Going to Crown Court

[iamjack]

Hi

Basically I am appealing my sentence and conviction I received at a magistrates court.

I was found guilty of using the wrong ticket to board a tube.

My appeal will be heard at crown court.

Can you please tell me the likely costs if I lose the appeal.

I am a student and don't have much money, is the costs I will have to pay means tested and based on how much money I have.

The trial shouldn't last longer than an hour.

Any rough idea's of costs would be great

Many thanks

[Tilly2]

What was your sentence?

[iamjack]

I was given a criminal record and fined £250.
I am more concerned about the criminal record.

[Fibonacci]

http://www.direct.gov...rconviction/DG_196095

[Tilly2]

Don't know about costs but if you're appealing, you surely have a solicitor who could answer that question.
Are you actually guilty?

Have you got a chance of winning the appeal?

[iamjack]

I have read that link but can't find info on the costs

[iamjack]

I have been told different things by different solicitors, ranging from £500 - £10,000

I am not guilty and have a decent case I think

[ojread2]

What are you appealing? The fine? Or the criminal record?

[iamjack]

Both I couldn't just appeal one or it would make me look guilty

[ojread2]

I can't see any costs on the link either but maybe that's because it is such a vast scale as you have been quoted?

How come you were found guilty if you're not? Did you have the right or wrong ticket?

[iamjack]

Yeah I keep getting told different amounts.

Could it be means tested or the same for everyone?

And it is a very long story and the worst six months of my life.

Basically I naively thought that my sincere remorse, good character, being apologetic and owning up to everything would go in my favour.

It only reduced my fine by £20.

[ummmm]

Remorse?

[iamjack]

I just thought my no previous convictions ect and would help me

[sandyRoe]

If you are innocent why remorse? If you've done the crime you will have to live with the consequences.

[friedgreentomato]

Remorse?

Did you have the wrong ticket then?

[ojread2]

Ah, so you are guilty lol

Well it doesn't work that way I'm afraid being sorry is one thing, but you must have known you were liable to be caught?

Carry on with your appeal if you want to but if you are truly in impoverished student, you'll be paying it back for a while
What will you do if it goes over £10k? Or even £5k?

This might be of some help
http://www.justice.go...questions-and-answers

The cost appears to centre on how much work will be involved which is why you can't find a definite answer

[iamjack]

Sorry I don't mean remorse. I genuinely used the ticket by mistake.

I have had this argument so many times.

I am just very worried about the costs of crown court

[Connemmara]

God it is hardly a crime using the wrong ticket compared with the Nigerian lady who has so bled the NHS. He/she is only a kid - no other convictions ie drugs rape etc. Bless you iamjack - hope you are ok.

[iamjack]

Thank you

But I am not ok this is all I can think of, I have a criminal record which will hold me back the rest of my life all because I made a huge mistake.

I have had no experiences with courts ect and I am really scared this will ruin my life

[Connemmara]

I can see how worried you are and while I am not au fait with the law do get a solicitor who could perhaps put your mind at ease. Tell him you can pay the fine (if you borrow) it but you want the criminal record scrapped.

[sandyRoe]

You wouldn't get a fine without a conviction which leads to a criminal record. It's not the most serious offence in the world.