What is a PBJ?
In Maryland, if a person has not been convicted of drunk driving within the previous five years, the person is eligible for probation before judgment, informally called PBJ. A PBJ is exactly what it says. After the court finds that the evidence is sufficient for a finding of guilt, the person is placed on probation before getting a judgment (or conviction) against them. If the probationary period is completed without any violations, the person does not receive a conviction, no points are assessed, and the guilty finding does not show on the person’s complete driving record. The PBJ will appear on a separate PBJ driving record, which is only available to the person, his or her lawyer, the courts, the prosecutors, and the police. If the person receiving PBJ gets arrested for drunk driving a second time, the authorities will know that he/she is not a first offender. If a person elects to accept PBJ he or she gives up the right to an appeal and the arrest cannot be expunged. However, a PBJ
