Metrolink (Socal) Fare Evasion Citation
I decided to take a Metrolink Train to work one morning. I was very tired that morning and selected the wrong location. Later when a Sherrif asked for my ticket I showed it to him, not realizing I had purchased the wrong location. He concluded that I had tried to deceive him and wrote me up for P.C.640 (c)(2) Misuse of Fare Media. Later to my surprise, I receive a violation mandating that I appear in court for this Infraction.
My reason for purchasing the wrong ticket is this... I don't travel every day to the office in Downtown LA, but when I do I usually drive. When I am there I often have to travel back and forth on the Metro Subway to different worksite locations. The Metro Subway allows you to use Metrolink Train tickets on it which is more convenient to use. (It can be a couple a dollars cheaper if you purchase the route I do.) So I regularly buy the Metrolink Train ticket to use for my Metro Subway rides.)
I am guilty of purchasing the wrong ticket for my ride on Metrolink, I don't believe I am guilty of the citation I was actually charged. Nonetheless I don't mind pleading guilty to my charge, as I'd rather pay a fine and be done with the citation. I don't have time to fight it the citation and I don't have time for community service. I don't understand the reasion I am mandated to appear in court for this. Any advice?
Re: Metrolink (Socal) Fare Evasion Citation
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P.C.640(c)(2) Misuse of a transfer, pass, ticket, or token with the intent to evade the payment of a fare.
That's all the statute says and requires intent. That you paid for a ticket should show that you had no intent to evade, especially if the prices are close to being comparable.
You don't have to "understand" why you have to appear in court. You just have to appear.
Since you have to appear anyway, you might as well plead not guilty, explain what happened, and see how it goes.
Re: Metrolink (Socal) Fare Evasion Citation
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Quoting
adjusterjack
That's all the statute says and requires intent. That you paid for a ticket should show that you had no intent to evade, especially if the prices are close to being comparable.
The statute is quite explicit that "Misuse of a transfer, pass, ticket, or token with the intent to evade the payment of a fare" is an offense -- using a cheaper ticket to avoid payment of the full fare falls within that language.
While buying the wrong ticket may help support somebody's claim of mistake ("I thought I bought the correct ticket at the correct price"), the fact that you bought a cheaper ticket is not evidence that you did not do so with the intent of committing fraud by using that ticket to avoid a higher fare.