The Student Room Group

Train Fare Evasion Law?

Hi there, does anybody know what happens to somebody who has been caught evading a train fare at the station, (a small fare of about £1.50)? Person X was also caught out when they were younger and fined about £20 which might show up on a record...So this means the prosecutors will see it's not a one off occurrence, even though person x spends hundreds a year on trains!

Will this person more than likely be prosecuted, if so would they need solicitors, and how long would the conviction stay for on the criminal record?

Sorry for all the questions,

Oh and is this likely to affect a career path?

Thanks

(ps maybe in the wrong forum)
Reply 1
Err do they not just pay either double the fare or £20...?
I doubt it would show up as a criminal conviction? Isnt it just a small fine, like a parking ticket? Unless they decide to pursue and try to make a case of it but thats is near certain not going to happen unless the guy is a regular offender and whatnot..
Do you really think they would chase someone up and spend loads in doing so just for £20...?
Dont worry so much.
Reply 2
I'm pretty sure they only convict the real problems on the TFL network, those who are also engaging in anti-social behaviour and more often than not jobless (seeing as a criminal conviction would mean they would lose their job, which means the tax payer would end up losing out)
Seriously don't worry about him he's just going to get a fine!
Reply 3
ive just had a court case because i used a railcard that had expired, th guy on the train hadnt noticed wen i showed him it so i dint kno either. ive got 164 pounds of costs to pay nd a criminal record! (this is all over £9 discount i got which i payed back in the extra ticket i was made to buy)- i pleaded guilty in my absence because i have exams nd dint want th stress of goin t court. thinkin of changin my plea tho
If you are caught on the railways without a valid ticket, you have the chance to pay an on-the-spot fine, or at least part of the fine there and then. If you cannot do this, it effectively means you never had any intention of buying a ticket in the first place, and this is a serious offence nowadays which carries the penalty of criminal prosecution (theft and trespassing to name but two offences).

It will cost you hundreds of pounds in penalty fines and court fees, plus you will get a criminal record which stays on your file for at least 5 years (all criminal records apart from child-sex offences are wiped off within 20 years) and it will show up whenever somebody does a criminal records check on you.

It won't affect education, but it probably will affect some employment. In some countries (including USA), it is impossible to get an entry Visa if you have a criminal record.
Reply 5
foxykt89
ive just had a court case because i used a railcard that had expired, th guy on the train hadnt noticed wen i showed him it so i dint kno either. ive got 164 pounds of costs to pay nd a criminal record! (this is all over £9 discount i got which i payed back in the extra ticket i was made to buy)- i pleaded guilty in my absence because i have exams nd dint want th stress of goin t court. thinkin of changin my plea tho


Changing your plea after you're convicted?

Good luck with that :p:
Reply 6
Isambard Kingdom Brunel
If you are caught on the railways without a valid ticket, you have the chance to pay an on-the-spot fine, or at least part of the fine there and then. If you cannot do this, it effectively means you never had any intention of buying a ticket in the first place, and this is a serious offence nowadays which carries the penalty of criminal prosecution (theft and trespassing to name but two offences).

It will cost you hundreds of pounds in penalty fines and court fees, plus you will get a criminal record which stays on your file for at least 5 years (all criminal records apart from child-sex offences are wiped off within 20 years) and it will show up whenever somebody does a criminal records check on you.

It won't affect education, but it probably will affect some employment. In some countries (including USA), it is impossible to get an entry Visa if you have a criminal record.


Not true, I was on a train and had lost my young persons railcard, although i had bought my ticket at a self-service machine stating that I had a railcard. I got caught out and fined £24 (it's either double your fare or £20, whichever is the most)

I couldn't pay it on the train and so had 30 days to pay it, which i did and that was that. No criminal record or court or any of that!
Well it depends what you want to do - certain obvious jobs - even that would show up!
Reply 8
G.A.K
even though person x spends hundreds a year on trains!


Nothing to do with it. Whether they spend £10 a year on trains or hundreds, the outcome will still be the same.
Reply 9
Law wise. Railway bylaws isn't it?
Reply 10
somombo
Not true, I was on a train and had lost my young persons railcard, although i had bought my ticket at a self-service machine stating that I had a railcard. I got caught out and fined £24 (it's either double your fare or £20, whichever is the most)

I couldn't pay it on the train and so had 30 days to pay it, which i did and that was that. No criminal record or court or any of that!

That happened to my friend. If you dont pay back the original fine thwy double it like evry 2 weeks ir something and you may end up facing a court order if u left it for ages.