Court summons TV licence

[teaboy2]

Re: Court summons TV licence

@teaboy2 - I wasn't suggesting for a moment that you were not entitled to hold those views, I welcomed your recognition that expressing them before the Magistrates would be unlikely to assist the OP. The Magistrates themselves may well hold similar views but they have to enforce the law.

In my view the payment on the doorstep of the missed payment does not nullify the offence. If you compare it with motor insurance, if you are caught without in similar circumstances (ie a missed payment), you don't have it and subsequent production of a valid policy does not mean that the original offence is nullified.

For what it is worth, my view is that this is extra-ordinarily heavy handed enforcement, but that does not mean OP is not guilty of the offence.

- - - Updated - - -

Cross posted!

I see your point now and reasoning now.

Regarding comparison of miss-payment to insurance policy - I see your point, as there is a good and justified reason as to why you need insurance (in event your in a road traffic accident, especially where other parties are injured etc). But the same can not be said for the need to have a TV license, nor are the potential consequences of missing a license fee payment the same as the potential consequences of being in a road traffic accident.

You could also compare this to defaulted payment on a credit card, where once the default is remedied its deemed to not have occured and no further action can be taken. Yes credit defaults are civil law, where as license fee is for now under criminal - Though its likely to be dealt with under civil law in the near future.

Off course we both agree they are being heavy handed here after they already accepted the OP's payment to bring her account up to date, seems ridiculous as to why they could spend more money taking the OP to court for a measly £12 (which they have already paid), when the right and just thing to do would be to simply treat it as though the breach of license never occurred, as it had clearly been remedied at no loss or damage to the BBC.

[Slp]

Re: Court summons TV licence

Thanks for your help, I did admit to watching the TV not the channal but did sign. I will go to court an let them know my situation hoping they will cut me some slack with new born baby my dad hadn't major heart attack all around the same time- certainly more important thing to worry about! I hope they do get rid of them I hardly ever watch bbc lol! I certainly have learnt from my mistake an won't be signing forms again. I was under the impression that it would clear what I owe when they come to the door but a new licence was issued so I'm assuming they just started a new one. I hope I've not caused u to fall out lol! I'll keep u updated its on the 7th so not long to go . Thanks for your help

[sean5302]

Re: Court summons TV licence

The licence is issued to permit watching any live broadcast, from any channel. You need to pay the BBC to watch ITV or Channel 4 or Sky.
That is what really winds people up.
The contributors here are really nice, helpful people. They give up their own time to help people with problems just like yours.
As such, their emotions run high sometimes, just because we see the enormous trouble people get into.
After that, we're all as right as rain again.
My advice, if you ever get such callers at your door again, is to shut your door in their face.
Those people who trapped you are on commission. They get £20 for every confession they con people into at the door.
Disgraceful, isn't it?

[stevemLS]

Re: Court summons TV licence

sip - the Magistrates really won't be interested in your personal social circumstances, you might want to give them the briefest mention.

What you want to emphasise is that this was an error, a slip, the accidental nature of the payment calculation caused by thie loss of your bank card, the very short period of unlicensed viewing and your immediate rectification. Importantly, there was no intent to avoid paying for your licence as demonstrated by your monthly payment plan - if that has been in place for years, say so.

You may find it a very intimidating prospect, but easy to say I know, it won't be as bad as you imagine.

In my experience when I worked in the courts, many years ago, it always worked in your favour if you bothered to turn up, looked smart, are respectful and polite and didn't waste their time with irrelevances.

You might want to write you statement in mitigation to remind you what you want to say.

Good luck and do let us know how you get on.

[Slp]

Re: Court summons TV licence

Thanks again

[Slp]

Re: Court summons TV licence

Went to court today an the prosecutor came out an spoke to me , they have waved it , basically what happened was I missed a payment an a refund was sent to me , due to the confusion they said they will let this slide but if was to happen again then they will bring it back up! Don't think all the other people down there in the same situation as me was to pleased when I walked out after being there 15 minutes lol! Ha ha bbc!!!

[sean5302]

Re: Court summons TV licence

Went to court today an the prosecutor came out an spoke to me , they have waved it , basically what happened was I missed a payment an a refund was sent to me , due to the confusion they said they will let this slide but if was to happen again then they will bring it back up! Don't think all the other people down there in the same situation as me was to pleased when I walked out after being there 15 minutes lol! Ha ha bbc!!!

Very well done.
There are some really nice, helpful people here.
And, some nightmares.
The place seems to be run by women.
Very doubtful that I'll be posting here again but I'm pleased that you won. The site helped you.
I gave advice on a topic about a Great Dane dog whose owners took him to a rescue organisation. They were criticised for not having him neutered and this left the children crying and upset.
I told the poster what the legal position was and got a response from some woman who twisted everything to reflect the good points of neutering dogs.
Even the site owner reinforced her (female) mate.
Very pleased you won. You followed our advice. Good site in that respect.
Qualified folks here, but nightmares to work alongside. Eh, enaid?

[stevemLS]

Re: Court summons TV licence

Excellent - were you all ready with your mitigation!:tinysmile_grin_t:

[wales01man]

Re: Court summons TV licence

Sean I think you have shown yourself up a bit with this post pity it was interesting reading your comments

[Slp]

Re: Court summons TV licence

Sorry to here u have had a bad experience Sean
to be honest I never had to say much I never even went into the court , the procuter took me into a little room asked a couple questions an that was it! I think I was lucky on the day a got a nice guy