being taken back to court! HELP PLEASE

[Jellyshoes10]

Basically, two friends and I were travelling from Woking to Guildford in the summer, and did not buy the correct ticket, my friend purchased a group ticket for the journey back, not the one we had previously taken, all three of us were then stopped by ticket officers, and our details were taken.

About a month ago, we all received court summons for the offence, myself and the friend who bought the ticket both plead guilty in absence and my other friend pleaded not guilty. I thought this was the end of the matter as I understood what had happened and accepted the consequences. Yet I have received summons back to court for the same case. The friend that had bought the actual tickets and pleaded guilty has received her fine, yet I have been summoned back to court.

Just very confused about the situation as i was hoping to have it over and done with. And wondering if anyone could enlighten me as to what is happening.
Thank you

 

[yorkie]

Basically, two friends and I were travelling from Woking to Guildford in the summer, and did not buy the correct ticket, my friend purchased a group ticket for the journey back, not the one we had previously taken, all three of us were then stopped by ticket officers, and our details were taken.

I don't understand. Can you elaborate on exactly what happened, and exactly what tickets were held?

About a month ago, we all received court summons for the offence, myself and the friend who bought the ticket both plead guilty in absence and my other friend pleaded not guilty. I thought this was the end of the matter as I understood what had happened and accepted the consequences. Yet I have received summons back to court for the same case. The friend that had bought the actual tickets and pleaded guilty has received her fine, yet I have been summoned back to court.

Just very confused about the situation as i was hoping to have it over and done with. And wondering if anyone could enlighten me as to what is happening.
Thank you

Have you asked the prosecutions department what is happening?

Out of interest, what offence were you prosecuted under? Some offences carry a criminal record and some do not.

 

[Fare-Cop]

About a month ago, we all received court summons for the offence, myself and the friend who bought the ticket both plead guilty in absence and my other friend pleaded not guilty. I thought this was the end of the matter as I understood what had happened and accepted the consequences. Yet I have received summons back to court for the same case. The friend that had bought the actual tickets and pleaded guilty has received her fine, yet I have been summoned back to court.

When you sent your 'Guilty' plea to the Court did you also give a written explanation of what you believe happened as you would be entitled to do?

I ask this because I can see one way in which the case might have been adjourned for you to attend.

If you pleaded guilty, but put in a letter with the plea that said something to the effect that 'I admit the offence, but didn't intend to do it', it is possible that the Court would not accept the guilty plea because it would be considered equivocal.

Do you still have a copy of anything that you sent to the Court with your plea?

 

[suley]

By the sounds of things since one of you pleaded not guilty they seem to have decided to take you all in together, now you need to speak to a legal rep and clarify are they putting you on trial or using you as a witness or what. If it is the case you have been fined and they have concluded the matter it would be very interesting if they did decide to prosecute you again for the same event twice. Im presuming the fine was paid and cleared, if thats the case give them a quick call to clarify it could be an admin error

 

[DaveNewcastle]

When you pleaded 'Guilty' a month or so ago, there would normally have been a letter back from the Court to tell you what sentence was passed (usually a fine plus the costs of the ticket and perhaps the costs of the prosecution solicitors plus a Victim Surcharge). If you didn't receive that letter, then you can assume that the Court simply wasn't able to decide the matter.

That's why you've been summonsed to appear.

Fare Cop suggests a very likely explanation for the Court being unable to decide - if you technically hadn't committed the exact offence as it is written, then even your 'Guilty' plea might be unnacceptable. I think he's probably correct in assuming that they want to hear your version of events and haven't been able to accept the Railway Company's report without some doubt.

You don't need to take a lawyer if you can't afford one, but do take good advice from someone with experience of Criminal Proceedings in the Magistrates Court, and crucially, find out exactly what Offence you were accused of and what you said in your statement - that's going to provide the explanation of why the Court wasn't persuaded you are Guilty.

By the sounds of things since one of you pleaded not guilty they seem to have decided to take you all in together, . . .

This is unlikely.

now you need to speak to a legal rep and clarify are they putting you on trial or using you as a witness or what.

Your summons will tell you very clearly whether you are being accused of any offence or if you are being called as a witness to someone else's alledged offence - that will be very clear from the letter.

If it is the case you have been fined and they have concluded the matter it would be very interesting if they did decide to prosecute you again for the same event twice. Im presuming the fine was paid and cleared, if thats the case give them a quick call to clarify it could be an admin error

This is implausible. Courts do make mistakes (I've seen people being charged with the wrong offence or on the wrong date), but I think that this is the most improbable explanation for this summons.

 

[Puffing Devil]

For a quick understanding of what's happened, call the court concerned. Tell them of you hearing date and explain that you had entered a guilty plea by post and expected to be sentenced. The court should be able explain why you're being called in.

When you get more details, or if it's not clear, post back and we can offer more specific advice.