tv license sjp notice help

[sammy030816]

hi all i recieved a tv license sjp notice today. A tv license agent attended my property and said iv not being paid for tv license, i said to him i do not watch bbc channels but watch netflix/sky and kids watch youtube. he said as your watching sky you have pay for license, i said to him i did not know then he set up a payment plan. Iv filled the sjp online and pleaded not guilty because i did not know.

has anybody been in this situation

[echat11]

Hi SAMMY030816

Welcome to LB

I can't advise, I'm sure others will, the following might help -

https://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/faqs/FAQ99

[des8]

You have pleaded "Not Guilty" on the basis of ignorance of the law.

islandgirl have any comments?

[islandgirl]

The BBC site says

The law says you need to be covered by a TV Licence to:

• watch or record TV on any channel - via any TV service (e.g. Sky, Virgin, BT, Freeview, Freesat)
• watch TV live on any streaming service (e.g. ITVX, Channel 4, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV, Sky Go)
• watch BBC iPlayer*.

If you had pleaded guilty you would have got a small fine - band A, 50% of weekly income less a third for early guilty plea. As you have gone not guilty there will be a trial. However in the TV courts I sit in we have a brilliant prosecutor who will often speak to people outside the court and resolve the issues if she can. You must turn up at court on the day and explain that it was ignorance of the law and this is why you have pleaded not guilty. Magistrates are usually very understanding in situations like this. It will work very much in your favour if you are now paying (the prosecutor will know...)
You may have to pay the fine plus costs.

Here are the sentencing guidelines
https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk...-revised-2017/