RTD’s crackdown on light-rail fare jumpers nabbed a record number of scofflaws last year, ticketing 7,178 people, up from 5,074 in 2008. In 2007, 3,174 citations were issued.
A large number of those ticketed have chosen to ignore the citations — and their attached court dates — which can result in a criminal conviction for theft and a night in jail, Denver court administrators say.
Although light rail extends out to Sheridan and parts of Littleton and Aurora, most people who hopped a train without paying for a ticket were nabbed in Denver, where 6,049 citations were issued.
Spokesman Scott Reed said the Regional Transportation District has hired contract security officers to augment its own security force and fare inspectors. At the end of 2008, the transit agency also began using off-duty Denver police, mostly after sporting events at Invesco Field, the Pepsi Center and Coors Field.
The first time a person is caught on a train without a ticket — $2 for local rides; $3.50 for express trains to $4.50 for regional fares — a warning is issued.
But a second-time offender is fined $50 and given a petty criminal conviction, which can weigh heavily on people looking for a job or on those trying to renew professional licenses or security clearances.
Denver County Court administrator Matt McConville said he couldn’t say how many people fail to show up in court, but he said “it’s large.”
McConville said offenders should understand that fare-jumping no-shows are treated much differently than traffic no-shows.
People who fail to appear in court for minor traffic “infractions,” such as speeding up to 22 mph over the limit or running a red light, automatically receive a default judgment, which is attached to their driver’s license, preventing renewal until paid.
Fare-jumping is treated the same as a petty offense in the criminal-court system. Tickets can be argued in front of a judge or a jury, but with a maximum fine of $100. But failure to appear on a fare-jumping ticket can result in a warrant for arrest and potentially a night in jail if a judge isn’t available to set bail, McConville said.
“This is a violation of a state statute,” McConville said. “The courts have to have a way to compel people to obey the law, so they issue bench warrants for their arrest.”
After spending the night in jail, the scofflaw is brought before a county judge to resolve the case and the fines.
Some judges contacted said they won’t sentence more jail time for the failure-to-appear warrant and will release the person for time served in jail after the fines have been paid.
Mike McPhee: 303-954-1409 or mmcphee@denverpost.com
