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Original poster

Criminal record and teaching

166 replies

Luckz66 · 13/09/2022 18:38

I am a teaching assistant hoping to complete a PGCE in the next year or so.

I misused my fathers blue disabled badge (parked in a disabled bay for quickness and placed the badge in the window as my children were fighting in the back of the car and had to calm them down) and have a court hearing this week.

Is it possible I could still become a teacher as I believe this is a fraud offence?

Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Luckz66 · 14/09/2022 13:11

Do you think it would be worth emailing him?

OP posts:
namechangeagain123456 · 14/09/2022 13:29

When you speak to the duty solicitor you could ask if a not guilty plea would delay the sentencing. If the court had to request the investigator as a witness then the court date would have to be postponed. You could always change your plea to guilty after this. You aren't going to get a prison sentence so you don't need to plead guilty early to get a reduced sentence. This would give you time to seek some legal advice and speak to your head teacher.

Also, would you have anything to lose by pleading not guilty? I'm at work so can't have a look into the sentencing guidelines but if it max sentence is a fine for example, then you're going to get that weather or not you plead guilty, or are found guilty. I imagine the investigator will have solid evidence but there's always a small chance they wouldn't, or that there would be a technicality. I still can't believe it's a crime, I thought it would be in the same boat as speeding / running a red light ect - 3 points and a fine and no effect on your life.

I would try ringing a couple of solicitors this afternoon and see if there's anyone who is free to speak to you - some offer a 30 minute free consultation and could at least give you some idea as to what to do. I really feel for you OP. Xx

Original poster
Luckz66 · 14/09/2022 13:44

I can’t plead not guilty now as I have already sent off the slip saying I am. It’s seriously making me ill. I’m going to lose everything.

OP posts:
Original poster
Luckz66 · 14/09/2022 13:53

I’m on another forum and I have been told that car insurances won’t insure me and I’m unlikely to get home insurance. Had to come to the toilet at work as I’m in tears again. I really can’t cope with all this

OP posts:
Breakfastisjustporridge · 14/09/2022 14:25

If you are in a union, they sometimes offer legal advice, as a member benefit.

Original poster
Luckz66 · 14/09/2022 15:09

I’ve just messaged my union and I can get 30 mins of free advice. So I’m going to give them a call

OP posts:
GodspeedJune · 14/09/2022 15:26

ApolloandDaphne · 14/09/2022 10:47

This sort of thing makes me mad because there are so many people who get away with crimes which are awful, yet someone makes an error of judgement which harmed no-one and could have their career ruined. I hope things work out for you tomorrow.

Blue badge abuse does harm people though, genuine blue badge holders who need those spaces to access places and services like able bodied people are able to. It harms people who are disabled and have enough to deal with, without selfish lazy motorists taking the spaces for convenience.

The OP used a blue badge that not only wasn’t hers, but had been cancelled too. It is blatant fraud. It should never have crossed her mind to use the badge, she had no right.

Original poster
Luckz66 · 14/09/2022 16:05

I have just contacted my union who have told me I’m entitled to 30 minutes free legal advice. Someone from the criminal department is supposed to be calling me back.

OP posts:
prh47bridge · 14/09/2022 16:09

Luckz66 · 14/09/2022 13:53

I’m on another forum and I have been told that car insurances won’t insure me and I’m unlikely to get home insurance. Had to come to the toilet at work as I’m in tears again. I really can’t cope with all this

Don't know what other forum you have been on, but to say this is over the top is putting it mildly. It may lead to increased premiums, but you absolutely will be able to get both car and home insurance.

prh47bridge · 14/09/2022 16:12

Luckz66 · 14/09/2022 12:51

I can’t stress enough how terrified I am… it states in my contract I will lose my job

Your contract cannot legally say that you will be dismissed for a conviction on your DBS. It must be a conviction that makes you unsuitable for working with children. What does your contract actually say?

prh47bridge · 14/09/2022 16:20

namechangeagain123456 · 14/09/2022 13:29

When you speak to the duty solicitor you could ask if a not guilty plea would delay the sentencing. If the court had to request the investigator as a witness then the court date would have to be postponed. You could always change your plea to guilty after this. You aren't going to get a prison sentence so you don't need to plead guilty early to get a reduced sentence. This would give you time to seek some legal advice and speak to your head teacher.

Also, would you have anything to lose by pleading not guilty? I'm at work so can't have a look into the sentencing guidelines but if it max sentence is a fine for example, then you're going to get that weather or not you plead guilty, or are found guilty. I imagine the investigator will have solid evidence but there's always a small chance they wouldn't, or that there would be a technicality. I still can't believe it's a crime, I thought it would be in the same boat as speeding / running a red light ect - 3 points and a fine and no effect on your life.

I would try ringing a couple of solicitors this afternoon and see if there's anyone who is free to speak to you - some offer a 30 minute free consultation and could at least give you some idea as to what to do. I really feel for you OP. Xx

If the OP tells a lawyer she committed the offence, that lawyer cannot represent her if she insists on pleading not guilty. The sentence is almost certain to be a fine, although the OP could be discharged, i.e. no penalty (note that this still counts as a conviction which will appear on DBS checks). The sentence is reduced if the OP pleads guilty.

prh47bridge · 14/09/2022 16:22

ApolloandDaphne · 14/09/2022 10:47

This sort of thing makes me mad because there are so many people who get away with crimes which are awful, yet someone makes an error of judgement which harmed no-one and could have their career ruined. I hope things work out for you tomorrow.

This is the attitude that led to a disabled friend of mine having to wait several hours in her car near her home because an able-bodied person had parked in her disabled parking space, so she had to park somewhere that was too far from her home for her to make the journey unaided. She was therefore trapped in her car until her husband came home.

weddingDecliner · 14/09/2022 17:39

ITT providers were hammered a few years ago for accepting people with convictions onto teacher training who were highly unlikely to the be able to get a job (it is discretionary but their threshold was lower than most schools)

they are now much tighter and should be able to give honest advice (and not accept you if you have no chance of future employment)

Original poster
Luckz66 · 14/09/2022 17:59

Pepipoo forum has told me a lot of different information. I’m terrified of tomorrow, I’ve finally told my mum and she’s in tears. I needed someone to talk to.

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prh47bridge · 14/09/2022 19:50

Pepipoo is quite good on simple motoring matters (speeding, parking fines, etc.) but do not trust it for advice on what happens to insurance or your employment following conviction. The idea that someone with a conviction for fraud cannot get insurance is for the birds. One of my acquaintances was convicted of a far more serious fraud than this and spent time in prison. Since he was released, he has had no problems getting insurance.

namechangeagain123456 · 14/09/2022 20:09

Did you get the call with the legal advice?

I would say try not to worry but you absolutely will. What's done is done and it can't be changed but I promise you things won't be as bad as you think they will. What time are you due in court tomorrow? Is your mum going with you? Xx

JimmiChoux · 14/09/2022 20:16

It's easy to say don't worry but of course you will be worrying. At least it will be over by this time tomorrow and you will know what's going to happen. We all make stupid decisions at some point. I hope things work out ok for you. Let us know how you get on.

LondonQueen · 14/09/2022 21:27

moistmingemist · 13/09/2022 20:35

Can't you use it on behalf of your father ie. If you were shopping for him, collecting medication etc.

No, the blue badge holder has to be in the car. You can't park in one and leave them in the car either as that's against the rules.

Hopeandlove · 14/09/2022 21:35

You need to speak to a solicitor and get a duty solicitor.

you should pled mitigating circumstances

Hopeandlove · 14/09/2022 21:37

Does this help reassure you

www.bromley.gov.uk/news/article/351/blue-badge-misuse-leads-to-fifteen-more-court-convictions

Hopeandlove · 14/09/2022 21:38

Seems to be mainly fines and a surcharge

which the court will go on your means

i don’t see why it would effect your employment as long as you are upfront with the school

it was an oversight and you pled guilty

Snowiscold · 14/09/2022 21:41

Hopeandlove · 14/09/2022 21:38

Seems to be mainly fines and a surcharge

which the court will go on your means

i don’t see why it would effect your employment as long as you are upfront with the school

it was an oversight and you pled guilty

It wasn’t an oversight. It was done deliberately and with a blue badge that not only should she not have, but was actually cancelled. It’s obvious fraud. What does your dad say about all this, OP? It’s his badge, or was.

Original poster
Luckz66 · 14/09/2022 22:58

www.bromley.gov.uk/news/article/351/blue-badge-misuse-leads-to-fifteen-more-court-convictions

It doesn’t state if they received a criminal conviction though.

OP posts:
prh47bridge · 14/09/2022 23:53

The article talks about prosecution and the headline talks about convictions. They therefore received criminal convictions.

Original poster
Luckz66 · 15/09/2022 06:23

No, my mum isn’t going with me as she is at work. I have had no sleep all night worrying about the outcome. No one called me back so I’ll have to ask to see the duty solicitor when I get there today.

OP posts: