QUOTE=truthbetold;1206805]
What are my options?
Your best course of action if you are not going to instruct solicitors is:
1) Contact the court ASAP.
2) Tell them you will plead guilty in person at the hearing
3) Apologise (profusely)
4) Set out your mitigation. You were robbed, had no money, late at night wanted to get home, sick cat, stressed, confused, panicking, didn't know what to do, thought (wrongly) you could buy at the gate etc etc. Try not to overdo it mind. The mags will see through any amount of bullsh*t!
5) Set out what you can afford to pay and why anythig different would cause you financial hardship
6) Stress first offense and apologise - and for gods sake dont tell them it is your first offense if it isn't!
As an aside in all my dealing with the Mags i always found they responded so much better if the defendant actually turned up! The point being that magistrates tend to be decent people. If you turn up, behave in a civilised manner, explain your position, set out WHY it happened, apologise and explain that you cant pay they will do what they can to help you. Turn up and act the tw*t and they will very quickly follow the advice of the prosecutor!
Is it worth getting a solicitor involved? Is this possible with no money?
You may be entitled to legal aid of some form. Contact a local Criminal La firm and they will advise. I doubt you need a "railway law" expert. It seems an open and should case
Is it too late to settle out of court now?
almost certainly but you could try to offer them something to buy them off + pay their costs. I doubt it will work now. Are you even able to pay? The mags might be more helpful in setting a realistic payment plan for any penalty.
You could also try the court steps settlement. This will only work if you have the wherewithal to pay a decent sum to the prosecutor on the day. Alternatively, seek out the prosecutor in the court before the hearing and ask them to talk about settlement. (this may not e sensible without representation) IF you can present a sensible agreement to the Magistrate things will proceed much quicker!
Edit: by the way I don't have a crime reference number. My belongings were stolen at a festival in Portugal that I was making my way back from.[/QUOTE]
Careless and doesn't help your case at all. First question will be why didn't you report it