tv licence court summons

piglet74

Sorry if this is in the wrong place, not sure where to put it

I got a date for court today for no tv licence

Inside is a copy of the paperwork I signed when the guy visited.

Now, the court paper was sent to my old address, but the postman handed it to me, so I did see it was from court and opened it, I no longer live at old address.

On the day the guy visited I had no licence (so obv I have committed a crime I suppose??) But, I had no tv in the property on that date,

He called on 26th oct, I had the keys of my new house from end of sept. And I was moving gradually over the month, I have a letter from the new electric company dated 2nd nov

The paperwork has been filled in by the tv licence guy under the caution section as me saying I had no licence as I "was moving out next wk"

He didn't caution me, he totally glossed over the seriousness of the whole thing, he did have some payment cards but said "there is no point me giving you one of these as you are moving" and he also said "just sign this to say that I have called, and by the time its back to the office u will have moved"

So I signed it, (daft, I know!!!) And now when I read it back today I can see things he wrote tho didn't ask me eg under the question where he is meant to hace asked "can I come in and inspect the tv equipment".. I am meant to have said "no", but he didn't ask me

I have phoned the tv licence number inside and they suggest I attend court with proof of my new address and they said I may not be fined and I can ask for an adjournment for the guy who visited to be present also and answer some questions as to why he didn't caution me etc (I thought only the police could caution you?)

We live in N Ireland if its any help

Can any one help me as to what to say to the judge, how much I might get fined, will I have a criminal record, and if so will I have to declare it on the ESTA form for travel to USA as I have been reading this is a bit of a grey area

Tia guys

Piggy x

bryanb

If you had no TV in the place (or any other means of receiving TV signals) You have not committed any offence.

Did you have a TV (and licence) for the new place?

piglet74

I had no tv on that day, but I did previously (and no licence for some of the time)

New place is outside uk,

Wywth

piglet74 wrote: »

Sorry if this is in the wrong place, not sure where to put it

I got a date for court today for no tv licence

Inside is a copy of the paperwork I signed when the guy visited.

Now, the court paper was sent to my old address, but the postman handed it to me, so I did see it was from court and opened it, I no longer live at old address.

On the day the guy visited I had no licence (so obv I have committed a crime I suppose??) But, I had no tv in the property on that date,

He called on 26th oct, I had the keys of my new house from end of sept. And I was moving gradually over the month, I have a letter from the new electric company dated 2nd nov

The paperwork has been filled in by the tv licence guy under the caution section as me saying I had no licence as I "was moving out next wk"

He didn't caution me, he totally glossed over the seriousness of the whole thing, he did have some payment cards but said "there is no point me giving you one of these as you are moving" and he also said "just sign this to say that I have called, and by the time its back to the office u will have moved"

So I signed it, (daft, I know!!!) And now when I read it back today I can see things he wrote tho didn't ask me eg under the question where he is meant to hace asked "can I come in and inspect the tv equipment".. I am meant to have said "no", but he didn't ask me

I have phoned the tv licence number inside and they suggest I attend court with proof of my new address and they said I may not be fined and I can ask for an adjournment for the guy who visited to be present also and answer some questions as to why he didn't caution me etc (I thought only the police could caution you?)

We live in N Ireland if its any help

Can any one help me as to what to say to the judge, how much I might get fined, will I have a criminal record, and if so will I have to declare it on the ESTA form for travel to USA as I have been reading this is a bit of a grey area

Tia guys

Piggy x

My advice would be for you to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth :cool:

ljonski

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4470531

maninthestreet

OP - you should never, ever sign any document a TV licensing person asks you to sign. They have no more powers than either you or I have, so you can refuse to sign any document without breaking any laws.

piglet74

I have just noticed that at the back of the form, the tv guy has signed the declaration to say "after my interview I invited the defendant to read my notes and sign..." This didn't happen, if I had read the notes I could have corrected them

He said "sign here to say I called...."

maninthestreet

piglet74 wrote: »

I have just noticed that at the back of the form, the tv guy has signed the declaration to say "after my interview I invited the defendant to read my notes and sign..." This didn't happen, if I had read the notes I could have corrected them

He said "sign here to say I called...."

That's how they get you to admit your 'guilt' in writing.

piglet74

I have read this on a few other forums too, quite underhand isn't it!

piglet74

On another forum it says don't go to court, just take the fine in your absence, cause if you do go to court the judge could reduce you to tears, question u etc. Tv licence have told me the recommend I do go.

I did intend to go,... And say I wasn't cautioned and the information was not recorded accurately on the form, now I don't know what to do!

Any one know what the usual fine is, and can I go alone or do I need a solicitor, will they have one. They have told me the inspector will not be there on the day,

Tia

unholyangel

piglet74 wrote: »

I had no tv on that day, but I did previously (and no licence for some of the time)

New place is outside uk,

A tv license is required ONLY if you watch/record live broadcasts. If you only use it for dvds, xbox, catch up tv (like bbc iplayer - providing its not being streamed live) or netflix/lovefilm, you dont need a license.

If you did watch or record live broadcasts then you'd need a license.

It may be worthwhile to pop over to http://www.tvlicenceresistance.info and see if they can give you any advice on preparing a defence.