Title: [Canada - QC] My uni is messing with my lease and I need to know if I'm right to challenge them on this.

Question:
Backstory: So, my university tells all students that, in their first year, they have to lease an apartment from them, but then it turns out it's not actually mandatory even though they explicitly say that it is. When I applied for residence, they ran out of space and so put me on a waiting list, and refused to give me information on it until about 2 weeks before I got to the university, where they put me in a hotel-style apartment for $1100 a month. This was a private residence building, where rent in a similar room is usually $750 a month (they weren't particularly nice rooms, no kitchen, hotel style). After several months of living there, my roommate made things horrible for me - he was a walking biohazard, and it was making me physically ill. I went to the housing department at my school and told them that I wanted out of my lease. They told me that if I wanted to end my lease, I'm required by Quebec law to pay three months rent upfront ($3300). I didn't have that kind of money, and so was told that they would move me to another residence for a $100 fee, where I would be sharing a small three-bedroom apartment with two roommates, where each of us paid $1000 a month (and again, a shitty apartment considering how much money we paid).

Now, the lease on my original apartment went until the end of April - aka, the end of the winter semester. However, when I moved, I moved to a residence where the leases last until the end of July. A couple times throughout the year, the building manager came in to do measurements on our apartment and said that we might be getting new carpet, which I never really cared about bc I assumed they'd do it during August for the next set of students.

Turns out, I was wrong. Beginning of May, someone in my group chat said that anyone who was having their apartments renovated was having their lease terminated on June 1st. This was not an official notice, nor did I ever receive one. I asked my roommates, and they confirmed it. So, I found other housing and have currently moved most of my stuff. It's cheaper housing, better location, it's not too bad. However, when I did some research into the laws governing this sort of thing in Quebec, I learned that if a landlord chooses to terminate a lease to renovate an apartment, they must give six months notice for a lease lasting more than six months, and must pay three months rent plus "reasonable moving expenses" (Quebec Civil Code 1959 - 1967). So I emailed my university and said that I wanted to discuss the indemnity owed to me.

My university responded that we were given the option of cancelling the lease, we were not being evicted - if I wanted  to stay, I could. I was also told that we were given the option of moving to another, similar apartment. I was never told any of these things, even the few times that I saw my building manager (he's a very friendly guy and regularly stops around to chat, and I picked up some packages in his office over May). I had simply been told that the lease was ending. The university also told me that they have not violated the law because I signed an educational lease, and not a standard lease, and somehow that allows the university to "reserve the right to change your room if we deem it necessary to do so". They've reiterated that I was not being evicted but being given the choice to leave, and that I can either choose to end the lease or else stay in the building. The thing is, because they didn't actually tell me what was going on, I've already made other plans - I can't afford to maintain both apartments and had no plans to do so, since I was told that one was ending prematurely.

They've put me in a situation where I have to "choose" to end the lease early, because based on the misinformation presented to me, I don't really have any other options. The basic question I need to ask is: am I still protected by Quebec law and deserving of the three months rent in an indemnity, even under an educational lease?

Tl;dr - signed a lease with my university, was told it was being broken two months early about a month in advance by friends, was never given any official notice, and was told that I'm not owed the indemnity usually required by Quebec law because there was an option available that I was never presented, and because it's an educational lease. Am I still protected or am I screwed?

Answer:
 >They told me that if I wanted to end my lease, I'm required by Quebec law to pay three months rent upfront ($3300).

 Entirely false, the Regie does not allow for the unilateral resiliation of a lease for any reason, and does not stipulate any *fee* to do so.

Tenants and landlords can agree to their own terms if they mutually agree to terminate a lease early, but that is between the parties and not set by the goverment.

>am I still protected by Quebec law and deserving of the three months rent in an indemnity, even under an educational lease?

Contact the Regie du Lodgement and ask

https://www.rdl.gouv.qc.ca/en

*Educational* leases are a thing in Quebec, and still regulated under the Regie, have a different set of standards. Leases in Quebec are standardized though, so look at your lease and see if it is the official *educational lease*,

looks like this

http://legisquebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/resource/cr/R-8.1R3_EN_001_002.pdf?langCont=en&digest=76CFD28437B6A601E06F97C202B5E503

And even if you do have that lease, it doesn't necessarily mean that it is correct. It really only covers dorms on campus, off-campus but institution affiliated residences are generally not considered *institutional housing*, especially if they are owned or operated by a 3rd party.

Many of these issues are going to be very specific based on your individual circumstances, and the housing situation. You'll be best advised to call the Regie and see what they say, and go to your schools legal clinic. If you are in Montreal I'd suggest going to McGill's legal clinic, they offer free legal services to non-students as well. Bring your lease and any communications you'd have. They would be in the best position to review everything and see where you stand based on your specific circumstances.


Title: Seatbelt ticket advice wanted (MD)

Question:
I just got home from a 4 minute drive turned 15 minute, $100 night killer. I pulled up behind an officer at a red light, without my seatbelt (around 1:30am, just us) and when we made the left he stopped and pulled me over and gave me a ticket. I was thinking of requesting a waiver hearing, but then I looked up the section of the legal code that I'm getting screwed under.

Maryland Transportation [§22-412.3 (b)](http://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/2005/gtr/22-412.3.html) states that:

> A person may not operate a motor vehicle unless the person and each occupant under 16 years old are restrained by a seat belt or a child safety seat as provided in § 22-412.2 of this subtitle.

Yet the section right above that, (a-2-ii) states
> "Motor vehicle" does not include a Class L (historic) vehicle.

My vehicle is a '91 with historic tags. This leaves me with 3 questions:

* Does this mean that the seatbelt law does not apply since my car is not defined as a "motor vehicle"?

* Should I request a trial instead of a waiver hearing?

* Could I then face consequences for using a historical vehicle as my primary mode of transportation?

The section relevant to historical vehicles in MD is [§13-936](http://law.justia.com/codes/maryland/2013/article-gtr/section-13-936) which states

> :historic motor vehicle” means a motor vehicle, including a passenger vehicle, motorcycle, or truck that:

...

> (2) Will not be used:

> (i) For general daily transportation; or

> (ii) Primarily for the transportation of passengers or property on highways.

My primary mode of transportation is a shuttle bus from my apartment to my collece campus, or travelling on foot. I don't know if this would be an issue but I would hate to go to court and get a seatbelt ticked revoked just to have my car taken away or something.
Topic:
Traffic and Parking

Answer:
 Here's the thing.  You said:

>I looked up the section of the legal code that I'm getting screwed under.

And that's your problem.  You're not getting screwed.  You drove a car -- and let's be honest here, it's a regular car -- without wearing a seatbelt.  You deserve the ticket.

At the end of the day, a judge is going to issue you the ticket.  You will lose.  A judge is not going to look at your 1991 seatbelt-equipped vehicle and rule that you have the right to drive all over Maryland without buckling up.   So you can argue the ticky-tacky definitions all you want, no judge in his right mind is going to get you out of the ticket.

You'll lose on appeal, too.  The statute is designed to protect people driving very old historic vehicles that don't have seatbelts in parades and exhibitions and the such.  It's not to allow punk kids the right to drive wherever they want in a 1991 beater without a belt.


Title: What if person A accuses person B of a crime, which person B is then charged for, but person B reveals evidence that person A did it during trial? What kind of legal action can person B later take against person A for blaming him?

Question: Defamation? Perjury? False accusation? Anything else?

Answer: Filing a false police report is a crime, of they used one to start the investigation


Title: Nephew has become physically ill from stress, anxiety, and depression from bullying at school. The parents and school board refuse to do anything. Is there anything I can do legally?

Question:
My nephew is 13 and has started to skip school because of the bullying. He lives in a very small town and he doesnt like to go outside because they will find and torment him. Now outside of the school is a different story, but something needs to be done about his safety inside of the school.

The bullies in question are 3 boys in his class and they have already bullied 2 other students to the point where there parents have pulled them out of school and are home schooling them.

I just want to know if there is anything I can do or anything I can threaten the school and parents with to try and get them to do SOMETHING. My nephew wont eat and cant sleep. I love him as if he is my own child and I dont want to do anything more than get the school to act and do something about these three bullies.

I apologize if this is the wrong subreddit, but I figure the school will act if I threaten, or take, legal action. Please tell me there is something I can do.

Edit: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.

Answer:
 > I love him as if he is my own child

But he's not.  I understand your love for this child, but the parents have authority.  You do not.

The best you can do is make a report to the police, or your local DCFS, if he's being abused.  That may eventually result in him being removed from the home, if they do find the parents at fault.


Title: When a company files for bankruptcy, can I even ask them about my stuff?

Question:
About three weeks after ordering my wedding dress, veil, comb, and foundation garments, the US company that made everything closed and filed for chapter 7 bankruptcy. The company's website lists the trustee's email as a point of contact to ask about orders. When the stores were closed, they were given the bankruptcy lawyer's email to give out to customers to ask about dresses. Last night I got a notice of chapter 7 bankruptcy in the mail. One of the opening paragraphs did raise questions for me. It says:

"The filing of the case imposed an automatic stay against most collection activities. This means that creditors generally may not take action to collect debts from the debtor or the debtor's property. For example, while the stay is in effect, creditors cannot sue, assert a deficiency, repossess property, or otherwise try to collect from the debtor. Creditors cannot demand repayment from debtors by mail, phone, or otherwise. Creditors who violate the stay can be required to pay actual and punitive damages and attorney's fees."

Does this mean I can't email the trustee or lawyer to ask about any part of my order? At the time of my order, my dress wouldn't be in until October, but everything else was going to be in much sooner(it would have been within the next few weeks) and be held at the store until the dress was delivered. If I even ask if the last shipment from the factory has my veil and comb, would I be held responsible for damages and fees? Do I just file my claim and hope I get something? Or can I ask if any of it is part of my order? Since the closure, the lawyer has reportedly done what she could for women with outstanding orders and very close wedding dates.

I did pay in full if that makes any difference.

Answer: How much did you pay? Would you be okay with never getting it back? Honestly, this seems like something that is above a Reddit arm-chair lawyer's pay grade. You need to speak to an actual attorney if you want to get your money back.Answer #2: IANAL, If you paid by credit card perhaps file a chargeback?


Title: ER bill - Signed in and out without being seen. Being charged +$200

Question:
I’m not sure if this post is for this sub.
I went to the ER because I had a glass cup fall on my foot 2am which causes a huge gash on my foot. I’ve never had this happen before and I didn’t know what to do since it was huge and blood was everywhere....so I got my roommate to take me to the ER.
I signed in and waited in the waiting room for about 30 min until a nurse asked me to pee in a cup.... I did that...waited another 20 min. Asked how long it was going to take and they said an estimate of 4-5 hours until I’m seen by a doctor. So I decide to leave because in that time of waiting, urgent care would be open and I didn’t want to wait around for that long...so I signed out and left.
A week later I get a bill in the mail for an estimate of $400 from the hospital for the urinalysis...
They didn’t get my insurance information so I called them to give that information...I called my health insurance to be told the ER bill would cost me $250!!!
Now, I’m quite pissed off and feel cheated. I literally signed in and signed out within one hour of the ER. Never saw a doctor. Never approved the urine labs since my understanding it would be automatically cancelled since I left only 20 minutes of being asked to pee in a cup....
What are my rights here? What can I do?
It infuriates me how much I pay monthly for health insurance... to never use it throughout the year except this ONE time... and I have to pay an arm and a leg for literally NOTHING.

Answer:
 Everything costs money. The nurse, the check in person, the pee cup. $250 is cheapAnswer #2: ERs are very expensive in part because they get people coming in for all sorts of minor problems, everything from hangnails to a cold. So they are inflating the cost of going to the ER to encourage people to go to an Urgent care clinic or even a family doctor's office. ERs are truly meant for people who are in serious danger of losing their life (heart attacks, strokes) or a body part (amputated arm or leg, broken arm or leg).

$250 is actually getting off really cheap, most are charging around $1000 to walk in the door. Answer #3: NAL, but an ER nurse.

If you were not physically seen by a doctor, then this qualifies as “left without being seen.” Which is different than “leaving against medical advice.”

If the wait was 4 hours, it is very common for labs to be collected (UA, blood, swabs) prior to the doctor seeing you. They’ll have results by the time the doctor can see you, which we might as well get things rolling while you’re waiting. This is unfortunately the nature of the ER. It’s a busy place, and if you’re not critical, then you wait. For a long time, sometimes.

Your best course of action is to talk to your insurance and see what their policy is on payment for LWOBS/AMA, because every company is different.

The hospital bills for everything- that’s how they make money and stay open. The test was already run, so you will be charged for it. Getting it paid for is an insurance argument as opposed to a billing argument.

And yes, it sucks.


Title: Being Forced Out at Work Due to Whistle Blowing: Written Up Today - Advice on Protecting Myself?

Question:
I'm fairly seasoned and work for a major multinational corporation. Earlier this year I sensed something was amiss with a large project I was awarding which went to another "preferred" vendor after everyone save my boss and her boss (CIO) chose another vendor.  I did not report it as I feared retaliation from my line management.  Still, I talked to some co-workers who were involved in the process about the situation, and how I now lacked respect for them. I'm nearly certain it got back to them and obviously pissed them off.

Last week I received my midyear performance appraisal which was extremely negative and also included a separate formal notice that if my behavior didn't change I was subject to further disciplinary action, including termination.  I work in an employment-at-will state (NJ) and cannot prove what I suspect occurred, nor other shocking behavior which I observed firsthand (e.g. the CIO telling me earlier that he doesn't want to hire gay people, making sexual comments, etc.)  Both the CIO and my boss are well-respected / feared.

After receiving this receive last Friday, I immediately went to HR and spoke with my representative for over 2 hours. I know that might not have been the best decision, but I strongly objected to much of my performance review and especially being written up. Knowing that he works for the company/machine, I know my options are limited for the support I will get from HR and he ended the meeting by saying something to the effect of "we'll need to work with your boss to come to a middle ground - nickel and dime the document / wordsmith, etc."  I told him it was more like we're "10s and 20s away" and I'm not signing anything to which I object.  He said it was just an acknowledgement that I've received the document - not that I have to agree with it - and it's due later this week (pressuring me).

My action plan:
1. Look for a new job.
2. Document everything; refute point-by-point the items in both my performance review and notice
3. Setup weekly meetings with my boss and a formal plan of improvement, including documenting our meeting and sending it to HR.
4. Reach out to a senior executive (higher than the CIO) with whom I feel I can be candid about my situation and report my concerns, including the unethical (illegal?) behavior by the CIO himself.

Advice?  I realize that I am most likely in a no-win situation, but I feel compelled to fight especially since I disagree with 90% of the content.

Big company politics suck.

**tl;dr:** I was written up for what I believe to be retaliatory reasons; I work in an employment-at-will (NJ) state; what recourse do I have?

Answer:
 So where's the whistle blowing? I see no blowing of any whistles.

> Still, I talked to some co-workers who were involved in the process about the situation, and how I now lacked respect for them.

You got caught talking shit about your bosses. What did you think this would lead to? If people under me said they didn't respect me, I'd find a reason to get rid of them too. It's not about retaliation, it's about needing the respect of your peers and workers underneath you to work properly.

Honestly, how did you really see this going?

You have nothing legal here since you're at-will. Frankly I'm surprised they haven't terminated you already. You have no recourse, start job hunting.


Title: Bad parents = bad credit. Need Help!

Question:
Live in NJ. My parents have been using my credit since I was 18 without my knowledge. My credit tanked due to their high bills and late payments. I realized this was happening when I was 23 and have tried to work it out for 3 years.

At this point: have a $30k car loan in my name (late payments), an open CC with a balance in my name (they make no payments towards it) and owe me $6k from a loan I gave (wrote a personal check with "loan" in memo). I am still working on building my credit back up because I am sensible with my own money - now score is about 650.

Mother's husband claims that this is only fair because they sent me to college (guess scholarships + student loans mean nothing) and gave me food, shelter, all the normals things parents give kids. They have no intention of paying me back the $6k (which was my savings) and I've been able to set up LifeLock and put a limit and a password on the credit card - that now only has $2k on it. Other legal action happening in their life leads me to believe they will stop all payments on the car (and get a divorce).

What are my options? What happens if I let the bank repo the car? How do I get myself out of this situation?

Answer: You can salvage some of your credit and get the debt removed if you press charges for identity theft against your mom and her husband. That will have lifelong implications on your relationship with your mom and her husband, but they certainly deserve it. They broke the law and hurt your future and they are hoping you will let it slide because you are related. Call the police.


Title: Need advice regarding my parents custody case! CA

Question:
I'm not sure where to go about this and I'm keeping the information vague. Please don't try to doxx me. My parents divorced when I was a teenager. My father was incredibly physically and emotionally abusive to us. It got so bad that I hurt myself seriously. However during the divorce when I requested not to see him due to the abuse, he wrote a statement to the court and included the ER information. He said that I was too crazy and unstable to be trusted. That didn't go over very well with the judge and my mom was granted full custody.  I haven't kept in contact with him since. She passed away when I was in college. I'm now applying to graduate schools and my father knows. I think it's because I told my cousin that I've gotten interviews for some really really good schools. I know I was fucking stupid but I was so excited. I hate her so much right now.

He texted me that he wants to meet me and make up and if I don't respond he's going to send the court documents to the schools I've gotten interviews from so they know what kind of person they would really be accepting. I haven't been accepted yet!

I'm panicking and crying. Do I need to hire a lawyer? What kind of lawyer? Should I just talk to him? I have a few thousand for saved from scholarships and work. He didn't pay for anything for college. I've gotten this far and I've worked so hard...I don't think the admissions committees are going to give me a chance if they hear about this.

I've been to therapy. I'm not a danger to myself and I got so much better after cutting off contact... Nobody really knows about what happened so I can't tell my friends or advisors.

I don't think he has the original paperwork or else he would have already sent them but can I stop him from accessing the court documents??

Their divorce was in CA, I live in the East coast and the schools are in different states.

Answer: The schools are not going to read a bunch of court documents from a crazy person. They dont have the time and they dont care.


Title: Can Reddit sue Voat?

Question: I mean it's basically a carbon copy, they stole the design, the idea with the subreddits, everything actually

Answer:
 [Reddit is open source...](http://www.redditblog.com/2008/06/reddit-goes-open-source.html)

edit: To explicitly answer your question, no.  You don't get to sue people for using your open-source software so long as they do it in accord with the license.Answer #2: Maybe. I don't know that I would recommend it. As it is, Voat is doing a great job of helping Reddit solve a problem of theirs; they're soaking up all of the users that Reddit would rather not have.


Title: Hey Americans, I knew your healthcare sucked, but can I still be held accountable for something that happened 4 years ago while I was unconscious!?

Question:
I've always heard of how insane the US healthcare system was, but during a 2015 trip to Las Vegas, I was unfortunately able to experience one of the many reasons why...

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I don't really know what happened but basically I got drunk to the point where my brain stopped recording memories and woke up in a hospital bed. I asked a nurse what happened and she told me that some strangers had seen me passed out so they called an ambulance. The ambulance took me to the hospital and they ran a series of tests because I wasn't responding properly (because I was very drunk).

The hospital had already charged almost $3,000 dollars to my card (my daily limit) and they gave me a bill for the remaining $12,000 and took copies of my ID before allowing me to leave.

So essentially strangers made the decision on my behalf for me to be taken to hospital and then another group of strangers gave me a series of expensive tests that I didn't agree to, with the results telling me nothing more than I had had too much to drink but would be fine. A crazy situation, but I had travel insurance, so they could just handle it, right!? I sent the bill to my insurance provider and asked them to take care of everything. They later came back saying that the medical report just said I was drunk. I didn't know how to reply other than, "yeah I was drinking but I was taken to hospital, so please handle it". I'm not sure what happened after this since it was my last correspondence and I'd already left the country, so I just moved on with my life.

Since then  it's has been just been a crazy memory of Vegas that I put behind me... until now I'm married to an American and we want to move there to live!

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**tl;dr** I found out that US healthcare system sucked by getting hammered and waking up in a hospital with a non-consensual bill for around $15k

&#x200B;

Although I've heard nothing about this in years, **we're worried that it could affect my visa application or credit rating**.

How real are these fears if the bills were in fact not paid by my insurance? I assume this information is stored somewhere, but I'm hoping that government inefficiency or lack of inter-departmental communication will help me here.

Does anyone know realistically **if this could affect me getting a green card?** (I'm married to a US citizen and neither of us have a criminal record or any debts).

Also, **I presume my credit is ruined, but is this applicable on a federal level?** We're not planning to move to Nevada, so it doesn't matter if it's only an issue there.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Answer:
 It seems like you should be reaching out to your travel insurance company to figure this out.

When you pass out that intoxicated you can easily aspirate on your own vomit and die. The reason strangers brought you is because for all they knew you could have been suffering from a drug overdose or some other health condition (like a stroke) that rendered you unconscious. Because you were unconscious and nobody could tell the hospital what was wrong they had to do w bunch of tests to figure out how to treat you.


Title: [Denton, TX] Rent payment destroyed after given to landlord, what do we do?

Question:
Hey all, I'm in a bit of an odd situation right now.

ROOMMATE is my friend I'm living with, RENTAL LADY is in charge of rent at the rental office and I am myself.

I just moved into an apartment with ROOMMATE while we wait to move into a house we just signed for. ROOMMATE went to pay our rent on Wednesday (which is $770 a month) using money orders. We were waiting on a check to clear before we paid in full so ROOMMATE brought 2 money orders, 1 for $500 and 1 for $100, and asked RENTAL LADY if he could pay the $170 we were missing a day or 2 late and she said it was fine.

A day later (Thursday), ROOMMATE went up to pay the $170 we were missing and he left. Later that night, ROOMMATE recieved a call from RENTAL LADY saying there was a problem with the rent so ROOMMATE went up to the office the very next day (Friday).

RENTAL LADY tells ROOMMATE that his money order is messed up, and proceeds to pull out the $500 money order except it's cut in half. She proceeds to tell ROOMMATE how it was given to her like this and he needs to get her another one. The problem is that he left both original money orders on her desk when they talked.

RENTAL LADY tells us it's our fault for the money order being like that but that makes no sense. She keeps saying we have to get her another money order but we don't have $500 to spare currently, and in order to get the money order refunded the place we got it from said we need the "missing half" of the $500 money order.

What do we do? Who is at fault for this? It comes across as sketchy that "somehow" the money order just mysteriously was cut in half and RENTAL LADY doesn't know where the other half is. Should we consult a lawyer in person or is this our fault and we should just find a way to get $500 ASAP?

Answer:
 As long as you have settled the the $170 debt, the issuance of the money order to her discharged your obligation to the remaining debt. She fucked up by losing part of it.

Edit: Actually I should clarify this. It MAY be discharged, if it came from a bank. If it came from some cash advance, walmart, or w/e it usually only suspends the underlying obligation. Even if it's suspended that still is fine for you, because it needs to be dishonored before the obligation comes back to you.Answer #2: Most likely she cashed the money order and cut it then demand you give her another one. Do not give her anymore money. Answer #3: IANAL, but if ROOMMATE handed the money to her desk, doesn't the money stop being your responsibility and starts being hers the moment you hand it in?Answer #4: Did you get a receipt?

If so, point out that she or anyone else int eh office would never have accepted the damaged money order. Ergo, this happened AFTER it was given to them and is not really your responsibility.

You may want to record this conversation or simply communicate it to her in writing.

Also not a bad idea to try and get to her boss or supervisor and tell your side of things.

NAL.


Title: How screwed am I?

Question: [deleted]

Answer: It's a common scam.  There was never any girl.  You sent pictures of your dick to some guy in Nigeria.  He only wants your money.  It's not personal.  He's not likely to waste his time trying to "out" you if you're not going to pay him.


Title: If a sex offender was underage, and weren’t allowed on school grounds, wouldn’t their parents get arrested for truancy?

Question: It’s 2 conflicting laws. Say 13 year old sex offender. He is legally required to go to school. But due to sex offender status he cannot. Which one happens?

Answer: Generally home school. Or a judge would allow him to be at school just for classes under supervision. Although it’s pretty unlikely a 13 year ild would get sex offender status—generally they’re abused and therefore sent to a rehab program.


Title: Money Burning

Question: My best friend has problems at home, specifically with his father. Shit's gotten bad to the point that he's had to spend nights with me, but now it seems like he's moving out for good because his father is aggressive and starts problems with him, but  he doesnt want to leave without burning his father's stash of money, specifically in the thousands. Legally, what's the most trouble he can get in?

Answer: It's theft. The exact charges would depend on the amount. And it certainly wouldn't make shit any better.


Title: Racism and sexist roommate causing emotional distress and threat to psychological safety (Nova Scotia, Canada)

Question: My roommate (let's call him P) openly express his hatred for people of colour (immigrants, refugees - more recently Muslim refugees) and women.  I politely and rationally oppose against those viewpoints but he would relentlessly continue over what I say.  Lately the things he said have been escalating.  A few months ago he mentions his viewpoints under the guise of politics.  Now the things he say are full of hate and violent: "All the natives should have been slaughtered years ago" "Why does my tax dollars have to go to those useless f*****" "I am going to show black people a white man's invention - BANG BANG (gun gesture - ASIDE: He owns firearms for hunting but they are not stored at the apartment)".  Having to listen to this hate talk has been very emotionally distressing.  I am disengaging from when he tries to have these conversations with me by leaving the room, but he would try to find someone else or, worst, go online and rant for hours with his gaming friends, who have the same perspectives as him.  Also, I am a woman of minority, so some of these things that he says really disturb me.  Two other roommates, another woman and my boyfriend, who is Metis.  No one in the household share the same views as P.  He's never threatened me or the others directly but I know I personally don't feel safe in the house.  Is there anything that can be done legally?  Not sure if this constitutes as criminal or if the landlord is obliged to do something.  I do not really want to move out because I think, if any thing, he should be the one who leaves since none of the other roommates welcome his ideals in the household.

Answer: Not sure about Canadian law, but saying stupid, hurtful things like he is isn't criminal in the US.  If he's on the lease, speak to your landlord about removing him.  Otherwise if he is not on the lease, give him proper notice and have him leave.


Title: a friend of mine recently got arrested(first felony) What is he looking at??? (Details in post)

Question:
He is 19. Never been in trouble with the law before. He didn't shoplift or steal anything but its still classified as a felony. He was in a walmart store with it and they caught him with [it](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/31qfbp-5SHL._SL500_AC_SS350_.jpg). He never took it out.

Minnesota Statute
609.521 POSSESSION OF SHOPLIFTING GEAR.

Answer:
 So ... the friend had  wire cutters at the iPhone display, where the iPhones are fastened down with cables so that you can pick the iPhones/iPads up but can’t take them. The wire cutters could be used to cut the cable securing a displayed iPhone/iPad. This would seem to bring the wire cutters into the definition of a shop lifting tool, *in my nonprofessional  opinion*.
 The cost of some new Apple products would also probably explain the felony level charge.

The question also arises as to how Loss Prevention knew he *had* wire cutters.   One obvious way would be it he removed them from his pocket.  Another way might have been that he appeared to be ‘scouting’ his surroundings in a way that caught Loss Prevention’s attention, was questioned and found to have the wire cutters in his pockets when questioned.

There will almost certainly be video; high value items like phones will usually had a dedicated camera on them.

I think that there’s enough circumstantial evidence that your buddy should get in contact with an attorney. The attorney is going to be able to explain the facts of the matter to the court much better than your friend ever could alone, and in the worst case scenario, negotiate for non-felony conviction. IANAL, but was HR for roughly 30 years.  A felony conviction at 19 is a pretty high hurdle to overcome in the employment world. He needs to make every effort to avoid that.
Answer #2: > He was in a walmart store with it and they caught him with it.

With what?


Title: Is this ticket legit? Need help

Question: My buddy got pulled over for not wearing a seat belt. Shit hit the fan because I refused to identify myself, but that's a different story entirely. The cop told my buddy that he was writing him 4 tickets and that he would receive them in the mail. Nothing was signed or anything. Every ticket I've gotten or seen gotten has had the "signing this is not an admission of guilt..." He didn't get any of that or anything written saying he got a ticket. We were in Indiana if that helps. So my question is wtf is going on? And is the ticket legit?

Answer:
 Yes the ticket is legitimate. And you guys are making the process worse by refusing to cooperate (refusing to identify yourself, refusing to sign anything). Any leniency you could have hoped to get from the system vaporized when you went "fuck the system".

You can contest the tickets in court, and it'd be up to the judge to decide what to do. Given the way the stop went, I'd expect the judge to be unsympathetic.


Title: Kentucky: my girlfriend told me tonight that she's been out of birth control for about a week...we've had unprotected sex mutiple times since then.

Question:
My girlfriend of about six months who lives with me "forgot" to tell me she's been out of birth control for days and "forgot" to make an appointment with the doctor we've had unprotected sex mutiple times since then. She claims she can't get pregnant but would isn't positive when I asked her why she thought that she simply said "reasons"

Do I need some sort of professional legal help if she does become pregnant?

Answer:
 Legal help to do what? Get custody? If she gets pregnant you're going to be responsible for child support even if she lied to you about being on birth control for the past year.

There are only a few days out of the month were most women are fertile. Odds are, you're worrying over nothing. If you're that concerned, use a form of birth control that you have control over; I.e, condoms. Answer #2: >Do I need some sort of professional legal help if she does become pregnant?

Not really. The only time you will need professional legal help is when you two separate.


Title: Doctor taking liberties

Question:
Posting for a friend...  So she took her 20 year old daughter to the doctor because of some health concerns. The doctor stated that it was likely an issue with her hormone levels and said she wanted to check them with blood work. They got the blood work done and the lab also asked for urine. Fine. That was done too. They went back to the dr who reviewed the hormone results with them and basically wants them to get more blood work.

Here is the issue: the lab sent a copy of the results and it was at that point that my friend realized they also tested her daughter for all kinds of drugs. (Not that It really matters, but she was negative for everything and has no history of drug use.). The doctor never asked about drugs and never mentioned wanted to check for them. She also never told either the mother or daughter that she tested for them.

Personally, I am horrified and I cannot imagine how this is legal, but I am not a lawyer. I see this as an extreme invasion and my friend is starting to get riled up about it (after talking to me).  Her daughter is upset (partly insulted and partly just sketched out by this). Does anyone know about the legality of this?

Answer: Did she go back in the appointment with this young woman and hear everything they discussed? The doctor could have ran tests based on past discussions with the individual. There's a lot that could have happened. Honestly, she needs to stay out of the doctor's office of an adult unless there's some guardianship/mental issues.


Title: Double Paycheck

Question:
I have a graduate assistantship designed to pay for my living expenses while in my graduate program.
I signed a contract with them securing my hourly rate, number of hours worked per week, end date, and total stipend amount.

When I started receiving my paychecks they were higher than my contract had allocated. I had just waived my health insurance and brushed off the excess money as some response to that. I also had only seen that contract once and didn't remember the exact figure they were supposed to be paying me each week.

When I went to do my taxes a week ago, I learned how to log into the direct deposit website and view my pay stubs. I learned that they were paying me for double the amount of hours I had signed the contract to work.
I let my department know about the error in my paychecks and now they are saying I have spent my stipend for they year and cannot receive anymore money through them.

I saved a good amount of money and can make it to the end of the semester, but it will be very tight on my finances.

Is there any legal recourse that would lead to them to continuing paying me the correct amount for the remainder of the semester? Do I have to continue working for no pay?

Tl;Dr: Clerical error leads to assistantship being paid in full after one semester and leaving no funds for second semester

Answer:
 Nothing. You got paid everything you were owed for doing less work. Likely they could ask for you to pay back the extra pay you did not earn. They are being nice and not making you do that.

You should check your pay stub every pay period. You are also responsible to make sure everything is correct.


Title: Neighbor's House Burnt down last night and Burnt my garage down - Insurance Fraud Issue

Answer: Could you leave your racism to yourself?


Title: A Bully is After Me

Question:
I am going to keep this as vague as possible. For a few months I worked for a guy with a small business. There were a lot of 'issues' at the workplace involving unethical (and unlawful) behavior. The behavior of the owner was not to willingly defraud customers but involved messy paperwork, sales that didn't have proper documentation and, in a couple cases, documents that were forged. Forged because it was easier to sign than track down the owner who should sign the paperwork.

I wanted out and recently suggested I move to contract basis (from full time) since I knew that quitting would risk his wrath. The day after I suggested moving to a different contractual basis, the owner sent me a long and very angry email saying 'Goodbye' because I was no longer part of the team. The day after that an even longer email came through tearing into me for disloyalty and saying that if I left the business would virtually shut down. Keep in mind that I hadn't worked there very long and hadn't yet moved into the area I was hired for.

More mean emails and texts. Then the owner texts my wife and tells her I need to return all property to the business. I had a key, but had already returned it. The only thing I had was some pens which I left at the office.

Now I'm told (via inside source) he is sending me a legal demand that I repay him for the time I worked there. We have no contract and he actually owes me for five days of work. We're an at will state.

Bottom line, he treats people like crap, threatens those he crosses, and has committed violations of law that could get him shut down. My challenge is that I have friends in high places and could go nuclear legally. But I know he will go nuclear and try to destroy me and my family. I just want to move on. Really need some wisdom here. Thanks for reading.

Answer:
 What is your question?

It's not illegal to be mean to someone.  Block/ignore him.

If he sues you (he won't), respond.  If it's as you say, it doesn't seem he's entitled to anything.


Title: Can City Hall do anything, if I live in view of them while I smoke weed.

Question:
I live in an apartment and I usually smoke in front of my window sitting down. We are both on two story’s and both of their levels can see to mine and vice versa. While I’m smoking I see two main people at their desk facing away from me. But now they moved or something so they are looking in my direction constantly. And I swear they see me smoking because I’m blowing clouds out of the window. I’m in California and don’t have my med card. So I’m wondering if they can come over or something and report me. First time posting here lmk if I need to change anything.
Topic:
Juvenile and Youth Law

Answer: Recreational use is legal in CA now, so long as you're over 21.


Title: [South Africa] My great-aunt is being told to relocate within her retirement village to a smaller apartment. Is this legal?

Question:
Hi people

My great aunt (98 years old) lives on the second storey of her retirement village. She is in excellent physical and mental health (she walks unassisted and has no mental ailments). The retirement village has contacted her and told her that she will have to move to another apartment because she they deem her too old to live on the second storey.

This is where it gets fishy. She has a clause in her current rent agreement that they cannot increase her rent by 8% pa. Furthermore, she has spent about $1000 renovating her bathroom, which she will obviously lose if she moves. The new place she has been told to move to is smaller than her current dwelling and about $75 more expensive per month, which in itself is ridiculous. It is also located near a drain which is frequently clogged and goes rancid (she alerted them about this and has had no response from the board).

Personally I don't want her to move. She is perfectly happy and capable living in her current place. However, the board say that they will force her out if she resists. I would like to know the legal issues surrounding the situation. Some questions:

Are they legally allowed to force her out of her apartment?

Is there a way she can be compensated for her (expected) loss of revenue if she has to move?

Could someone direct me to any literature dealing with the topic? I tried reading the tenant law in the wiki but the jargon makes it tough to follow. There is one on South Africa there, but any help from an American or other point of view could also be of value.

Thanks and here's to helping my great aunt keep the place that she is happy in.

Answer:
 >but any help from an American or other point of view could also be of value.

Anything other than South African law will not help you.


Title: I was terminated, and now my former employer won't let me get unemployment. I'm appealing, what can I say to build my argument?

Question:
I live in North Carolina, and I’ve worked at this place approximately 5 months. From end of September to January. In November, he gave me a talk about my performance. I tried to build up my output, working late and a couple of weekends. The last week I worked, there was another infographic that we missed the deadline on, and the Tuesday following, I was terminated.

The infographic was one I worked on, but I sent them versions before the deadline that they weren’t happy with. I kept working even past the deadline, but they just weren’t happy. They claim that there were deadlines missed that I wasn’t aware of, but in their letter the claim I missed. They also claim that they estimate 1.5 to 2 hours of inappropriate time on the internet.

Is there anything I can say regarding the matter that will bring my side of the story to a more positive light? I feel like I put in the work, and the time I was on the internet was either a one-time thing, and/or not really relevant.

The story is kinda long and involved, but I can go into it more.

Thanks for all the input.

Answer: I think we may need more of the story. From what you've written, they gave you a warning you needed to improve and you did not. So you were fired for cause.


Title: Restoration Company Refuses to Honor additions to a Contract Made By Former Employee

Question: After an unfortunate fire, one of my father's rental properties went up in smoke. Our insurance handled the claim and we were connected to a restoration company. My father negotiated with an employee of the company to add a few additional services on the property. The employee wrote a list and signed off on it, albeit not on official letterhead or anything. Now, the repair is midway and the company switches the person handling our property. They refuse to honor what the other employee wrote and said the employee has been fired. When we protested, they threatened to end our contract. Not sure what to do, or if we have any legal recourse. Is this wrong-doing or just an unfortunate situation?

Answer:
 > Not sure what to do

Hire an attorney and watch how fast they change their tune.

They are absolutely bound by agreements a former employee made with you.


Title: [TX] I (25F) have a stalker (70M) who will not leave me, my family or friends alone. I have reported to the police several times, how do I proceed?

Question:
Some backstory:

I use to be a shot girl at a popular club he was a door guy for about 6 years ago. We barely communicated then, but about 3 years ago he got a job at a gas station I was working at. His Mom recently passed and needed help painting and fixing up the house, so I offered to help him out. I went over there a couple times and we would paint and grill out.

He started getting creepy and getting too close to me so I decided to back off and not help him anymore. When I stopped replying to his messages he came to my apartment complex (he only knew the general area of my apartment) and knock on all the doors to find which one was mine. A neighbor of mine directed him to which apartment I lived in, but I wasn't there at the time. I was extremely creeped out when he told me this the next day.

Maybe a week later my friend sent me a screenshot of his Facebook stating that I was his girlfriend along with a mug shot from a dwi I got awhile back. I then told him to leave me alone and not contact me again.  Since then I have gotten over 300 blocked text from him, some say I love you and miss you others call me a whore and saying he hates me. He somehow looked at my friends list and messaged everyone with my last name telling lies and rumors about me. He also continues to post on his own Facebook about me. Even messaging men I was dating tell them I deal drugs, am a prostitute and that I am using them.

My question:

How do I get the police to take this seriously? Or go about getting a no contact order? He will stop for a couple months then message me or my boyfriend again on fake Facebook accounts. At this point I am just so annoyed and want him to just leave me alone, but more importantly to leave my friends and family alone. Do I need to get a lawyer? I don't want to spend money on it if nothing will get done.

TLDR: Creepy old man won't leave me or family alone, need advice on getting a no contact order.

Answer:
 Keep reporting to the police but at the same time document everything. Keep a spreadsheet of dates/times/events. Go as far back as you can. Take pics if you can. Also note the dates you called/went to the police. Write out a narrative of what has happened. Call the courthouse or go on line to find out how to file a restraining order. Once you have an RO and he violates you can call the police and perhaps get a different response.

To be clear, the RO is separate from calling the police. It is a civil document not a criminal complaint. It essentially has nothing to do with the police - an RO is something the court grants you if they find cause and they don't need permission from the police to do so.Answer #2: Yes. Go there and keep all those messages. What he is doing is illegal and scary and not at all right.  I had to stay on the police because they would not help me and my situation was serious as well.    Just tell the cops you want a restraining order put in place, you have the evidence, the call they made isn’t working, and you need to know how to obtain the restraining order.  Pretty freaking sad that a victim has to beg for protection against a criminal.Answer #3: You need a restraining order ASAP.   What state/county do you live in?  I was assaulted and it took FOUR times of me going to the police station and demanding they take my statement or I was going to the DA. I had to go to the country clerk to get the restraining myself.  This guy seems like a total lunatic. Stay safe.


Title: [US] I’ve been told that the process for banning me from ever visiting the UK has been started. I shared a picture on the internet of a convicted murderer and pedophile who England continues to protect. Is this a legitimate threat?

Question:
I’ve been told that citizens of the UK can face jail time for sharing the leaked photographs of a convicted murderer and pedophile. This monster committed the crime with a parter when they were both minors. They murdered another minor. It is a very infamous case so I’m sure quite a few of you will know who I’m talking about. Pictures showing what he currently looks like have been floating around. I decided to do my part and continue passing along the pictures because that monster doesn’t deserve the pampering the English government has been giving him since he committed the murder. I was contacted by a government official, I’m still not comfortable releasing a name or title, explaining that what I did is a punishable offense. That if I lived in the UK, I would be going to jail, but since I am an American, they will start the process of banning me from the UK. I don’t know if this person is who they claim to be.

What is my next step?

Answer: I know who you're talking about. They were a minor when they committed the crime. So you've potentially violated law in the UK. None of us here have any way to know if your communication was valid or if you'll be banned from the UK for violating their law.


Title: A very mentally ill ex-friend submitted a HRO against me and I have a court hearing scheduled to petition it. I have no idea how to prepare/what to bring/etc. SOS! [Minnesota]

Question:
Hey folks, I'm not familiar with this subreddit but I was directed here from a friend after posting a Facebook status asking where I could get some free legal advice. I could really use some help.

Long story (not so) short:

I had a friendship with a person for about 6 months in 2016. She had been diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder since before we met and it really manifested itself in our relationship (I am not trying to bash people with BPD or any other mental illness; I myself have been diagnosed with a couple of mood disorders, but I have sought and continue to seek help for these things, unlike my former friend). I will spare you all the nitty gritty of the events leading up to me terminating the relationship. All I will say is that she is a person who is known to have violent episodes, is unbelievably manipulative, and is entirely departed from reality. I had mutual friends of ours approach me after hearing about me "breaking up" with her asking if I could help THEM end their friendships with her due to how manipulative and controlling she is. As you can imagine, she had a meltdown when I ended the friendship. Not only did she have a meltdown, but she CONTINUED to have a meltdown about it ever since it ended (July 2016). One by one she lost all of her friends because of how terribly she treated everyone and performed the same meltdown with them, but she decided to focus on me more than anyone else. For months I would hear from people we mutually knew about how she was constantly talking about how I ABUSED her and warning people about me being an "abuser". She even told strangers from out of state about me abusing her. She also posted about it/me all over social media. I would hear about this behavior at least every other week from a new person. Normally I can handle people talking poorly about me. Everyone is entitled to their opinions. But when there is someone very publicly making abuse claims against me, I can't help but get pissed off because that is not a word that should ever be used lightly, and it is very clearly not true.

Speed up to April. She was at a concert that I was at and I decided to finally talk to her face to face to end all of this absurd behavior. I asked her to talk to me one on one outside afterward. I confronted the abuse allegations and she flat out told me that she couldn't explain to me how I ever abused her. I repeatedly told her that I wanted her to stop talking about me and to leave me alone for good. Her boyfriend came outside and a flip switched when he did. She kept raising her voice and making more and more hysterical remarks. Out of nowhere, she got right into my face, close enough for us to kiss. I instinctively pushed her face away from me with one hand, then her boyfriend pushed me to the ground.

The next day I woke up to screenshots from different people about a big post she made on facebook about how she filed a restraining order against me and made up a million little lies to try to make me look like the bad guy. I got a call about a week later from the sheriff's department saying that they had papers to serve me. I picked them up and read through the claims. Everything she claimed I did to HER was literally things she did to ME. It's honestly incredible. I filed to have a hearing to drop the HRO and it's scheduled for a few weeks from now. I have never had any run-ins with the law and have no experience in a court room. I have absolutely NO idea what type of materials I should gather, what I should say, etc. I have two people that witnessed this entire clusterfuck of an experience (and have had her lash out toward them after ending their relationships with her) and are willing to write out witness statements, but I don't know what to ask them to even write. I'm so lost and just want this entire thing to be over with. PLEASE help a girl out!!!!

Answer:
 Write down your side of the story in a chronological manner, keep it truthful, concise and non emotional so that when the judge asks you, you can explain the situation clearly and reasonably.

Gather up any evidence that will refute her claims including text messages, witness statements, journal entries, especially anything that directly refutes her claims to present or refer to in court.

Dress neatly, and be respectful when speaking in the court. Don't roll your eyes, glare or look sideways at your accuser. Be calm.Answer #2: > I have two people that witnessed this entire clusterfuck of an experience (and have had her lash out toward them after ending their relationships with her) and are willing to write out witness statements, but I don't know what to ask them to even write.

Can you get these two people to accompany you to the hearing? Testimony in court will *certainly* be admissable (and a written statement may not be -- how could the other side challenge those witnesses?), and is likely to be far more persuasive to a judge. Also it solves the problem of not knowing what to write.Answer #3: Restraining orders are moderately serious, as they'll show up on background checks and can interfere with future employment opportunities. You really ought to hire a lawyer to defend you at the hearing. It'll be worth every penny.


Title: [TX] Can I pick up a motorcycle on the side of the road that appears to be abandoned?

Question: For the past 3 or so days, I have driven past a motorcycle on the side of the road that looks like someone just left it there. I haven't pulled over to inspect it, but it's not a very big bike. I figure it could fit in the back of a pick up truck if someone wanted to come get it. Can I grab it?

Answer: No. It doesn't belong to you. It's not "finders keepers".


Title: [Australia] Husband thrown out of American expats club over "obesity" and humiliated by club's new president.

Question:
Me and my husband are members of an American expats club, fully paid up, we live here in New South Wales. We're 36/F, 34/M.
We went to a meeting recently, well, last Friday, and the expat club had announced a new president, then the president said to my husband that he needed to speak with her in private, and he went to a small room, my husband told me he remembers her yelling at him, screaming, forced him to strip to his underwear, and said "You're fucking obese, and for that, you're banned from this club." He said he remembers she took photos of his dick on her iPhone and kept yelling at him to "lose weight" and threatened "I'll get the cops on you if you and your sluttyqueen wife return."
There's nothing in the club rules about obesity, and my husband hasn't been abusive, he pays his fees etc.
Does ths count as discrimination? My husband isn't obese as it is, but he isn't skinny.

I'm not sure what to do for the best here; we've been members of this expats club for 10 years now.

Would anyone be able to help me?

Answer:
 Wait...he willingly let her take dick pics?!?

Or more likely your husband sent her some and was kicked out for that.  Answer #2: Not legal advice. OP ask your husband to come with you as you confront this (if his story is to be believed) insane person. His response will be instructive. Answer #3: As an expat living in NSW can you please tell me how I can join this club?? Sounds amazing!Answer #4: I think you should go and talk to her about what actually happened.

What you've said is incredibly odd....


Title: [VA] Hot Topic's employment agreement says they can claim anything I've invented before or during my employment. What all does that include?

Question:
Title, basically. I just got hired this week, and I'm really curious about the reach of it.

I have my own personal social media accounts that I put my photography on, but if I wanted to start a blog or a 'professional' Instagram, could claim that as an 'invention'? Can they claim all of my photographs?

I don't have the text in front of me but I can get it when I go in today.

Answer:
 > I don't have the text in front of me but I can get it when I go in today.

Definitely do this. The "invented before" thing sounds pretty fishy/unlikeley.Answer #2: What is your position with the company??


Title: I (32f) am going to leave my husband (34m)

Question:
My husband's family is extremely wealthy but nothing is under my husbands name. I've been through so much and just want to have my own life. I'm even fine having 50/50 custody of my children.  His family controls him financially. We use to live overseas and moved back because his father was way too involved in our life. He actually threatened me once all because i told my sister in law he was too involved in my life. When we moved back here everything was fine until his father told my husband he had to live with his mom.   I told my husband we needed a year alone and he didn't agree. I was so upset and stayed with my parents and 2 young children.  He lived with his mom for 6 months without the girls and I.  (He had a sister who isn't married, that moved out of his moms house when she found out my husband was going to live with her). Finally after 6 months of separation, I made the stupid mistake of moving in with my husband and mother in law.

My husband has spent the last year being lazy, sleeping in and just helping his family manage their real estate properties.  He has no motivation to do anything for us. He always tells me we will have our own house one day but I don't believe anything he says. I have been married for over 7 years! I feel like I can't trust him.  I have been so hurt emotionally and don't feel safe and happy with him anymore.

Now that my youngest is 4, I will start working in a few months.  Will my husband be entitled to any of my income?  If he just started a new business (that hasn't started operating )and has a large amount in his savings account. Will the courts see this? What if he transfers everything to another account. Is it easy to hide his assets? I know my husbands family, they would do anythingit takes to make me suffer.

Unfortunately I can't do anything until I have my own income. I need to be prepared emotionally and financially.

Answer:
 > Will my husband be entitled to any of my income?

Spousal and child support are based on statutory schedules that take wealth and income into account, so it's possible. If your husband is voluntarily underemployed, or if most of his living expenses are paid for by his company or his family rather than by him personally, your attorney can argue that his potential income - rather than his actual income - should be imputed to him in that calculation, and make an argument as to what that potential income is. (This works both ways, but if you're gainfully employed generally your actual income is the right number. You have a job. He has a startup.)

> If he just started a new business (that hasn't started operating )and has a large amount in his savings account. Will the courts see this?

He will be required to disclose this, yes. Asset disclosures during divorce are pretty thorough, and the courts frown on hiding marital assets - often to the extent of awarding some or all of the hidden assets to the other spouse, if it's clear there was intent.

> What if he transfers everything to another account.

There will be a paper trail somewhere, and you and your attorney can seek subpoenas to get at it, if necessary.

> Unfortunately I can't do anything until I have my own income.

Which brings me to my core point: this situation is hairy enough that you need a divorce attorney. You should not wait to start trying to find one - getting ahead of this may make it easier to protect your share of the marital estate. Your lawyer can also help you seek interim spousal support if your husband prevents you from using marital assets for this.


Title: Minor Received a Threatening Text Message

Question: I am 17 and I just received a threatening text message saying "your dead I got my boys coming for you" and then the sender sent my address to show that he knows exactly where I live. They sent the message because I recently did something that upset him, but I already received my punishment. The sender is at least 20 years old and in the military. What should I do? I live in California.

Answer:
 Call the police and file a report immediately. Answer #2: Call non-emergency dispatch in your area and request for an officer to come meet you.

It doesn't have to be at your house if you're worried about your parents becoming obnoxious (I would imagine). You can meet in any parking lot as well

just google "non-emergency police" with your location on and call the number

The officer must pursue this, as there's so far no reason to not believe him


Title: Can a minor sue another minor for photos taken of them in a public place?

Question: Location: California

Answer:
 No.

Contrary to what some folks believe, a photo doesn't steal your soul. Answer #2: Sue them for what?Answer #3: Based on the description you put here: no


Title: Can I evict my brother from a house I co own with my Mother?

Question:
[Scottsburg, IN]
After a failed six year relationship and getting diagnosed with an  autism spectrum disorder my mom basically outright bought me a house in Indiana in both our names. With a $40,000 budget I found a rather rundown, but habitable home in a small town where I lived for two years. For the past 5 months I've been living in a city an hour away with my partner who I'm marrying in a few weeks and we want to take out a loan to buy and renovate the house, but my mother who let my brother move in a few months ago said she promised he could buy the house from her on contact because his credit is ruined. I know that with his job as gas station manager he likely won't be able to maintain or repair the home. My partner and I intend to offer him $1200 and six months to find an apartment. any questions, thoughts or advice??
Topic:
Real Estate law

Answer: If the house is under both yours and your mother's name, you need to act jointly. Sure, you could try to evict, but your mom could block it; similarly, she couldn't sell him the house w/o your sign-off.


Title: Cps help in Texas

Question: I'm a registered sex offender in Texas. Romeo and Julie the type case. 22 years old now. Been on probation for 4 years. About a year ago I got a chaperone contract to allow me to be around my wife's cousins. Well today the kids mom got a call from cps saying they are going to pay her a visit because they've been around me. Is this legal? Can she tell them she's not going to talk to them? She's worried about losing her kids now and everyone is freaking out.

Answer:
 Yes, it's legal, and yes, she can refuse to talk to CPS. This won't make them go away though. Her best course of action is to hire an attorney and refuse to talk to CPS without the attorney present.

Unless there are other things going on, she's not going to lose her kids. She's probably not going to let you be near them anymore though because, as you can see, the risk is too high.

Incidentally, you, Romeo, were 18. How old was Juliet? This could matter greatly to your wife's cousin.


Title: Was I racially profiled? Just got fired from an internship after HQ started asking me questions...

Question:
Location: Southern California

I'm posting on behalf of a friend but I'll pose it as though its me for ease of understanding.

I'm an intern at a government agency (no security clearance required) who has already completed ~100 hrs with the company. I was hired on directly through the office I work at but apparently headquarters hadn't processed my application until recently (government bureaucracy at its finest) . The questions asked by HQ were mostly general information but then they started asking me specific questions about my background after it was revealed I'm a dual citizen (I'm middle eastern with a noticeably middle eastern name and I received US citizenship when I was young).

After a couple days of correspondence through email (thats how they talked with me) I received a phone call from my supervisor that my internship was terminated. I should note that I have a fantastic working relationship with my supervisor and he was livid when he found out. I've also never received any administrative actions for poor performance so I think I can rule out job performance as the cause for my termination.

Is there a legal case to be made to reinstate me? The decision to terminate me, as its been explained by my supervisor, was made at the HQ level and happened without his knowledge.

Any push in the right direction would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Answer: Is this federal, state or local government? If it's Federal, you have to be a US citizen, and dual citizenship may disqualify you even if it's not a position that requires a security clearance. If you're a federal intern, you generally have less recourse than tenured civil servants and can be let go for almost any reason.


Title: [CA] The people renting a house I own caused major property damage, and have lied about causing it. The HOA believes them.

Question:
I own a house in California that I do not live in. I have previously rented out the house through the HOA to 2 tenants, both of which completely documented any damage to the home before and after their stay. After each tenant left, I visited the home and inspected it to make sure their reports of any damage were complete (which they were), and took detailed pictures of everything. All damage that was done was minor and repair was paid for by the tenants. Before the next tenant moved in, I would visit the house to ensure all repairs that were paid for were complete.

After the second tenant left, the person at the HOA that I dealt with and communicated with the tenants through left and was replaced.

The third tenant lived in the house for 8 months without reporting any issues. At the end of their stay they sent pictures showing some minor damage around the home (a broken outlet plate, a small amount of paint scraped off a wall, minor water damage in a bathroom). When I visited the house, I found severe damage and negligence that was not documented:

* water damage to baseboards and flooring
* evidence that the gas fireplace was used to burn wood
* an unusable bathroom due to a toilet having overflowed and not been cleaned up
* the gas dryer was found outside the home and a gas stove was in its place (and improperly connected too)
* the water heater was leaking and had not been repaired
* several walls had holes in them from door handles slamming into them too many times
* faucets missing from 3 of 5 sinks (the tenant took them with them)
* entire areas of carpet that had been torn up
* smoke and carbon monoxide detectors painted over
* air conditioner missing parts and nonworking
* garage door opener missing and nowhere to be found
* large piles of the items left by the previous tenants left in the yard

I took pictures to document all the damage and sent them to the HOA. A person from the HOA visited the home to confirm that the damage had been done and contacted the tenants. The tenants said that whoever was living in the house last caused the damage. I know that this is not true and have photographic evidence. Because they did not have the photos I sent about previous tenants, the HOA believed them and refuses to ask them to pay to repair the damage. What legal actions can I take?

Answer: Why would the HOA collect damages from your tenant for your behalf? I'm really confused as to why they are even involved.


Title: Is this background check overreaching? (Canada)

Question:
Hello, I'm wondering if I should put up an argument for a criminal background check.  Here's an excerpt of the privacy notice I must agree to:

> To evaluate your suitability for employment or another business relationship, ZZZZ (“the Company”) will ask Sterling Talent Solutions and its parent, affiliates and subsidiaries (“Sterling”, “we” or “us”) to create a background check report or reports (“Reports”) consisting of one or more background check services (“Services”). Collection: We may collect the following types of personal information about you: identification information and documents; address history; police records; court records; employment history, including fiduciary or directorship responsibilities; education history; financial information, including credit history, bankruptcy and financial judgments; driving records; membership, registration or disciplinary action with regulatory or professional bodies; inclusion on watch or sanctions lists; **social media activity**; mentions in online or print media; or opinions about your performance, qualifications and character. We may collect personal information directly from you, the Company, or third parties such as police, courts, employers, educational institutions, consumer reporting agencies, government agencies, regulatory or professional bodies, references you provide and publicly available print or online sources. We may compare information received from different sources for consistency.

The red flag for me was "social media activity."  That's a fairly far-ranging idea that can basically apply to anything you ever posted on the internet.

Answer:
 It is a private company and they can base their hire/no hire decision on any criteria that is not prohibited by the law.

Social media activity does not fall under those protections, so they may legally look for that information.

They are not asking you to disclose it, mind you - just letting you know they will check it.


Title: Daughter’s father is a teacher at daughter’s school. Need advice on how to speak to the school-more specifically my daughter’s teacher-with confidentiality.

Question:
First of all location is central PA

My narcissistic ex husband and I have joint sole and legal custody(mistake on my part). He is an elementary school teacher and teaches at the school my daughter attends. His father and mother also both taught at the school As a result I feel that the staff/administrators are loyal to him and he has told everyone there that I’m barely involved in my daughter’s life and that I abandoned them for another man etc. none of which are true. The truth is he’s an abusive alcoholic and even though we lived together-I was a single mother.  He beat me down so low during our marriage that I weighed 89lbs when I finally escaped him. Everyone in town does know his father was an alcoholic and beat his mother. They also know his mother is a hoarder and in fact she was pushed out of the school and forced into retirement. His brother is an abusive alcoholic as well.

Now that a little background is out of the way I’ll get to my legal questions. I want to schedule a conference with my daughter’s teacher and perhaps with the school psychologist. But I want it to be without my ex’s knowledge and without him being told every detail of what is discussed. The female teachers are known to gossip in this particular school and I’m trying to avoid that. My question is-do I have any right to this expectation of privacy/confidentiality? If so, who would I report the breach of confidentiality to?
Topic:
School Related Issues

Answer: It's quite likely he would have access to the records as he has joint legal custody and therefore a right to access all of your daughter's educational records. But why would there be anything in the records that he should not be privy to?


Title: Kid broke a bone in OHIO and I don't think I have a case. The other parent thinks we do. Should I try to sue?

Question:
My kid tripped and broke a bone at an indoor sports park during a school field trip. The other parent (never married and we've been broken up for most of kid's life) thinks the school and the sports park are responsible, I don't. Other parent is kinda a deadbeat and I think they're just trying to get out of having to pay at all. Some details, trying leave things as vague and genderless as possible:

* Conditions at sports park.

 This was on the last-day-of-school field trip to an indoor sport park. Gigantic building with year-round baseball/football/soccer etc fields.  Most of the fields have a lip/barrier about 1 foot-ish high to keep the balls from flying out. Fields are astroturf with white markings, white walls, and the lip is white.

* How the bone broke:

 Kid pretty much sprinted for the field of their choice, didn't see the lip, and did a flying face plant onto the astroturf, within minutes of the field trip starting, like a graceful swan. Broke a bone during this fall, ER time & minor surgery needed.

* Right to sue likely waived:

 I signed some sort of permission slip, I didn't read it specifically but I've read a bunch on the past, but most have a clause like "you can't sue us unless we're grossly negligent" and I don't think the fact that my kid tripped over a visible thing counts as gross negligence. I didn't see the field set up but the teachers told me it can be *really* easy to miss if you're not familiar with indoor sports.

* Kid was not wearing glasses:

 Pretty much only needs them for the black board, so I didn't see a reason to send them and possibly break them. Idk how much this contributed to the broken bone but it would look bad in court.

* Kids will be kids:

 kid passionately loves the sport of their choice, can be clumsy, and is excitable. Not adhd but good old fashioned exuberance and imo broken bones are an unfortunate fact of life when you have an active, excitable, clumsy kid.

* Surgery details:

 Bone broke in such a way that kid required surgery, not to be cut open but to get them knocked out so they wouldn't feel the pain while the surgeon finagled the bone back into place. The surgery plan was to try to finagle, and if that didn't work, start making incisions and placing rods or pins.

* Cost of surgery:

 When it comes to doctors I only settle for the best, and I have excellent health care. There was a chance of permanent loss of mobility so i went with one of the top pediatric orthopedic surgeons at one if the world's best hospitals (if you know anything about hospitals in Ohio you might be able to guess which one). The financial advisors said the average cost of surgery for this particular break is $15,000 before insurance and my insurance has a $2,500 max deductible for surgeries (*see edit below) Idk what the bill will be until it arrives, or if the fact that they didn't have to cut kid open or insert any rods/pins will make a difference in the cost.
*edit: I have $500 deductible with maximum $2500 Co-insurance.

* fuck if I can afford a lawyer:

 Not trying to pull the 'single parent card' but the struggle is real. I have a good paying job and could fit lawyer money into my budget *if* I had to, but I don't think I have a case. Plus the lawyer may cost as much as the hospital bill.

* Kid is fine:

 In case you were wondering. Kid is tough as nails, therapy will be needed but surgery went as smooth as it possibly could have, and kid will likely regain nearly full range of motion with therapy.

Is it worth trying to sue? I'd love for someone else to foot the bill but I don't think anyone else is at fault. I think I may just send a polite email to the sports park, like, I'm not planning to sue but you guys may want to invest in some neon paint or neon duct tape to make those lips a little more visible.

* TLDR

 Other parent thinks the school is part responsible for taking the kid there, and the park bears the other part of the responsibility for having unsafe conditions. I think we're responsible because I probably waived the right to sue, kid didn't have glasses on, kid is clumsy and shit happens.

Answer: Personal injury attorneys typically work on contingency (meaning that they get paid a portion of any winnings) and also tend to give free consultations. While I agree with you that you probably don't have a case, there's no harm in using a free consultation.


Title: International student in U.S threatening his girlfriend (in China) with nudes if she breaks up with him

Question:
Hello, I am in California, US.

I recently learned that a Chinese student studying in my college in California threatened his girlfriend in China with nudes if she tries to breakup with him. He abused her before coming to the U.S, beat her, forced her to get an abortion etc. The girl was abused both physically and mentally and I believe that her confidence was destroyed to the point where she becomes emotionally dependent on the abuser. After people have tried to convince her to leave the scumbag, she messaged the abuser about breaking up and he said he will send her nudes to her employers, friends and family in China in fear of her exposing him. She is very scared of the threat and I am afraid that she will cave in. I have screenshots of the messages that include him saying all that, but the messages were written in Chinese. I am wondering if there is anything I can do to help her? Is there enough ground that I can report to the city police to try to get him arrested?

Answer: You can report him to your school's disciplinary authorities.


Title: Is this jaywalking? [NY]

Question: OK, so I was on a street in a small town in a college.  There was a no walk sign.  I waited at the no walk sign, and a police car showed up.  The no walk sign didn't change to walk, and the police car waited for like a minute.  Because I thought the police car was waiting for me and didn't want to be rude, I crossed the street.  The police car drove and claimed that I should not have walked and that I was going to get run over.  I apologized.  But the situation seemed unclear.  Is this jaywalking?  I was not doing it intentionally whatsoever.

Answer: Yes, walking against the signal is jaywalking.


Title: I totally forgot about jury duty, and then got a "failure to appear" letter a month later.

Question:
Hey guys, I live in Alpharetta, Georgia and I got my first jury summons a while back. I was scheduled to appear on November 16th. But, I totally forgot about it.

At the time of receiving my letter, I filled in the online questionnaire thing and I requested for a mobile notification to remind me, but I never got any message or a call. Did I set it up wrong or something?

Now today, I got a second letter stating that I failed to appear and they want me to call them. The letter also says that failure to respond to this letter will result in contempt of court hearing. I will be order to appear before a superior court judge to explain my failure to appear for jury duty and responding of this letter. Max $500 fine and 20 day jail sentence.

I will be calling them on monday, but when I do, what should I say? I have no actual excuse except for "it's my first time, I totally forgot about it, I never received my phone notificaton"....

I really don't wanna pay a huge fine/serve jail time.... and I'm pretty scared at the moment.

I have no intention of skipping jury duty or anything and would love a second chance and reschedule... I missed it because I'm very irresponsible and forgetful at times. :/

Thank you for any help....

Answer:
 Just call and reschedule.  Nothing else will happen.

Keep your own calendar and don't count on anyone else reminding you of places you have to be.Answer #2: Don't worry about it, just call and reschedule.  Based on your explanation of the letter, the fine and jail sentence would result from your failure to respond to the second letter/contempt of court, not just missing the first time.  Which makes sense - it would be extremely unusual for there to be a fine or jail time for missing jury duty a single time.

You just forgot to show up for jury duty.  This happens every single day.  Just make sure you call on Monday and apologize and reschedule!


Title: My girlfriend went shopping with my credit card (consent given). H&M confiscated the card from her. Recourse? [US-MD]

Question: They refuse to return it to her.

Answer: They are doing you a favor. Some girl could just have your credit card and could be going on a shopping spree. You should thank them. Imagine if all you had to do was use a card and then hand someone a cell phone with some person (that they cannot physically verify) saying that it is ok. You sound a little irritated but they are doing the right thing.Answer #2: Go get your card. It's that simple.


Title: How to get rid of liability

Question: I am a college student who lives in Kansas and  has rented a house in gulf shores. I am wondering what is the best way to cover big time damages ( if there is any) and make sure I'm not liable for anything that happens. Is this possible? Is there a type of insurance that I can get to cover these things or could I write a contract and have someone else sign that they will take the liability? I have already mailed the check and security deposit.

Answer:
 No, it doesn't work like that.  You can't just sign away all potential unforeseen liability.

Insurance can help protect you in situations in which you are liable.


Title: Park rangers reported employee for smoking weed to employer

Question: I live and work in a National Park for the concessions in California. A manager of the concessions was spotted smoking marijuana out of the employee housing area in the woods by the Rangers. They did not ticket him or arrest him but they did report him smoking to the HR department of the concessions. He has now been terminated, is this legal? Can the ranger/police report to your employer? Is there not confidentiality?

Answer: Why would there be confidentiality between a park ranger and someone smoking pot? Answer #2: Why would you think there is confidentiality between law enforcement and anyone? Further, why would illegal actions be confidential?


Title: I am the lead tenant in a shared house being reported to the police for allegedly using a (not hidden) security camera in a communal space. What is my position? (UK)

Question:
For this text, I'll be referring to myself as "Tenant A" (or just "TA"), "Tenant B" ("TB"), Tenant B's partner" (or "BP") and Tenant C ("TC").

I apologise if this turns into a bit of a rant, but most of this will paint a picture of the people I'm dealing with. I will try and maintain objectivity and anonymity as much as possible.

To give some background, TB and myself moved into a new flat about a year ago, around the time TB and BP started dating.
Soon after, BP started spending time at the flat, which I had no objections too. Until the point at which BP was spending more time at the flat than BP's home. I was somewhat perturbed though when bank statements started arriving for BP.

BP started acting like they were a tenant when no discussion to that extent had occurred with myself or the landlord (who's contract it would have been in breach of at the time).
By "acting like a tenant" I mean, for example, whining about me cleanliness etc. when I am by far the cleanest (I will not stop cleaning until things are spotless).

Regardless, BP moved in with no discussion between TB and myself. BP has not and is still not working and cannot afford to contribute to the household, though an offer of a token contribution from TB or BP would have been appreciated and most likely would have politely refused.

A few months after moving in BP was in the house alone during the day, they were convinced someone had come into the house whilst BP was bathing. The police were called and came to investigate though nothing came of it, BP was pretty shaken up and TB and myself were fairly concerned and additional bolts were added to the door. Though this didn't stop TB and BP regularly leaving the side and front doors unlocked.

In the last month, TC has moved into the property, he is also domestically and generally considerate.

Recently both BP and TB went on holiday, they had left clothes washing out. As I didn't know how long they were staying for and I wanted to use the clothes washing facilities, I neatly put their clothes away and went to put them in their room.

There are only three occasions when I enter TB's room: to turn the light off (which is left on regularly), to turn the large (energy hungry) plasma TV off (which is also left on regularly) and finally to put their washing (which is left out regularly) on TB's bed (which is by the door). None of these activities involves entering the room more than a metre. I've never received any comment from TB or BP with regards to these activities.

To my previous point of when they were on holiday, when I went to put the washing in their room, I found that I was unable to open the door, I thought this was unusual as we **do not have internal locks**. The door had been barricaded by TB's bed being wedged against the door. I wondered how this had been achieved and went outside to find TB's window (which is visible from the main road which is no more than 5 metres away) open. I sent a message to both TB and BP with no response after several hours.

I could have locked the window from the outside with a piece of string though I thought this action would be malicious as I saw no way it would be possible to get back into the room through the door and so I did not humour the idea anymore.

The only reasonable course of action I found was to climb into the window, lock it to secure the household and move the bed so I could then leave the room. I did not touch or tamper with **anything**.

The window was extremely easy to climb into and the bed easy to move. leaving a massive opportunity to thieves to enter the property in which we have items of significant value.

After TB and BP returned, they did not mention anything about the window.

BP sent me a rather impolite message about leaving a couple of glasses on the side, I (genuinely) politely reminded her that occasionally leave things when I'm busy, reminded her of how much washing of theirs I do as well as things like putting their clothes washing out when it's been left in the machine. And that things of mine (such as these glasses) are always deliberately left out from being washed when they are doing the washing. I always endeavour to do all of the washing regardless of who has created it, because we share most kitchenware.

After my statement BP said something to the extent of "I'll do what I like", and then blocked me and hasn't acknowledged me or my greetings and talked to me since (BP and I have been friends for the greater part of a decade).

That is until BP and TB came home late the other night, I acknowledged both of them, they ignored me, BP then greeted TC's cat by name and begun to feed her. I said she'd already been fed. BP stated that "TC said you (TA) haven't been feeding her". Which I thought unusual as TC and I ensure every day that the cat has her two sachets of food.
I maintained a calm and reasonable tone but with this comment BP started shouting and swearing at me, calling me a "nasty ****" and saying this like "you're mental, you broke into our room". I told BP that we had found the window open and tried to contact them with no avail. At which point BP stormed out, knocked the bin over and slammed the door. I will admit I raised my voice, but I did not resort to any name calling, swearing or aggression.

Over the next few days, I found things like spices being emptied in my cupboard, tiny screws of things I've been working on tipped out onto my desk and guitars put out of tune.

I don't think it would be without justification to use a security camera to see what was happening in communal areas.

There are many more instances of myself being considerate and domestic to the utmost, with TB and BP being much, much less so. Including, TB deliberately parking their car in the drive to block me in, when 90% of the time I deliberately park off the drive to allow TB to park, the doors being bolted from the inside to prevent myself and TC getting in, and so on.

The webcam on my computer in the communal area has been regularly covered up by BP, even at times when it's been entirely unplugged. With no words about it actually said to be about it or their discomfort at there being a camera.

**TLDR: BP has reported me to the police for trying to keep a house secure that TB and BP are paranoid is not (even though they regularly leave it insecure).**

Update: they are now in the process moving out, which may explain why they've been escalating their behaviour

Answer:
 This sounds like less of a legal issue and more of a "we need to sit down and hash some shit out" issue. You've leveled a couple complaints TB and BP (that BP moved in without discussion, etc.) but you haven't mentioned talking to TB or BP about these concerns. You all need to sit down and talk out your, and their, issues, and figure out if you can get along or not. Just stewing in your anger, even if you're not doing stupid spiteful stuff like emptying spice jars, isn't helping anyone.Answer #2: Suggestion:

Cross Post this to /r/LegalAdviceUK. Answer #3: You might also want to xpost to /r/relationships, since this sounds like a domestic clusterfuck, and was infuriating to read.


Title: (Indiana) Update: "Friends" of my dead brother took his electronics the same day he died and refuse to give them to my parents, claiming he told them he wanted them to have it if anything happened to him.

Question:
Previous post: https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/6iem89/my_brother_died_friends_of_the_relatives_refused/

TLDR: Brother died. "Friends" of his volunteered to clean his apartment the same day of his death. They took his computer and things valued at least $4,500 based on what I knew he had.

"Friends" told my parents there wasn't much and then when I pointed out that he had some things and if they'll allow me to have it, they then said that my brother told them that if anything happened with him, he wanted them to have it "because he wasn't close to his real family."

What happens now? Do I file a police report? What would you do? We all live out of state. Can anyone really just claim that the deceased told them to have it or does it required them to provide a will?

Answer:
 Police report, yes.

They can claim all they want, but until and unless it goes through probate (or small-estate process, if applicable), his property belongs to his estate, and stealing from the estate is, well, *stealing*.

Edit: having read your other post, it's not clear whether your mother gave away his belongings or not. Can you clarify?


Title: The company I am with is being dissolved and I was only given 1 week's notice. Am I entitled to employee redundancy liabilities?

Question: I read an article that stated "Where between 20 and 99 employees need to be made redundant, legislation requires a minimum 30-day consultation period before redundancy notices are issued. For more than 100 employees, the consultation period must be at least 90 days. Employees may be able to claim protective awards of up to three months’ pay if this does not happen. The employer has a defence if there are “exceptional circumstances”, but the courts have said the mere fact that a business is insolvent does not in itself constitute this." this was from a website in the UK. Does this apply in the US?

Answer:
 Foreign laws don’t apply in the US; and generally speaking workers in many foreign countries receive *far* more protections than enjoyed by US workers.

In this one instance, the US has a similar law called the WARN Act; but the maximum penalty is 60 days of wages, not 90. OT also only applies in mass layoffs; not smaller ones.


Title: [USA] If I accidentally kill someone and get charged with Involuntary Manslaughter, could I claim that I killed them on purpose to get the case thrown out on a technicality and be safe due to double jeopardy?

Question:
This idea arose from the recent case of a Police Officer getting charged with Involuntary Manslaughter for shooting into a crowd and killing a woman. The cop was acquitted because the judge deemed that shooting into a crowd is so obviously dangerous that it does not qualify as Involuntary Manslaughter but First Degree Murder. Because of Double Jeopardy they could not charge him for murder and the cop walked away a free man.

Does this set the precedent that would allow others to get out of involuntary manslaughter charges by claiming that it was actually intentional, pre-meditated murder? Seems like a pretty dangerous precedent to set. I don't know too much about the law, so what would happen if someone actually tried this in court?

Edit: My bad, I should have included the link to begin with.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-chicago-police-detective-manslaughter-trial-0421-met-20150420-story.html#page=1

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/chicago-cop-cleared-in-unarmed-womans-shooting-death/

Answer:
 >They dropped the charges because the judge deemed that shooting into a crowd is so obviously dangerous that it does not qualify as Involuntary Manslaughter but First Degree Murder. Because of Double Jeopardy they could not charge him for murder and the cop walked away a free man.

I'm willing to bet my next pay check that this is not at all even close to what *actually* happened.

Edit to give you some info on double jeopardy:

[Here is the wikipedia link.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_jeopardy#United_States)

Jeopardy attaches when the jury is empanelled, first witness sworn, or plea is entered.  So if none of those things happened in your "case" and the charges were dropped before those events, there is no jeopardy.  Answer #2: This is an exceptionally, shockingly bad idea.Answer #3: Please link to a credible source about this "case".