Lost My Caltrain Citation

My question involves traffic court in the State of: California -- San Mateo County in particular. About a year ago, I was cited for fare evasion on Caltrain. I had a 10-ride pass, set for one zone (I normally commute from San Francisco to San Mateo), but was riding from Palo Alto to San Mateo this time. I didn't realize that I couldn't use a 10-ride pass as a 1-zone ticket in a different zone. The ticket agent cited me for not getting a fare upgrade.

I was upset, of course, but not unduly so, and I intended to make the mandated court appearance. Unfortunately, I almost immediately lost the actual citation. And, unsure how to proceed, I kind of gave up on it. Now that some time has passed, I grow increasingly nervous this will come back to bite me.

What should I do? I assume this won't just go away, but I'm also certain that any follow-up mailings addressed to me won't arrive, as they took down an old address from my driver's license rather than my current residence. That said, I want this off my conscience. Any idea how to take care of it -- and some guess as to what being so late will cost me?

You can contact the court and request a copy of the citation as well as request that they schedule you for a court appearance to have your case heard before the judge.

Just keep in mind that due to your failing to appear on the promised date you signed for on the citation, there might be some additional fines and/or penalties attached to the underlying offense of fare evasion.

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Quoting That Guy

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You can contact the court and request a copy of the citation as well as request that they schedule you for a court appearance to have your case heard before the judge.

Just keep in mind that due to your failing to appear on the promised date you signed for on the citation, there might be some additional fines and/or penalties attached to the underlying offense of fare evasion.

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Thanks -- do you think it's wise for me to talk to an attorney first? Given the time schedule involved, I'm nervous this might have escalated. I mentioned this to a friend who said this could involve a failure to appear charge, which is a misdemeanor with bench warrant associated.

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Quoting sanmateorider

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Thanks -- do you think it's wise for me to talk to an attorney first?

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Might be a good idea...

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Quoting sanmateorider

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Thanks -- do you think it's wise for me to talk to an attorney first? Given the time schedule involved, I'm nervous this might have escalated. I mentioned this to a friend who said this could involve a failure to appear charge, which is a misdemeanor with bench warrant associated.

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A failure to appear is a misdemeanor and although I highly doubt that a warrant has been issued, the court clerk should be able to tell you for sure...