Response to Prosecution Letter

[xmmxmm]

Hi, I hope all is well. I recieved a letter in the post today regarding an incident where in May where I took a 30min train journey where I wasn't checked during my journey so i just bought the cheepest ticket to my destination to get through the barriers but there was somone there checking and I got caught.
Essentially, I am a medical studet and do not want this to go to court and for me to get a criminal record so need some help in what to say in my email back to them so that I can pay the fare I evaded plus some of the train operating company's costs in dealing with me.
I was thinking to appologise, acknolwage that I was wrong, understand the impact and ask to resolve this matter by paying the outstanding fare and any reasonable administrative costs, rather than proceeding to court.
I am also not sure wether to include that I am a medical student as on one hand it is quite relevent but also doesn't give me any special "pass".
All help/input is much appreciated!
I have attached the letter also.

 

[Egg Centric]

Don't include that you are a medical student. It's not relevant (and frankly to the very limited extent that it is, it is worse - why should future nurses or whatever who may be in a position of responsibility with integrity required eg dealing with controlled drugs, vulnerable patients, yada yada escape prosecution while plumbers don't?). Sounds like you have the basic idea - post draft of the email here before you send it off just in case.

 

[xmmxmm]

Don't include that you are a medical student. It's not relevant (and frankly to the very limited extent that it is, it is worse - why should future nurses or whatever who may be in a position of responsibility with integrity required eg dealing with controlled drugs, vulnerable patients, yada yada escape prosecution while plumbers don't?). Sounds like you have the basic idea - post draft of the email here before you send it off just in case.

Yhh I was leaning towards not including it since its not fair and as you said if anything makes it worst ahaha. Something along the lines of this ?
Dear .....,
I am writing in response to the letter I received regarding the incident on .....
I want to sincerely apologise for my actions on that day. I recognise that purchasing the wrong ticket was dishonest, and I deeply regret it. I fully understand the seriousness of fare evasion and the impact it has.
I take full responsibility and would be extremely grateful if you would consider allowing me to resolve this matter without it going to court. I am willing to pay the outstanding fare and any administrative costs in order to settle the matter promptly.
This incident has been a serious wake-up call, and I can assure you it will not happen again.
Thank you for your consideration.

 

[Titfield]

May I suggest you look at some of the other draft letters in this sub forum?

Your response is ok but is a bit short and does not come across as well as it could.

A couple of points from my perspective:

(1) I don't like the phrase "I want to sincerely apologise." I think the more direct "I sincerely apologise" is more convincing?
(2) The phrase "this incident has been a serious wake up call" suggests (to me) that you have done this before and the incident was not a "mistake" or "one off" but rather a pattern of behaviour.