Legal Question in Criminal Law in District of Columbia

Fare Evasion

My cousin (11 yrs old) and I (27 yrs old) are not metro riders. We paid $1.35 each to enter and ride but at the conclusion of our trip the gates would not let us out although we had paid to enter. We thought that the machines/fare cards were not working and proceeded through the gates. A Metro Officer saw us and made us come back. She pointed out that we were short the fare. The fare had increased due to the rush hour peak. I attempted to explain that we were not regular riders and I had no idea. She still issued me a $50 citation and a 'fare evasion' charge and let my cousin go by making me pay the remaining costs of her fare. I paid the citation immediately that day as collateral for a court date to contest the citation. It was at that time I was informed it would be recorded as a misdemeanor. I wrote a complaint letter to the head managers and Chief of metro police. They are conducting an investigation that they said would take a month. My court date is schedule before this investigation is scheduled to conclude. First-can they charge me with a misdemeanor? Can I and Should I get an extension on my court date until the investigation is finished? Are there other steps that I need to take to get this charge dropped?


Asked on 4/17/05, 11:07 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Re: Fare Evasion

Yes, they can charge you with a misdemeanor which is why you should vigorously contest it if you're innocent, even if it means coming back to court for another hearing date.

And, obviously, from the foregoing you can infer that you should request whatever continuance is necessary to ensure that you have the results of the metro police investigation of this incident before you present to the court your defense to this charge of fare evasion.

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Answered on 4/17/05, 5:49 pm


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