Hi i have now been summoned to court as. I had picked up my partners staff oyster card and was caught by inspectors with it. I chose to go not guilty as it was not done on purpose and they could check i have only just used it this one time, also I family member had just died the past week so my heads not been in the right place. I just want to know the likely outcome please, or if any advice.
Which company is prosecuting you and under what charge? If it's TfL under the Bylaws - something we see here very often - then these are strict liability. Your intent is immaterial and nothing you say ("I did it once, I had a family member die") is a defence to your guilt.
If that's correct - You will undoubtedly be found guilty, and because you have not admitted your guilt, you will lose any entitlement to any discount on the fine, and be punished by means of a fine linked to your income.
You will receive a criminal record usually spent after one year.
You will need to pay a surcharge on the fine.
You will need to pay the fare/s avoided as compensation to TfL.