Thanks for the advice. I think I might do just that and consider consulting a solicitor.

Like I explained before, it was an unintentional accident.

Okay, it looks like they're not willing to settle this out of court and want to continue prosecution. With my court date due in a few days time, is there any way I can convince them to settle out of court? Also, I sent off my "not guilty" plea last week. However, on the form it said something about the date being adjourned to a later date if I plea 'not guilty', but I haven't heard back yet from the court whether the date has been adjourned or not. Does it usually get adjourned when you plea not guilty? And if there is no way out of court, any advice on how I should proceed and handle the case? Also, to Kitoo: How did you speak on the phone to the prosecutor directly? I've called them a few times, and I always end up speaking with the receptionist. Did you maybe call them earlier in the morning? Also, how did you convince them to settle out of court even after they turned you down before?

I've contacted them and they said I need to send a letter if I want to settle out of court. I sent the letter last week and am still waiting for a response now.

Okay, it looks like the court letter has arrived, summoning me to court next month in July. Any advice on what I should do? Also, to Kitoo: I'm just curious, but how did you contact the prosecution? And could you maybe give some more advice on what I should do, judging from your experience of going through a similar situation?

I never implied it was relevant to me personally.

Interesting. Doesn't that kind of contradict TFL's claims of making losses?

I sent off my letter at the end of last week, but unfortunately didn't have time to post it here and get it checked. Oh well, I'll just see how it goes. By the way, how long does it usually take for them to respond? Weeks? Months?

Hey. I just saw your other thread and it's great to know you've managed to avoid a conviction. It certainly gives me more hope! I found your advice about stress quite useful, as I do indeed care for my father quite often and it can get quite stressful at times. However, I noticed that you were able to present medical evidence. Would I need to present some kind of evidence too? The last four weeks of my dad's freedom pass should be clean though. My dad said that he doesn't remember using the Freedom pass in several months, so that day I was stopped was probably the first day that Freedom pass was used in months. Do you think that might help my case somewhat? P.S. I'm hoping to have a letter ready tonight and send it off tomorrow. I'll try to post a general outline of the letter here before I send it off though, just in case.

That's very useful information. It's great to know you've managed to avoid a conviction. It certainly gives me more hope! P.S. I do have a few questions, but I think I'll just ask them over at my thread.

I see. Okay, I'll just post my letter with personal details removed. I should hopefully have something ready over the next 1-2 days.

Thanks for the advice. I'll give it a try (and maybe post or e-mail a draft to someone willing to look at it) and see how it goes.

Yeah, I would really appreciate it if someone can check it out and comment on my letter. But do you think it's okay to post it here? I'm just thinking... What if TFL check these forums?

Was your situation kind of similar too? If it was, and they still decided to take you to court... That actually makes me kind of scared too. I don't know how it usually works, but is it something like guilty until proven innocent? I can understand taking such a hard-line stance like that against persistent abusers, but would they do the same for one-off mistakes too? Anyway, best of luck to you! As for me, they haven't taken me to court yet, but they have warned that they might consider such an action. I suppose the only thing I can do now is do what the others have advised above and simply explain it was a mistake (and explain the consequences on my career) and show remorse (maybe assuring them something like that will never happen again?).

I see. How did it go for you?