Fare evaders to face fines online
THOUSANDS of fare dodgers could have their cases dealt with online under criminal justice reforms.
Defendants of low-level offences will be able to plead guilty and pay their fines without appearing in court.
More than 8,000 offences could potentially be handled this way, officials estimate.
The figure includes 7,000 cases of travelling without a train or tram ticket and 1,300 of fishing without a licence.
The system will initially cover these two offences, but could be widened to others such as TV licence evasion.
Online convictions are among a raft of proposals in the Government’s Prisons and Courts Bill, which will be debated by MPs this week. Defendants would be able to log on to an online system in cases identified as suitable by prosecutors.
When they indicate a desire to plead guilty, they will be given the option of accepting an immediate conviction and standard penalty.
The move is part of efforts to streamline magistrates courts, which handle about 890,000 minor cases a year that cannot justify a prison sentence and where there is no identifiable victim.
Those who wish to plead not guilty or want to have a traditional hearing will go to court as normal.
The Bill also proposes extending the use of video links and virtual hearings to allow victims to take part in cases without having to face their alleged attackers.
A further 60,000 pre-trial hearings and 17,000 contested bail hearings could also take place by video, along with 30,000 pre-trial hearings at crown court level.
The Ministry of Justice says this will save about 34,000 hours of courtroom time.
Video booths installed in courts will also allow the public and the media to observe virtual hearings.
Justice Minister Sir Oliver Heald QC said: “Victims and the most vulnerable are at the centre of our changes which will help deliver swifter and more certain justice for all.”