You’re going to be on probation for some period of time, usually supervised...so, don’t screw up because...
You face the entire sentence when you are brought back in front of the judge for a VOP – i.e. if you got a PBJ for a second-degree assault and you violate your probation, you are facing 10 years in prison for the violation of probation.
You give up your right to appeal. This is probably the key when you lose a trial at the district court and the judge offers you a PBJ.  If you have a good trial issue, you still can take an appeal “de novo” which means “of new” to the Circuit Court.  Judges often offer PBJ’s to avoid appeals and to guarantee you will receive some type of probation.
If you are not a United States Citizen – a PBJ may be as bad as a conviction.
If you have a security clearance, a CDL license, or some other type of special circumstance, a PBJ may not be in your best interest. And you might need to retain your appeal rights.