Title: My mother screwed up my credit and now I don't know how to deal with it.

Question:
Location: Tucson AZ

Long story short, my mother opened several accounts with phone companies and cable/satellite providers in my name when I was a kid, never paid the bills off and so thousands of dollars have gone into collections under my name. This has caused my credit score to drop to around 550. Because of that I can't get phone accounts set up without paying close to $1000, I am having trouble getting a bank account set up because of my credit. I'm only 20 and I'm just now starting to work, and it's really making me angry that in order to pay off bills that weren't even mine I'll have to use every check for the first year of working purely for debt. I don't want to get her into legal trouble because despite being pissed off she is my mother, but I don't want to have to work for years paying off her debt in order to get my life in order. Is there any way to dispute the collection charges without causing her to get into legal trouble? Also how long does it take for credit to be built back up when debt is paid off?

Answer:
 [Follow these steps.](https://www.identitytheft.gov/)

Your mother stole your identity and now you have to fight to reclaim it and close the fraudulent accounts.  She will get into legal trouble, and she deserves to.Answer #2: Either begin the fraud claim process by filing a police report or accept the debt as your own. There is no third option.


Title: Need advice as to possible blowback

Question:
So to preface, I'm 17, about 5 months from being an adult and I work part time a large nation wide grocery store. Inside this store we have a large nation wide coffee chain and one of the female employees has taken quite a fancy to me(as in she has an unhealthy obsession with me). Well she was off work and talking to me while I was standing at my register generally just messing about and I mentioned how my dream car is an '07 Volkswagen GTI and I was saving up about another $5000 before I purchase. She then says "oh my grandma passed about a year ago and I inherited a big amount of cash, I could Give you the five grand if you want" so my question is , if I accept the money, which she explicitly stated is a gift not a loan, could I experience any legal blowback If she suddenly decided she wanted that money back?

Edit: So to provide a quick edit to anyone curious, I've decided to follow the advice a song was named after "Take the money and run" thanks for everyone's wise advice and I'm gonna make sure to steer clear of crazy from now on

Answer:
 Kid, don't dip your pen in company ink. It gets *everywhere*.Answer #2: Legally, gifts cannot be taken back so you're clear.

Personally, run away. Don't walk. Run. No normal person working in a coffee shop is going to give $5000 to a 17 year old.Answer #3: From a legal standpoint as long as it's a gift you should be fine; however, form a moral standpoint, you're going to be basically taking advantage of this person's infatuation with you. It may not seem like a big deal now, but seriously taking that cash would be causing more problems down the road than it'd be worth. Answer #4: Don't do it. What part of this sounds like a good idea? You already say she has an unhealthy obsession with you. Accepting 5k from her isn't going to make that better. If anything, it could make it worse because you'd be giving her false hope. It's not worth itAnswer #5: Anyone unstable enough to offer you a $5000 gift (it's not as though she's wealthy, she works at a coffee shop), is unstable enough to do all kinds of crazy things.  Don't take it.


Title: My Work is Requiring MANDATORY Over Time?

Question:
I live in Texas and work in sales at a call center.
My work is requiring that everyone does at least 8 hours of mandatory overtime this week, and I was just curious as to if this is legal or not?
Everyone works forty hour weeks here (various times depending on where you work in the facility) so I don’t see how they can FORCE us to work more than forty hours?
I wouldn’t be so concerned about it except I’m currently 26 weeks pregnant and already exhausted enough as it is and I have three appointments related to my pregnancy this week so to make these required hours I have to come in early two days this week when I don’t have the appointments and work on a Saturday as well.
Thanks for any feedback. I appreciate it.

Answer: They can require more than 40 hours, provided they properly pay you for all the hours you work.


Title: [Maryland] Business owner is probably giving me the run around about calling for work. I'm impaired, but have proven perfectly capable for the position.

Question:
I was severely injured a number of years back, lost almost half my lung capacity and still suffer chronic chest pain as a result.  Everything is documented by physicians and hospital staff.

Last fall I was hired at a sign shop through my mom because her employer uses that shop for their signs, and this shop owner said she was looking for help.

I worked at Kinkos some years back, and not only enjoyed that line of work, but during my brief time with this shop, I've found to enjoy this as well.  And there's a lot that I look forward to learn.

But the owners are a husband and wife, and really it's the wife who inherited from her departed father, and this wife individual is a spoiled, man-hating drama queen.

Incidentally, I get along well with the husband and equally well with the rest of the staff.  I work as hard as I can and everybody who actually works with me acknowledges it.  But it's this lady owner who has a huge problem with me.

As far as I can tell, she distrusts what I say.  I mean, when I have a physical problem like having to sit on a stool to work, she doesn't believe it.  When I have to leave early, she doesn't buy it.  Once I left early for fatigue that came from an unexplainable reason, and once I left because the work they had for me was literally more than I had the stamina to handle, which was actual carpentry.  This was carpentry that was assigned because the sign business was slow, and was work on the actual shop.

So she wrote an email that she world call me when Spring comes, when business picks up again.  I called at end of March and she said that business was "slowing down," which coming from her I take as a Freudian slip of the reality of the situation, but of course this is only speculation.

I've shown up on time, 8am, almost every day I've been scheduled and had long passed their probation period before formally hiring me.

The only reason not to call me in, if there is at least as much business as when they scheduled me, is due to the personal feelings from false perceptions on the part of this lady owner.

I also happen to know that it's against the law in Maryland, per OSHA regulation, to fire or lay someone off on grounds of their disability.

So how do you recommend I go about this?  As you see it, what are my opinions?

This is much more about principle than money as far as I'm concerned.  It hasn't been easy to find a job that fits my disability, that I also enjoy and can learn as a trade.

P.S. It isn't a factor in my case because both she and I are white, but she's undeniably racist.  I don't add this as adding to a legal case, but to give you an idea of whether her problem with me is just in my head.  I know for a fact that she doesn't believe my disability, and I've heard the way she talks about other ethnicities behind closed doors (One example: "I don't want to be seen as racist, but I just don't like the people at that cafe.").

Answer: You need to spend some time in therapy. You are taking the position that someone is illegally discriminating against you when most of that is based on your ability to read her mind and because she is a drama queen given to Freudian  slips related directly to you. I think you have some delusions that are coloring the view that her world is revolving around you. I'm a firm believer that the simplest answer is probably the real one. Her business may be slowing down. Or she could just not like you because you are dripping with attitude. Neither of these are illegal. I would suggest working on getting yourself to a position where you can find a job and work productively with the owners of the business. But absent more than you have mentioned, I don't know what discrimination you would be arguing. Good luck.


Title: After Trump leaves office, can he be sued by a private citizen (or several/class action) for the events surrounding the storming of the Capitol?

Question:
It’s my understanding that Trump can be sued by private citizens for various things in general  once he goes back to being one himself.

So this is just a legal curiosity really, I was just wondering about the breach of the Capitol and if he could be sued for that. I imagine people who were there might have a better chance at this, but what about citizens who were not present?

How would the law handle such a thing, or would it just be thrown out and the court would not entertain such a lawsuit?

This is a legal question, not a political discussion.

Answer: I dont see on what grounds. No personal property was destroyed, as it was all government. And trump personally didn't do anything. Everybody did what they did on their own volition and made their own choice to do what they did, so if any personal injuries happened it would be the individual that caused it as the one liable


Title: How do I find out if there's a backlog of untested rape kits in my county (CA)?

Question:
Title just about says it. How do I find out if there's a backlog of untested rape kits in my county in California?

Thanks..

Answer: There is.


Title: Arrested at Walmart shoplifting using an anti-shoplifting device [FL] First Offense, HELP

Question:
I did something dumb to see if I could. I made a simple device to open the plastic security cases they put on DVDs and video games, then stuffed the games in my wife's purse. They stopped us on the way out, arrested, booked, released on cash bond. We are facing a 1st degree misdemeanor charge of Petit Shoplifting, but also a 3rd degree FELONY charge for use of an anti-Shoplifting countermeasure.

This is the first offense for us both. We are both adults with no criminal records. We live in northwest Florida.

What I want to know is if anyone has any experience with shoplifting cases involving Walmart and do you know if they are acceptable to pretrial intervention or deferment? My main concern is that a felony conviction showing up on a background check will prevent me from getting any kind of good job.

We have consulted with a lawyer but her retainer was $3,000 and right now I could barely afford $300.

**Update: We will certainly be getting the public defender. Even if we can only afford a lawyer for one of us. The lawyer we talked to would not represent us both as we have "competing interests." That is to say that my wife's defense on the felony charge will be that she had no idea that I had the device.  She also stated that if one of us has a private attorney the. The PD usually "piggybacks" on with the her during negotiations with the prosecutor.

Answer:
 I am not a lawyer.

>What I want to know is if anyone has any experience with shoplifting cases involving Walmart and do you know if they are acceptable to pretrial intervention or deferment?

That's not Walmart's decision. That's the decision of the ADA handling your file and the judge who hears your case.

>My main concern is that a felony conviction showing up on a background check will prevent me from getting any kind of good job.
We have consulted with a lawyer but her retainer was $3,000 and right now I could barely afford $300.

Beg, borrow, (but don't steal - you've enough problems as it is) whatever the money. You need a lawyer. You can't afford *not* to have a lawyer right now. If you own your home, talk to your bank about a home equity line of credit. Otherwise, talk to them about an unsecured line of credit. If you have to, put it on your credit card. $3000 compounding at 22% annually is a very small price to pay if it helps you avoid a felony conviction.


Title: Did this off-duty cop have the right to attempt to pull me over in an unmarked vehicle?

Question:
I posted about this in AITA and was told to post in this subreddit, to determine whether this cop had the legal right to give me grief.

I was driving behind what I thought was a normal car. Everything was fine, until he randomly pulled over angrily and then pulled up behind me after I passed him.
It caught me off-guard, I assumed that while I was behind him as we were going through stop signs, maybe I had been driving a bit too close and it pissed him off.

I thought nothing of it until I noticed him angrily screaming, moving his cars around, and clearly recording me with his phone.
I got really scared. I’m a 19 year old girl, and it was obvious that he was attempting to get out of his car and run over to mine, at every stop sign I was stopping at.
I’m not exaggerating when I say this man was going BALLISTIC. I assumed he was just some asshole with road rage, and in a panic, I quickly try to call my friend to tell her what’s going on. I felt really unsafe. I thought he was going to approach me and yell at me, and I didn’t understand what I did wrong.

In this panic, I was trying to get to my destination. I saw that he was following me. I was hoping at a stop sign that someone would pull up behind me and I could lose him. I was quickly stopping at signs and maybe going 5-7 miles above the 25 mile speed limit.

I get to an intersection and that’s when it all goes down. I see he’s getting out of his car and I’m about to piss myself. He starts SCREAMING. Apparently he’s an off-duty police officer (like I said, he was in an unmarked car, no stickers, no lights, no special license plate) and alleged that him waving his arms around and sticking his arm out the window should have indicated to me that I needed to pull over because his badge was visible? I explained to him that I was really scared and thought he was just some psychopath trying to attack me, so that’s why my stops at the stop signs weren’t too great. I said I noticed him following me and felt unsafe, and that I’m in an unfamiliar area so I apologize if I didn’t know him waving his arms around was a signal for something (???????I’m pretty sure it’s not LOL)

He belittled me. Called me every name in the book. Recorded me with his phone while screaming like a maniac. I think what caused him to get behind me in the first place was that I didn’t make a proper stop. But anything after that was out of pure terror. If I had known he was a cop, I would’ve pulled over, BUT HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO FUCKING KNOW??

Did he have the authority to do this? Was it appropriate for him to speak to me like this? Was I supposed to know that this random dude screaming and recording me while following me for 10 minutes was a cop????

Answer:
> get to an intersection and that’s when it all goes down. I see he’s getting out of his car and I’m about to piss myself. He starts SCREAMING. Apparently he’s an off-duty police officer (like I said, he was in an unmarked car, no stickers, no lights, no special license plate) and alleged that him waving his arms around and sticking his arm out the window should have indicated to me that I needed to pull over because his badge

This does **not** sound like this guy is a police officer, off duty or not, if hes getting out of the car multiple times to try and get you to stop while you're at a stop sign, where is his backup? Where are the uniformed officers?

I'd go to your local police station and give a report about this.Answer #2: No. This was not a police officer. Unmarked police cars have lights.  If he was in an an undercover or personal car, he should have arranged for a uniformed officer in a marked car to do the stop.

If you are ever in such a situation again...even an unmarked car with lights (predators have been known to use them) drive to the nearest police or fire station before you stop your car and call 911 to let them know where you are and what is happening.Answer #3: What happened after? I'm guessing he didn't write you a ticket or anything because, well, he wasn't a cop.

&#x200B;

Next time this happens (I hope it doesn't) tell Google Assistant or Siri to call 911 and ask for a uniformed officer and marked car to come to your location.


Title: What is stopping food trucks from operating like an ice cream truck, driving through neighborhoods at dinner time.

Question: I end up making a lot stupid easy food at home. Friends and family say I should open up a food truck. I was wondering what keeps food trucks from operating like ice cream trucks.

Answer:
 I would assume the cooking while driving part of it.Answer #2: Ice cream is pre-packaged or a scoop away from selling.
Food has to be cooked and takes several minutes.


Title: Am i allowed to withhold rent?

Question: I'm in Virginia and my landlord hasn't made serious necessary repairs (re: my kitchen floods every time it rains because of a leak where our balcony is attached to the house. Tons of black mold and the kitchen floor, vinyl, has warped and detached from the subfloor). I sent him photos and he said he would stop by the next day. Then it became two or three days. Then he just never showed up and it's been a two weeks. Rents due and I just want to know if I'm allowed to be like hey I'm not paying you until you fix this. Thanks in advance for any help! Sorry if this is a dumb question, I'm gonna go read up soon but can't at the moment.

Answer: [This](https://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/withholding-rent-in-virginia-1) link seems to suggest you cannot withhold rent legally in the state of VA, but does suggest a remedy (a complaint to your local court) in the third paragraph.


Title: My Mom is trying to kick me out in a week PLEASE HELP

Question:
Hello. So Im 20 years old and live in California. My family are Jehovah's witnesses. Today, my mom found I got into contact with, and visited my non JW ex boyfriend *whom she she forced me to break up with simply because he's not a jehovah's witness* She told me that I can't live with her anymore and gave me until next week to tell her where I will go. I know this isn't normal, my family is not normal.

I have been paying rent to her CONSISTENTLY for about 2 years. Now I thought here in California you have to at least give tenants 30 days notice. Now shes used this as a bluff before twice. However Im nervous shes serious this time. I appreciate your guys' input. Thank you.
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer:
 Yes you are a tenant and yes she does owe you more notice.

A bit of personal advice, you are an adult, move out. That sounds like a situation that you don't want to be around.


Title: [NYC] Received a parking ticket today for parking "5 Feet from the hydrant", but I measured 9 feet. Should I fight this? What are my options?

Question: The violation states "5 FEET FROM HYDRANT", and I know the rule in NYC is 15 feet but can I fight the ticket if the actual distance is more than what is quoted on the ticket? If I can prove that the actual distance is not "5 FEET FROM HYDRANT" do I have a case here? It may not be 15 feet away but its not 5 feet like what I'm charged for. I took a tape measure and made photos and a video and the car is CLEARLY parked 9 feet away exactly.

Answer: Unless rules of math have changed in NYC, 9 is still less than 15. Pay your fine.


Title: (FL) A guys saying that I refused to rent to him because of his religion.

Question:
I refuse to rent to him because he's a piece of crap. He put in an application, his background check came back fairly normal(one DUI) then I looked him up on Facebook.

Nothing but anti-police rhetoric, violence, misogyny and animal abuse. I told him that I won't rent to him for personal reasons, then I told some police friends of mine about his lovely little page(he doesn't know I told them) and apparently they arrested him for domestic violence and animal abuse not long after.

Now he's threatening to sue me for discrimination for not renting to him due to his views when he claims are part of his religion.

What the hell do I do?

Answer:
 If he sues, retain a lawyer. Chances are he is just blowing smoke.Answer #2: Going forward, the standard rejection should simply be that there were multiple qualified applicants and I went with the most qualified.

Never give a reason they can rebut or "fix."Answer #3: Absolutely nothing, you are good to go. Housing discrimination is rather tough to prove and this case certainly does not fit the bill.

SOURCE: Passed Property exam with discrimination essay.
 Answer #4: Wow! I didnt know stupid was officially a religion now.  Better get some of them Bibles they been using.  1983 Sears Catalog.


Title: Proselytizing in the work place, and what a small business owner can do about it

Question:
So my dad is considering hiring a new sales person for his small business.

He interviewed a nice lady who has just moved here from Louisiana because her church selected her to join the congregation in our area.

The interview went well, and near the end she asked my dad what his plans were for the weekend given father's day and whatnot. He talked, and then she brought up her church and how there was a lot of love, and how they sang about the scripture and we go to the beach and it's great and you should come out and I can give you all the information about it, etc.

This raised a flag with my dad, and he said nah I already go to my temple on Sundays, perhaps not as often as I should but I go.

So here's a concern he was discussing with my mom (they work together). He doesn't want any form of proselytizing in the workplace, he doesn't want to constantly hear about how her church is putting on an event and we should really come out, or be given free bibles, and he sure as fuck doesn't want any sort of that discussion with clients (who we get to know very well).

Now, there's no proof she'll do such a thing, but the fact that she brought up Christianity and coming out to her church twice in the interview raised a flag.

My dad wants to make it very clear that religion is to be kept to one's self, and you can pray if you want to (sometimes my parents walk in and pray when they start the day for like a minute), but there should be no proselytizing or discussion involved.

Here's what I thought: I don't think you can just say that to someone preemptively, unless they've done something to go against that unspoken rule.

So my dad is wondering, what can he do? Can he tell her that? Or does he only wait until after she's done something and then tell her? Because the concern then is that she becomes offended and then we end up in a debacle that we don't need to be in.

What should one do in this situation? Ofc we'll play it by ear, because there's a chance she won't do anything, but she struck as as very devout and asking us to come out was a pretty blatant sign of one who is asking for that.

For reference, I had a piano teacher when I was a kid, who when she wasn't teaching my piano, was talking to me about Jesus and wanting me to come to her church. We eventually grew wary of it and stopped paying for lessons. Another lady we know is giving us free bibles all the time and asking us to come by to her church knowing full well our affiliation is with another religion.

So what are our options? We don't want to end up in any shit legally, so what are the laws and whatnot discussing this with a worker?

Answer:
 If the red flags are popping up how about he just not hire her? He doesn't have to give a reason.Answer #2: Well I've spent way more time on this than I thought I would today but I enjoy a good debate. Here's what I found:

The EEOC addresses religious proselytizing in the workplace. Permitting workplace proselytizing not only raises religious accommodation issues but also raises issues of religious discrimination and harassment. Religious expression can create an undue hardship if it disrupts the work of other employees or if workers feel harassed. Under the new guidance, practices that fall within the category of religious proselytizing include the display of religious material or items in an employee’s work area, one-on-one discussions about religious beliefs, and displaying religious icons or messages at work-stations. Basically her talking about religion can infringe on the religious freedom of others (including Dad doing the hiring).  In my opinion I see no problem not hiring her based on her DISCUSSING religion, her beliefs are fine, but she has no right to make others uncomfortable with her beliefs.


Title: Nevada/ How would I sue Apple over the throttling issue?

Question:
Suppose I am unhappy with the $5 itunes gift card or whatever award a class action would result in, is there a way for me to sue Apple on my own? Am I able to sue in small claims court and would I be able to collect or is there some kind of corporate loopholes that would render all this pointless?

edit: welp no help here, but if anybody is interested try https://www.atlasconsumerlaw.com/apple-battery-class-action/
Topic:
Business Law

Answer:
 How exactly did the throttling affect you? Quantify it in dollars. That's your starting point.

Realistically though, this isn't some lawsuit lottery you just won. Apple has the resources to drag whatever bullshit claim you file out for a long time. It will cost you more than whatever you'll get even if you win, and you won't hurt Apple at all.


Title: Am I legally justified to break the lease? (California)

Question:
Hello r/legaladvice,

I moved into a room for rent for work, but am finding the conditions to be despicable. I moved in on 10/13/18 and am going to move out on 10/20/18. I am going to provide bullet points with facts, so that you may advise me to break the lease by paying an extra month of rent, or to just pack up and leave without paying.

**Facts/Opinions:**

* The house is filthy. There is thick coats of grime on the kitchen and the bathroom. There is mold in the bathroom.

* The landlord neglected to inform me that there was a outdoor cat living on premise, which is why the property and the interior smells of feces.

* There is termite damage in different parts of the house, displaying signs that there is termites eating through the wood.

* There is garbage (cat food cans, gallon bottles of water, tires, and etc) laying around the property.

* There is a rat issue with rats roaming around the propety, and I have been told there is a rat issue inside as well.

* The owner lied to me about how many people would be living in the house.

* The owner put a partition in a room so that two people could sleep in a room made for one person.

* All in all, the property is filthy to the point of disgust.

Am I legally justified to not pay him anymore money, or am I going to need to pay up? I have been reading up on CA Civil Code  1941.1 - 7.

Answer: Did you not see the property before moving in? What does your lease say about early termination?


Title: Getting jewelry back from an ex

Question: Thanks for reading. I live in Oregon. My mother and her long term boyfriend are splitting up, and he is demanding she give back all the jewelry he has given her in the past decade. Does she have to give it back?

Answer: Not if it was a gift.


Title: Ex left stuff at apartment. Told me to dispose of it. Can I sell it?

Question:
So we shared an apartment together for a few years. I left at the beginning of the month, and about 3 weeks ago I texted her informing her that she needed everything out by the 31st so I could clean it. Fast forward to the 31st, I go in and it's a huge mess and stuff left everywhere. I texted her informing her that anything left I will be putting in the corner of one room so I can begin cleaning everything. She replied saying whatever is left to toss out.   Now most of it is actual garbage (food etc) some of it however I am wondering if I can sell? She has not returned, told the landlord she was officially gone, and told me to toss everything. I'm wondering what my options are here.

Illinois is where the apartment is located.
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer:
 Save those text messages.

If she told you to dispose of it, you are generally free to sell it and keep the proceeds.

It may be prudent to text her that you'll be disposing of X, Y, and Z items before you do, in case she doesn't realize what exactly she left.


Title: [Ontario, Canada] Had a little trouble with the dealership while purchasing a new car, any advice?

Question:
 I recently purchased a 2019 Genesis G70 3.3T in Toronto, Canada from the local dealership. Today I got a call from the dealership \(3 weeks after taking delivery\), asking about my experience. I had a LOT to tell them \(summarized below\) and saying all of this out loud made me realize that although they are little things individually, they add up. I asked them what the plan to do about it, and they just told me that they will deal with it internally. As a first time 'new car' buyer, I was wondering what more experienced people would recommend, and if I am over\-reacting. Here is what I told them on the phone \(names removed\):

\-          I asked, and was informed by Salesman A, point blank, that the
car uses 87 octane fuel. After purchasing the vehicle, I read the
manual and determined that it in\-fact uses 91 octane fuel. This is a
MAJOR difference that makes a material impact on the operating costs
of the vehicle and I should not have been lied to about this. I,
unfortunately, only found out about this issue a few days after my
purchase when I was planning to fuel up for the first time.

\-          I commented to Salesman A that I cannot wait for the break\-in
period for the car to elapse as I would like to experience the full
power of the engine. I was informed by Chris that the ‘break\-in’
period is a myth and I should feel free to use the car as I wish.
Given other instances in this document where Salesman A has been
incorrect/flat\-out lied I now fear that while I listened to his advice
the first few days \-before performing my own independent research and
deciding to ignore Chris’s advice\- I may have damaged the engine.

\-          When scheduling test drives, and scheduling delivery. Salesman A
asked to come down to the dealership. At no time was an offer made to
bring the car to a location that was convenient to me. I was not even
aware of this service until my conversation with Maliha.

\-          Salesman B was telling me about an unruly customer who was
refusing Genesis plate covers claiming that they are illegal. Salesman B
implied that he thought the customer was incorrect and since he had
been selling cars with license plate covers for 35 years, he was
right. However, the Highway Traffic Act of Ontario states that the
number plate "shall be kept free from dirt and obstruction and shall
be affixed so that the entire number plate is plainly visible". The
customer was in fact correct and I now have these illegal plate covers
on my vehicle. I recognize the fact that I will probably not be pulled
over but the fact remains that Genesis sales personnel as Professional
car salesman, should be aware of all pertinent vehicle laws.

\-          Salesman A told me repeatedly that window tinting of 35&#37; is
legal in Ontario. A literal reading of the Highway Traffic Act reveals
that Ontario laws do not expressly specify whether front window
tinting is legal or not. According to Ontario Highway Safety Act, you
may not drive a vehicle if \[...\] any window to the direct left or right of the
driver’s seat \[...\] substantially obscures the interior of the motor
vehicle when viewed from outside the motor vehicle. Installing any
amount of window tint on windshield or front side windows, could
technically result in a fine as it is up to an individual police
officer to determine whether a tint “substantially” obscures vision in
your car. Again, I recognize the fact that I will probably not be
pulled over but the fact remains that Genesis sales personnel as
Professional car salesman, should be aware of all pertinent vehicle
laws, and they should especially not be charging $400 for a
technically illegal service.

\-          When I provided Salesman A with the ownership papers for the
trade in, he was not aware that ‘plate portion’ of my permit stays
with me. When I brought it up, neither Salesman A nor Salesman B could
determine what documents I should retain. As it stands now, I still
have not been returned this portion and had to pay out of pocket for
fresh documentation for the new car.

\-          When driving my trade in vehicle from one parking lot to
another, Salesman B essentially committed a hit and run. He backed into a
parked truck trailer causing the trade\-in vehicle’s tail light to be
broken. Salesman B got out to inspect the damage and drove off without
leaving any notes on the trailer. I did not inspect the truck trailer
for damages and am therefore unsure about the extent of damages.

\-          When taking delivery of the vehicle I noticed that the rear
bumper protector I ordered was not installed. It was only when I
pointed this out that Chris explained that it would be delivered
later.

\-          When taking delivery of the vehicle, there was a week delay
from when I was told the vehicle will be here tomorrow, to when I
could actually pick it up.

\-          Here are a list of things that I was not even aware of
until speaking to the customer satisfaction rep:

o   I was not assigned to a service manager.

o   I was not provided instructions on servicing the vehicle / service timetable

o   I was not provided with a thank you note / gift

o   I did not receive a follow\-up call to see if I had any questions

Based on the information above, I am particularly distressed about the
inaccuracy of the fuel requirements, the fact that I paid for illegal
window tinting and the damage I may have caused my engine in the first
few days by listening to Salesman A's advice.

Is this too minor to care about?

Answer: Canada may be different, but in America all the false statements are generally waivered away as "sales puffery". The bill of sale we sign typically has language stating that any verbal promises or statements are not binding. So the stuff about the gas type and so on is out.


Title: I'm about to turn 18. My girlfriend is 15. I'm in California

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 > My girlfriend is 15

> Her dad doesn't approve

Run.

Your dad is right. You're putting yourself in a very dangerous situation.


Title: There are two guys, no uniform, in a parking lot next to my house putting police decals on a blank SUV.

Question:
(Washington State)
So this seems kind of suspicious to me. My house is in West Townsville and the decals are for East Townsville. Seems like they're making a fake cop car to me, but what makes it so confusing is the fact that we are about 1/4 mile from the West Townsville police department, in the open. Should I report this, or is this normal police protocol?
Please let me know if I'm in the wrong subreddit with this question.
Edit: Added state.

Answer: There is zero harm in calling.Answer #2: Report it and let the police figure out if it's legit.


Title: Do I have to use a buyer's agent now that house is found? (MI)

Question:
I'll try to keep this short and on point. Found a house for sale that I wanted to see. I contacted the listing agent to set up an appointment. House was junk. I mentioned I was going to see another house next on my list and the real estate agent tagged along. House is beautiful and I'm thinking about making an offer. (Me being a dumb-ass) Now realize the real estate agent that came along now thinks she's my buyer's agent. I should have told her 'No' when she asked to come along but hindsight is 20/20.

She's done absolutely nothing on the second house besides physically walk through it for the first time with me. I found it online and set up the appointment myself.

-I didn't sign any type of agent agreement or anything else.
-Home is FSBO and there is no other (listing) agent involved. Got the heavy vibe that the homeowner would love to go ahead without agents and would be much more flexible on pricing without them.
-I'm comfortable buying without agents involved, just using a title company as an intermediary.

Is there a law where I have to use this buyer's agent? Thanks in advance.
Topic:
Real Estate law

Answer: You are not required to use a real estate agent, though one is always advisable.


Title: Can I post defamatory posters everywhere?

Question: So my friend has relapsed and is currently addicted to a substance and I want to scare their dealer into hiding. I'm in NY would it be legal to post posters all around his neighborhood with his picture saying in bold I sell cocaine please avoid me, I also got my 17 year old cousin shot in the head and killed( this actually happened he was tried and charged about 14 years ago for this) so nothing would be false on the poster. Thanks for the help just trying to get rid of some enablers for my friend to help them make it through their relapse.

Answer: Not a lawyer, but generally it’s not a good idea to piss off people who sell hard drugs because if they’re cool breaking the law doing that, they’ll likely not have a big issue coming after you.


Title: 15 year old Mexican with no legal knowledge concerned about staying in this country.

Question: [deleted]

Answer: The grounds for being deported are *much* stricter than the standards for denying naturalization. Just because she wasn't able to become a citizen yet does not mean that she will be deported, or that her PRA status will be revoked. It almost certainly won't happen without a conviction - a single police report isn't enough.


Title: Child Support Modification in MN for recent HS graduate -- what financials do I need to share?

Question:
Some background: Three years after a VERY contentious divorce was finalized, I'm working to modify the amount of child support I pay. Per the decree, when the oldest of my two daughters is emancipated (ie - graduates from high school, which she did in May) we recalculate the amount for our remaining teenage daughter.

I proposed a new amount using my current salary and what I know about my ex-wife's salary, using the online calculator provided by the state of MN. She is not willing to stipulate on a new amount, so I filed a motion with the Court. She has requested that the date of the hearing be moved back, even after the judge had specified that our "motion will be taken under advisement based on the written submissions only. No in person appearances are necessary."

As part of the motion, after meeting with somebody at the "self help desk" to help me through the process, I filed confidential financial documents: pay stubs, several months of checking account history, VISA statements, and other documents that confirmed the budget I'd set forth in the supporting affidavit. When I'd filed with the county clerk, she made copies of everything EXCEPT those financial documents, stapled everything else together and told me what I then needed to have served to my ex.

Here's where the question comes in: my ex and her lawyer have been asking for copies of the financial documents I'd filed (but were not copied and sent to them). I don't understand why she needs them, first of all, since I've already e-mailed her copies of my pay stubs as well as what I pay for medical and dental for our kids. She's now sending me very terse e-mails with subjects like "Request for Additional Legal Documents" asking if I'm refusing to send copies of my bank statements and whatnot to her and her lawyer. Her lawyer has twice written to the judge, while asking for continuance on the date, noting that I haven't provided them with this documentation yet.

Is this something I need to do? I don't feel like I'm withholding relevant data from her, since my monthly budget doesn't matter in the child support calculations, only my salary and benefits info. And she already has that.

Does she have a right to those documents because I'd filed them with the court?

At the end of the day, there's really nothing there that I care one way or the other if she sees what my bank statements looked like for the first half of the year. Nearly 2/3 of my take-home pay every month goes to my rent, child support payments, and half of the mortgage on the house we still own together (as part of the decree). What I do with the remaining 1/3 has no impact on what I pay her every month.

I'd simply like to understand whether or not this is a legal requirement, or if she's asking for details about my finances that are none of her business.

TL;DR - when filing a motion to modify child support, does my ex have a right to receive copies of my checking and credit card statements that I'd filed with the Court, in addition to recent pay stubs and medical/dental benefits details that I've already provided her?
Topic:
Custody Divorce and Family

Answer:
 Generally speaking, if you file something with the court, you're also required to give a copy to the opposing party. It's an adversarial process. The courts don't have investigators going through everything trying to find discrepancies, lies, or omissions - that's the job of the attorney for the other side.

That being said, I wouldn't say you filed that information with the court. If she made copies of everything except that other information and gave it back to you, then was it really properly filed? I'd also agree it's probably not relevant, as long as they have enough information to make a determination.

But if you really don't care, and it's just going to prolong the time you spend paying the higher amount, is it really in your best interest to fight it?


Title: Throwing Matches Onto Neighbours Property?

Question: Found My Answer

Answer: You should speak with a lawyer, this sounds really serious.


Title: [NY] My landlord gave me permission to have a pet but property manager says no.

Question:
Hi,

I live in a residential condo building in NYC with each unit being rented out by its respective landlord. The building had a live-in property manager/ super on the first floor.

When we moved in, we asked if the building was pet-friendly and told yes by our landlord who we signed the lease with, stating that pets were allowed with no size restriction. Now, a month later, our property manager/super finally noticed our dog and told us our dog was too big. But we know for a fact that there are other dogs in the building who are the same size as ours. But he insists it’s because they were already there and so they got grandfathered in.

Our dog is an emotional support animal for my wife who has anxiety, and we have papers to support this. And we’ve never received a complaint because our dog never barks. Our landlord insists it’s fine, but we don’t want to go to war with the super either, incase we need his help fixing something in the apartment.

Are we legally fine?

Thanks!

Answer:
 If your lease allows for your dog then that is what you follow. What does the lease state about animals? Notify your landlord and have them deal with the super. Answer #2: > , we asked if the building was pet-friendly and told yes by our landlord who we signed the lease with

.....is the pet-friendly in the lease? What does lease say re pets? Why would you sign a lease that doesn't address something you know is an issue and you knew well enough to ask about.

You can ask your landlord to put it in writing that you can have dog.


Title: Following credit card dispute (in my favor), I received a bill from Budget's collections department.

Question: [deleted]

Answer: Try /r/personalfinance for details on how to dispute a debt. I assume you've already responded and provided the paperwork that shows you do not owe the amount.


Title: One of my best friends is being fucked over by the police who are engaging somewhat shady behavior (details in post) (NJ)

Question:
My friend told me a few days ago about a predicament he is dealing with.  His car is not in good shape and needs massive repairs that are effecting its performance (this becomes important later).  As someone who has been a passenger in this car I can attest that it this is believable.

2-3 weeks ago he was driving home through the beach and when he was making a lane change he was pulled over.  The officer told him he was swerving while making the lane change.  My friend tried to explain to the officer that his front wheel linkages are in bad shape which makes it harder to turn his car.  The officer wrote him a ticket for reckless driving.  My friend was going to try to plea his case in court to get point reductions on the ticket, pay his ticket and fix his car so this wouldn't happen again.

two weeks later he received two additional tickets in the mail that were dated the same day as the last ticket and from the same officer that contained separate charges.  To make matters worse each ticket has a separate court date.  The combined points from all of these tickets will put him close to losing his license.

He has consulted a lawyer who quoted him a cost of several thousand dollars to deal with these tickets.  He does not have that kind of money, the irony here is that if he didnt have to pay all of these legal fees he could put the money to fixing the problem with his car that caused this.

My friend was gladly willing to pay the first ticket.  I am shocked that the police just send him additional tickets for the same incident after the fact like this.  Is this legal?

does anyone have any good advice for my friend on how he can best deal with this without spending thousands of dollars he does not have?

thanks in advance everyone

edit: I want to thank the redditors who gave the great ideas of compounding his tickets to one court date and that he should fix the car first and beg the courts for mercy.  I will no longer be responding to this thread, enjoy the rest of your day everyone

Answer:
 > I am shocked that the police just send him additional tickets for the same offense after the fact like this. Is this legal?

Yes.  They don't have to ticket you on scene.

Your buddy needs to fix his car and stop driving like an asshole.  "My car is broken" isn't a defense, and in all frankness it's **worse** than what he was originally charged with.

You don't assert that he has an actual defense on his tickets, so his best course of action is to throw himself on the mercy of the court.  If he fixes his car, he has a better shot there.Answer #2: >  My friend tried to explain to the officer that his front wheel linkages are in bad shape which makes it harder to turn his car.

"Officer it's not my fault, my car is dangerously unsafe!" is not a defense. It's an admission of guilt.

When was the vehicle's last safety inspection? Did it fail?


Title: [TX] Shoved down onto the street into oncoming traffic by a bouncer

Question:
Last night I went to a bar as my organization was having a tab there. I am not 21 so I did not attempt to get into the bar, i showed no form of ID fake, real, or otherwise. I was talking to my buddies on the bars patio from the sidewalk outside, along with a few others of us who were not 21. The bouncers did not like that and told us to leave, which caused a verbal argument between us and the bouncers. Eventually they say get off the bars property (We had walked up to the patio fence slightly off the sidewalk) and back up a few feet to be fully on the sidewalk, which is public property. We complied and moved back onto the sidewalk. The verbal argument continued, and at this point one of the bouncers comes up to me and shoves me pretty forcefully back into the street where i ended up on the ground in oncoming traffic.

I at no time threatened the bouncer with any kind of violence nor had I put my hands on him.

He put his hands on me first and what he did was wildly out of line in my opinion. He was hired to protect the BAR and the BAR's property, not the public city street. The way I see it, I was assaulted on public property by a thug bouncer. I have a large group of witnesses who corroborate my story.

My question is what recourse do I have? Did the bouncer have legal authority (Texas, Harris County) to shove me like that on public property, and not even in self defense because again I made no threats nor did I touch him at any point, he is the one who initiated the physical part.

Answer: No you cannot assault someone on a public sidewalk in defense of a bar that is nearby because you don't like them being there.  You can call the authorities and file a complaint for assault.  Be prepared for a he said / she said battle though.Answer #2: You can call the police if you feel you were assaulted. That's about it.


Title: House my fiancé and I rent in Florida is going into foreclosure, did some sleuthing and found other information that could possibly mean trouble for us.

Question:
So my fiancé and I rent a home in Florida and have lived here for about three years. We pay rent religiously on time every month. We've never had any issues with city (except one, more on this in a moment) and our neighbors love us.

Last week a man came to the door asking for the owner of the house. This woman lives on the other side of the country and we've only met her once. We pay rent through a property group so we never deal with her directly. My fiancé explained this and the man said he was here to serve her with some paperwork because the house is going into foreclosure. He took our names down and didn't really give us much more information before he left.

A few days went by and someone from the property group we pay our rent to texted my fiancé asking if we have received any mail addressed to the owner of the home. My fiancé said we hadn't until recently. She asked him to open the mail and take photos of what it said and to text the photos back to her. He said he felt uncomfortable opening someone else's mail (hello illegal?) and asked if she could just call him. She said no, she was out of the office but would call later. She never did.

Flash forward to today. My fiancé and I started talking about it again and I said I thought it was kind of weird we haven't heard anything about what's going on. I know it's possible we would have to move out of the house if the owner was indeed losing her property and since we're currently saving for a wedding I would like to have an idea of what's going on. I decided to look up the house using public records to see if there were any updates and I noticed something that kind of worried me. There's apparently a lien against the house because we used the car to park one of cars instead of using the driveway. There was a letter sent to the owner back in 2014 stating that she would be fined $50/day for everyday the car was parked in the lawn.

We received a notice about this from the city when we first moved in, so my fiancé called the number that was listed on the letter and explained why we can't both always park in the drive way. They said they would call us back and never did. About a month later someone came to our house again telling us we couldn't park in the grass UNLESS we put something down to use as a make shift driveway. My fiancé asked if we could use large pebbles and they said that was fine.

So, we got 6 bags of pebbles and put them in the spot we park the one car on and we never heard anything about it again. No notices, no one from the city coming to our door, we thought we were fine and have been parking this way since then.

So I guess my question is, could this back on us in any way? My fiancé is now freaking out and thinking we are going to have to pay that $50/day fine from 2014 on. I asked my mom about it and she thinks it would legally fall on the owner since she owns the property and apparently received notices about it that we knew nothing about. Thoughts?

Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer:
 For the parking on the lawn fine- you're correct that the owner is responsible to pay the fine to the city, but she could then come after you for what it costs her to cover the fine.

If the home is going into foreclosure though, I would be willing to bet it's for more than unpaid fines.


Title: County showed up this morning to "fix" my street and is currently jackhammering in front of my driveway

Question:
This morning I woke up to Harris County (I live in unincorporated Harris County North of Houston, TX) jackhammering in front of my house. They did not notify us in advance that this was going to be happening. They came to our front door, well after starting, to tell us our driveway might be blocked for a while.

Other than not notifying us they have been mostly cooperative. My neighbor told me that earlier they wanted to tear up the entire cul-de-sac all at once, and have us park our cars a block away, but told me that was illegal, so now they're tearing up half the street at a time.

My question is if they hit the sewer line and cause problems or cause property damage, what can I do?

I'm already seeing chunks of the driveway apron going down with it (it needed to be replaced anyway).
Topic:
Real Estate law

Answer:
 If they hit a sewer line, they'll likely call the city and get waste management on the scene to start cleaning it up.

If they cause property damage and they make no effort to repair it, you contact the department responsible for the repairs and speak to them about repairing the damages or reimbursing you for fixing it.

Consider the damages that would have happened if the road collapsed or whatever issue they are fixing went unaddressed.  A minor inconvenience now is worth not having a major inconvenience later.


Title: (Minnesota) Phone stolen and thief wants to sell it back

Question: My iPhone 6 was stolen during gym from the locker room and the school checked the cameras and narrowed it down to 5 guys. After searching their lockers and backpacks, they let them go for the day. I am not sure what the school did next, but I started messaging one of the guys who stole it on FaceBook and convinced him to sell it back to me for $300. He hasn't admitted to currently having the phone and he says his friend has it. How do I get it back preferably without paying 300$?

Answer:
 Did you call the police?

We've shown up at exchanges like this and arrested the thief before...


Title: Looking to get a medical marijuana card in New Jersey, but I work for a company that hair tests.

Question:
I have a chronic gastrointestinal disease that qualifies me for obtaining a MMJ card in New Jersey. I also work for a grocery store that performs hair tests prior to passing an internal employment interview and screening.

Would I be able to fight a scenario where I was denied an employment opportunity because I failed a drug test due to marijuana? This is assuming that the job isn't a safety sensitive position.

Thanks in advance.

Answer: No. The employer  has a right to set there own policies regarding drug use.


Title: Neighbor has issues with my dogs

Question:
Hello, first time posting here and on mobile. I apologize in advanced for formatting issues.

A month ago my girlfriend and I moved together in Toledo. About a week after we moved in, we rescued two Dachshunds (weenie dogs). They're the sweetest and least aggressive dogs I've seen, but they're still dogs and bark at people who walk by our yard.

Now our neighbor doesn't like dogs at all. She hasn't done anything to them, but they bark at her when they're outside. They just want attention from her, and she (reasonably) ignores them.

The main issue is that when my girlfriend and I leave for work (7-4), we keep them on the main floor. They sit on top of a chair by the front window and keep lookout, right next to a window. She says they bark constantly all day long, and she can't put up with them anymore. She also says that other neighbors have voiced their concerns to her. I haven't heard from anyone other than her about the barking being an issue.

She has already called canine control on us. They promptly laughed when they saw our little dogs; they were expecting a much bigger and more threatening breed.

As of right now, we're keeping them in the basement. This way there's nothing for them to bark at, and if they do, the noise won't be as loud as it was.

We're worried that she will escalate the situation further with frivolous lawsuits and canine control calls. What can we do to protect ourselves and our dogs?

TL;DR: Our neighbor has already called canine control on our dogs for too much barking, and is threatening further legal action. CC laughed when they saw two little weenies looking at them, but we want to make sure we're protected.

Thank you!

Answer:
 > What can we do to protect ourselves and our dogs?

Legally, nothing?

Outside of that, there are methods for training your dogs not to bark. You should investigate those.


Title: How do I stop worrying about a scam?

Question: [removed]

Answer:
 You have been told repeatedly by scores of experienced and trustworthy posters that this is a scam and that there is nothing to worry about.

If that isn't reassurance enough, then you need to spend some money to speak with a real-life, local criminal defense attorney who will inevitably end up telling you the same thing.

As indelicate as it may sound, I'd also suggest that you see a therapist to address your anxiety because your gross overreaction to this is not a healthy or normal response.

If you're contemplating suicide, please call the national hotline at 1 (800) 273-8255 to speak with someone.


Title: [ID] My 5 month pregnant Wife's Work just informed her that her medical insurance will be ending when she goes into labor

Question:
Hello,
My wife is currently 5 months pregnant and has been working full-time at a bank in Idaho, and is set to be getting health insurance the beginning of this December. The deductible was very low which truly was a godsend to us as I work part time and am a full-time student while she currently works full-time. Her work knows that once she ends her maternity leave that she will be coming back part-time. Her boss informed her today that once her maternity leave began, her insurance would be halted as she would then be a part-time employee, and any medical costs paid by her work would have to be reimbursed by her. I currently earn around 1,500 a month gross and she makes about 1,700 a month gross. Because of this we don't qualify for pregnancy medicaid in Idaho (as far as what I saw on their website) and we couldn't afford for her to quit her job to be able to qualify.
Need some insurance insight and advice. Thank you so much.

Edit 1: I should add that she is due to give birth in April.

Answer:
 How long has she been employed by the bank?Answer #2: Work up until the day of birth.

Im a teacher.  I went into labor at 7am.

Taught my first 4 classes and left at lunch for the hospital.

I gave birth at 9pm.

I dont see how they can cancel insurance in the middle of a claim.


Title: How do I correctly word my will in regards to leaving everything of mine to one specific person?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 You should hand-write it, pen to paper, and say exactly what you mean in clear and concise language.

A handwritten will has a significantly higher chance of being enforceable.

E: and remember to sign.

E2: You edited in your location. Australia. Not my expertise. Advice may not apply. Sorry OP!


Title: I am a tattooer in Washington state being threatened by a client with a bogus civil suit. Should I even worry?

Question:
Good evening reddit.  Firstly, I will explain what's what.
I am a licensed tattooer who works out of a private studio in Washington state. I have made several hundred tattoos in my time.
About six months ago I took on a very aggressive client, we'll call her X. From the very start she was combative and unwilling to listen to advice or even my shop policies, but I figured "what the hell, I need the money."
About 2 weeks after the tattoo she sent me a *very* aggressive e-mail saying that her tattoo was healing like shit and that there's scarring and that this has never ever ever ever happened to her so what the fuck is wrong with me.  However, when she finally sent me pictures it looked a whole lot like she wasn't taking very good care of a very tender area (the side of her hip) like I'd instructed her to and was reaping the benefits of such.  Regardless, it looked nowhere *near* as bad as she was telling me it was.  But I said I was very sorry it was turning out that way, but it's a very tender area and these things can happen.  I offered several times to fix whatever fell out, she finally set an appointment and then never responded to my confirmation and I haven't heard from her.  The appointment was for mid-November.
Today, ~six months after the original appointment,   I get a message from a friend who says that X (who it turns out is a mutual acquaintance) has threatened to subpoena him for my personal information if he doesn't give it to her: my home address, my shop address, my full name, my phone number, and my social media information.  What's odd to me is that she should have all of that information except for my home address in the e-mail when we set up the appointment.  He didn't give X any of the information and she threatened to "destroy [him] if [he] got in [her] way".
The whole thing seems really bizarre to me, and I am wondering if I even need to worry about this? It doesn't seem like she has a leg to stand on, but I also don't know.  This has come up in a really rough patch in my life and I really can't afford to be tossing money around for an attorney if I don't really have to, so I thought I would come to you guys first.  Thank you in advance.
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer:
 Ignore her unless and until you actually get served for a lawsuit.  Do not communicate with her in any way.Answer #2: Not legal advice but business advice. If your client seems crazy and aggressive don't take them on as a client, that way you avoid paying for legal advice in the future.Answer #3: Until she files (and chances are she won't) you can't do much of anything.

Document any contact you have with her.  Document any threats you or your friends receive from her.  And otherwise ignore her, until you are served with a case.

That said, she is more likely to go the crazy rout and just keep making threats and harassing people, and when that happens you take the documentation to the police and ask for help.


Title: My employer cut my pay without Notice, is it legal?

Question: Throwaway for personal reasons. My employer currently cut my pay from 25000 to 15000 without notice. My checks were from 900 to 500. He also deducted me 600 with a promise to reimburse but comes up with different conditions for reimbursement. I live in Illinois and my job is a insurance agent team member. What can I do?

Answer: He can change your future pay, he can't change your pay for work you already did.  As for what to do, I don't know about IL but my state has all kinds of hotlines you can call regarding labor disputes.  See if anything like that exists where you are.


Title: A restraining order has been filed against me

Question:
Long story short... I'm in my mid 20's & I was in a very toxic relationship that lasted over 3 years. By toxic I mean constant fighting, name calling, breaking up and getting back together. And horrible, **horrible**, things have been said.

&#x200B;

Secondly, they grabbed some damning screenshots of me going off like an angry maniac and was granted the order. The problem is, they blocked me off of social media, so I don't even have access to some of the toxic/vile things they said. Our text messages? My phone was factory reset a few months ago, so that entire thread is gone.

&#x200B;

Being the toxic relationship it is, I figured it was just another one of our 'toxic' moments and swept it under the rug. I wake up the next morning and a restraining order was granted against me. At this point all the cards are in their hand. They have all the damning evidence against me. Im sure they have conversations saved from our dating days, etc. Me, I completely deleted them/cut them out during the break up and our conversations were included in what was deleted. We broke up in 2018 and decided to be on 'speaking terms' for the new year. (you know. New year, good vibes type of thing). We've had cordial convos since then, but I should've known it wouldn't play out the way I imagined it. I'd be lying to you if I said I didn't feel anything for them, as it's only been 6-7 months since we broke up. The mixture of passion, love(or what I though was love?) and animosity got the best of me and overwhelmed me in our most recent conversation.

&#x200B;

At this point I don't know what to do. I will lawyer up, but I'm pretty worried. I don't have a criminal record, I've never physically assaulted her. I don't stalk her, I haven't even seen her since our break up many months ago. Our only contact as of recent has been on social media. All she had to do was press the 'block' button and she wouldn't hear from me if she didnt want to. Thats why this restraining order is coming as a shock to me, because I definitely don't have a history of stalking her, or making several accounts to talk to her, etc etc.

I'm mostly scared of the ramifications & my lack of evidence against her. I'm a clean cut person with a clean record and now it feels like I'm on a boat with no paddle.

&#x200B;

Any help would be appreciated

Answer:
 >I'm mostly scared of the ramifications  & my lack of evidence against them. I feel totally blindsided and  who knows how much evidence they've gathered and how far back it dates.  I'm a clean cut person with a clean record and now it feels like I'm on a  boat with no paddle.

From your own description, you only have a clean record because they didn't report you sooner.

Don't worry about the evidence right now. Get a lawyer. **Get in counseling**. You clearly have issues that you need to work through, and you need to show to the judge that you are taking this seriously. All things being equal, if you have 2 defendants that did the same thing, and one comes in trying to argue it wasn't that bad, and the other comes in saying "You know, I fucked up. I shouldn't have said those things. I'm sorry, and I'm getting some counseling to help me work through my issues. It doesn't matter what the other person said - I should have been better.", then you are far more likely to get lenient treatment, especially when the evidence is pretty much ironclad.Answer #2: > All she had to do was press the 'block' button and she wouldn't hear from me if she didnt want to.

All she should have had to do was tell you to leave her alone. Your ability to message her does not give you a right to message her. You broke up several months ago and were still sending her hate messages?

Hire a lawyer and go to court. She didn't just show a small sample of messages. The police would look at the most recent messages to see if she had incited anything.


Title: [TX] Looking for credible information on "knowing your rights" during police encounters

Question:
I am putting together a program for an organization at my university and part of it is knowing what are you rights during a police encounter. I am not well versed in law and am not sure where I can find credible information out there. I would also appreciate any information regarding what an officer can and can not do during a police encounter.

I've tried google searching this topic and in almost every piece there is at least someone saying that this information was not true  and there seems to be a discourse.

Answer:
 Go for the ACLU, they have credible information and offer KYR trainings. I'd be very skeptical of most of the others, just because KYR stuff can get awfully nutty awfully fast.Answer #2: https://www.aclu.org/files/kyr/kyr_english.pdf

I would not trust any other source. There are many unreliable ones that make unsupported claims.

Two important things to remember:

1. Identification laws vary by state.
2. Assert your rights, but if your rights are violated, the place to fight that is in court, not on the side of the road, the street, or in your house.


Title: CA: Got note from doctor for reasonable accommodation to wear headphones in the office. Now, male co-worker that I share an office with, who has made several advances (some over text, which I still have) is “uncomfortable”. Have to meet for a “disciplinary” action meeting with HR. Do I have rights?

Question:
Okay. So, as the title says, I (34/F) have a condition that means I need to wear headphones in the office (Misophonia). I got a doctor’s note. Approached HR and had a meeting with my boss and was approved to wear my headphones.

Male coworker (50/M) who I have had a LOT of tension with, after he made several advances and I turned him down, is “uncomfortable” that I am wearing headphones and not communicating with him. We work in entirely different roles and do not NEED to communicate.

I have to meet with HR and my boss on Monday for a disciplinary action meeting, because this coworker says I am making him “uncomfortable”.

What rights do I have here? What do I say in this meeting? I cannot and do not want to lose my job, and honestly, this feels SO inappropriate.

Thank you in advance.
Topic:
Employment Law

Answer:
 Can you clarify if you reported him to HR or if he reported you? And if he reported you, it was for "ignoring" him? And making him "uncomfortable"? Neither one of those things is illegal.

> Do I have rights?

Everyone has rights. It's really hard to get a grasp on what's going on here or what he may have told him because they story you're telling just sounds bizarre. Not saying you are lying, but maybe there is more to it than you know at this point.

Are you in a union? If so, do not go to this meeting without your union rep.
Answer #2: Sound advice about union rep. More details might help but I suggest you make notes of his advances including the dates and times along with those texts. I suggest you submit that to HR in advance of the meeting, and include a request to change your work station.


Title: Police have been targeting and now have arrested my cousin. What are his rights?

Question:
The local police of a small town in Colorado have had it out for my cousin for a long time. Admittedly he has a bad rebel complex and a problem with authority, so he's done a lot of this to himself. However, he isn't a bad guy, he isn't violent, and I suspect he's being charged for crimes he didn't commit. I believe he may be being "railroaded" if that's the term.

his house was robbed, before he had time to react to that he was arrested while driving through town.  Police then raided his house and spent 12 hours there tearing the place up. He was tazed 3 times when they arrested him. No one has seen the warrant they had to search his property and they did not tell him what he was being charged with.

He has been held for about over 24 hours now and is being denied access to a lawyer, they say it is because he asked for his own lawyer on  a week earlier on a different case so they won't assign a public defender, but he can't call out  so he can't get his own lawyer. Our family finally recieved a single phone call from him but the jail phone was very hard to hear.  He was unaware when we spoke to him about the charges. we now know what he is charged with because we had a lawyer look it up.They set a court date for Tuesday morning and the first time they will let us have a video call is Monday night  so he basically won't have a chance to speak with legal representation.  we did call a lawyer, who left his number with the jail but  he has not called the lawyer back.  The last time he was in jail he did not get food or water for many hours, when they did bring him water it was dirty.

What are our rights? If we believe this is the work of a corrupt system can we appeal to another county or state authority? What recourse do we have to fight what may be a false narrative intended to get him locked up?

Answer:
 >If we believe this is the work of a corrupt system can we appeal to another county or state authority?

You can get an attorney for him. That's it right now. You know absolutely zero of what is going on. So trying to change venue already is not going to happen. An attorney is the only option to fight this. Answer #2: He doesn't need an attorney between now and Monday morning. He can plead not guilty and request a public defender. There is no way of knowing based on your narrative whether or not the police acted improperly. I suspect you are getting only his side of the story which of course is going to be heavily biased in his favor.


Title: Can a landlord show my apartment multiple times a day even if it means disturbing my at home business? (California, US)

Question:
Hi All,

    I work from home teaching English as a second language to students from around the world. Long story short we've put in our notice at our apartment and now the landlord is scheduling viewings despite the knowledge that it's disrupting my work. I told them that I would be willing to work with them if they give us 24 hour notice and condense the showings to a reasonable amount of time but that I cannot continue to give up my work hours (usually with 24 hour notice only, which isn't enough for my students) so they can show the apartment, for example, from 11am - 12pm and then again at 4:30.

I've done a little research and we don't seem to have any rights except that they have to give us 24 hours notice. Is there anything I can do?

Much appreciated.

Answer: As an aside, I'm assuming you use a computer or a console of some sort to connect with your students. I would thoroughly open them (and any larger electronic such as a TV, toaster, blender, humidifier) and clean them in a neutral space before you take them to a new place or you'll likely end up with roaches there too. Roaches are notorious for hitching a ride and/or laying eggs in appliances because of the warmth.


Title: (co)I switched from ten to eight hour shifts,found out I have not been getting paid overtime.

Question: I work in a grocery store. A year ago I moved to another department and moved from eight hour to ten hour shifts four days a week, however a little while after that i was moved back to eight hour shifts five days a week. Apparently since then i have not received any overtime for working over my scheduled eight hours or for working fifth day. I spoke to my store secretary and she said that she would talk to payroll about fixing the last 60-90 days, but would do nothing about anything prior and that it was my fault for not notifying her earlier that i had switched back. I never notified her I was moving to ten hour shifts in the first place. any help would be appreciated, am I out all of that pay?

Answer:
 I'm a bit confused here. You go from 4 10 hour shifts to 5 8 hour shifts. Either way you are working 40 hours a week....or am I missing something? I don't understand how the 5th would be seen as overtime since you are working the same number of hours that you were when you were working 4 10 hour shifts. Answer #2: Here are the requirements for Colorado overtime.

https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/overtime

If you worked more than 40 hours in a work week you need to be paid overtime for those hours but there is no requirement to pay you overtime just for working 5 days a week.  Your employer has to pay you all OT due and you can file a wage claim if they don't. It's not your responsibility to notify them you should be getting overtime that's a BS excuse.


Title: They just won’t let her go

Question:
So for some context, my friend’s grandmother passed away a few years back. She left behind a dog that has some severe medical problems, all of which go beyond her pay grade. No one helps her with this dog and she has two pets of her own to take care of.

As bad as it sounds, I’ve been telling her to just stop taking care of this dog medical wise. Just make sure she’s comfortable, fed, happy, and let nature take its course if need be.

Specifically her mother and uncle will not let her.  She HAS to keep this dog alive, with no one helping her take care of it. The dog has had extensive surgeries, is extremely overweight (friend keeps putting her on a diet, everyone else feeds her human food she shouldn’t eat and wonders why she’s so unhealthy). She’s taken loans out just to pay for medical bills related to this dog. The dog is technically considered her uncles, but he doesn’t pay for anything. My friend buys all the food, she takes her to the vet, and so on and so forth. And the thing is he CAN afford to take care of this dog. He refuses to.

The reason they pressure her to keep up with this dog medical wise is because it’s her late grandmother’s, her mom (who lives in another state by the way) keeps saying it’s the only thing left of her mother. If my friend were to let this dog pass on, her mother has threatened to call the cops for animal abuse while also threatening to euthanize her two pets that are actually hers (which would be illegal, yeah?).

Basically her mom has her terrified with this threat and I keep telling her the cops technically can’t do anything if they are called. She asked me to post this since she has family on the site that would rat her out to her mom and rest of her family.

I really just need to know if there is in any way that there could be legal action taken against my friend if she were to let the dog pass on, if it matters state to state, or just anything.

Answer:
 She has zero duty to care for a dog that is not hers. Nor will the police care about this matter.

Has she considered giving the uncle the dog and not communicating with the family?


Title: can landlord legally do any of this?

Question:
I live in a rental home in New York state. I share a 5 bedroom house (4 bedrooms upstairs, converted dining room downstairs). It's been insanely hot this summer. I know that in NY landlords aren't required to provide air conditioning, and that's fine-- I bought my own a few years back.

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My landlord is telling me that I'm not allowed to have an AC unit at all-- will not give a reason why and it is not stated in the lease that I cannot have one. I wake up every single morning dizzy and nauseous from the heat and fans can only do so much. I also have a black dog that I'm afraid is going to die of heat stroke or something. It is so hot in the house that sweat literally pours off of a person. I can't get anything done because the heat makes me ill and there's only so much water a person can drink before that makes them ill as well. I've tried various other "cooling" measures and nothing works. The temperature is making me sick and I"m so frustrated that he arbitrarily wont allow ac. Is he allowed, legally, to do something like this?

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Also-- I moved into this house with the idea that it would be shared between 5 people including myself. I was fine with that. I found out earlier this week when everyone moved in for school that it's actually being shared between 8 people-- some of my other housemates have significant others that also moved in and are claiming to pay rent. It is 8 people to one washer, dryer, and refrigerator. Technically there are 2 bathrooms, but only one is really usable. Had I known so many people would be moving in, I would not have signed a lease. Is this legal, as well?

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To sum up:

1. It does not say in the lease I cannot have an AC. Heat is making me physically ill. Landlord is claiming that I cannot have one. Is this legal?
2. I signed a lease under the impression that the home would be shared between 5 people. There are now 8 people living in the house as well as a (very aggressive) dog besides mine that I was not told about beforehand. Could I potentially break the lease because I was not told ahead of time?
3. Can my landlord legally cram this many people (none are related) into one house?

Answer: If it doesn't say "NO AC" in the lease, I would use the AC.  If the landlord objects, ask him to point out where in the lease, or where in the law, it states that no AC is allowed. In New York, it is very difficult for a landlord to evict you. Tenant rights are very strong.


Title: [NY] ODD younger sister (13) threatening to call the police on me (23F) for 'assault', advice needed.

Question:
**This is long, please skip to TL;DR if you must. Really need advice!**

I would like to preface this by saying that I live in NYC, my younger sister (13F) is officially diagnosed with **ADHD** and **Oppositional Defiant Disorder**, and although she is medicated for the ADHD, just living with her a nightmare. **I posted a thread on parenting [here](https://np.reddit.com/r/Parenting/comments/3i9z66/help_my_13yearold_sister_is_using_apps_such_as/), if you would like a little more background.** She is rebellious and manipulative to everyone but my mother, who doesn't discipline her at all. She is literally being suspended from school every week without consequence. Last week she assaulted (pushed) a teacher and I'm still surprised that they only served her an at-home suspension and didn't expel her or press charges.

**I also want to say that although she is 13 and I am 23, she is not frail or small, and a good 2-3 inches taller/bigger than I am, if that makes any difference.**

Anyway, because of one of her incidents at school sometime this week, she was supposed to serve her detention today from 9AM to 2PM. My mother had been on an errand since before 9, so it was just her, my other sibling (19F) and myself in the apartment. I notice that it's getting later and later, and around 10:30-11, I realize that she is sitting on my mother's bed watching YouTube and eating a bag of Doritos.

We argue. It starts with me telling her to stop watching TV and get to school, and after she ignores me, insults me, tells me that she doesn't have to listen, ends with me taking her by the arm and trying to pull her into the hallway so that she could shower and get off to school.

**I want to stress that I did not hit her or slap her, and while she did stumble, it was against the bed and only because she was kicking me and screaming like a toddler, trying her best not to move.** In the process, her shirtsleeve ripped, and now we're both yelling--she's now saying that I'm attacking her, and I'm saying that she needs to be in school and to stop acting like she's insane.

At this point I gave up trying to get her out of the room and stormed off into mine, but then she's yelling help, that I've attacked her, someone call the police--all at the top of her lungs. At some point my other sister (19F) gets involved, and I don't know what happened between them but it was probably something similar (her trying to remove her from my parents room, my sister resisting) and the next thing I know, my sister runs out the front door and into the hallway, **yelling for the neighbors to help because 'my sisters are attacking/killing me'.**

The neighbors hear the ruckus and are, bless them, concerned. I remained calm and explained to them the situation, while she put on this huge show, sobbing on the floor and everything. I could tell that the neighbors were conflicted but in the end none of them could see what had happened and could only tell her that if the cops did come, she would be removed from the house and put into a stranger's home.

When she realized they would not call the police, she insulted them, slammed the door in their faces, and stormed back off to my parent's room, vowing to call the police on me with my mother's cell phone as soon as she returned. My mother, of course, didn't let her, but now she's just gloating like 'haha, I didn't have to go to school and now the police are going to come and arrest your ass'.

I want to know if I can be arrested for this, and what, if anything, I can do, short of leaving the home myself? I cannot move out for financial reasons, and am stuck here unless I win the lottery or my job promotes me to CEO or something. Do I need a lawyer? Will the police take her side? I'm at my wits end, what do I do? How can I explain to my mother that she needs help?

**TL;DR: I tried to pull my sister by the arm from my parent's room, couldn't budge her because she is both taller and stronger than me, and in the process her shirt ripped. She's threatening to call the police for assault, what should I do?**
Topic:
Custody Divorce and Family

Answer:
 in the future, if your sister is supposed to go to school, and your mother won't make her go, don't touch her, don't say anything... just call the non-emergency police number and report her truant. the police will come get her and take her to school. do this every time. she gets reported truant enough... action will be taken, because the system will get involved because it then becomes a truancy case. It's your mother's job to make her go... and if she won't be a parent... this will be a wake up call that this can't continue.

My son had adhd/odd issues... I wouldn't touch him, but would tell him when he was in a mood and saying crap like that... go ahead, call them, they'll take you away and put you in a foster home. You don't like the rules here... well, you really won't like the rules there, let me tell you... so go ahead, do it. When they find out you're calling because you dont want to mind and are having an attitude and don't want to (do chores, got to school, or whatever).... then you just look like a whiny brat that needs a stint in solitary in juvenile hall.
Answer #2: She can call the police and report whatever she wants.  They will investigate the situation and make a determination how to proceed.

No one can say who's "side" the police will take because that depends on a ton of factors that can't be reasonably conveyed on reddit.

If you are arrested you will need a lawyer.

You aren't responsible for parenting your sister.  If your mom won't discipline her then I guess she just doesn't get disciplined.


Title: Update:(Fl) Someone is trying to sell my house.

Question: The realtor was attempting a scam. She thought she could "sell" the house to someone then run and keep the money, all without the person seeing the inside of the house.

Answer:
 [Original Post](https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/4144y1/fl_someone_is_trying_to_sell_my_house/)
Answer #2: That is just incredibly bizarre to me. As a Realtor, I had to jump through a lot of hoops to get my license. Over 100 hours of schooling, state licensing fees mafia dues (errrr, board of realtor dues), background checks, etc. It takes months. Why on earth would someone go through all that for something that would NEVER actually work. If she'd paid attention in her real estate courses, she'd know that.Answer #3: Wait, so... She thought she was going to get ALL of the money? Answer #4: Very common scam. Same with rental scams.


Title: Coworker threatened to file restraining order?! (California)

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 So help me understand this: when you made a post about this issue (in a much more vague way) seven hours ago, and we exchanged multiple comments (wherein I told you that you had no real legal damages to pursue a claim of defamation), did you subsequently decide to make this post full of info you made up in order to get the answer you wanted, or did you not disclose these facts for some other reason?

Because here's the deal, these facts paint you in a very different light, and now I understand that you have more culpability here than you lead me to believe. Also? What I said seven hours ago stands: You still need to suck it up and quit engaging in petulant behavior that will get you fired.

https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/5didst/former_associate_spreading_personal_rumors_to/


Title: Small claims or cut my losses? Bit by a dog in Texas. Owner is offering $200 of $2300+ medical costs

Question:
I got bit by a dog at my apartment off leash dog park.

The owners are a couple that works with a dog adoption agency. They foster many dogs and this one was just the latest. An 85ish pound mix of some sort.

Long story short is that I was already at the park with my dog when they arrived. Their dog attacked mine and had him on his back biting his foot. I had to scoop him up and try to get out of there but as I was leaving it got a good bite of my calf causing 4 deep punctures. I didn’t realize how bad it was until I got away but the bite was into my muscle and bleeding badly. So I headed to the ER (it was after hours).  The owners tracked me down to offer help with the bill and I told them I’d keep them posted.

My ER responsibility is $2300. There’s also vet bill for my dogs foot, prescription costs, and I bought a cane to get around while my muscle was damaged.

I simply wanted the ER bill covered so I sent just that. They said that it was higher than expected and they’d get back to me. They got back offering just $200.

Should I bother trying to chase this legally or should I just try to take what I can get? Honestly I don’t mind losing the measly $200 for a shot at more. I don’t want to be an asshole or anything but I’m out at least $2500 from this plus a pretty nasty scar.

I don’t want the stress of pursuing it in my life more than anything. Im moving to Canada next month so I don’t know how I’d even handle it.

Other notes:

- This dog tried to attack mine once before so when I saw them coming I was antsy and wanted to leave but didn’t leave in time (obviously)
- At the hospital they said that they had intended to not let their dog around mine anymore but didn’t see him before they entered the park.
- They also seemed to try to lay ground for a story that my dog started it. (Complete nonsense)

Anyway thanks in advance.

Answer:
 They don’t get to back out of responsibility for the injuries because it cost more than they’d hoped.

I’d send a certified letter, or email if you want to keep things lower key for now, letting them know what the current itemised costs are, and stating you hope this can be resolved by payment in full by X date without needing to add court and other costs. Be careful how you word that if you’re hoping to keep things as amicable as possible.

You’ll want to note their agreement to pay for their dog’s actions, and perhaps say that while you appreciate that the costs are higher than they’d expected, they need to pay for their dog’s damages. Perhaps advise you’re open to a payment plan. This also may be fully covered under their home insurance.

If you decide to contact your local animal control, don’t threaten to unless they pay, but just do it.


Title: Is it malpractice if a psychiatrist is told of suicidal thoughts/plans and does nothing which results in the patient committing suicide?

Question:
So this isn’t personal. I was having an argument with my dad about whether [this lawsuit at a nearby university](http://www.thedp.com/article/2018/04/olivia-kong-death-suicide-upenn-mental-health-lawsuit-university-pennsylvania-penn-philadelphia) is justified. Is it not the law that a psychiatric professional must report if their patient says they’re going to hurt themselves or others? Can’t you be involuntarily admitted for that? I personally feel like this is justified and there is clear negligence that led to her death.

Here’s a summary of the article in case you don’t want to read it:
Girl first mentions being suicidal in a survey at the doctors office when she came in for URI. They have documentation of her notifying them 9 times that she was suicidal. She was a patient of a school therapist. In the days leading up to her death she called and told the on call psychiatrist twice she was suicidal. It’s possible he hospitalization was mentioned. She stepped in front of a train and died.

Wasn’t the doctor supposed to DO something? If he’s not required to do anything then what’s the point of going to a psychiatrist at all? Besides monetary compensation is this something that could result in that doctor losing his license?

Thank you for any and all opinions/info!
Topic:
Medicine and Malpractice

Answer: this might go better in /r/legaladviceofftopic. Basically, you can't always involuntarily commit someone for having suicidal thoughts in general; involuntary commitment usually requires a pretty specific plan. So the answer is "it depends," and a lawsuit is a pretty reasonable way of determining if it was malpractice or not in this specific situation.


Title: ATM gave me more money than I withdrew, any consequences if I keep this.

Question:
Putting it shortly, I took $250 out of an atm and it gave me $2500. I check my online banking app and it said I only withdrew $250.

Can I keep this or would the bank find out?

Answer:
 They'll absolutely find out.Answer #2: That ATM will have video and records of its dispensing of cash. The bank will find out.Answer #3: You cannot keep it, and you are required to give it back when they find out and ask for it back.Answer #4: Can you keep money that isn't yours? Sure, and be prepared for the consequences. Banks have cameras (often multiple) at/around ATMs. Not to mention transaction records will clearly line up with your withdrawal. In the end it will come down to your integrity and how you'd like that money to be retrieved from you. Personally, I'd give it back.Answer #5: You need to return it to a teller. There's absolutely no way they aren't going to notice or figure out what happened. Those cameras aren't just for *your* protection. Not to mention the fact that they can easily look up the transaction, see which card made it and when.

Of course they'll find out, and of course they'll do whatever they can to get it back from you.

Also, and this is very important, keep checking your balances because you might suddenly find yourself overdrawn by a *lot*

(Edit: The reason I suggest returning it to a teller is for your own ass-cover. In-branch transactions with tellers are recorded in so many ways, from the cameras to the logins to the paper trail tellers always generate. Not to mention the luxury of being able to say "That teller there was the one who helped me, they'll vouch" -- because a teller's not going to forget someone who returned the $2250 extra that an ATM spat at them.)


Title: My bad choice could lead to jail time? Texas

Question: Hi. So before you read this let me say that I made a horrible decision to have intent to do this. So feel free to laugh. I worked for a real estate company, and then I quit. After quitting, I was told that they were going to possibly press charges against me. The reason: they found that my Facebook was still logged in and they looked at my messages. They stumbled upon a message thread between myself and my sexual partner. The messages stated to meet me at one of my vacant properties so we can have sex. The conversation was a lot more graphic in nature. In truth, when we got to the property, we did not do anything there out of fear of getting caught, but the messages do not relay this. My question is what grounds do they have to press charges and what could the charge be? In my eyes, they have no proof that anything happened but they have  they have intent. Will the law feel the same way? Should I be worried?

Answer:
 They don't press charges.

They call the police who may or may not investigate.

The police then may or may not forward the report to the prosecutor for review.

The prosecutor then may or may not issue charges.Answer #2: "Hello, police, some guy said he was gonna fuck somebody in a warehouse a while back.  No, nobody saw this happen and we don't have any evidence that it ever actually occurred."

I'm sure the cops will be uber excited about this report.Answer #3: Really appreciate all of your feedback! Answer #4: I know this wasn't your question, but I would be more worried about losing my realtor's license. If in fact that you are a realtor.


Title: Am I in serious trouble??? Im freaking out. Please help.

Question:
So I’m freaking out right now. I am a 21-year old college student in Ohio. Over the last few days I was using the dating app plenty of fish and started texting this pretty attractive girl. To use the app you need to be a consenting adult 18 or older. In our text conversation she said she was 16 turning 17 today.  I told her that we could not do anything together thinking the age of consent was 18, but after a little research I found out that the age of consent was 16, so I rescinded my statement. After texting for a bit the girl started asking me about my sexual fantasies and telling me what hers were.  Being a guy I went along with the conversation.  She told me that she wanted to meet up and wanted me to send her explicit photos. I sent some photos and requested some back (which she did send).  She looked at least 20 so I had no reason to be concerned that she was lying about her age.  I too began to inquire when/where we could meet up.  Today I got a voicemail from South Carolina.  It was her angry father inquiring about what I was trying to do with his “underage” daughter and threatening to go to the police.  I freaked out and deleted the text conversation along with all the explicit photos. I called him back saying it was all a misunderstanding. He told me his daughter is 15 and that he is printing out our text conversations and taking them to the police department.  Apparently they somehow saw the text conversation, and the daughter went on a rampage injuring her mother to get the phone.  He said his neighbors are now involved due to the domestic disturbance and he has talked to a criminal justice major who has said that I could be prosecuted for several crimes.  He told me that I am going to be prosecuted for “Child Pornography”, “Soliciting Sex with a minor”, “Harassment” amongst other things.  I want to know how much/if any trouble am I in.

TLDR: Exchanged explicit photos and tried to meet up with a 15 year old who was pretending to be 17 online.

Answer:
 [scam](https://np.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/4xxhdg/my_friend_was_chatting_with_a_girl_online_and/)

There is no girl, no father, no police.  Don't send iTunes gift cards to help with her "therapy"