gray1404
Established Member
So just to confirm, the Court gave you the exact date that information was laid before them and it was indeed on your before 22 May 2019? If the Court just said "May" then I would press for the exact day. Being just one day out means they cannot bring a case against you.
Assuming however that the information was laid in time... as others have said, your first attempt should be the contact Merseyrail to ask if they would be willing to agree to on out of Court settlement. I would say that with the limited amount of time remaining until the Court date, it would be best done by phone. I would also recommend you install an app to record phone calls so you have proof of anything that is agreed. If they agree I would try to make payment there and then over the phone if possible. I would keep the request short and simple. You may perhaps have to offer something in mitigation such as. Mentioning that on the morning in question you were under pressure as you had to attend to your studies and when you spoke to their member of staff, you had an error of judgement. However you now understand the seriousness of it of have made sure you have a ticket before travel from now on. You might also mention that having graduated/or shortly will be a criminal record would make it difficult to gain employment.
If Merseyrail do not agree to this then you can always get to the Court early on the day in question and ask the Clark to tell you who is acting on behalf of Merseyrail and ask them if it they would agree to a settlement. If the matter does end up being heard in Court it is really important that the Court is made aware of your current earning/or lack of/benefits you might be on. If they are not aware of this information then they will assume average earning and any fine issued may be higher then it otherwise may have been had they been aware of your situation.
Assuming however that the information was laid in time... as others have said, your first attempt should be the contact Merseyrail to ask if they would be willing to agree to on out of Court settlement. I would say that with the limited amount of time remaining until the Court date, it would be best done by phone. I would also recommend you install an app to record phone calls so you have proof of anything that is agreed. If they agree I would try to make payment there and then over the phone if possible. I would keep the request short and simple. You may perhaps have to offer something in mitigation such as. Mentioning that on the morning in question you were under pressure as you had to attend to your studies and when you spoke to their member of staff, you had an error of judgement. However you now understand the seriousness of it of have made sure you have a ticket before travel from now on. You might also mention that having graduated/or shortly will be a criminal record would make it difficult to gain employment.
If Merseyrail do not agree to this then you can always get to the Court early on the day in question and ask the Clark to tell you who is acting on behalf of Merseyrail and ask them if it they would agree to a settlement. If the matter does end up being heard in Court it is really important that the Court is made aware of your current earning/or lack of/benefits you might be on. If they are not aware of this information then they will assume average earning and any fine issued may be higher then it otherwise may have been had they been aware of your situation.
