Thread by @C4CrimAppeals

Our Women's Justice team have had another victory on #TVLicensing 🥳

All charges were dropped against our vulnerable client "Hannah" (not her real name) last week - a huge relief for her and another vital step in our campaign to #decriminalise TV licence non-payment! 🙌

In many ways Hanah's case typifies all the flaws in the current system. She was a young student when enforcement officials called at her family home, and her name was only on the TV licence because her parents didn't speak English, having recently arrived in the UK from abroad.

Her own language skills meant she struggled to use online systems to enter a plea & her attempts to contact TV Licensing by email were unsuccessful. The family moved house and Hannah then did not receive the offers of an out-of-court disposal which were sent to the old address 🤦‍♀️

She contacted us when she opened a letter informing her that she had been convicted *in her absence*. We were able to make a strong case to reopen in the magistrates court & to TV Licensing that charges should be withdrawn against her. We were successful on both counts.

But she should never have gone through this ordeal in the first place! Criminal sanctions are disproportionately and inapproprately applied and vulnerable women bear the consequence.

#TimeToDecriminalise

@LBFEW @LankellyChase @TransformJust1 @WIP_live