"Steve Peake" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 30 Apr 2004 19:32:17 +0000 (UTC), evan wrote:

A couple of people have frightened her about this & said she can get a
fine
of up to £1000 & a criminal record - it's the criminal record bit she is
worried about. Is this likely? (as far as I can tell it's possible, but
that's not the same thing). Also, anyone any idea what the fine on a
first
offence might be?

A magistrate in a previous post puts it at £150 ish.


She admits she's in the wrong & plans to plead guilty, & was also
wondering
if going to court herself to explain will have any affect on the
penalty.

On the fine maybe, but by pleading guilty you get the criminal conviction.


I can understand that they are trying to cut down fare dodging, but it
seems
a bit over the top to me, given that she did have a ticket. However.

You need a solicitor, they may tell you that pleading not-guilty is the
best bet (after all doing this will only increase the fine slightly if it
fails), it really depends on the text of the law if having a ticket but
forgetting to use it is a valid defence, it may well be.

To get a criminal conviction the prosecution have to show intent.
This is usually impossible unless the person confesses to deliberately
evading the fare, can be shown to have lied to the inspector or they
have been nabbed a few times.

It used to be that in a case like this they wouldn't even bother
with a prosecution (which is why the PF was brought in in the
first place so that they had a sanction when there was no chance
of a prosecution).

So ISTM that either there is something missing from the story
or they have no chance of winning.

See a solicitor prompto.

tim






Steve