* bump again *

sailor sam, the court hearing was on 22nd March 2012 and my wife pleaded guilty and requested the matter be dealt with in her absence. Since we didn't hear from them we called up the courts to find out and pay the fine. yes Old-CodJA. The people over the phone said that they have sent out the notice. I guess it is just lost in the post. So the question is - she doesn't have a letter, mentioning what is she convicted for, the fine amount and the date of conviction. I guess she would need one for the records, won't she? and the 2nd question - Just last week she got the results from disclosure Scotland that she is clean and there are no convictions. Again, would anyone know what does this mean? Thanks again for your help.

*bump*. any comments. - Thanks.

update: my wife tried a last attempt to write another apology and hand delivered it to the address. She was lucky to meet a prosecutor there (although this is not a norm) and the prosecutor explained that they are a team of people that they decide as a team. After a couple of days she received a letter from LU, saying that they are still going to the court. It had been more than a couple of weeks and she still hadn't heard from the courts. So she called up the courts to find out the fine and paid it over the phone. But she doesn't have a letter as yet, mentioning what is she convicted for, the fine amount and the date of conviction. Could anyone please help of going about getting the details/copy? Also, in the mean time my wife found a new job and she was suppose to make the disclosures. This was around the court hearing date. So we wrote that she is expecting a fine and a possible conviction for fare evasion. The employer made a basic disclosure check (this was after the hearing date, so i am assuming the conviction must have been recorded). Just last week she got the results from disclosure Scotland that she is clean and there are no convictions. Again, would anyone know what does this mean? Thanks,

Thanks everyone. I have replied to the summons and given all the information truthfully. I have mentioned that at the moment my income is 0 but gave out my previous salary as well. As I have income on the higher side of the band, I have not provided the salary slips. I have withhold my phone numbers and NI number. I have pleaded guilty and would not be present in court. What happens next? Do i receive a penalty notice and a way to pay it? Thanks.

coming back to the question - I am planning to plead guilty in absence. Since I don't have a job "at the moment" shall I fill in my employment status as "unemployed"? This may change in a couple of weeks time or so. Do I have to make them aware of my changed circumstances then? The form also asks personal information that I am uncomfortably to give like - home/mobile phone number NI number Partners income. Could someone please let me know which of the above is mandatory please? Thanks.

I am planning to plead guilty in absence. Since I don't have a job "at the moment" shall I fill in my employment status as "unemployed"? This may change in a couple of weeks time or so. Do I have to make them aware of my changed circumstances then? The form also asks personal information that I am uncomfortably to give like - home/mobile phone number NI number Partners income. Could someone please let me know which of the above is mandatory please? Thanks.

Hey Guys. Thanks for your advice and guidance. sailor sam - I respect what you say. I would like to drive the point that people like us come here for help, advice about topics that we are not experienced/masters in and look up to you guys for advice. The incident has happened and we are ashamed about it and probably would never do it again. Getting a criminal record is something everyone would like to avoid. It does have a impact on your confidence, job and immigration matters specially when it takes 5 years for such a record to be spent (thankfully they have realised this and are changing it now). You don't realise the gravity of the mistake you are doing unless you are caught. Old-CodJA - Thanks!

Hi, My wife is writing here: I have received the summons for a hearing on the 22nd of March, I called up the prosecutions to explain my situation now since I have lost my job due to redundancy and I have no income. Also in addition I wanted to explain how it would affect my visa extension if I have a conviction / and how it will have an impact on my career. The receiver on the phone said that he cannot change anything since these matters are not discussed over the call and also hinted that since I have received the summons there are very slim chances of them to consider and settle the matter out of court. But I can try to write to them again as I have a month before the hearing. I have no clue what to do, I dont want a conviction. Also since I lost my job last month and hence no income at the moment do I fill my income as nil since they ask me in the forms about my income or should i still in the income of my last job? Please kindly help

Update: My wife wrote to LU profusely apologising and stating how this will effect her current job and future visa applications. My wife received a communication from LU that they have received this letter and that they are considering it. This letter was received soon after she had sent her letter. Since then there has been no communication. In the interim, my wife has lost her job and has to travel to her own country for about a month to sort out her visa issues. This means that the her mitigation circumstances do not hold anymore and now that she would be out of the country for more than a month, she will not be in receipt of her mails. What is the correct way forward? Does she need to write this to LU (possibly awakening them up) or can she just leave the country for a month and then deal with it on her return? I am hoping that she does not hear from them at all. Can she be assured that if there is no proceeding before Feb 2012 (6 months since the offence) my wife is off the hook? Thanks.

Update: My wife sent the letter prepared on the lines by Old-CodJA and sent it by recorded delivery. She had then called up the Prosecution department to give them her apology and request for out of court settlement. She spoke to the reporting manager and he heard her explanation as to how it will impact her career and how was it a plain simple first time mistake. He said there are many people who do this once and want to brush it off by paying off the expenses, but if she can give a formal letter stating that she want out of court with evidences to support her concerns they can consider it. The decision is not yet made though so she requested him for a weeks time to send the letter. Although he cant guarantee what would be the outcome, but he advised to send a letter stating that she would want to go for out of court settlement and to think carefully with all the evidences and send them by post. Well my wifes genuine concerns are that she will have to let her employer know about the criminal record she holds and when its time to look for a new job or to apply for her visa extension in the UK or to travel to the USA she would have to declare all her civil and criminal offenses. This is pretty embarrassing and probably cost her opportunities as no one likes criminals. Is this good enough reasons to pen on the letter? Again if any one has the experience of writing these letters, a draft is always welcome. Thanks Mr Dell

Hi manoj london. You really cannot do anything without the letter. The letter took me about 6 weeks to arrive. So don't expect anything soon!

Thanks a lot Old-CodJA. My wife has written the letter and record delivered it. Lets wait and watch. Thanks again.

Hi Guys, I need to reply to LU very soon! Any help soon is really appreciated.

Hi introuble74, Could you please let me know the text of the letter that you sent (if you don't mind)? Thanks, -Dell

Thanks everyone, Update: My father decided not to pursue the pass until the matter is resolved. Yesterday, we received a letter from London Underground, about the incident and to write any comments on the reverse of the letter. I wanted your advice on this matter. As I mentioned, my wife is extremely ashamed of her self. She wants to plead guilty and is ready to pay any cost involved and/or do community service, but avoid the courts. I was able to get to one of the template letters, but i was not able to find the thread that has templates provided by Old-CodJA. Could someone provide me with a link please? I also gather that I have to write a grovelling reply. What else do you guys think we could do? 1. Shall we call them up? The phone number mentioned is 020 7918 6016 2. Shall we visit them? Post code mentioned is SW7 2NJ 3. Or do you suggest we just reply and wait until they send a court summons or any other letter of communication? Thanks a million, Dell

Hey Thanks guys for all the advice. And sorry to many how found my redundant posts on other topics as well - I wanted to leave a PM to one of the users and to do so, I should have had made at least 4 posts. Hence so many posts! Apologies! As it stands, the council would not proceed unless the tfl notifies them about the confiscation. I am not sure if and when tfl would do so. Anybody, any clues? Even if my father wants to write a letter to the council, I am sceptical if it would make a difference unless they hear from tfl. When I asked the council, if I could submit the anticipated prosecution letter from tfl , they said that should help. As for my father, I have topped his oyster with 90£ so that he is mobilised. My wife is completely ashamed of herself as she is a working lady and has no financial problems. She is taken upon her self, not to cheat or let any one else do so. I believe it was one of her weak moments in which she has done this benefit cheat. I learn from the other threads that rosa2009 mum got her freedom pass back, but her inbox seems to be full and that thread closed -Dell

Hi All, My wife used her FIL (father inlaw) freedom pass without his knowledge and got caught. The pass got confiscated and she is awaiting the letter from the tfl. I have found numerous post about how to go about it after I receive this letter. We called up the council and told them this and now they have it on record. I then learn from the tfl that the card doesn't go back to council and stays as evidence for 7 years instead and I should have reported the card as lost instead. Now that we have already told that the pass is confiscated, could you please advice how to get a replacement pass? Also do we have to wait for the outcome of the case (which would take months), as her FIL really doesn't have anything to do with this. Please advice, MrDell.

Hi UhOh411 and others, Thanks for all your post. My wife used her FIL (father inlaw) freedom pass without his knowledge and got caught. The pass got confiscated and she is awaiting the letter from the tfl. We called up the council and told them this and now they have it on record. I then learn from the tfl that the card doesn't go back to council and stays as evidence for 7 years instead and I should have reported the card as lost instead. Now that we have already told that the pass is confiscated, could you please advice how to get a replacement pass? and how did you manage to do the same for your friend. Also do we have to wait for the outcome of the case, as her FIL really doesn't have anything to do with this. Please advice, MrDell.

Hi reactive and others, Thanks for all your post. My wife used her FIL (father inlaw) freedom pass without his knowledge and got caught. The pass got confiscated and she is awaiting the letter from the tfl. We called up the council and told them this and now they have it on record. I then learn from the tfl that the card doesn't go back to council and stays as evidence for 7 years instead and I should have reported the card as lost instead. Now that we have already told that the pass is confiscated, could you please advice how to get a replacement pass? and how did you manage to do the same for your mum. Also do we have to wait for the outcome of the case, as her FIL really doesn't have anything to do with this. Please advice, MrDell.

Hi Krissie and others, Thanks for all your post. My wife used her FIL (father inlaw) freedom pass without his knowledge and got caught. The pass got confiscated and she is awaiting the letter from the tfl. We called up the council and told them this and now they have it on record. I then learn from the tfl that the card doesn't go back to council and stays as evidence for 7 years instead and I should have reported the card as lost instead. Now that we have already told that the pass is confiscated, could you please advice how to get a replacement pass? and how did you manage to do the same for your mum. Also do we have to wait for the outcome of the case, as her FIL really doesn't have anything to do with this. Please advice, MrDell.

Hi Jetek, Thanks for all your post. It does really help everyone with the same problem. Thanks again. My wife used her FIL (father inlaw) freedom pass without his knowledge and got caught. The pass got confiscated and she is awaiting the letter from the tfl. We called up the council and told them this and now they have it on record. I then learn from the tfl that the card doesn't go back to council and stays as evidence for 7 years instead and I should have reported the card as lost instead. Now that we have already told that the pass is confiscated, could you please advice how to get a replacement pass? and how did you manage to do the same for your friend. Also do we have to wait for the outcome of the case, as her FIL really doesn't have anything to do with this. Please advice, MrDell.

Hi introuble74, I am in the same situation as you except that my FIL has only one freedom pass that is now confiscated. Somehow I blurted out to the council that his freedom pass is confiscated and now I cannot report this as lost too. I am still awaiting a letter from the TFL about the incident. But I am more worried about my FIL freedom pass as he has to now spend monies for his transport and he really doesn't deserve this. Could you let me know what have you done to get a replacement card please? -D