Hi
First let me re-assure you. If there was nothing else untoward about the incident * , then there is negligible chance that this would go anywhere near a Court without there being some correspondence beforehand, at which point you would have a clearer understanding of what offence has been alleged, and by whom; and probably some indication of the costs incurred. But all of that is just a future possibility at present.
From what you have written here, it may simply be that your son's name has been put on a list so that repeat offenders can be easily distinguished from one-off, first-time 'mistakes'.
Would that happen, then being under 18, he would be dealt with under the youth justice system, (unless he turns 18 in the meantime), and so the parents will have to be involved.
Perhaps there will be some correspondence, and if so, it would probably allow for the possibility of reaching an administrative settlement without going forward to a prosecution. Obviously, you would be advised to take up that offer.
* I mention the posssibility of there being more to the story only because it does happen from time to time that a young person has found a way of getting on well with their family which includes an element of telling them what they think the relatives want to hear (an unfortunate skill which they seem to learn from observing adult interactions!), and that they have learnt about 'spin' and how manipulative people only have to present part of the truth to influence others to support them (sadly, also aquired from adults). The upshot of this is that some young people detected doing something wrong for the first time may well argue that it was a one-off, and a mistake, but on closer examination, there can be evidence of repeatedly trying whatever it was. Please don't take this as criticism of you - or yor son - I only want you to be prepared if an Investigating Officer suspects that an adult doesn't travel on a child ticket 'by mistake', and so checks to see if there is any evidence of having made any previous 'mistakes' of this kind.
Hope this helps, and sorry to raise doubts.
