Caught fare evading twice since May on a bus

[anon01]

Both times were after getting on a free-travel zone, but basically going further on when the free-travel zone ended.

 

I just wondered what punishment i'm looking at?

 

The first time i paid an on the spot fine of £40, but this time he said because i've done it before in the past year, he will pass a report onto the TFL?

 

I understand i will most likely be prosecuted, and have a criminal record?

 

Or will it be worse that i've done it before in the same year?

 

Also, in terms of the fine what am i looking at? How much will i pay?

 

I don't have a job atm, so i'm a bit worried how much i will have to pay?

 

Anyone know a ballpark figure of what the fine will be?

 

Thanks guys.

[firstclassx]

Both times were after getting on a free-travel zone, but basically going further on when the free-travel zone ended.

 

I just wondered what punishment i'm looking at?

 

The first time i paid an on the spot fine of £40, but this time he said because i've done it before in the past year, he will pass a report onto the TFL?

 

I understand i will most likely be prosecuted, and have a criminal record?

 

Or will it be worse that i've done it before in the same year?

 

Also, in terms of the fine what am i looking at? How much will i pay?

 

I don't have a job atm, so i'm a bit worried how much i will have to pay?

 

Anyone know a ballpark figure of what the fine will be?

 

Thanks guys.

 

Assuming you plead guilty by post and don't want a hearing, a fine of about £350-£400, costs of around £100, victim surcharge of £35-£40, plus compensation which will be the total amount of bus fares evaded and obviously a criminal record. So £500 - £600 will be the total amount, give or take.

 

If you plead "not guilty" and get found guilty, (but it would be stupid to do this), the fine will be higher.

 

They are able to deduct a set amount directly from your benefits until it's paid - and if you do get a job, they can deduct this from your wages, or even imprison you if you fail to pay.

 

It is likely that TfL will refer the court to your previous indiscretions, and the court may consider that when sentencing.

[anon01]

Assuming you plead guilty by post and don't want a hearing, a fine of about £350-£400, costs of around £100, victim surcharge of £35-£40, plus compensation which will be the total amount of bus fares evaded and obviously a criminal record. So £500 - £600 will be the total amount, give or take.

 

If you plead "not guilty" and get found guilty, (but it would be stupid to do this), the fine will be higher.

 

They are able to deduct a set amount directly from your benefits until it's paid - and if you do get a job, they can deduct this from your wages, or even imprison you if you fail to pay.

 

It is likely that TfL will refer the court to your previous indiscretions, and the court may consider that when sentencing.

 

Thanks for the reply.

 

Wow, that's more than i thought.

 

My mate got convicted of the same offence back in 2008, but was only fined about £80-£100 after pleading guility by post without a hearing, do you know why my costs amount to far more?

 

Cheers.

[firstclassx]

Thanks for the reply.

 

Wow, that's more than i thought.

 

My mate got convicted of the same offence back in 2008, but was only fined about £80-£100 after pleading guility by post without a hearing, do you know why my costs amount to far more?

 

Cheers.

 

I think he is telling you wrong information then, or he wasn't convicted by a court. The fine might have been, say, £100, but you then have to add court costs and surcharge/compensation on, it would have been around £200-£300 at the least, and that was 5 years ago!

 

A "Penalty Fare" is now £80, so a court isn't really going to fine you less than that!!

 

TfL's court costs are currently £100 alone, never mind the fine and victim surcharge.

 

If you come out of court with change from £500, you've done well.

[anon01]

I think he is telling you wrong information then, or he wasn't convicted by a court. The fine might have been, say, £100, but you then have to add court costs and surcharge/compensation on, it would have been around £200-£300 at the least, and that was 5 years ago!

 

A "Penalty Fare" is now £80, so a court isn't really going to fine you less than that!!

 

TfL's court costs are currently £100 alone, never mind the fine and victim surcharge.

 

If you come out of court with change from £500, you've done well.

 

I remember i saw his letter, it definitely said it. It was done by court and he could also let them know his financial details, and he plead guilty by post.

 

Maybe it was different 5 years ago?

 

Wow, coming out of court only £500 down is good?!

 

FFS.

[BazzaS]

I remember i saw his letter, it definitely said it. It was done by court and he could also let them know his financial details, and he plead guilty by post.

 

Maybe it was different 5 years ago?

 

Wow, coming out of court only £500 down is good?!

 

FFS.

 

I've not seen anywhere where you have an ethical problem with fare dodging, or any remorse. That is your right, but may not engender much sympathy for your current plight.

 

If you aren't bothered by the ethical consideration of fare evading, and didn't heed the warning of your first time being caught : look at it purely as a mathematical exercise ....

 

Given one of the intents of prosecuting people is to discourage others from deliberate fare evasion : What level of penalty is appropriate taking into account all the people fair evading and not getting caught, and how many offenses are committed before someone gets caught for the second time, (caught for the second time, so doesn't get off with a penalty fare, rather than the number of offences by a deliberate evader that lead to being caught twice)?

Edited October 29, 2013 by BazzaS

[anon01]

I think he is telling you wrong information then, or he wasn't convicted by a court. The fine might have been, say, £100, but you then have to add court costs and surcharge/compensation on, it would have been around £200-£300 at the least, and that was 5 years ago!

 

A "Penalty Fare" is now £80, so a court isn't really going to fine you less than that!!

 

TfL's court costs are currently £100 alone, never mind the fine and victim surcharge.

 

If you come out of court with change from £500, you've done well.

 

Actually you may be right, i remember he said he grovelled a bit on an apology letter, and maybe they settled out of court?

 

So, that probably would've amounted to £80 - £100 fine and not the court charges?

[anon01]

I've not seen anywhere where you have an ethical problem with fare dodging, or any remorse. That is your right, but may not engender much sympathy for your current plight.

 

If you aren't bothered by the ethical consideration of fare evading, and didn't heed the warning of your first time being caught : look at it purely as a mathematical exercise ....

 

Given one of the intents of prosecuting people is to discourage others from deliberate fare evasion : What level of penalty is appropriate taking into account all the people far evading and not getting caught, and how many offenses are committed before someone gets caught for the second time, (caught for the second time, so doesn't get off with a penalty fare, rather than the number of offences by a deliberate evader that lead to bring caught twice)?

 

Yeah, your probably right.

 

btw, will they take into consideration that i got on at a free-travel zone?

 

I told the guy i didn't know the free-travel zone had ended.

 

Also, are fines higher for Train evaders as opposed to Bus evaders?

 

Cheers.

[anon01]

I've still not received any correspondence from them.

 

Does it usually take this long, if so when can i expect something from them?

 

Luckily i've found myself a job since this incident.

[dx100uk]

you would have gotten the stuff by now.

 

looks like you are ok

 

dx

[Old-CodJA]

you would have gotten the stuff by now.

 

looks like you are ok

 

dx

 

 

 

Whilst dx100uk MAY well be right, do remember that at busy times it can take 6-8 weeks for TfL or the TOCs to process these matters and they legally have six months in which to put any allegation before a Court.

 

The OP posted on 28th October, which is just 8 weeks ago and we've had the Christmas post period during that time.

 

You may not hear anything, but if you get any letter, do respond to it immediately.

[dx100uk]

yes of course read the title properly dx....

 

since may, not IN May.

 

dx

[Grotesque]

Luckily i've found myself a job since this incident.

 

A temporary one?

[citizenB]

Thanks for the reply.

 

Wow, that's more than i thought.

 

My mate got convicted of the same offence back in 2008, but was only fined about £80-£100 after pleading guility by post without a hearing, do you know why my costs amount to far more?

 

Cheers.

 

I would imagine that the fines and costs have increased since 2008 as do train fares !!

[anon01]

A temporary one?

 

Nah, full-time/permanent.

 

Working at William Hill.

[anon01]

Whilst dx100uk MAY well be right, do remember that at busy times it can take 6-8 weeks for TfL or the TOCs to process these matters and they legally have six months in which to put any allegation before a Court.

 

The OP posted on 28th October, which is just 8 weeks ago and we've had the Christmas post period during that time.

 

You may not hear anything, but if you get any letter, do respond to it immediately.

 

Cheers for the reply.

 

I'll still keep a look out for anything from them.

[anon01]

Received a letter from them, and then sent my information off. Received a letter from the court and the fine was only £247 in total.

 

I guess i can be quite pleased with that outcome?

 

Especially with my previous history of evading fare?

[Grotesque]

Still working?

[anon01]

Yep.

 

So i guess overall i can be quite happy with the fine.

 

Not too much out of my monthly pay (i get about £1000 a month)

[Grotesque]

With overtime

[BazzaS]

Received a letter from them, and then sent my information off. Received a letter from the court and the fine was only £247 in total.

 

I guess i can be quite pleased with that outcome?

 

Especially with my previous history of evading fare?

 

If it was a fine, from a court, it will come with a criminal record.

 

If that doesn't bother you, and you are still classing yourself as pleased with the outcome then it seems you are merely viewing the fine as a trade off against the times you didn't pay your fare.

 

Have you advised your employers of your conviction for a crime (which they can conclude is one of dishonesty)? If not, does your employment contract require you to tell them ?