On 27 Oct 2005 17:12:29 -0700, "ribonucleotide"
wrote:

As far as I remember, the logic I had was
"I rather pay extra £10 penalty to TFL, than 50p to the local shop for
nothing". At the time, for me, the expected utility of the first
outcome seemed greater. So, when "caught", I was happy to pay the
£10, and I would have bought the travel card anyway. Unfortunately, I
find myself being suspected of trying to "play the system". Ok, I can
prove in court I did not. But I need to decide my response. I'll talk
to another solicotor tomorrow.

No. Your logic was "I'll gamble a sure 50p loss against a lower
chance of a £10 penalty". That was not your option to choose. You
weren't "caught" in cute inverted commas. You were caught, period.

Aren't all these solicitors getting rather expensive? They may offer
a cheap initial consultation, but if you fight the case they won't
work for free.