Title: CompanyI work for is potentially going under, asking for people to work for deferred payment. What do I need to know?

Question:
Hey Reddit

 The company I work for (a small brewery) is currently under a government audit, which prevents us from selling any alcohol to our accounts. We are a small team of about 30 and all but 8 have been laid off. Those 8 have been offered to keep working with delayed payment until 1 of two things happens. Either we have the hold lifted and can resume sales and the company survives, or the company goes under in which we will be paid when the assets of the company have been sold off. What do I need from the company? My boss said that a 10-99 agreement (we are being taking of our w2 salary positions) is a legally binding form of payment. Does this sound right? (Located in USA)

Answer:
 Lol fuck no. Time to abandon ship.

Yes, a signed 1099 contract can be a legally binding agreement, but it doesn't really matter *if the company has no money*

You can always take the bet that they will come out of this just fine, but it's unlimited risk for the only reward being that nothing changes in your life. Or more likely, you'll be kept on 1099 meaning you took a pay cut for your generosity.


Title: Divorce finalized, now ex-wife filing a motion to set aside due to Fraud -- please help (Georgia)

Question:
After having been married for 15 years, unhappy for several, I told me ex-wife that I wanted a divorce in Sept. 2015.  She did not want the divorce, but we decided to use a mediator to cut costs vs. each having an attorney represent.  She then wound up getting an attorney, so I then followed suit and got representation myself.  Divorce was finalized in March 2016.  Today I was served papers that she has filed a motion to set aside  the final judgment and decree of divorce for fraud.

The main point of contention is that at mediation, she claims I stated my income was $88,400 a year and that she took my word but has recently discovered that my income was underreported due to my bonus (which is not guaranteed, but has ranged from $15,000 - $30,000 the past few years).  She was well aware of that income, and had vast knowledge of both my salary and bonus, so this was not something she recently "discovered".  Unfortunately the Financial Statement that was used only lists my base salary.  It is clear that I had filled in my bonus amount, but it was whited out and someone (I presume my attorney or paralegal) wrote in a zero on the bonus line.  I believe the attorney had felt that the bonus was not guaranteed, and thus did not have to be used in the calculation.

The second point of contention was that her income was "greatly exaggerated" at $2,080 a month which is what my attorney imputed based on the assumption that she would begin working (she had been a stay at home mom).  She is claiming that $0 is what should be used to calculate child support and alimony.

The third point in the document states that I "lied" about the real estate taxes owned on the residence (which she kept in the divorce).  The house was built new, so the first year's tax liability was just on the land ($600).  In the second year, the escrow withheld was based on the $600, but the tax liability had risen to approximately $3000.  We did not choose to pay the deficit to bring the escrow balance up to account for that, so when they recalculated the escrow, it resulted in that tax liability.  I had explained that to her, but she could not grasp that understanding and feels that I should be responsible for now paying for that tax liability on the property.  (We are both still on the mortgage as she has been unable to remove me from it since she has no income other than the child support and alimony).

She is further seeking that I pay, once again, for all of her legal fees associated with this new filing.

I am happy to provide any further information needed to help with giving advice & guidance.  Thank you for taking the time to read my story and I greatly appreciate any and all advice you have!

Answer: You have an attorney who is familiar with all of the details of your divorce. No one here would be able to give more substantive advice.


Title: “Off the clock” work.

Question: I work in a salon and get paid commission for the services I do on clients with no hourly pay. I get hourly paid when I work as the receptionist. We have set times for both. Example,10-2 I am available for clients and commission work. 2-6 I get paid hourly for receptionist duties. We have this strict long cleaning list that is over kill that needs to be completely daily. Technically it’s the receptionist or whoever’s on the clocks duty. Of course others chip in as needed. Today I had down time during my commission hours. My manager told me to do some of the cleaning list. I told her that I am not on clock. She said every one there is expected to help. There were 3 other girls there that are on the clock. I wasn’t. I did the cleaning anyway, with out getting paid on the clock. Now I don’t want to be annoying or seem rude bc “i’m not helping” but technically the law is that I don’t have to bc I am not getting paid for it, right? I feel as if my boss would get annoyed if I mentioned that it is against the law. What should I do if this is a continued problem?

Answer:
 There is to be no "off the clock" work. Don't do it unless you get paid.Answer #2: I would inform your boss that slavery is, in fact, illegal and if she requires you to perform work duties, she is required to pay you. Answer #3: I’d say “Cool, so I’ll be on the clock for hourly pay until my next appointment then. No problem..” You get to be a team player while also getting this very important point across. Answer #4: What state are you in? It might be most prudent just to file a complaint with the department of labor, that way you are legally protected from retaliation for asking to be fairly compensated.
Answer #5: Everyone is expected to help?  Tell her you expect to get paid.  Or if you want to take a different tact, tell her it's illegal to work off the clock.


Title: Legal advice for apartment.

Question:
So I moved into my apartment on June 5th. I signed the agreement for $1280 rent a month plus a $1120 security deposit. This is all fine fine and not a issue. However my landlord told me(last night) he made a mistake in the security deposit and wants another $1000 for it added into the rent due on july 1st. Can he do that? I have the rental agreement that we both signed showing the security deposit as $1120 along with multiple texts when I first contacted him about the apartment and he stated the $1120 security deposit. So 20 something days after signing he just realized he wanted an extra $1000 for the security deposit. Can he just add in the extra $1009 after we signed the contract (it’s for a 1 year lease) and I’m already a month into it.
Also I live in California

TLDR: landlord told me security deposit was $1120. Signed rental agreement which states it’s $1120. Now he wants another $1000 because he said he should have asked for $2120.

Answer: Lol no. He agreed to and signed a lease to a $1120 security deposit.


Title: [AR] Fired from job for manager to rehire a relative

Question: I was hired at a job earlier this year. I was told by my coworkers that I was doing well at my job, however, the manager fired me two months later for "not performing well." I go back to the workplace to retrieve my stuff, and I find out that the manager had rehired one of his relatives. Do I have any legal recourse here or am I SOL?

Answer: Nepotism is not illegal.  Sorry.


Title: [TX] Wife ran up a bunch of credit cards behind my back and defaulted on them. One of many reasons she is about to become my ex-wife. I never signed anything with the credit cards and they say I am not an authorized user. Can they come after me for her debt?

Answer: It will all get settled in the divorce. If she won the lottery without your permission would you want a piece of that money? It works both ways. But hire an attorney and see what you can get worked outAnswer #2: It will get settled out in the divorce.  If she used it for things that oppose the marriage, you may be compensated for them in the distribution of marital assets/liabilities.  If she used the money to rent hotel rooms for an affair, that would likely be attributed all to her.  If she used it to buy nice dresses, much less likely.


Title: [NY, USA] What is the legality of this subreddit that I've just created?

Question:
The subreddit is /r/propbetting.  I just created it, and somebody messaged me to alert me it may not be legal to operate this subreddit; I'd like some more insight.

In short, the idea of the subreddit is that members can post bets against each other on anything.  The moderators provide a middle-man service on PayPal, releasing the bets to the winning party.  The moderators do not take any fee/cut of the bets.

When starting it, we thought it sounded like a fun idea.  None of us are familiar with gambling regulations in the US, but I did check out the site [BetUSA](https://www.betusa.ag/help/house_rules) to see how they dealt with the legality of online betting.  They essentially have, in their terms and conditions, a section that says its the responsibility of the user to comply with the law of whatever jurisdiction they fall under.  I felt (perhaps incorrectly) we could mirror that by simply including a blurb on /r/propbetting alerting users that they must comply with all applicable laws.

We also figured that because we were not earning any money from it (not taking a transaction fee or a cut in any way), we weren't operating as any sort of gambling company, and instead simply running a forum where people can propose and accept bets against each other.  That being said, we do provide the middle-man service, and are involved in the transacting of money.

So my questions are: is this legal?  According to what law is it legal or not legal?  Is there some aspect of the idea that could be changed to ensure it complies with the law, or must the whole thing be scrapped?

I'm also planning to message the reddit admins to see if they will check over the sub and determine whether or not it complies with reddit's terms of service.  Thanks in advance for your help.
Topic:
Computer and Internet

Answer: Real life advice, don't do this. You're making yourself the middle-man for something where you have nothing to gain. This could go south so very easily, it's just not worth the risk. Answer #2: I you can even do it, you would need a lawyer to cover all your bases. I wouldn't be surprised if reddit admins shut it down regardless.


Title: Forced outing to parents by principal? (LGBT) (Oklahoma City, OK, USA)

Question: I'm in 8th grade and I go to a catholic school in OKC. Today, my principal told my parents about me being gay after I said multiple times I did not want to. Around Fall Break she asked me to tell my parents and I said no. She asked me today if I had told my parents and I said no. Then she said I should tell them and I said no. She also said that what I believe in (agnostic atheism) does not exist and she kept on telling me that it doesn't exist and "so are you atheist or agnostic??" So then, today she told my parents to meet with her after school with me. She brings me and my parents upstairs to her office and we talk. She asks me to tell them and I say "I just don't want to" and "I really do not want to" while she keeps pressuring me to tell. She eventually just tells them, after I have expressed multiple times I DID NOT WANT HER TO. Apparently, she was doing this to "build trust" between me, her, and my parents. She only broke what little trust I had in her, invaded my privacy, and reduced me to tears. I was shaking, crying, and very uncomfortable. I don't know if /r/legaladvice can help with this but I'll just post it here.

Answer: It's a private religious school, you have no case.  Sorry.Answer #2: She likely invaded your privacy, but your best bet is to try to move past this.  You won't be able to sue her without your parents' blessing anyway (you didn't mention their reaction).


Title: [AZ] I'm a co-borrower on my evil mother's house

Question:
A year ago, I was stupid enough to co-borrow on my mother's house. I have confirmed I am on all deeds and paperwork. She and my sister have moved into the house, currently my mother is refusing to work and my sister is spending all of her money supporting her. My mother has managed to lie and manipulate herself into the best situation for herself. If my sister moves out, I will be liable. The house has gained $40,000 in equity since closing.

Prior to closing, all manner of verbal promises were made. Such as that my mother would be able to get me off the mortgage in 6-12 months time. She would get a job/rent out rooms to pay for expenses.

Aside from a partition action (which may take a long time) are there any other options? I mostly want to get off the mortgage. If I could get any of the equity, that would be ideal.

Added: The deed type does not specify the type of tenancy, so I believe it is defaulting to tenants in common.

Answer:
 >Aside from a partition action (which may take a long time) are there any other options? I mostly want to get off the mortgage. If I could get any of the equity, that would be ideal.

Not any good ones I can think of. It sounds like you agreed to be liable for this debt in full, and as a result you are liable for this debt in full.

It will be difficult to get yourself off the debt unless your mother refinances(with no income), or the bank agrees for your mother/sister to assume all of your responsibility(without using your income).

This is one of those situations where you ordered a chocolate icecream and received a chocolate icecream, you have little recourse for relieving yourself of legal responsibilities you could have avoided easily but decided to assume.


Title: UPDATE Neighbors from hell, what's the next step?

Question:
Original: https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/5f78zl/idaho_neighbors_from_hell_whats_the_next_step/?sort=confidence

We live in Idaho. Well, I took a lot of the advice given and did get in touch with the property management after calling them a bunch of times. They said they had received other complaints from tenants about the neighbors and that it violated enough of the lease that they would be "moving forward with the eviction process."

Well, it's been two months and nothing had changed. For those that don't know, Idaho is a state that tends to fast track evictions since there are no squatters rights. I haven't heard anything from the property management so I decided to be patient, but it's been two months.

Two nights ago I had to call the police again (2am) because it sounded like domestic violence, but I got a really great and clear recording of the noise and it's really damning evidence. I emailed that to the property management along with a pretty scathing letter from myself about how they're not doing anything and it's getting worse. I still haven't heard anything back. I also called them today and they didn't answer, so I left a voice mail. But I haven't gotten a call or email back. For what it's worth, I also have PTSD and them fighting is a massive trigger for me. It makes me shake and want to hide, because I become terrified of sounds of physical violence or scream-fighting. I have mentioned this to the property management company.

I don't have the money for a lawyer, but I'm wondering if at this point I can break the lease and move out early (without paying the fees) because the lease terms weren't and aren't being upheld on their end, or if there is some sort of civil suit I could file against the property management because they are neglecting the issue and I feel unsafe in my own home.

Thank you again for your help. Everyone here is so nice. ❤

Answer:
 > I'm wondering if at this point I can break the lease and move out early (without paying the fees)

No.

> or if there is some sort of civil suit I could file against the property management because they are neglecting the issue and I feel unsafe in my own home.

No.

> Everyone here is so nice. ❤

Thanks!


Title: Cop may have mistakenly misquoted a law, and this may lead to neighbor doing something illegal

Question:
Our neighbor seems to have a bit of a beef against our family. My boyfriend and I live in the neighboring house, and my boyfriend's grandmother lives in the house across the street from this man. The grandmother feeds some stray cats and this man is threatening to sue her for $150 because one of the stray cats has put a few claw pricks into his car bra. He has no evidence.

He called a cop on the grandmother. The cop spoke to the man on their own, and then came to speak with us (grandmother is very upset, my boyfriend was trying to handle it as much as he can for her so she doesn't keel over). Responding to something I had said, the Cop said it was legal for the man to shoot a cat while observing the cat to be damaging his property. (Otherwise, we are in city limits and it is illegal to just shoot something in general).

While obsessively researching (previous paralegal), I found this:

----------------

KRS § 258.005 - 991; 150.390
These Kentucky statutes comprise the state's Dog Laws, which were amended significantly in 2005.  Included are all vaccination, licensing, animal control provisions, and the relevant dog bite statutes.  Under Section 258.235, any person may kill or seize any dog which he sees in the act of pursuing or wounding any livestock, or wounding or killing poultry, or attacking human beings, whether or not such dog bears the license tag required by the provisions of this chapter. There shall be no liability on such person in damages or otherwise for killing, injuring from an attempt to kill, or for seizing the dog.  That same section also comprises the state's new strict liability law for dog bites.  Under Sec. 235(4), any owner whose dog is found to have caused damage to a person, livestock, or other property shall be responsible for that damage.

--------

The definitions above this specifically have a separate section for "dog" and "cat" as defined, and other laws refer to "four legged animals." Because of this, I think I have reason to believe that the cop may have misquoted the law (not his fault, it's not his job to be a cop and an attorney) to us. (EDIT: Misquoted by saying it applied to cats, also, when I believe the law is very specifically referring to dogs. There may be another law, but I'm not finding it. I've been using the Michigan State Uni law search here: https://www.animallaw.info/)

I'm now worried that the cat-hating neighbor was also misquoted this law and is going to shoot the cat if it even gets near the cat (and then claim it was damaging property). This would end up with a dead cat, a bunch of upset neighbors due to gunshots, a whole lot of drama -- and my boyfriend and I would likely attempt to contact someone about him shooting in city limits.

Assuming my logic is correct, this would be a great way to "catch" him and get this neighbor into trouble. But we don't want to do that. We're not out to lay a trap, we're just out to keep granny chill and not have dead innocent animals and gunshooting in our neighborhood.

What can I do to prevent this situation from going down that road? Part of me wants to let the neighbor know that, I'm not an attorney, but the law might have been misquoted and I suggest he do some research or speak to an attorney before shooting. But, the guy is super aggressive and I legitimately fear for my safety if I were to even approach him. Maybe I want to call the cop and explain how I'm viewing the situation? But he's got more important things to do, and I'm not making a habit of saying, "Hey friendly neighborhood cop just trying to do your job -- you're wrong."

Even if I'm wrong in this legal-logic, I feel bad just sitting here doing nothing while conceiving that this situation may happen. What should I do to try to stop this snowball?

EDIT: I read the rules but forgot some of them. Kentucky, USA

EDIT 2: I am aware that I can call the cops on him after he shoots the cat. I'm trying to find a safe, legal way of preventing this from happening, because I don't want him to choose to do something illegal because he thought it was legal from what a cop said. I don't think it's right to knowingly let him do something wrong and then him get into legal trouble because of it. I want to stop this before it turns into a hot mess.
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer:
 If your idiot neighbor decides to start popping off at stray cats call the cops on him. Regardless what state law says about shooting nuisance animals it is almost certainly illegal for him to shoot anything in a built-up area.

Also stop feeding stray cats. If you want a cat, get one from a shelter instead of adding to the stray problem.


Title: [CA] Moved into a new place with impression I was entering an oral month-to-month agreement with landlord. Now being told the housemate who invited me to move in is actually the only one (out of four) people on a written lease agreement I didn't know about and is ripping me off on rent.

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 What exactly is your question?

You agreed to pay for a room. You apparently thought that price was fair at the time. Now you're mad that other people are paying less?

Too bad.


Title: fair housing act: am I being discriminated against?

Question:
I am worried I am being discriminated against by my landlord.. I rented a room beginning 3 months ago in a home that my landlord owns and lives in, along with two other roommates, everyone has their own room, and the landlord has a child of his own who is there half the time. When I moved in I was watching my children somewhere else during the day, now I am unable to watch them where I was and have to watch them where I live, during the day, from about 7am-4pm. My landlord has informed me that this violates my lease, and if I would like to continue living here I will have to sign a new lease or move in 3 days.

Colorado.

Answer:
 Please explain "watching my children somewhere else"

Do you babysit someone elses children?Answer #2: ^^^IANAL

> I rented a room beginning 3 months ago in a home that my landlord owns and lives in

It sounds like the FHA doesn't apply.

~~I'm having trouble understanding how you feel discriminated against.~~

*Edit: Added why the FHA doesn't apply.*

*Second Edit: Adding to quoting to text I didn't write*

While familial status is a protected class, for single family residences the FHA only covers

>  a. Residential property that is not privately owned
>
>  b. Privately owned residential properties if a real estate licensee is involved in a sale or rental
>
>  c. Owns four or more residential units, then all of those properties are covered under the law
>
>  d. Sells two or more homes within the past two years in which they did not reside in at the time of sale

And for multi-family housing:

> a. Any multi-family dwelling with five or more units
>
> b. Any multi-family dwelling with four units or less, if the owner does not occupy any of those units


Title: [CA] Designated insider for a public company...can I ever trade my stock?

Question: I do revenue forecasting and management for a public company and am a designated insider. Pretty much my entire job is dealing with corporate-level non-public information looking 18 months into the future. Can I do any trading of company stock? I would never consider making trades based on specific information or during lockout periods. I really would just like to sell my ESPP shares as soon as I get them.

Answer:
 There will be specific periods when trading is allowed for insiders - usually right after major announcements.

Depending on your specifici situation, you may also trade stock if it is structured as a yearly plan that you cannot change once you agree to.

You need to consult a tax expert to see which course of action is best - not really a legal question.Answer #2: IANAL

I was a designated insider for my last company.

There is someone at your company (very likely the legal department) who will know when the blackout periods for stock trading are in effect.  Your company should actually be sending notices to the designated insiders of these blackout periods.


Title: [PA] Got laid off with zero notice until it happened today. Haven't gotten paid since December 6th and bills are way over due.

Question:
Hello, everyone. I want to start this off by thanking this community for being around and how much info I seen in here. It's amazing how much help you've all provided.

So, today I worked for 4 hours which I normally do on Mondays due to me working 9 hours a day other days. Basically making 40 hours. Even the 40 hours is quite another funny story. I worked for a electronic repair shop which we repaired any kind of electronic that came through the door. Doesn't matter what it is. I've been there since the beginning of August.

Now for the 40 hours story. I live in Pennsylvania which I feel is needed to know in some cases. Well, when I began I was part time being 35 hours a week. Then my manager requested I be full time after about a month and a half. He was told to put for me however long I am needed there, which he did. I was working 40 hours. Problem is, I was 40 hours in the store, but never made official on paper by the company. Both me and my manager constantly called, emailed, and left voicemails to our higher ups with one of two things happening.

1.) Never answered. Literally 80% of the requests made went without even a word.

2.) On the times we could get in touch, all we were told was "in time" or "soon".

It never was made official, but I worked full time for near 2 months. Literally about 2 weeks ago we asked and the response was "real soon".

The past 2 weeks or so, other stores of my branch have been saying their stores were closed with zero notice as well, and most still haven't been paid. This is the part that worries me most, because the last time I got paid was on the 6th.

The stores were closing due to a "big financial backer backing down" which was never confirmed or denied by the higher ups. Only from other stores saying what they heard from the higher ups themselves. There was about 21 stores, and so far about 10 closed down with no warning until the day came, and most of the other stores are expected to follow.

We used to get paid bi-weekly and even then, a lot of the time it was either late, or delayed. Most of the time it was told on the day we were supposed to be paid. When I first started, it was direct deposit which pay was rarely delayed. For the past 2 months it has been paper checks where it was literally always late.

Now today I go in for my 4 hours as usual, and I am at home relaxing. Suddenly my store manager calls and says they are closing shop and to come pick up personal belongings. He was in tears from what I heard on the phone. Both of us have nothing to fall back on and had no warning from the higher ups.

I know, I know. When the other stores got closed it should have been my first sign. I will admit, it was. Thing is, our store was always in the top 10 even being #3 for quite a while until they stopped shipping parts to us. Thing is, they weren't sending parts to ANYONE so it's not like there was a hint other than no parts coming in.

I even dressed up as Santa for my store to bring in more customers, which one of the higher ups approved. That right there made me think "well if we are getting more customers, maybe we won't be affected" since bringing in more customers would mean more business. Thing is, it looks more like a lot of refunds which both me and the manager will be handling.

They wanted me done today, and my manager protested against it because they are making him close up the shop and send all remaining parts to other stores. So he wants me there for 2 more days to call customers and issue refunds. Which I think is really silly on my end because since I dressed up we got a LOT of customers in, all which now we are going to issue refunds to because of the deposits made.

I gotta admit, I am completely at a loss right now. All my bills are due and this is right near the holidays. We already spent the whole check on the 6th (before we knew the stores were closing) on christmas for my son, and bills. I am literally flat broke, and rent is due along with electric, food, and we have no propane in the house because it ran out, and we don't have the $300 to refill our tanks.

I will be filing for unemployment for the time being, but can't do so until the 30th when my position is actually gone.

I am at a complete loss, and I am just worried I am about to lose my house which is about $1,300 away from being paid, electric being gone, freezing our toes off, and food for my family.

Any information at all is appreciated and every comment will be read. Sorry it was so long.

Topic:
Labor Law

Answer:
 Wait...they want you to work two more days and not get paid for it?

If they laid you off, file for unemployment ASAP. Look for another job. For past wages you are owed, file a wage complaint with the department of labor for your state (on mobile or I'd Google it).Answer #2: That below from /u/lord_humble. You haven't been paid since 12/6 and you are thinking about working 2 more days for free? I know your manager is in a bind and whether or not you want to help him out knowing you will not get paid is certainly up to you. But go ahead and file for unemployment.


Title: Confronting someone stealing your car with a gun on your property? [MI]

Question:
This is hypothetical in the sense that it hasn't happened, facts are true though.

In Michigan I have a house without a garage, the house has cameras and motion lights covering the property and the (expensive for the area) car has a distinct/piercingly loud alarm. The projects are about a street away so it's not the best area.

If I saw someone breaking into my car/attempting to steal it and I confronted them with a legal loaded firearm (handgun/shotgun). What are my rights here? What if the person decides to ignore me and continue stealing my car?

I assume if they themselves pulled a weapon it would be self-defense but what if they just assume I wouldn't shoot and ignore me?

Answer:
 Michigan does not allow you to brandish a handgun. There are limited exceptions that do not apply in your scenario.

You cannot use deadly force to protect mere property.


Title: Landlord asking for unit due to family emergency

Question: Location Virginia. A friend of mine has been asked by his landlord to vacate a unit with a lease that is up at the end of this month. They would like him moved out as soon as possible due to a family emergency. He'd love to be as sympathetic as possible, but would like to be reassured of the timeline that he has to work with.  He has at least 30 days from the notice right? Or does he have at max until the end of this month? Originally he planned to go month to month after this month.

Answer: If his lease ends at the end of November then he has the right to stay until that time. He does not have a right to go month to month, unless the lease specifically says so. Even though it sounds like the landlord gave notice that they needed the unit less than 30 days before the end of November, that doesn’t give him extra time in the unit. Read the lease, but he probably has to move out come November 30. Answer #2: This can also be your friend's opportunity to make some money for moving costs with a cash for keys arrangement if he is able to sort out another apartment quick enough. "I'd love to help you out and be gone before I'm required to be but its going to cost me X dollars to move early.".


Title: I want to separate from my wife but I have no where to go.

Question:
I have been married for 3 years i have twins with my wife, things have not been working out for some time and I am ready to separate, we own a house with a mortgage and I am the sole earner.
My dilemma is this:
I have no where to go.
My wife has run off all of my friend with her psychotic behavior years ago.
My brother, his wife, their 3 kids and my hospice grandmother all live at my parents house so there is no room. my other sister has a full house as well.
My only friend left lives 3 hours away and I have a career as a police officer, and If i leave i will lose 12 years of time toward my pension.
we have talked about splitting before but she refuses to leave, even though her parents are divorced and both have plenty of space and willingness to take her in with or without the kids.
I can't afford my mortgage and a place of my own, so what are my options? I want to stay in my house, is there a way for me to have her leave legally in a separation process? We live in Texas for legal reference

Answer: You're putting the cart before the horse. Go consult with some local divorce attorneys.


Title: Fired without notice. Paycheck withheld until project completed.

Question:
[Florida] My friend was fired with no notice over the weekend due to "scheduling issues", and were told not to bother coming in on Monday. They were then contacted today saying their check would be withheld unless they come in and finish something they were working on this past friday.

They already worked the required hours for that pay period (which ended last friday) and I feel like they shouldn't have to come in.

Are they allowed to do that?

Edit: Added location

Answer: Jurisdiction is incredibly important here.


Title: Questions about a friend being released from prison 7 months late.

Question: So my friend in California was scheduled to be released from prison in August of 2016 and was not released until March 23, 2017. He was never notified of being able to be released in August and they did not tell him until he was released in March that he was eligible in August. He did not have any bad behavior and was always compliant, all of his restitution was already paid. We have been trying to get an interstate compact, to bring him home to Colorado and he has to family in California. Was just trying to see if we should get in touch with a lawyer to find out more info on the late release from the prison.

Answer: He wasn't released late; he just wasn't released early


Title: My father in law is a truck driver who was falsely charged with a DUI six months ago. Today the case was dismissed after the results of the blood test came back. He's filing for bankruptcy this week due to lost wages.

Question:
This happened in Tennessee about 6 months ago. 3 months ago the first set of results came back negative so DOT (I assume) sent it back to test for drugs. Now 6 months after the initial stop the judge threw the case out along with multiple similar cases.
Over the last 6 months he lost his job due to these allegations, and was virtually unhire able. Except for working for a friend of his where he was paid a faction of what he was making before.  He's now filing for bankruptcy because he's fallen so far behind. Which means losing his semi and trailer.
My question, is there any hope in a law suit over what he's lost due to these false allegations?

Answer:
 The arrest and charge is legal if there was "probable cause" to believe that he had committed the crime.

The fact that the charges were later dismissed may be unrelated to whether there was probable cause at the time he was charged.


Title: Working for a private medical doctor, no HR department

Question:
I currently work for a surgeon in his private practice (in California). As far as the chain of command goes there is no HR department. Long story short; after a tough morning I unfortunately suffered an anxiety attack. My coworker came to my aid and alerted my boss. He did not come in to check on me or provided any aid. I do not know if I can file a complaint with OSHA or have some sort of legal case for negligence or what not.

note: my SO was called and I left work early.

Answer: Your employer does not owe you a duty of care when you have an anxiety attack imho.Answer #2: He's your boss, and a Doctor, but not *your* doctor.  It's not clear why you think he had a responsibility to come check on you or help, especially since another employee was already helping you.Answer #3: Why do you think that your employer needs to check on you when you have an anxiety attack? Answer #4: I am not sure what aid you expected. I assume the doctor was working while this happened? You had a coworker support you. I am not sure what else would be necessary and/or OSHA related.


Title: Unfair nepotism in the workplace, is there some outside ethics board I can have launch an investigation?

Question:
Hi, everyone! I hope I am in the right area. I am in the state of California and work at a biotech company with around 250+ employees. Please excuse me if some of my stuff is a bit hard to follow, it is a bit hard to explain.

In our finance department there is a mother and daughter duo who work together. A little background first: They have a weirdly SUPER close relationship where they arrive and leave together, live down the street from each other, eat together, go on break together, go to the bathroom together, etc, just very, very close.

My red flags shot up when I first started at the company four years ago, because they are a mother daughter duo who are working together in finance - MONEY. HR and all the executives all know they are related. They are both under a director of finance who is a total moron who they have manipulated into having their backs and believing everything they say. The mother is one of those types who hoards all her work and doesn't want to train anyone else or let anyone else learn what she does so she will be hard to replace. The daughter works in accounts payable/receivable or something like that. The daughter has no degrees and was handed this job due to her mother. I've worked with these two for many years now and they are not nice people. They act like they are nice, but are gossipy, manipulative, and very nosy.

The daughter has gotten many little promotions and raises due to the mother always talking her up and helping her. This brings us to what is currently happening. Our payroll lady is leaving, and for the director of finance is "promoting" the mom to the payroll position and now also automatically promoting the daughter to take over the mom's old position. This is clearly nepotism at work. My friend works in their department and tells me all the time how awful they really are and how nosy they are. I also had witnessed their ways prior to my friend witnessing how they are firsthand.

I also want to say that I'm not even in their department, I don't care about the promotions and raises or whatever they are getting or haven't gotten. I'm not envious of them at all. My huge problems with the entire situation is the blatant nepotism, relatives working together in finance, and how the mother and daughter will now have complete and uncontrolled access to everyone's personal information and wages and salaries.

My question is: Is there some sort of ethics board or something that I can report anonymously to investigate my company/the finance department for these type of questionable things? I think it is so crazy that parent and child can work together in the money handling department, HR and execs allowing it, and now they will be doing everyone's payroll?

Answer: Nepotism in private industry is not illegal. At most, the company's board of directors or investors may care, but generally it's an internal policy issue, not a legal issue.


Title: [MO] My ex will not allow my daughter to contact my parents by phone during her parenting time, even when my daughter asks her to.

Question: The issue is just as the title says.  I've tried to communicate with my ex several times about the issue to no avail.  I've also told my ex that I don't expect daily contact, but for my 7 year old daughter to have the opportunity if she wants it.  My daughter is unable to share exciting things with her grandparents when they happen, instead she has to wait until she is with me, which could wind up being a week or more.  A recent example would be the loss of her first tooth.  Also, I'm considering filing a Family Access motion to address the issue, but I'm uncertain that the issue is enough to file the motion, or if the FAM is the right motion to file.  Any help is appreciated.

Answer:
 A family access motion only works to enforce a current custody arrangement.  Unless your parents are guaranteed access to her by phone in your current arrangement, you can't do anything to compel that.

Honestly, I don't think you'll have much success here.  Your daughter can still call her grandparents when she's with you, and a week isn't that long to wait.  It's not cool, but it's not an easy sell to a judge as worthy of the court's timeAnswer #2: How does this interfere with the custody agreement? Your child is not harmed by having to wait a week to talk to your parents.


Title: Brother in law skipped court. Is on the run and I consigned the bond.

Question:
We live in South Ga.  My junkie brother in law and pill popping cousin got into a fight and my BIL busted out her back window. They separated and he got sober - came to stay with us and while out of town working his wife revoked his bond to spike him being sober.

My husband and I put our name on  the bond in place of hers.  ($2000) for criminal trespassing.    Well court came and my junkie brother in law relapsed, skipped court, got back with his dope dealing pill popping ex wife and we are on the hook.

I've googled but it isn't helping me any.  I am communicating with the bondsman and the BIL isn't answering calls or on Facebook and I'm just beside myself and stressed out over how this will play out. We don't have the money, we don't even have collateral to take out a loan for the money and we have a 5 year old little boy.

What can do I?
Topic:
Criminal Law

Answer:
 nothing.  you lost your money.

the bail bond was collateral for your BIL showing up to court.  he didn't show up in court so you're out your money.


Title: Blacklisted from donating plasma/blood need help.

Question:
Washington state. I used to donate plasma as a way of getting extra cash. I stopped in 2014. About a year ago I tried to donate again. When I told them I had gotten a new piercing I was asked to talk to a nurse. The conversation essentially when like this:

Me: I must have gotten the piercing around January or so of 2014.

Nurse: well it says here that your last donation was on January 30th of 2014, so did you hide this from us?

Me: well if that was when I last donated, then I definitely got the piercing in February or March because I didn't get it before my last donation or I would have brought it up.

Nurse(in a very rude and aggressive tone): why are you all of a sudden changing your story? I don't feel like I can believe anything you're saying anymore. Without proof you can't donate.

So she put me on a donation blacklist that prevents me from donating blood or plasma ANYWHERE in the US completely ruining my chances of donating for extra money or even donating just to help people.

I recently got the bank statement that said when I got the piercing and took it in to the place today and spoke with management. And I was told that without complete proof that it was that specific piercing or I couldn't be taken off of the list.

The original store that I got it done at has since closed. The chain that owns it has told me that it would be impossible to get those records because they only keep paper records in a warehouse and even with an exact date they would never find them.

Do I have any sort of recourse to get this sorted out? I never once lied to anyone. But if courses in not going to remember the exact day I got a piercing 2 years ago without doing some research first. Am I just completely out of luck and screwed over by this nurse putting a black mark on my record saying I can't be trusted?

Answer: Your story raised a red flag.  When pressed upon it, your story changed.  That's another red flag.  You need to supply documentation up to their standard, or they no longer want your plasma and there's nothing you can do about it.


Title: [WA] Girlfriend signed a lease for me without my knowledge or consent.

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Have you talked to the landlord that it wasn't really you and given them written notice it was not you who signed it and you have no intention of fulfilling it?

> Give me 100$ or I'll pawn the A/C.

You can report that to the police.

Lock down your computer, devices, phone, etc. Store any important documents and valuables at a trusted friend's house.Answer #2: Did you actually move into the place she signed the lease for?Answer #3: You may run into issues since youve already lived in that location for sometime.

Seems like having a conversation with the landlord would be the best course of action.


Title: Someone close to me got caught with acid. Wanna know if they can be deported

Question: Ok so let me preface this by saying I'm 16. But my friend was caught with acid at a concert. This friend is also from Mexico and has his green card. Ever since the incident, he has been clean and has a job. He too is 16. He says it is possible that he could be deported for this. Is this true? Even though he's underage and completely clean? Can I marry him in order to keep him here? It's not safe where he'd be going and I'm scared. Also I'm in NC

Answer:
 Yes, the U.S. Government is not a huge fan of its guests committing crimes. Especially drug crimes.

Fake marriages for green cards are also a bad idea.


Title: I was caught by the police with a cartridge (THC oil) not knowing it was a felony, and now im working with vice cops to turn in drug dealers in exchange i get my felony dismissed, What are my options ?

Answer:
 This was negotiated with your defense attorney? If not, full stop. What guarantee do you have that the felony will be dismissed, this is in writing? Who signed off on it?

And nobody can help you without your location.


Title: Worried about wife trying to have our son circumcised

Question:
Hi everyone,

I made a post in relationship_advice and it was recommended that I come here for further advice.

My wife is adamant that our son be circumcised and I am extremely opposed to it.

She is 8 months pregnant and it came up because our pastor suggested that we take a questionnaire about child rearing to see what we can address before he is born.

I extremely resent that my parents made a decision for me when I was an infant and I would not put my son through it myself.

My wife disagrees. We cannot seem to come to an agreement and at this point I am concerned that she may try to use her opportunity while in labor to authorize the procedure. If she can have me removed from the delivery room isn’t it possible for her to approve this procedure without me being there?

Please help. My location is NYC.

Answer:
 Let the hospital know now that you have not agreed to circumcision, and that you want it delayed until you have an agreement. You can also ask if they can refer you to counseling on the subject to help you work through this.

I want to be clear here - I don't know if there is some way you can 100% prevent this from happening. I also want to be clear that treating this as a strictly legal question is a great way to screw up your marriage.


Title: Stranger used my name as a credit reference

Question:
\[Pennsylvania\]

Yesterday, just before lunch I sent an unknown caller to voicemail and they let me know that they were calling because "your friend (named by first name only) used you as a reference" and they wanted me to call back before the end of their business day. Thinking it was a job interview reference I called back and talked to the lady. Turns out it was a credit reference for a loan, and when they gave me the person's last name, I'd never heard of them before. They also gave me their phone number so I could look through my contacts and make sure it wasn't someone who married into a new name compared to how I'd last known them or something. Nothing.

Once I get off the phone with their lender (who seemed to think that I must have known this person in the past, just not well anymore) I checked them out on Facebook. Turns out the person is dating / engaged to a person I do know, just not very well. I talked to them through a mutual friend most of the time, and even that's been more than two years. I think the two of them probably thought that using a person as a credit reference would carry more weight, like a cosigner. The person of the group that I know, would know that I own a business that does about $5M a year, and probably thought that A, they'd never call me so I wouldn't know, and B If people like that are their friends, of course they'll get the loan.

&#x200B;

When I worked it all out that I didn't know this person, and they'd basically fraudulently used my name at minimum to keep from being able to be tracked down in the event they didn't make their payments (The lender can call me all they want, I don't know where to find the stranger that used my name in their paperwork) I called the lender back again and told them that I've never met this person, and they're probably just slimy people who thought using my name would be a big help. The lender told me that they wouldn't call me anymore, but I don't feel like that should be the end for me.

&#x200B;

So I sent an email about the situation to the local police department. I knew it wasn't a 911 emergency, and probably didn't warrant even enough time to track down an officer and make them sit through a phone call at the moment, but I wanted to go on record in case my name is being used to a greater extent with them somewhere else and I just haven't heard about it yet.

&#x200B;

I haven't heard back from the police yet (I had the email address for the station because I'm friends with the retired chief) but I'd like to know if they're going to tell me that the other people have broken the law somehow. Is there any recourse I can take for having fraudulently used my name in hopes of borrowing money somewhere, even though they didn't write me down as a cosigner? I don't feel like I should be compensated for anything because I haven't lost, but I'd like to know that these people aren't out there doing this all the time.

Answer: It's not illegal to use a stranger as a reference. You should ignore it and move on.Answer #2: It's unlikely the police will do anything about this.  The lender will see it's a bad reference and may or may not extend credit, nothing more.


Title: "Blocking Driveway" Parking Ticket

Question:
I just received a parking ticket for blocking someone's driveway. 😩

Would anyone be able to tell me if I am truly in the wrong here? My bumper wasn't even as far as where the curb flattens out. Apologies for the blurriness of a couple of the images.

[https://imgur.com/a/Y0kLztq](https://imgur.com/a/Y0kLztq)

If it's reasonable to contest this, is there anything in particular I should say?

Many thanks for the help.
Topic:
Traffic and Parking

Answer:
 Yep, in LA you can't part in front of ANY portion of the cut out.

In the first picture you posted, the back of your tire is roughly where the closest point of your car should have been.

FWIW: Your car is pretty blatantly sticking into the driveway, I'd just pay the fine and be more careful next time.


Title: I received a pm here on Reddit this morning titled "Notification: Law Enforcement Request"

Question: [deleted]

Answer: It is exactly what it it says. Someone has served a subpoena on reddit to get your personal info, or info associated with your reddit user name.


Title: Son is sitting in the sheriff's office, had a gun, someone was shot

Question:
My son is sitting in the sheriff's office, waiting for the detective to question him.
 What we are being told is that he was the last one with a gun in a car where a kid was shot. Kid is in the hospital now.
WTF do I do?  Do I let him answer questions?????

Answer:
 What you're asking is the legal equivalent of "I just lopped my foot off. Blood is spurting everywhere, and I'm getting lightheaded. What kind of Band-Aid should I put on it?"

You call a doctor-- and in this case, the doctor is a criminal defense attorney. Answer #2: No, do NOT let him answer questions. Tell your son to affirmatively invoke his right to a lawyer by telling the detective "I want to speak to a lawyer"Answer #3: >Do I let him answer questions?????

NO. NOT WITHOUT A LAWYERAnswer #4: Just in case the three previous responses weren't enough:

DO NOT LET YOUR SON SPEAK TO THE POLICE WITHOUT AN ATTORNEY PRESENT!!  **TELL YOUR SON TO TELL THE POLICE "I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO A LAWYER"** AND SAY LITERALLY NOTHING ELSE.

You then need to immediately start looking for a criminal defense attorney.  And I mean immediately.


Title: Someone please help me.

Question:
Please help me someone.

I have no idea where to post this but here goes...

I got my permit and missed some school days so it got suspended. I never got a paper to get it reinstated, and it's the end of the school year, but I have had multiple sequences of days needed to get it reinstated.

My question is, if the school year ends is my permit still suspended or do I have to wait until school starts again to start driving.

Someone please please help me.

Edit: sorry my location is Florida

Answer: If the DMV suspended your driver's permit (I'm assuming that's what happened here, your narrative is vague) then school ending won't end the suspension.


Title: Father of a girl my Friend spent the night with is threatening to press charges (Florida)

Question:
Hello, my friend lives in Florida and he does not use Reddit so I’m gonna ask here for him.

From what he told me, he went to this girls house in Florida (she is 16, he is 18) and spent the night. (They had intercourse)

Now, the next morning her father came home and the girl told him to hide in the closet, father goes into the room and opens the closet to find my friend. He then threatens my friend yelling and stuff and orders him to leave the premises. My friend IMMEDIATELY gets his things and leaves no problem.

Now, this happened a couple of days ago.

Today, all of a sudden the father of the girl texts my friend saying he’s going to press charges. (He did not specify what type of charges)

My friend is scared and doesn’t know what to do, he’s also living in near poverty so he can not afford a lawyer.

Can the father charge my friend? What can he charge him for? I believe he may charge my friend for Trespassing, since that seems to be the only thing he can charge him for, but I’m not a lawyer I don’t really know.

Please give me legal advice.
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer: Your friend needs to talk to a lawyer. The age of consent in Florida is 18, so technically he committed statutory rape, and yes, the father can file a criminal complaint. There are close-in-age exemptions, but Friend needs to find out if any apply to his situation (and in the meantime, stay far away from minors).


Title: [CAN-ONT] What is required for gaining user information from an ISP?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 https://np.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/573yb2/canada_is_this_identity_fraud_how_much_trouble_am/

Production orders are easy. Any cop who can fog a mirror and hold a pencil the right way up can get your ISP to tell them who tried to trick a photographer into giving you naked pictures of your co-worker.


Title: Underage teenage friend recorded having sex without her consent or knowledge

Question:
Hello legal advice! First time post, longtime lurker, sorry for formatting I’m on mobile, etc.

Basically, my friend who is a 17 year old female had consensual sex with another teenager, I don’t know his age. They had sex in February when she was 16 and she recently found out that the boy filmed her without her knowledge and sent it around to her friends. One of his friends tried to use the video as blackmail to get her to have sex with him. She confronted him over text and he admitted to filming the video and sharing it with friends. I need help as I’m an 18 year old male and I don’t know what to do going forward. I gave her until I leave for college to go to the police or else I will. I’m unsure of the legal scenario I’ll be involved in or she will be involved in if this happens. If I have to go forward with the screenshots of the conversation and a photo of them in bed together, what will happen? I need guidance as far as legality because I’m unexperienced in law and am afraid of her hating me, as she has clearly stated that she will. Is him admitting to it over text enough evidence? Should I go to police immediately? Any help is much appreciated. I can link pictures if necessary.

TL;DR: a jackass filmed my underage friend having sex with him and I’m unsure of what to do going forward.

Answer:
 You can have her contact the police.

You have no say in the matter, so you contacting the police for her is inappropriate.  She already had consent stripped from her once, don't do it to her again.Answer #2: > I gave her until I leave for college to go to the police or else I will

stop being a white knight

if she wants to report it to the police she can.


Title: Should I press charges or not?

Question: I need some advice on whether or not to press charges against a guy for assault and battery. Last night I was at a bar and there was a guy who was pretty drunk. He started talking shit and at one point he was sticking his finger in my face so I grabbed it and told him to fuck off. Several minutes later I'm minding my own business and he attacks me out of nowhere. He gets 1-2 punches in before I even know whats happening although I didn't really feel it due to adreneline. The bouncers throw him out of the bar and don't say anything to me. A few minutes later someone tells me I'm bleeding and sure enough I have a bump and another spot on my forehead thats bleeding. I didn't know who he was at the time, but now I know his name, employer, and parents address. I need to know if I should press charges over this or if it would be a waste of time. Any advice? This is in the US, I don't want to say what state.

Answer:
 You don't get to decide whether charges are pressed.  You can make a police report, and they would decide whether to proceed with charges.

As to whether you *should*, that's entirely up to you.  If you do, you'd likely need to testify at some point.


Title: Crazy harassing landlords won't grant extension. Tenant leaving 5 days after lease ends, what to do?(FL)

Question:
The landlords for my friend, (former landlords for myself), have been some of the most crazy and unreasonable people possibly in existence. They do not understand the law, and have made numerous statements, (such as claiming that anyone who comes over that they don't like will be arrested, threatening to call the police for dirty dishes in the sink), while simultaneously living in the house for weeks at a time all the while harassing the tenant.

He needs 5 extra days to finish finals at school after the lease ends on April 30th, but the landlords will not grant any extension. How should he handle this? He cannot afford a lawyer, and the landlords also are not in a position to pay for extensive legal fees.

Thank you!

Sorry to add this after the post, but what if there was a verbal agreement upon signing of the lease between the tenant and landlord that established he could stay until the end of finals? Obviously, the landlords are crazy and would dispute such a verbal contract from ever having been created, but what are the implications of this?

Answer: Why in the world do you think these people should house someone for free for five days? Would a hotel do this?


Title: My grandmother died. While my mom and brother name is on the title, im worried they messed up somewhere. 6 months after her passing i got a letter saying theres a lien on the houe and she owes $150,000

Question:
My grandma passed away, and my moms name was on the title. We payed off all her debts and have been living smoothly the past 4 6 months, yet i just got a letter. It says my gma owes 140k? In medical bills and that there has been a lein placed on the houced. What the hell? I dont have 140k i can barely pay bills. I dont understand whats happening, can someone PLEASE help me im so scared.
Topic:
Disability Issues

Answer:
 When your mom sells the home, they will take $150,000 of what was paid for it.

I’m confused though, why did you get a letter if your mom is on the title of the house?


Title: As a teenager, I am taxed when I purchase items at a store, yet I can't vote. How is this not a violation of taxation without representation?

Answer:
 "No taxation without representation" was a slogan in the leadup to the Revolutionary War. It is not an actual legal rule.Answer #2: The entire District of Columbia has "Taxation without Representation" as a slogan on their license plates.Answer #3: Because you are in fact represented, elected officials represent all their constituents (of which you are one) not just those entitled to vote or who voted for them. "No taxation without representation" refers to the fact that the Colonies could not send representatives to parliament in Westminster despite paying taxes to it.Answer #4: It's not a legal rule so much as it was a rallying cry against the British essentially trying to impose their will on the colonies without any say from the colonies themselves. It's not an actual legal rule, and it's not in the Constitution or even the DoI.

Regardless, it's unlikely the founding fathers would have cared about sales taxes, considering they only wanted white, Protestant land owners to be the ones who could vote.


Title: New roommate cant pay rent this month and shows no sign of getting a job. What actions can I take as far as kicking her out or finding a new one?

Question: Hey guys currently got a new place  in Hopkinsville, Kentucky with a friend who was/is homeless and promised she would get a job and pay her half of the rent. It's almost a month later and she still hasn't found a job and keeps giving excuses as to why she cant find a job and have have noticed small stuff start to be missing at home. What are some of the steps I can take to remove her from the lease (which she was not part of she got added on with a pen instead of being in print)

Answer:
 You cannot remove her from the lease without her agreeing to it.

When the lease is over you can sue her for the money to had to pay to cover her share. And while suing an otherwise homeless, unemployed person isn't necessarily hard, collecting will be. For now you have to make sure the full rent is paid.Answer #2: Take a look at your lease. It may be better to terminate your lease early. Many places will charge a fee but it may be cheaper than paying her part of the rent.


Title: [CT/Canada] Need help figuring out stage 2 of renouncing my citizenship

Question: I already did my homework and see I have to travel to a foreign consulate to file the paperwork, so I bought a ticket to Montreal and will be leaving tomorrow morning.  The only problem is I am finding no information on what form I need to file to let me stay in Canada.  Does anyone know where I can look to get the papers I will need?  TIA

Answer:
 I call troll.

Just in case you're serious, there are very few reasons that you can be granted citizenship and all of them take months and years to go through.


Title: Landlord charging $3,032 for cleaning apartment for work him and paid labor did plus an additional $575.00 for a cleaning crew which he always uses after moveouts. (Pennsylvania)

Question:
The invoice he sent includes semi-skilled labor at $25.00 an hour and skilled labor at $55.00 an hour.  Semi-skilled I am guessing includes him (his arm was in a sling at the time) and his wife who was having trouble bending over.

After his cleaning he charged $575.00 for a cleaning crew for 3 hours.

His notes on the charges are: "LABOR INCLUDES : Repairing one damaged towel bar and replacing one towel bar that was torn off, both in the power room - Washing all the walls to remove stains from smoke-machine and excessive dirt - Patching/skimcoating and sanding all damaged walls and ceilings particularly in the middle and back bedrooms and hallways in preparation for painting - Hand scrubbing the kitchen floor to remove stains from accululated dirt -  Patching door to middle bedroom - Collecting and hauling out several large bags of garbage - Disassembling and removing an 8 ft high by 5 ft wide wardrobe cabinet - Scrubbing all the woodwork and ceiling fans to remove excessive dirt - replaced two broken HVAC vent covers - replacing one broken deck-railing baluster."

We are three college kids who did not treat the apartment as well as we should have.  I knew we would be losing some of the security deposit, but this seems excessive.  We also didn't get the opportunity to clean it the way we wanted because we thought the lease ended on the 31st of June at noon, and we didn't realize it ended on the 30th of June at noon.  We didn't realize it was the 30th until the landlord texted us at 9am asking to meet at noon for the keys.

Other charges include:

331.50 for door.
200 for tub repair.
1850 for painting.
400 for carpet cleaning
312 for exterminator.
107.12 for broiler pan missing.

It comes to a total of 6,808.56.  The apartment was dirty - there was some damage - but this all seems a little excessive to me.  Is there anything we can do?

The state is PA if that makes a difference.

Answer:
 Either he is exaggerating or you trashed the place. It's totally your fault you forgot to clean. Just because somebody sends you a bill doesn't mean you need to always pay it. You can offer an amount you feel is reasonable.  He can sue anybody on the lease. It's under the small claims limit in PA.Answer #2: June has 30 days!

Edit: Did this happen a year ago?? June 30 is 6 days in the future.Answer #3: > We are three college kids who did not treat the apartment as well as we should have.

>> we thought the lease ended on the 31st of June at noon

Really? Just really?

Also, it seems like your LL went to great lengths to detail/itemize repairs. This makes me think that not only did these things have to be done, but that he's not exaggerating. He was probably pissed about the state of the house, which by your own admission was not great. Maybe you can offer a lump sum payment that's slightly less and get him to agree, but I'd be willing to bet he has pictures of damages and repairs. IANAL, but I think you're on the hook for this one.

Also, as someone who just paid to have walls skim coated, $6800 for cleaning, repairs, painting, skim coating, trash removal, and replacement of broken items doesn't seem totally unreasonable to me.


Title: Liable for large rock on property edge? - Indiana

Question:
So my house in the middle of a block, and there is a alley that is perpendicular to the front of the house. For years, cars have turned from the alley onto the street that my house is on. Unfortunately, they frequently turn too widely and cut into the edge of my yard, making a huge indentation where no grass grows and it becomes muddy every time it rains. Quite frankly, we're sick of this.

Learning from previous experience with people who would partially park on our yard, I want to put some large rocks on the edge where the cars run into our lawn. Would I be liable if someone was really careless and just drove right into the rock? If so, what are my options? It's not just one car or person, it's almost anyone going down that alley.

[Here's a picture](http://i.imgur.com/K3hsRhy.jpg) of the problematic property. It's easy to see where cars are doing all of this damage. The rock I put there is definitely within our property line and not on any part of the road (and I could anchor it to make sure if needed).

Answer:
 We had a similar problem.

We owned a house on a corner. Every winter, people took the corner too fast and drove into our yard - once causing pretty good amount of damage to a fence.

Over beers one night, we told or friends how we were going to put in big landscaping rocks. Our friend in city planning promptly told us we wouldn't be able to do it. Some city code mandating that anything within 10 feet of a corner curb had to be break-away for the very reason we were trying to protect against. Northern state, lots of ice, people lose control on corners. Attorney in the then cautioned us against it as well.

Maybe check with your city to find out what they say.


Title: Roommates from hell, need out of my lease. Landlord refuses to even acknowledge the danger. (Kennesaw, ga)

Question:
I've know my two roommates since high school and decided to room with them last August. I knew one was a drug dealer (weed, cocaine on occasions) but never said anything since I didn't want any repercussions. Since about January my gf has been staying over a lot (few days at a time, never really more than a week) and suddenly they started demanding she paid rent, even though our leases are for each separate bedroom. They started being complete dicks when we refused and would lock her out of the apartment any chance they got.

Last month or so the dealer was robbed at gun point during a deal and the robber knows where he lives.

My bedroom door has a lock on the handle but it can easily be broken into (I've seen things go missing from my room a lot). I confronted the dealer the other day and told him to take anything up with me to my face. But he's a coward who did nothing but threaten to call the cops if I touched him.

I don't know what to do, I informed the leasing office but they don't care, and the police can't really do much. It's getting to the point where I'll have to carry a weapon as a precaution. Any advice to get out of this without breaking myself financially would be great.

Answer: Well, most of this you put yourself. You chose to live with a drug dealer knowing all the things that go along with that profession. Your girlfriend was staying over for a week at a time which is excessive. You  are stuck.


Title: Car accident, towed, now auto shop wants $7000 for storage [US, Los Angeles]

Question:
Hello - My friend got into a car accident in West Hollywood. This place is very accident prone. She called her insurance, which told her they would send her a tow truck. A tow truck (which we later suspect was a different tow truck company than the one the insurance sent), showed up and offered to tow her car to a local auto body repair shop. Friend, having been shaken up, agrees and suspects nothing wrong.

So they arrive at the auto body repair shop and they're super friendly and said they would work with her insurance to estimate the damages. Sounds good, so we leave the car with them. Now, they're not returning her calls and now looking to get paid $7,000 for storing the car. It's been 3 days and no work has been done to the car. I am pretty sure this is a scam. Side note: the tow truck is most likely in on this scam, as they're waiting like vultures to tow cars that were in accidents to these shady auto body shops.

Unfortunately, she signed some paperwork that she understood to involve the insurance. I think this is she really screwed up as this probably allowed the auto body repair shop to do whatever they want. I want to know if there is anything my friend and/or the insurance can do to (1) not pay the the $7,000 in fees and (2) help deter this auto body shop from pulling these scams.

TL,DR - After car accident, got towed to shady auto repair shop. Signed paper work, now getting scammed $7,000 and no work has been done on car. What can we do to not get scammed and help stop these jerks?

Answer:
 Has she called her insurance to ask them what the hell is going on? Also, I'd call the police and see what they say about predatory tow truck drivers and see if she can possibly report the car stolen. They fraudulently took the vehicle under the premise that they were from her insurance. If her insurance has no idea who they are, I can't imagine they can legally just hold her car hostage.Answer #2: As a former insurance claims adjuster this sort of thing goes on all the time. Call your adjuster and get that person to contact the body shop.

You may also want to look into the legality of it (for example here there are caps on daily storage and towing fees) but the adjuster should be able to provide some direction.Answer #3: Give the information to your insurance company.  Explain what happened, what the timeline was etc.  See if was their tow truck that they sent.  They should be able to be your advocate on this.

If not, call the police.


Title: [GA] First offender charged with 26 marijuana plants, what am I looking at?

Question:
First off, I know I was wrong and I broke the law, and am not going to make any excuses. I just want to get advice on what to do and what sentence I am likely looking at.

Brother and I got into an unrelated argument, and he went to the cops and told them about my plants. They got a warrant and I was caught with the 26 plants and some dried marijuana. I was not selling anything and have never been suspected of or associated with drugs, they have no other evidence in my case apart from the plants in my house and what my brother said. I live alone and apart from my brother nobody else knew that I had the plants. I have now cut contact with my brother, refused to answer questions from the police. I am looking around and talking to a few lawyers in the area. What are my chances here? Can I get the distribution charges pleaded down or dropped as I was honestly not selling?

My charges were: Marijuana manufacturing/distribution/possession with intent to distribute

Thanks for any help.
Topic:
Drug Possession

Answer: Yes it's possible. Any intent to distribute is a felony in GA so you want to avoid that if at all possible. Are you saying you smoke 26 plants worth of pot by yourself?


Title: If Trump repeals my FLSA raise, can I fight it?

Question:
Hello,
As many American's, I was one of the people to benefit from the FLSA changes which resulted in me receiving a raise up to $47,376 from $40,000. I am a programmer for a university, so I automatically received a raise of $7,000  more a year. If the FLSA law is repealed, will I have any chance of fighting back? I am in Indiana, which is a largely Republican state. Thank you in advance.

Answer: No


Title: Any case for wrongful termination?

Question:
I won't name any names here. I'm a W-2 employee in Austin, Texas USA (78705). Please give me advice. (I understand that advice here does not constitute legal advice.)
I work as a driver for food delivery, I get paid less than minimum wage so the tips bridge the gap. I recently got fired for "soliciting tips". Here's what happened in a nutshell:
I politely asked a office lady what was wrong with the delivery as there was no gratuity added on the signature. She replied the delivery took "too long" (It was around normal for lunch rush, ~25 minutes). I then proceeded to tell her my condition: "I'm sorry to hear that, but I worked as fast as I could to deliver. It was lunch rush so normally we inform our customers that it may take 30 minutes or so. I'm working for minimum wage and the tips cover the rest. Please, I would really appreciate some tips.". She told me in a threatening tone that she knew my employer, but she slammed $2 on the table. I was reluctant to take it due to her threatening tone, but she told me to accept it and leave since she didn't want any trouble at her office place. I took it, thanked her and left promptly.
She later called my employer and he fired me on the spot for "tip solicitation". I do not know such a clause in the employer contract for firing employees for "tip solicitation" and I tried to be as polite as I could. Is there any case for wrongful termination?

Topic:
Labor Law

Answer: Dude, you pissed off a customer by asking for money that she wasn't required to pay and had already indicated she didn't *want* to pay. In what universe would recklessly pissing off a customer not be cause for discharge (even if your boss *needed* cause, which I doubt he does)?Answer #2:  File for unemployment and look for a job. You got nothing.


Title: Should you take your baby to a custody hearing with you?

Question: My boyfriend (25m) has a custody hearing with his ex tomorrow, and he doesn’t know if he should take his son (13 months) with him to court. Thanks in advance!

Answer: No.  In some courtrooms they wont even allow children or babies especially because they can be disruptive.  At my courthouse, we even have a children chambers so parents dont have to bring their children in the courtroom with them but I dont know what his courthouse will have so it's probably best to just leave him at home with someone


Title: (GA) Landlord refuses to fix AC

Question: Someone tried to steal our AC unit outside. All they managed to do was cut some cables and stuff but the AC no longer works. We've been telling the landlord that the AC was broken months ago when we had an unusally hot day and noticed it wasn't coming on. Now it's over 90° every day in our house and my baby can't even sleep because she's overheating (red all over.) Can we legally withold rent until this gets fixed? Landlord won't answer our phone calls and actively lies that she wasn't told about the AC etc.

Answer:
 >Unless required by a local housing ordinance, a *landlord* is not required to provide\* air conditionin*g. If your apartment had a working* air condition*er when you moved\-in but it has stopped working, you can use "repair and deduct" if you*r landlo*rd fails to repair the malfunctioni*ng air conditioner.

Make sure you make a request in writing. If you have already, then  you're good to go.


Title: Friend is being asked really weird, invasive questions by the safety officer during urine tests. Not sure what to do.

Question:
**Edit:** Company in question is based in Washington state. Actual contract work takes place in multiple surrounding states but the incidents in question are happening at HQ.

I'm posting for a friend who is worried about this making its back to their employer. It's a non union job, in an at will state, and the employer has traditionally treated employees poorly. This includes frequent life threatening accidents, dangerously long hours, preferential treatment for religious employees or those with certain political affiliations, etc. Friend has previously put up with this because they have a family to support. Anonymous reports to OSHA are out of the question because the structure of the company (family owned, most non-related employees are immigrants, etc) would make it quite easy to figure out who narced.

There are random UA's in the workplace. Friend recently tested positive-- not for drugs-- but for an abnormally high level of uria. Was then put on an in-house deferment program with weekly UAs. Told it was the only way to keep their job. Friend lives in a legalized state, so the only real concern is drug use **on the job** for safety/liability reasons. Friend was confident they would pass all future UA's, and hasn't ever had a problem with previous safety officers, so they agreed in order to keep their job.

The safety officer stands outside the open door during the actual peeing. Previous safety officers have been non invasive and it's never been a problem.

The new safety officer will frequently make comments while friend is peeing, the most alarming of which is asking why my friend does not undo their belt buckle (my friend's back is to the officer during this time. He cannot see, and is making this assumption based on sounds). Safety officer says that it makes my friend seem "suspicious." Friend responded that they could pee just fine without doing so and would prefer to retain some privacy/dignity during the act.

The safety officer has also begun **smelling** my friend's urine after the act, often making suspicious noises like "hmm" and waiting for friend to respond.

Friend is legitimately worried that the next step is going to be the safety officer trying to "see" while they're peeing. Friend has voiced a sense of dread every time they are contacted by the safety officer. Friend is often called in last minute, including days when they do not work, as if the safety officer is trying to catch them off guard. This person will also often ask my friend to come in when nobody else is around, which wouldn't be such a huge deal (employees work at other sites) were it not for other actions.

**The safety officer has also taken to showing up unnecessarily at job sites, standing uncomfortably close to my friend while they work, just watching and not saying anything.**

Friend has no idea what to do, but feels harassed, uncomfortable, and unfairly targeted. Even if friend had actually tested positive, it's a legalized state, most employees partake in their time off, and previous safety officers have been well aware and even participated.

I don't know what advice to give. Friend is worried about what happens if/when the safety officer tries to see their genitals. I am worried for friend because this sounds dangerously close to sexual harassment and friend has voiced feelings of discomfort, humiliation, and dread.

Dealing with it inside the company is out of the question. "HR" consists of one woman who is also related to the owner. Friend is currently pursuing other work but even if they leave the company, feels that something should be done to prevent this and other abuses in the future.

Any advice is appreciated!

**Edit 2:** for clarification and due to the fact that the reactions thus far have basically been "tough shit." I guess my friend is just supposed to wait for this dude to cross the line... And then what? Seriously. Does my friend call police? Go see a lawyer? Where *is* the line? Does the safety officer have to look at my friend's genitals? Force them to unbuckle their belt? Can he just do whatever he wants during piss tests?

You may not feel it's inappropriate, and that's fine. But I'm getting downvoted for trying to clarify, and all I want is some legit advice for a situation that has already escalated. If you don't agree that the safety officer is being inappropriate, could you tell me **why** instead of just downvoting?

**Edit 3:** Today, safety inspector purposefully-- and in full sight of my friend-- sabotaged the initial drug test. Friend was taken to an outside lab for a secondary screening. Asked safety officer if he was being paid for this time, the response was "... I'm not sure."

Friend will be consulting an employment attorney. Thank you to all for the considerate, well thought out replies and downvotes.

^Sorry, ^couldn't ^help ^but ^be ^snarky.

Answer:
 Just because marijuana is legal doesn't mean that you can't be fired for using it (absent a state or local law, and you don't specify a jurisdiction).

I don't see what is so suspicious about this behavior - if my job was to make sure someone was actually using their own pee in a cup and not someone else's, I'd be pretty suspicious if someone that peed without unbuckling their belt.

I get that smelling urine seems a little gross, but does fresh urine smell different from old urine? If so, there you go - reasonable test.

I think your friend need to decide if his job is more important than weed.


Title: Got a citation for Public Urination but I leave for school in a few days. Details in description. Help!

Question:
Baltimore County, Maryland

I made a terrible decision in mid December of 2017. I decided to pee in a local alleyway outside of a bar. My friend and I (both 21 y.o. males) were given citations by undercover cops. They seemed pretty understanding and explained that we would get a letter in the mail explaining the legal process further. I was under the impression we would have to pay a fine or do community service. I was extremely intoxicated that night and the details of that night are a bit hazy.

The letter finally arrived in the mail today (January 12th, 2018) but I fear it came at a bad time. I start school on Tuesday (January 16th) in Pennsylvania (about 7 hours away from my home state of Maryland). I will post a picture of the letter but it essentially explains that I will need to complete 16 hours of community service by February 21st to avoid prosecution. I will need to complete the community service through the Baltimore County Alternative Sentencing Program and they will contact the State's Attorney's Office to have my charges dropped.

My question is this: Will I be able to complete the community service in a different state to avoid these charges? Will the Baltimore County Alternative Sentencing Program be lenient enough to allow me to complete community service in another state?

If I stay in Baltimore for the community service I will miss valuable school time. I would like to call to ask them but their offices are closed and won't be open until Tuesday (January 16th) because of MLK day.

I would appreciate it if you could give me any advice. I am stressing like crazy and any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Answer: The best advice anyone can give is to wait and call.


Title: I'm being fined for a registered service animal.

Question:
Location: Washington state

I recently moved into a new townhouse with a "no pet" policy, and had a friend helping me. He has a cardiovascular condition called ventricular tachycardia, which causes his heart to race to over 350 BPM. He has a registered service dog that is trained to detect and alert him if he's having an episode. His condition is one that doesn't happen very often, perhaps once a year, but can be life threatening if it occurs while he's sleeping or if it goes on too long. It can be particularly fatal to infants and small children. The dog was with him while he was at the house. He's a very well behaved, quiet, small dog. He's old and just kind of hangs out. He doesn't bark or cause a fuss, is great with kids. He knows his place, and his job.

A few days after moving in, I received a call from the property manager stating that I was getting a 10 day notice and a $300 fine for the "illegal pet". I informed the lady that it was a registered service dog, to which she replied "Well, it doesn't matter. The fine still stands." I wished her luck and ended the call, and within 5 minutes had the email in my inbox stating what was said by her in the phone call. I replied with links to the ADA, housing discrimination and all other pertinent law websites. I told her that her fining me for a registered medical alert service dog is against the law. A few days later, I got another email saying that it didn't matter, that the fine and 10 day notice still stand. She continually referred to the dog as a pet and asked me to provide her with prescription info, pictures of the dog, vaccination records and doctors notes. I told her that it isn't my dog, and I don't have any of that stuff, but that it's also illegal to ask for any of that, as far as I can tell from my research.

Anyway, this has gone on now for almost two weeks, with them continuing to request info that I both don't have and that they're not allowed to ask for, them requesting info in regards to any laws, even though I've done that and even though it's not my responsibility to do research for them, especially in regards to laws that they should be be very familiar with, and them still saying that the $300 fine stands.
Any help, info and advice is welcome and needed in regards to what I should do or say to them. I refuse to pay the fine, but am willing to hire a lawyer. I will go to war with them if I have to.

Tl;dr - Being fined by my property manager for a registered medical alert service dog being at my house with his owner.

edit: Fixed mobile formatting, added dog description

Answer: Why didn't you say the dog was just visiting while the guy was helping you move in?


Title: I am in Texas and I need help on how to deal with an apartment that I have a bill with that I already paid.

Question: Last year I paid off a lease that I broke. It was 2100 dollars. I got a money order and I paid the manager. She gave me a letter with her signature on it saying that it was paid in full. I went on to get another apartment at a different location. Now that lease is up and I am moving again. But when I went to apply at an apartment, they said I had a Tenant Tracker that is keeping me from getting approved. I went to the apartment and showed them the letter saying it was paid in full and the previous managers signature. Well the manager had been fired and they are telling me she did not have the authority to take my money or to give me that letter and are refusing to take off the tracker. It is ruining my credit and I can not get another apartment without this being resolved. I do not have the 2100 dollars to pay again. I barley had it the last time. The manager basically told me to get a lawyer. What can I do?

Answer: Contact [Tenant Tracker](http://www.resultmatrix.com/TT/Client/1136-SalesLead.asp) and dispute the info. Also send them a letter with a copy of the letter from the old manager (keep the original).


Title: [California] My boss is not paying me commission for my sales, only pays me my hourly.

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 A craigslist ad isn't a contract, unfortunately.  If you want commisions on sales, you need to be prepared to negotiate for that as a term of your employment.  What did your boss say when you asked for commissions?

Ultimately the way this works is that you're either worth a particular salary or you're not.  Your leverage here is practical, not legal: you are (hopefully) a good employee who brings in money and is worth more to your employer than a replacement-quality mook off the street.


Title: Is kidnapping legal if you have (written) consent of the "victim"?

Question: I was watching an episode of Outsmarted. This guy mentions it's legal to kidnap someone with consent. Is that true? It makes me question how much of our laws you can sign away (given the person gives their signature). Kinda scary honestly.

Answer:
 It’s not kidnapping if it’s not against your will.

Of course you could agree and then change your mind and then it becomes kidnapping again.Answer #2: Kidnapping with consent is more commonly known as giving them a ride. I was kidnapped with my consent this morning, and we didn't even write it down.


Title: NJ - Somebody Has Fraudulently Opened an LLC Under My Name - Please Advise

Question: So, I have been a recent victim of identity fraud (SS # exposed), after contacting all the recommended institutions and applying credit freezes to my accounts and extra security, I thought I was in the clear. Long story short a Detective called me the other day and said he had a good lead on my case and that I should send him any documents that might help him. I confirmed he was really with the police and sent him copies of my credit report. On there was a false employer - Synapsis Multiservices LLC - turns out I am not just a false employee of this bogus company but I am in fact the Owner of a newly created business, operating under a false address and phone number. I have no experience in the matter whatsoever and would greatly appreciate any advice as to what i should do to disintegrate this company, further protect myself, etc. Thank you.

Answer: Start by contacting the state department that oversees businesses and their formation in New Jersey. They likely have a process to deal with this type of issue.


Title: My wife wants to try Naked Gardening in our front lawn. I own the land, illegal?

Question:
Heavy traffic on the road, we live on a 'street' as opposed to tucked in a neighborhood. It would be pretty funny for her to tell off a cop butt naked when they inevitably show up.

No judgements please.

Edit: NC (probably falls under state law).

Answer: That would not be advisable. Especially, if a child saw her.


Title: [California] Hospital continues to send me bills for $0

Question:
I went to the ER in San Francisco in 2018. It is an in-network hospital for my health insurance. The hospital billed 1 amount, and the ER doctor billed another. My insurance says that both of the 2 claims are in-network, and that they paid a portion of each bill. According to my insurance, **I am responsible for the doctor bill difference, but I am not responsible for the hospital difference**.

* ER Doctor - In-network, insurance paid part. I payed the other part.
* Hospital - In-network, insurance paid part. My insurance says I am not responsible for the difference.

I paid the ER doctor bill, and they have left me alone since. However I receive a bill every month from the hospital for $0 regarding the hospital charge. The bill states the full amount of the hospital charge, the amount my insurance paid, and that I owe $0. I called the hospital billing to see if this is a mistake. The hospital rep said that if my insurance does not pay the full amount, that **I will be responsible for the difference** and that I need to get in touch with my insurance. My insurance company is telling me that **I am not responsible for the difference**.

**Who is correct? My insurance or the hospital?** I don't want this stupidity to land me in court or ruin my credit score. Please help.

Side question: Should I not have paid the ER doctor? Was that 2nd bill justified/legal?

Answer: Send them a check for $0.


Title: If someone (in the USA) posts a sign like this on their door, just how much could they legally get away with doing to the people who rang the bell?

Answer:
 You could get away with yelling at them.  Pointing at them.  Looking disapproving.  Inviting them in and serving only water and dry cookies.  Complaining about them to their boss, whoever that may be.  Calling the cops for trespass.  That's about it.

You could also do the same things if you didn't have the sign posted.


Title: Does Dad have Legal Recourse in the Event of Changing Schools?

Question:
Mom and Dad are divorced, custody agreement has been in effect since the child was two, child is seven now. At time of agreement child was enrolled in pre-school curriculum through day care per costudy agreement. Both parents share legal custody. mom has primary physical while Dad has "liberal visitation." Visitation pattern has remained stable for the past five years.

Child is currently enrolled in a public school outside of current school zone due to waiver obtained from day care's before and after care program. Mom wants to take the child out of day care and thus lose the waiver and child would then be obliged to attend locally zoned school. Does Dad have recourse to stop her? BTW this is all in the State of Virginia.

Answer: What does the agreement say about major decisions about the child?


Title: Should I get a lawyer?

Question: I was driving two friends who stole 2 stop signs by unscrewing the bolts and just taking the sign itself. I initial didn’t know their intention when I started driving them but once I did I wasn’t comfortbale. They weren't caught, but someone called the cops and reported the car that i drove them in, I was pulled over with a stop son in the car while the other guy were trying to get another sign. The officer understood I didn’t want the sign and said call my friends or I will go down for the whole thing alone. They sprinted to my location. As soon as they got there they fessed up to everything, were very compliant, and returned the signs (which had been down for about 30 mins now or so). The officer was mad at first obviously but didn't arrest us after we were so compliant. The officer also said I must have know what was going on as there I a video someone sent in that shows me circling the street multiple time as the steel the first song.I went to court 2 weeks ago and was charged with a Class A misdemeanor in Indiana and was offered a plea deal; revive the misdamenor, pay all court expenses (over $285 right now), 40 hours of road crew, and a year of unsupervised probation, possible random drug test, no drug or alcohol(I’m underage), can’t go to a bar, tavern, or liquor store. I verbally agreed to the deal, and go back to court in a week to finalize it. As i've been explaining my situation to people more and more people keep telling me that the punishment is excessive and that they have done worse and received less punishment. I’m a college student with a clean record.  Is there anything I can do in this situation? Is this punishment actually excessive or are the people I'm explaining it to just exaggerating? Can I negotiate the plea? And would my only course of action be to get a lawyer? How much would a lawyer in this situation typically cost?

Answer:
 >As i've been explaining my situation to people more and more people keep telling me that the punishment is excessive and that they have done worse and received less punishment.

People are telling you wrong. You did something [extremely dangerous](https://legalbeagle.com/5200064-penalty-stealing-stop-signs.html). You and your friends could have killed people. You stole stop signs. Think about that for a minute. Stop signs. You should get an attorney.