TV Licence court summons

2sidez

Hi I am new to the site and could really use some advice.

I stopped paying for my tv license for a few months now as I have been unemployed and my house mate, even though still in work, is struggling too.

Today I received a court summons and was not sure what my options are.

I have read through the message board and it has left me more confused.

I do have a TV and also told the TV license people this when I signed the agreement.

Thanks

Heinz

It's too late to advise you not to let them in and not to say or sign anything.

It sounds like you had a visit from one of Capita Ltd's street walkers and dropped yourself well and truly in it when you "signed the agreement" (whatever that was). They had no official power whatsoever and, without your admission(s), would have had virtually no evidence that you had actually committed the 'offence' of viewing or recording live TV.

Go to Court. Dress smartly and have a 'mitigation' speech prepared (it probably won't make a lot of difference with your fine but it must be worth a try).

Make a list of all your incomings and outgoings so that, when you ask for time to pay (do so immediately after sentencing), you can explain how much you can realistically afford.

macman

You options are simple: either to plead guilty, or to contest the charge. The latter might be difficult if you have already signed an admission of the offence.

JimmyTheWig

2sidez wrote: »

I do have a TV and also told the TV license people this when I signed the agreement.

You do have a TV, fair enough, but do you use the TV to watch and/or record TV as it is broadcast?
You don't need a licence to own a TV. You need a licence to watch TV.

Trouble is, it's reasonable to assume that someone who owns a TV watches TV (especially someone who is low on money and could benefit from selling an unused TV). So I think you're going to need a pretty good defence if you are going to claim that you don't watch it.

Buzby

I'm assuming you were paying up the licence, then ceased payments. This would result n the licence being cancelled and the (reasonable) expectation that during the cancellation you were viewing.

In this situation it is best to provide mitigation in person, rather than written - courts like to see who they are dealing with, and if you explain the background, the resulting fine may be reduced (sometimes considerably, much to the annoyance of Crapita's agents).

leedsmodus

say you dont pay as you no longer view live content. siiimples

Fire_Fox

Do you watch the television? If not you don't need a license. If you do watch the TV you need a license or to pay the fine at a rate you can afford.

Buzby

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Do you watch the television? If not you don't need a license. If you do watch the TV you need a license or to pay the fine at a rate you can afford.

You do if you've defaulted on paying one, then sign a declaration confirming it, a modified defence will be laughed at.

mickaveli2001

Say it breaches your human rights as you are being forced to pay for a service you don't use, want or need, and are harassed consistently should you wish to exercise your democratic rights in not paying for the service that you don't want.

Claim to see hard evidence other than statements and claim that the BBC (TV Licensing authority is the BBC, they just don't want their name associated with all the fuss, so they registered an additional trading name to operate their money grabbing tactics with) have a history of lying, a history of covering up, and a history of devious tactics and behavior and you want to see valid black and white evidence other than an employee's statement

JimmyTheWig

mickaveli2001 wrote: »

Say it breaches your human rights as you are being forced to pay for a service you don't use, want or need

The OP hasn't said whether or not they watch live TV, so we don't know if this is true.
They also haven't said whether they cancelled their TV licence or just stopped paying for it.

mickaveli2001

Tips for the future OP, and anyone else thinking of ending their licence:


1) Ignore the letters. These are computer generated to be sent to non-licensed homes regardless if you have a TV or not.

2) The letters will up the fear tactics, even eventually claim they have a magistrates court date ready (again the computer generates the closest postal code court and automatically adds it to the computer generated letter)

3) Don't even talk to them (either on door step or phone) just state that it isn't a good time and close the door, or hang up.

4) 3) Don't EVER let the TV licencing/BBC officers into your home and NEVER give out or even confirm your identity. These people have no legal power, and are no more than an E-on sales man at your door.

5) When signing for recorded delivery mail, simply squiggle a wavey line shape (and never your own signature)

6) Be wary of random door step or telephone "marketing surveys" asking you questions about music, and favorite TV shows

7) Buying a TV from a retailer means that the retailer is legally obliged to pass your information onto the BBC/TV Licensing. Be careful where you get the TV, and what information you pass out. Paying full in cash shouldn't require details should it?

8) Any letter sent to the TV licencing/BBC with your address on it to state that your TV is simply for games console playback should never have your name on it. Always title it as "legal occupant"

9) Remain calm and follow the above. You will however be bombarded in your own home with threatening letters and rare visits (maybe once every year or 2) for the rest of your life due to your life style choice. They assume every one is guilty.

Reason I know this? I was out of a brand new flat I was never in for almost a year (had full furnishings, but no electronics whatsoever) to come back to a pile of letters from TV licencing. Putting them in order, it started as simple reminders that a TV licence is required, and that my address is unlicensed etc etc. to more threatening terminology and court action. This proves they don't know anything and simply go through a database of unlicensed households and send these letters automatically. Just ask any property developer

There is literally no effective way of proving whether you watch live broadcasts. TV detection technology is a lie, and the only way they would know is if you let one of the BBC officers into your home (which sounds like you have already, or talked to them) because even looking at the glow from you window at night from one of their "detection" vans isn't enough to get in trouble and reasonable grounds for a search warrant, especially if you've sent an anonymous letter claiming your sole use of the TV is for playback only

Everyone in the country needs to do this, and stand up to this greedy corrupt, and criminal (as we've seen with the Savile cover up) corporation