Does not having a TV Licence result in a criminal offence?

[mstake]

Back in February, I had a visit from the TV licencing people. I didn't offer an excuse, I simply didn't have a licence. They took my details, and over the telephone sorted out a new licence for me.

This morning I've recieved a summons from the local Magistrate's court for this.

I intend to plead guilty, as obviously I was, but my question is other than the inevitable fine, is there any other penalty?

Does this mean I will have a criminal record?

[LAW_DROP-OUT]

the only penalty is a fine ...... (in the way a motorist can be fined for no road tax ) ..... you wont have a criminal record ..... (you wont be finger printed or anything ) .... but until , you pay the fine in full , your details are held , on the MAGISTRATES COURT FINES Register ... this offence , has to go through , the magistrates ...... so to make the FINE enforceable ........... (hyperthetically if the put NO TV LICENCE ... hru CIVIL COURT , it would be harder to enforce the FINE / MONETRY PENALTY ) ....simply it is not classed as a criminal record with the POLICE , but some employers if they did a FULL ENHANCED CHECK , on someone , who had been PROSECUTED for NO TV LICENCE ..... may turn their nose up at someone who , had this TV licence offence recorded against them...

[Ethel]

Yes

http://tinyurl.com/3z9tm

[ELVIS68]

And your telly will be crushed

[Ethel]

Roughly 700 people go to prison each year for not having a tv licence and defaulting on the fine.

[New Judge]

LAW_DROP_OUT is not quite correct. (perhaps this was a topic covered after he/she dropped out).

Whilst in practice anything other than a fine is most unlikely, the legislation does provide for a Community Penalty to be imposed. Magistrates are restricted to either a Curfew Order or Community Rehabilitation (previously known as "probation").

As I said, most unlikely, but the option is available, thus reinforcing the fact that this is indeed a criminal offence.

[mstake]

The moral is..sometimes in life you are forced to do something that is considered wrong.

When you have a the money to pay a) your rent and food or b) your rent and the TV licence..do you put your children or the BBC first?

Must be wonderful to have an income that means you are never faced with difficult choices, eh?

[Ice.Maiden]

Awww...that was a bit harsh Tetjam, but i WILL suggest to mstake that if funds were that bad in my household, I wouldnt've had a TV at all - or, not had the computer!