points on your driving record, a PBJ can be a favorable result in DUIs and DWIs. Note, this information does not apply to commercial driver's licenses. The rules for commercial driver's licenses are more complex.

Takeaway: A PBJ in a DUI or DWI case means you do not receive the points on your record and you do not receive a conviction on your record for the charge.

If you have been charged with a DUI or DWI, call us today at 800-905-0210 to schedule a free consultation.

Disclaimer: The information on this website does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.