I’m out of the states, in the EU, and the person i’m staying with didn’t exactly explain how the public trams worked (not wanting to pay), so him and I ended up getting fined. My ID was copied down. We payed the small ticket (30 euros) right away, and the official at the station said it would not be visible on my criminal record in the states- it was ony for the city. Additionally, the person I was with said my name would be erased; however, for obvious reasons, I no longer have faith in his statements in this realm. The most difficult part is that I don’t exactly speak the native tongue. Anyways, without getting more specific, is there any chance an Ivy or any other college sees this?
No, no chance. It is more like a parking ticket than anything else – you take a chance by not putting more money in the meter, and get a ticket, just like you chance riding the subway without a ticket and get caught by the Metro police. Embarrassing in the moment, but not a big deal. Move on.
None whatsoever.
FWIW, it happened to me in Budapest. Not that I was deliberately trying to avoid paying the fare, but it was Sunday night, there was no clerk in the booth, the machine only took forint coins, and I only had forint bills. Oh well. I paid the fine and moved on. It’s never come back to haunt me.