Can I work as a pharmacist with a minor conviction

Hi I'm currently studying pharmacy and I got caught trying to bump the train and I'm waiting on receiving my penalty fare. The problem is that I'm worried about it turning into a legal thing, do any of you guys know if I can still become a pharmacist if it does?

Reply 1

DataVenia

Volunteer Team

Original post by wunbo

Penalty Fares are a civil rather than a criminal sanction. In essence, they are a written agreement between the commuter and the train company, where typically £20 must be paid within 21 days. So if it's just a penalty fare, then you'll be absolutely fine.

All of what follows is only relevant is it becomes "a legal thing" (if, for example, the train operator opts for a private prosecution under s.5(3) of the Regulation of Railways Act 1889 – intentionally travelling on the Railway without having paid the fare.)

Even if that happens, you can still be a pharmacist - but you'd need to be open and upfront with your employer about it.

Take a read of ‘Dishonesty is state of mind’: Pharmacist struck off over unpaid train tickets. The headline is misleading, in that it wasn't the unpaid train tickets which were this issue, it was the "subsequent sustained and systematic dishonesty in her dealings with her employer and her regulator”.

Reply 2

wunbo

Original post by DataVenia

Penalty Fares are a civil rather than a criminal sanction. In essence, they are a written agreement between the commuter and the train company, where typically £20 must be paid within 21 days. So if it's just a penalty fare, then you'll be absolutely fine.
All of what follows is only relevant is it becomes "a legal thing" (if, for example, the train operator opts for a private prosecution under s.5(3) of the Regulation of Railways Act 1889 – intentionally travelling on the Railway without having paid the fare.)
Even if that happens, you can still be a pharmacist - but you'd need to be open and upfront with your employer about it.
Take a read of ‘Dishonesty is state of mind’: Pharmacist struck off over unpaid train tickets. The headline is misleading, in that it wasn't the unpaid train tickets which were this issue, it was the "subsequent sustained and systematic dishonesty in her dealings with her employer and her regulator”.

thank you so much, the stress has been destroying me recently, I've started finding grey hairs and everything😭

Reply 3

wunbo

But do you think there would be any issues with fitness to practice?

Reply 4

DataVenia

Volunteer Team

Original post by wunbo

But do you think there would be any issues with fitness to practice?

No. If it's a penalty fare, definitely not. If it results in an actual conviction, then just ensure you're open and honest about it and you'll be fine. (Attempting to hide it is what'll cause you problems in the long term.)