help please. I received a court letter.

[haileo]

Hi Everyone， I need help.
I admit that I made a stupid mistake. I used my child's subway ticket.
I didn't know the seriousness of this matter before. I would like to ask how I should deal with this matter. I added a screenshot.
First of all, I will plead guilty. I know I was wrong and it will not happen again.
Q1: Can I not appear in court? I am willing to pay the fine and other fees.
Q2: What is the general process if I must appear in court? My English is not good. Will there be a translator to help me in the court?
Q3: The back of the document needs to be filled in with the economic situation. My husband is currently working, but he received a letter of dismissal, which means he will be out of work by the end of June. How should the spouse's income be filled in (the court date is in August)?

Thank you everyone

 

[30907]

Q1: You have to go to court, because you have to agree to them "taking into consideration" all those times that you made the same "mistake" (please don't call it that in court).
Q2: the court appearance will be very brief and simple but you need to contact them to request a translator specifically.
Q3: you need to declare your income accurately now, but you could add a note explaining that your spouse's circumstances are changing.

 

[Puffing Devil]

Q1: You have to go to court, because you have to agree to them "taking into consideration" all those times that you made the same "mistake" (please don't call it that in court).
Q2: the court appearance will be very brief and simple but you need to contact them to request a translator specifically.
Q3: you need to declare your income accurately now, but you could add a note explaining that your spouse's circumstances are changing.

All correct, though no need to return the income form, no harm will come if you bring it to the hearing in August. You'll have a clear picture of your total family income by then.

 

[haileo]

Q1: You have to go to court, because you have to agree to them "taking into consideration" all those times that you made the same "mistake" (please don't call it that in court).
Q2: the court appearance will be very brief and simple but you need to contact them to request a translator specifically.
Q3: you need to declare your income accurately now, but you could add a note explaining that your spouse's circumstances are changing.

Thanks. Will this leave a criminal record?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Jun 2025 ==

All correct, though no need to return the income form, no harm will come if you bring it to the hearing in August. You'll have a clear picture of your total family income by then.

Thanks

 

[Egg Centric]

Thanks. Will this leave a criminal record?

Yes. Albeit it'll be spent after 1 year and almost certanily not appear on DBS searches.

 

[Hadders]

You are being prosecuted under the TfL Byelaws. If you are convicted (which you will be if you plead guilty and even if you plead not guilty TfL will win as they've got you bang to rights) then you will have to pay:

- A fine based on your income, normally discounted by a third for pleading guilty at the earliest opportunity
- A surcharge of 40% of the value of the fine
- A contribution towards TfL's costs (looking at the paperwork TfL are asking for £375)
- Compensation for the fares avoided (£7 for the offence on the day you were caught plus £1,272 for the other occasions being taken into consideration)

If you are found guilty then this is a criminal conviction, which for most purposes will be considered as spent after a year. Byelaw convictions aren't normally recorded on the Police National Computer and won't normally appear on Basic DBS checks although we always advise people to be honest when asked if they have a conviction because a conviction is a matter of public record and organisations do have other ways of finding out about them.

 

[jessandes]

I am so confused I thought, if you was convicted it would appear on DBS checks and enhanced DBS checks?

 

[Egg Centric]

I am so confused I thought, if you was convicted it would appear on DBS checks and enhanced DBS checks?

No. In very simple terms, bylaw offences are not recorded on PNC (unless someone screws up) and therefore don't show up on DBS, even enhanced (although there is a theoretical possibility of it it's hard to see how it could ever apply in practice).

But as Hadders says there are still records of it.