Criminal Record for TV License

Mishomeister

Whilst this story has loads of details I will put it short.
A friend of mine had a visit by a TV license Inspector with whom she had an argument. He then has on purpose inputted that she has a TV whilst in reality she hasn't got one.
A so she has refused to pay anything and now ended up with criminal record whist is harming her life significantly and possibly forever in a job hunt.
I a Magistrate court she was landed with a verdict guilty but in fact she did not even was allowed to read any details of any evidence the could have against her.
A criminal record is a huge problem the only ay to get rid of it would be a court appeal.
However the main problem is she has NO money for a Lawyer as they would charge at least £1000,00 and she is working part time as a Self-Employed Cleaner and has just barely enough money for food.
Any advice of reasonable actions or details of any place where she could have a legal help for free would be appreciated. She has tried a few legal aid charities but they would not deal with TV license.

Thank you very much

HappyMJ

pfftt...it's not a recorded crime. It is not an imprisonable offence. Forget about it. Every employer will ignore it if a CRB comes back with that pathetic conviction on it.

Mishomeister

HappyMJ wrote: »

pfftt...it's not a recorded crime. It is not an imprisonable offence. Forget about it. Every employer will ignore it if a CRB comes back with that pathetic conviction on it.

What do you mean it is not a recorded crime if a court said you are guilty?

[Deleted User]

As said above! You are saying that this person has a Criminal Record, okay so what does the record say?

sarahg1969

Sounds like he asked her to sign a form to confirm he'd visited. I think that's a common trick they play.

Mishomeister

That is exactly what has happened. Good guess!!!

mo786uk

HappyMJ wrote: »

pfftt...it's not a recorded crime. It is not an imprisonable offence. Forget about it. Every employer will ignore it if a CRB comes back with that pathetic conviction on it.

In my experience - I would disagree

If you had 2 candidates and 1 of them was a scrag who didn't pay the licence fee who would you choose?

It may not make any difference to you but some employers are very risk averse - even if the 'crime' is a minor one.

keyser666

It would not go to the court of appeal but to the Crown Court. They have 21 days to submit their appeal or have good reason why they have not sent one in the time limit.

The cost would also not be £10,000. They could defend themselves.


https://www.gov.uk/appeal-against-sentence-conviction/magistrates-court-verdict

lucy03

I'd personally suggest that your friend does two things.

Firstly, make a formal complaint using the link below and progress the complaint down the line if necessary.

http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/about/making-a-complaint-AB7/

I'd also suggest they contact their MP. Sometimes just a letter from an MP can go quite a long way towards the matter being reviewed.

Both may fail, but neither option will cost anything, other than a stamp, and it might get the matter resolved.

arcon5

I also disagree about the employment bit... It's an employers market and it will affect her with most employers. It would be seen as an act of dishonesty.

gb12345

cracklepop wrote: »

True, but what's dishonest? If she doesn't have a TV she doesn't need a TV license.

It is not the fact that she doesn't need a license which will be seen as dishonest. It is the fact that she has been found guilty of not having one, which could suggest to a future employer that she has dishonestly avoided paying for one.