My question involves criminal law for the state of: California
Hello All.
I received a ticket for fare evasion back in March. I ride the Metrolink Commuter train every day from Ventura County to Los Angeles for about ten months. One morning I arrived at the station a few minutes before the train was pulling in and attempted to purchase a seven day pass. I was unable to do so before the train arrived, and as it was a matter of me losing my job (I was on my last warning for lateness, all of which were caused, ironically, by train delays) I got on the train with the intention of purchasing a seven day pass once I reached Union Station. Shortly before we reached the station, several sheriffs boarded the train and began asking for tickets. Long story short, when they asked for my ticket I could not present anything but my old, used passes for the weeks prior to the incident. I was written up for a ticket which says 640 (c) (1) PC-Fare Evasion. I accept that I am in the wrong and am prepared to pay the fine that the courts levy and to do my community service.
The bottom of the original citation has a court date of 06/05/14 to appear at the Los Angeles Traffic Court at 8:30. I was prepared to do so and was glad and ready to have this put behind me. However, I recently received a notice in the mail from the Sheriff's Department-Metrolink Bureau that says there was an error on my initial citation and that my court date should NOT be on June 5th, but that it should now be on July 21st at the same time and the same courthouse. I am very worried about the change in date, and more than a little upset. I don't understand how the officer could have made an 'error' that I'm just now receiving 2 weeks before my court date. I also checked online using the LA Traffic Courts (they handle fare evasion, apparently) online system to see if the Citation was there and if I could pay it online, and every time it says there is an error.
Granted, I am glad to have the additional time to secure the funds to pay the fine (I expect it to be somewhere between $800-$1500, based on some research I've done) but I'm worried that this court date will approach and then it will AGAIN be postponed and take up to a year to finish and settle.
I want to move on with my life and put this behind me. I worry about EVERYTHING, and not a day goes by where I don't obsess over this. I am looking for a new job where the commute is not as intense, and I worry about this fine hanging over my head. I am concerned as to the change of date and am also wondering if I should just appear on the original date of 6/5/14 and plead guilty (as I was planning on doing) or if that would be a waste of my time and if I should just go on the 'new' date of 7/21/14 and plead guilty. The phone number for the court clerk is useless.
Does anyone have any experience with this type of situation?

