Title: Campus police caught my brother off campus and searched his vehicle (off campus) -- now he's facing marijuana charges.

Question:
My brother is a minor, 17, still in high school, and we live in California so everyone smokes weed. That's an exaggeration, but barely. There are campus cops (not real cops), and campus supervisors (babysitters). The campus is closed, so no one is allowed off campus at lunchtime, and supervisors guard the car exits from the parking lot to enforce that.

 Naturally, high schoolers will find a way out of anything, so the industrious ones park off campus and hop a fence/find another way out to smoke weed at lunch or go get tacos or whatever. Little bro walks off campus at lunch, not seen by any supervisors, walks into the residential neighborhood where he parked his truck, and he and a friend are about to drive off when a campus supervisor walking in the neighborhood (off campus) recognizes them and flags them down. She cites them for breaking the closed campus rules and then calls the campus cop over to deal with them. Campus cop demands to search the vehicle, little bro doesn't know any better than to say yes, so he does. Cop finds a little over 1/8th of weed, a (really cool science glass) bong, and other paraphernalia. He's suspended for breaking campus rules and facing legal charges for possession.

Now here's my question: supervisors catch kids leaving campus, but are they allowed to catch them in the middle of a random neighborhood? Where does their jurisdiction end? I know cars in the high school lot can be searched without probable cause (when you get your parking pass you sign something that says so), but what about cars off campus? What constitutes probable cause? What's a campus cop's influence?

I know what he did was wrong, and illegal, but this sounded a little fishy to me, and I'm wondering what rights he has.

Thanks,
Monsieur Kitty Wiggles

Edit: I would like to sincerely apologize for being a bit of a lawless idiot. I have my green card so weed is legal for me, and between that bias and the bias toward my little brother (because, you know, he's my brother). He did something wrong, not the supervisors or the police, and he should face punishment. I panicked. Thanks for waking me up.

Answer:
 Most school police, at high schools, are actual sworn officers with all of the same authority as any other officer.

the search was consented to by your brother, from what you have told us.Answer #2: > There are campus cops (not real cops)

In most areas, 'campus cops' are just as legitimate as any other officers, just with a more limited jurisdiction.

>  Where does their jurisdiction end?

Wherever the law says it does.  In *most* areas, an officer's legal jurisdiction is far broader than their agency jurisdiction.  As an example, many states recognize officer jursdiction across the entire state.  So a police officer from tiny Dixon, IL can start pulling people over in Chicago, if he wants.

> I know cars in the high school lot can be searched without probable cause (when you get your parking pass you sign something that says so), but what about cars off campus?

That's going to depend on the situation.  In general, an officer needs probable cause to search a vehicle, but your brother's agreement with the district may change that.

In your brother's specific case, however, it sounds as if he **agreed** to the search, rendering arguments about probable cause moot.

> What constitutes probable cause?

That differs from situation to situation.  We can't say whether they did, or did not have probable cause in this situation.  Answer #3: > we live in California so everyone smokes weed. That's an exaggeration, but barely.

Not barely. For people in your brother's age group in your state, 8.83% smoke marijuana. That's 91.17% away from "everyone."

But math aside, as others have said he consented to the search.


Title: Can a boss of a privately owned business in Oregon, fire you for not saying "hi"

Question: A coworker got threatened they would get fired if they did not say "hi" to the boss. Coworker gladly talks business and is plenty cordial and professional, but when it comes to small talk or simply saying HI, they simply nod. Boss sees the nod, but this is unacceptable as he feels disrespect in front of the rest of the employees. Is that legal in oregon at a privately owned small business? thanks

Answer: yes.Answer #2: If fired for this reason, apply for unemployment and look for a new job.Answer #3: Oregon is an at will state meaning they can fire you for any non illegally discriminatory reason and you can quit for any reason.


Title: Let go from job Friday, still no paycheck (CO)

Question:
I gave my two-week notice two Wednesdays ago, but my employer told me I had to leave Friday (this last Friday) instead of finishing my last week. Since I was let go, am I correct in that I should have received my last paycheck on my last day? I've contacted multiple people in the company over the past two days, and nobody has gotten back to me. Please tell me this company is not going to screw with me to the very bitter end.

Update: Thanks for the feedback, everyone. In the end, I apparently was correct in assuming I should've received my paycheck on my last day because my former boss called and apologized for not having it ready for me.

Answer:
 How many employees?

Is there a separate payroll/accounting department?

When is the normal payroll processing day?

Did your last day fall on the normal payroll processing day?


Title: Campus security search and seizure

Question:
First time poster, long time lurker, really need advice

I go to a private college on the west coast (California). I live on campus in a suite of 4 people total with two rooms and a common area.

A day ago campus security along with the RA came by at 3 in the morning, unannounced and proceeded unlock our door and come into our room. They wake my roomate and I up and search our room, finding nothing. The reason you might ask? A no parking sign seen through our other two suitemate's window is "suspected" to be stolen.

The problem is that
1. My two suitemates aren't home
2. The sign that was spotted wasn't stolen, but was bought online

Campus security then proceeds to search through all of their room and the common area. They confiscate the usual dorm items of alcohol and my suitemates bong from the common area. For my suitemates, they found a small bag of weed, and a fake ID while also taking the sign.

My question is whether the reason given to enter the room at 3 IN THE MORNING for a "stolen sign," is a valid one. I also have to point out that the room was dead silent, so there was no bs noise complaint to allow them a way in.

My university has a code of conduct that says a search is warranted:
"When there exists a reasonable suspicion that a violation of student conduct expectations is being committed, or has been committed, and/or the delay would endanger the health and safety of the resident"
The break in the student code of conduct that allowed for the search will probably be cited as
Theft of property.

With that being said am I being unreasonable by wanting to appeal the fine we've recieved by calling the search completely bs.

From our POV you can look through anyone's window and see any item, such as a TV, and just claim that you think it's stolen. The search at 3 a.m. without consent when it could have been conducted anytime also seems odd to me. It all adds up to a gross misuse of power, where campus security will claim that the ends, finding legitimately illicit substances, justify the means, entering a room and searching without consent and without a cause that anyone would call reasonable.

At the end of the day I can live with the small fine I personally will receive, and the repercussions of breaking the code of conduct about alcohol in the common area. It just irks me the way in which the search happened and the reason given why.

Any advice is much appreciated.

Tl:dr  Campus security breaks into dorm because of suspected "stolen sign" on wall, and find weed in their room. Was this a legit search, and can we appeal?

Answer: In a private university, you have no Fourth Amendment rights with respect to their actions.  You can appeal through the regular university process, whatever that is, but that's pretty much it.


Title: My neighbor is threatening to take me to court because water from my aerobic system gets on her plants when the wind blows.

Question:
I live in a rather large HOA neighborhood in North East Texas. It is a requirement that each home has an aerobic septic system. Yesterday our neighbor behind us complained that our septic sprinkler has gone off several times and that it is spraying into her yard. No big deal! We adjusted the sprinkler head spray distance and my husband walked near the fence line to make sure it did not spray him as the sprinkler rotated.

Today she said that it is still spraying into her yard and ruining her flowers. When I told her we calibrated it and double checked to make sure it didn't cross (or even come within 5 ft of) the fence line, she said that her plants still get wet if the sprinkler is running and the wind blows and that if we don't get it fixed that she will take us to court.

By law our aerobic system is inspected 3x per year and we have records of each passing inspection. Are there any other documents I need or actions I should take to protect myself if she does choose to take us to court? I can prove passing inspections but I am not sure how I would prove that we calibrated the sprinkler head or prove that the sprinkler does not actually spray her yard.

Answer:
 \>  she will take us to court.
Empty threat.
Even if she does
1) she has no damages
2) you have airtight evidence

Ignore her.


Title: A local CU ran a "Christmas Club" promotion but are now refusing to pay the interest as advertised and laid out in the account opening paperwork

Question:
Ok, so basically a local CU (Credit Union) ran a "Christmas Club" promotion with an insane monthly interest. 15% Interest monthly with zero account fees if you did not withdraw before November 1st. Anything with 15% interest is insane, so I hopped on the wagon in January to basically make free money.

I carefully read all their terms and conditions for the account and then took a loan out mid January from my main bank and put the funds entirely into the Christmas Club account. They had no issues back in January accepting the money or the more money I've been putting into it every month since then. There was nothing at all stipulating the max the account could gather interest on. Again for those of you not super into banking, 15% interest is absolutely insane for something that's less than a 1 year investment.

Now I've been checking the account monthly because they have a page that shows you how much you've made in interest each month and what your total will be on November 1st if you don't withdraw anything. No issues whatsoever during this time. The issue started on November 1st when I went to close the account and get a check cut. They refused to pay ANY interest on the deposited funds.

They claim I used it "not in good faith" and simply wanted a profit. Well yeah I mean I'm sure 99.9% of the people who do this put less than $2,000 into the account all year but that's besides the point. They offered an interest bearing account and I did not break any of their rules on the account.

I'm looking for anyone that knows where I begin? I've contacted one attorney who told me "this is a fight you should win on paper but won't in a court room". I asked for an explanation and yea I looked to simply make a profit but they are the ones who offered the terms and didn't cap the account and for the entire year did not have an issue accepting more money into the account.

Topic:
Consumer Law

Answer:
 Their explanation is bullshit and not a legal defense.

You should file a CFPB complaint, as well as a complaint with your states bank regulator. You also will be able to sue the bank in small claims court if the complaints don't get you the $$ depending on where you live & your states small claims court limits.


Title: Legally interesting? So that time my college professor stabbed his ex to death

Question:
It came up in conversation today and I figured the regulars might be interested.

Back in the early 2000s I was finishing the first of my three liberal arts degrees (...shut up) and had a linguistics class. It was mildly interesting and I got to learn a variety of things about dialects and the evolution of language.

Then one day my professor showed up to class and burst into tears. He announced that his wife had been murdered, he was a suspect, and he was going to say no more on the subject than that at the advice of his lawyer, and he would keep class going as usual.

Yeah, he did. For another year. Then they arrested him.

It turns out his ex currently had custody of their 4 y/o daughter and was going to push to get full custody and move with the daughter across the country. She was an attorney and starting a new family and apparently had a pretty solid shot overall.

He objected. 13 stab wounds to the neck and back objected.

Apparently aside from the defensive wounds on the prof, the DNA evidence, etc one of the core pieces was that he had spent extensive time Googling such phrases as "how to kill someone and get away with it" as well as talking with colleagues about planning a murder for a "spec script he was writing."

That in particular annoys me just because dude was a professor and had access to the research databases AND Lexis. Like, that's just lazy.

Anyway it came up and I thought I'd ramble about it. Couple pieces to note:

1: Dude's most recent appeal on evidence handling failed because he agreed in front of a camera to let the cops search his things in relation to the case.

2: It took a year for the DA to build the case. During that time dude's daughter was with him and he completed teaching my course and a few others.

3: The trial itself was over inside 5 weeks, which I think was something of a record for a capital crime in that court.

So yeah, things about a real case for those who geek out about them.

Answer:
 Interesting story, thanks!

> That in particular annoys me just because dude was a professor and had access to the research databases AND Lexis. Like, that's just lazy.

First, lol!  Now then, was there any reason to suspect he didn't first exhaust those resources before asking around?


Title: Under what circumstances would my employer not be able to say why a coworker left?

Question:
A longtime coworker is gone, suddenly, today. The email informing us all didn't specify if he quit or was fired. We're all pretty shocked and confused. My boss says he is not legally able to tell us what happened, but we can ask the (ex)coworker. He is not responding to anyone. I don't think it is due to a non-compete clause or anything like that. Does anyone have any idea what circumstances would keep my employer from telling us what happened? This is in Missouri.

EDIT: Forgot location

Answer:
 Quit being so nosy. If this guy wanted to talk to you he would have gotten back to you. Respect his privacy.

> He is not responding to anyone

There's your clue. MYOB.Answer #2: Barring some kind of NDA, there is nothing that would legally prevent it from being discussed.  There are plenty of reasons why it's a *bad idea* to discuss it though.  Usually it's a good sign that something went very south, very quickly.  Whether that's on the company's side or your coworkers, it's impossible to guess.


Title: Police hit my boyfriend's (29) car and insurance company is saying they won't pay due to it happening during an emergency. Ohio

Question:
Hi everyone,

My boyfriend's (age 29) car was parked on the street legally. Someone on the street had a medical emergency and while trying to block the cul-de-sac, the police backed up and hit my boyfriend's car with the bike rack. The whole front bumper on the left side was left hanging off of the car.

The police came to the door and said they had to file a report. They were apologetic and got the insurance information and took their own pictures.

The car is old but it could not be driven until the bumper was secured. My boyfriend's insurance provider (he only has liability) said that nothing could be done because it happened "during an emergency"

My question is is this legal? The car is older, yes, but it's the principal of it. If the police hit someone's brand new car they could just get away with it because it was an emergency? It doesn't sound right to me.

Boyfriend is going to talk to the police directly as I feel like their insurance should be the one taking care of it.

Answer:
 Yeah, the city should pay for that.  Call them.Answer #2: Your BF has liability, his insurance's opinion means nothing.

The police department's insurance will 100% cover this. Talk to their insurance provider. Answer #3: “Only has liability” means that his insurance will NEVER pay for damage to his car - they only pay for damage HE CAUSED to others. That’s why they won’t pay. As others have said the police insurance should pay. If he wants his car to be protected he should get collision / comprehensive coverage as well going forward.Answer #4: Your BF's insurance won't pay because he only has liability.  Your boyfriend needs to speak with the police department.Answer #5: Your boyfriend's insurance refusing to pay for damages "because it was an emergency" is not true. They won't and can't pay to repair his vehicle because he didn't purchase collision coverage. Answer #6: Correct, his insurance will not pay. The cop's insurance will have to pay.


Title: My cousin was delivered a package that she did not order and it's not her right address. LEGALLY, can she keep it?

Question: I need to know if she can get a fine, or even arrested for that or can she keep the package because really it wasnt her problem that it got delivered wrongly.  Also, does the person that bought the items lose that money or can they file a claim and get their money back.

Answer:
 It must be addressed to her for this law to apply.

She must return a package delivered to the wrong address back to the post office or mailman.

It is a felony to keep other people's mail.

Answer #2: No, she cannot legally keep items that do not belong to her.


Title: (NY) HIPAA Violation?

Question: This past month has been a nightmare from me and anyone who gives me advice is much appreciated. I experienced an accidental overdose and was hospitalized overnight for it. During that stay I was assured no one would find out it was me who OD’d because of HIPAA. Fast forward 24 hours and my inboxes are blowing up with people who think I died. I have a Facebook message thread where someone names an EMT who specifically told people I was the one who overdosed and details about my health (self harm markings and that I had to stay overnight). Two days after I was discharged I went for a walk and someone screamed “JUNKIE” at me from their car. I ended up being psychiatrically hospitalized because I am so ashamed and depressed. I already suffer from a number of diagnosed mental illnesses. I’m now afraid to leave the house and go out in public. I lost my job because of this, I became homeless, and my therapy was changed to once a week again. My meds were increased because I can barely handle this stress. I’m a wreck and I’m upset that my information was shared with random people who I don’t even know, they just asked him because they’re nosy and knew him being an EMT and a gossiper, would tell. Thank you for anyone who actually reads this. I just want to know if it’s worth taking to court.

Answer:
 You can't sue the EMT because of a HIPAA violation. But you can report it, and they should be penalized for it. Look into reporting the violation, first to the company they work for. Answer #2: There is no private cause of action for violations of HIPAA and you would be hard pressed to make any other kind of case.  Even if you could prove some other violation the extent of your damages are not foreseeable.  You should keep getting therapy and appropriate medication and try to move on, there is no lawsuit.  You can report the HIPAA violation to his supervisors or HHS.

Edit - a word cause fuck autocorrect


Title: Should I write a character affidavit without knowing the underlying case? [United States]

Question:
**Some Facts:**

* I reside in the US

* I know that an affidavit must be factual, and lying/stretching the truth is perjury.

* I'd like to negate, or at least minimize, my exposure to the public record.

**Background**

I was asked to file an affidavit as a character witness for a close friend.

I know nothing about the case or why I was asked to provide this statement.

**Main Questions**

* If I choose to write the affidavit, will I know anything about the case prior to writing and signing the document? (I assume I'll be filing it in a court in view of a witness/notary)

* If I write an affidavit that praises the individual, but they turn out to be a terrible person (like a Nazi sympathizer for instance), could that cause any future repercussions ?

**Moral of the Story**

If I go to the courthouse, or wherever I must to write this document, will I actually know **WHY** I'm writing it before I actually write, sign, and submit the document?

Thanks for all your time, and I'll be happy to answer more questions, but the state will be off limits for now (unless it is absolutely required to answer this question).

**EDIT:**  A big thank-you to everyone that provided feedback to a rather generic question.  You have provided ways to interpret this situation that I couldn't conceive on my own.  +1 for this sub.

Mods, you can mark this post as 'solved' or 'closed.'  In this brief amount of time, the users have provided a new perspective on the situation.  THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

**EDIT2:**  Because I promised, providing a link to the update here...[https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/6p5f6w/update_should_i_write_a_character_affidavit/](https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/6p5f6w/update_should_i_write_a_character_affidavit/)

Answer:
 You probably won't go to court.

Why don't you just ask the "close friend" what the situation is?Answer #2: Look up the case.  You're right that you could be on the record defending a child molestor/drug dealer/ rapist and it might be public information.  Arrest records and court settings are public information.  They are easier to find in some places than others.


Title: My old boss / old coworkers are trying to mess with me again through company email

Question:
I worked at European Wax Center for exactly 3 months in 2017 (July 13th to October 13th) they fired me on the last possible day of the probation period to make sure I couldn't file for unemployment or any of that stuff but still get the most time out of me.

The entire time I was there all the other staff were incredibly rude to me. It was a very toxic work environment with a lot of drama that I didn't want to get myself into so I just kept to myself. The other employees didn't like that so they all ganged up on me and made up lies to tell my boss. The whole time I was there they all told my boss I was rude to customers, consistently paging the wrong employees, and just saying I was making a lot of mistakes that I couldn't prove were not true. Those were their reasons for firing me and they were all false.

Two weeks ago (a year after I was fired) I went to a Different store location to get waxed. This is the first time I've been to one of the companies stores since I was fired. This morning my old boss sends me an email that just says "Good morning, please see attached and confirm". The attachment won't open, says it's not supported on my device and/or corrupted. I've had this issue with some kinds of files before on my phone so I transfer it to my Dropbox and try to open it there and I get a message that just says "virus found". My old boss is now trying to corrupt my phone/laptop with a virus for no reason. It's a secured company email, it was even sent as a reply to an email thread we had going last year when I was first hired. Is there anything I can do about this? I live in PA. This is incredibly unprofessional.

Answer:
 Honestly, to me it sounds more like your old boss’ computer is infected with a virus than them actively trying to infect you with one.

What you described is a classic tactic used by malware to spread. The malware will send out an email to all contacts found on an infected computer with a generic text asking them to open an attached file.


Title: My roommate and I put a deposit down on an apartment and signed a lease - the landlord then told us that we had to pay 1st months rent well before the start of our tenancy. We asked to have the deposit refunded (which was in our lease agreement) and have now been blocked. What should we do?

Question: We are two teenagers who just got scammed out of $1620 during a global pandemic and don’t know what to do or who to contact.

Answer:
 > we had to pay 1st months rent well before the start of our tenancy

This is normal.

What does the lease say about all this?


Title: English Contract Law: Can someone revoce an offer on a newspaper if someone has accepted it though email on the same day?

Question: [deleted]

Answer: Obvious homework is obvious.


Title: Employer lied about my wage and I’m owed roughly $1200 but they won’t reimburse

Question: I currently work for a large retail company. I began as a seasonal associate, got hired on as a normal part time associate, and as of October of last year I was promoted to a full-time management member. With this promotion, I was told I’d be making $12/hour in talks with the District Manager and my Co. This wage was also discussed with my actual Store Manager. My company does require forms to be signed agreeing to be promoted and to agree to the new wage offered, however my SM didn’t tell me any of that and I was just started on training. Little did I know, the DM and my SM discussed it further and said they needed to do $11 instead and without informing me whatsoever of that change went ahead and approved the $11. As far as I was concerned I was supposed to have been making $12 and it was only yesterday that I found out that I hadn’t been making it all along. Can I do anything? I’m assuming if there is no physical proof of them telling me $12 (other than my Co clearly remember $12 as well, she’s just as enraged as I am) I can’t really do much in terms of reimbursement. I am just livid knowing that I was told one thing and just like everyone else, I have things to do and expenses to pay for and I have been missing out on that extra money to help. Can I do anything? Is there a way I could call her out on the form not being signed? Help please.

Answer:
 This is a tough situation, since it is a large company it might be easier to try and get it sorted out with HR. HR works for the company first, but they still might be able to get you copies of the information related to your promotion.  I would stay calm and friendly and start there to see what kind of documentation they have.

You could also check with the person who would be able to give you a raise and see if they will be willing to bump you up to $12 an hour now based on the good work you have been doing.

It's a small amount to go to a lawyer with and a labor board will take time and be a hassle.

If you feel this company has wronged you maybe you should start applying at their competitors. A job search now might get you a job that pays more anyways.  It's always better to search for another job when you already have one.


Title: Caught using a fake I.D. in North Carolina ABC store.

Question:
I tried to buy some gin at an ABC Store that I thought was outside of my university county. I got caught and the lady took my I.D. and I left. She then turned it in and I got an email from an ABC Investigator saying I need to call and arrange a time to pick up my citation. I called and there was no answer so I left a voicemail saying my name and number that is it. I also emailed him just to say I called him.

The only issue I have is apparently they take your license away for a year if you get caught doing this so I was thinking of just acting like I have no clue how they got my I.D. but it has my picture and real name on it. They got my email from my univeristys database. What is my best course of action? I'm assuming it is to lawyer up.

Answer:
 > What is my best course of action?

1. Stop talking to cops.
2. Hire an attorney.


Title: The police confiscated my knives and won't return them to me

Question: I was arrested for shoplifting, and I carry 3 throwing knives on me, which the cops all took. All of the knives considered legal in my state - Illinois. This is Chicago specifically. They wouldn't give me the knives back, and these knives were pretty expensive. And I have asked for them back.

Answer:
 Why the hell do you carry throwing knives that are supposedly not for combat but for art?Answer #2: r/justneckbeardthingsAnswer #3: So, let me get this straight. You took throwing knives from a state they're legal in and brought them with you into another state that they aren't legal, and you're upset they won't give them back? How in the hell did you make it to your age?

NAL. You need a damn lawyer; court-appointed or hire you're own. If you walk into that courtroom lawyerless the judge is going to be pissed because it comes off as you not taking this seriously.


Title: [WA STATE US] Boyfriend of dead grandmother refusing to hand over property to the executor of the estate.

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 To be honest, you're far more likely to get weird advice here than from your lawyer. Do you have any particular concerns regarding your lawyer?

If the boyfriend has been living in the house then I suspect he needs to be treated as a tenant and given the appropriate written notice to vacate the property (which I understand to be a 20-Day Notice of Termination of Tenancy in WA) but I am unsure how this process would be affected by the property now being owned by a deceased estate. Talk with your lawyer and if you're concerned with their advice for some reason you can seek another one.Answer #2: He is unfortunately considered a tenant. Until everything goes through and your husband officially owns the home, there's not a whole lot you can do. His "lease" is currently owned by the estate.

Once the house is in your possession, you can truly work on getting him out, but it will be a LENGTHY process. Since there is no actual lease, it's assumed to be a month-to-month deal, which means 20 days notice to vacate. If he doesn't comply, you can then start the eviction process through the courts.


Title: Trial date set, defending myself. What's the best next step?

Question:
Looking for suggestions on how to proceed.  Here is the list of current events.

1.  Served summons and complaint by CACH LLC for possibly debt out of statute of limitations
2.  Answerd complaint with prayer to dismiss
3.  Recieved status conference in which CACH LLC tried to appear telephonically but judge said they had to show up in person. They hired a local lawyer to represent them locally.
4. Now i have a trial date set for end of August.

My goal

1.   Would like to file a discovery to see what they actually have.
2 .  Would like to file as many summary motions as possibly to get case dismissed... Or file any motions really.

I am completely unfamiliar with legal process and just need a little help understanding the proper format/process to go through.

Also, i saw these guys (CACH LLC) seem to bend rlues often, as seen on forums, so how do i become aware of all the rules so i can call them out?

FYI. In boise idaho, CACH LLC is predominantly represented in California

Answer:
 Next step?  Reconsider your idea of defending yourself.

If you want to lob out motions,  fine,  but they need to have merit.  If you want discovery,  review your states rules of civil procedure on how to do that.


Title: Fired over African-American hair

Question:
A woman at my job was fired because the owner didn't like her natural hair. It was kept up in two poms on her head instead of straightened and pulled back like usual. He told her that her hair was scary and when she responded that his remark was kind of disrespectful, he told her to get out.

A white coworker had am extremely similar haircut, but nothing was said to her.

I helped her file a complaint with the EEOC, have contacted the NAACP, and have gotten a local newspaper to interview her Monday.

I just want to know if there's anything else I can  do, or if I'm doing too much. Many of my co-workers have put in their 2 weeks because of this, so I don't think I'm overreacting too much.

Answer:
 This is the heart of the Chastity Jones suit that's hopefully going to the SCOTUS. Hair has been identified as not being racial unless you can show clear evidence that there is differential treatment. A business could possibly just say that no one with kinky hair can work for them because they think their customers don't believe kinky hair is professional. The racial component to this is strong but as of yet there isn't protection for hair directly. Answer #2: Good luck. This path will be a tough road for her. I think you are doing everything you can. The only thing I might suggest is making sure she is leading this effort, and not you. This is her life after all. She has to live with the consequence of the legal battle and the notoriety. I wouldn’t do anything without her enthusiastic approval.

Be warned. Black women’s hair, and their unique experience with discrimination generally, is often construed by courts as unprotected under federal employment discrimination protections. Black men and white women are covered, but some courts believe that the law (Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964) was not intended to protect people from discrimination based on overlapping categories. It has been a tragic blind spot. To date the case law is still all over the place. Answer #3: >I just want to know if there's anything else I can do, or if I'm doing too much. Many of my co-workers have put in their 2 weeks because of this

You guys are awesome. I'm so glad there are people like you in the world.Answer #4: Just wanna day, I wish I had coworkers like you.


Title: Help on future job possibilities. Did I just waste all these years in college?!

Question:
I’m currently in my junior year of a four University and will have obtained two bachelors by next year when I graduate. Since one of my majors is criminology, I have been really interested in being a probation officer or police officer and honestly I really want something in that field. Unfortunately, I have two problems. The first is last year I was applying for an internship with a probation department and got denied through background and I don’t have any idea why, but of course, they cannot disclose it. In the interview process they asked me about drug use and I admitted to trying Ecstasy once in 2016 and marijuana a couple times when I was a minor, but no more than 5 times. Now, as I’m 22 years old and looking for other internships to graduate, they all require background test and my question is since the first failed attempt was through a probation internship could I re-do my answers per-say on the future ones or would they somehow have it saved in the background database? I read that ecstasy is an automatic disqualification so I find that unbelievable since why ask those questions and still make the person waste their time with the other application requirements.

Secondly, I am having trouble on understand the law when it comes to mental health and guns. I read that once you have been hospitalized and put in 5150 you cannot buy a gun. So to be a police officer that’s obviously a requirement and I’m wondering if somehow this had something to do with me being disqualified the first time? It’s puzzling since they didn’t ask me any mental health questions so I could never explain how all my hospitalizations happened at around the age of 13-15 years old. Also, there has been no hospitalization since then, not even medication, etc. Is my future really on the line because of silly mistakes I made as a teenager? Or could I somehow get those offenses removed so I can work in law enforcement?

P.S. I live in California.
Notwithstanding, please excuse the mistakes. I’m extremely tired and was writing this on my walk home. Lol

Answer:
 Absolutely do NOT lie in the background phase.

They can forgive a lot of things from your past if you have shown you changed, but if you lie to try to get the job, then there's no reason to believe you won't also lie in a report, lie on the stand, etc.

Integrity in Law Enforcement is critical.


Title: If I go to Canada for a week, partake in some weed, then come back to Utah. Can I be denied employment for failing a hair drug test?

Answer: Well... yeah. If the company drug tests and denies applicants who use drugs, you will not get hired. Cannabis stays in your system for ~a month after.


Title: [MI] [Super speedy update!] Employer retroactively declaring meetings non-mandatory to avoid paying staff for them.

Question:
Initial post: http://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/3apva9/mi_employer_retroactively_declaring_meetings/

TL;DR My very part-time side employer informed me today that the mandatory meeting we had last week wouldn't be paid for, despite the fact that I am a nonexempt hourly employee, the fact that we have been paid for these meetings consistently in the past, and the fact that we were told, in no uncertain terms (and in four emails prior to the meeting), that attendance was mandatory.

After posting here, I shot off a quick email to my manager in response to her email saying I wouldn't be paid for the meeting:

>Manager -

> I believe in the state of Michigan, hourly employees have to be paid for mandatory staff meetings unless they're exempt (i.e. salaried). I'm not arguing whether or not I should be paid for the meeting, as it's all of an hour in the grand scheme of things, but I just wanted to let you know my understanding of the labor law.

> Thanks, stumblepretty

I didn't really feel like bickering about being paid for the meeting, as it was only an hour and this is a very part-time side job; my intention was more to make my manager and boss aware that I recognized this questionable behavior and was going to speak up about it.

I got no email in return, but I did get a call from my coworker tonight saying an email was sent to the business account saying my boss had "changed her mind" and would now be paying us for the meeting. I log into our shared email account (we all regularly access it from home, no big deal) to find that my manager had forwarded my email to my boss's personal email, who replied with (verbatim):

> Then pay her the god damn money ugh!!!

In case you were wondering, the business is not run by toddlers, though you might think it was.

I'm getting my ducks in a row and plan on quitting in the next few weeks (or, more realistically, getting a one-off email from my boss saying my services are no longer needed, as she's wont to do).

Thanks to everyone who offered advice! This has made for an entertaining day.

Answer:
 It baffles me that employers can still be so clueless as to think that making someone show up somewhere to talk about the business is anything other than work time that must be compensated.

Good luck, OP. Thanks for the update.Answer #2: Look for another side job for sure, you are done ! But you are going to go down guns blazing !  As we all should ! Well done !!!!Answer #3: Thanks for the update!


Title: If you make up a fake bill/invoice with an actual organization's name and send it electronically, can you be arrested?

Question: You want to receive money from your parents, so you make up a  fake invoice from a hospital or something, and then, send the fake invoice to the parents so they give you the money, but the evidence of sending it is destroyed by using privacy conscious chat apps that do not keep logs. So no evidence of sending. Can u still get arrested if found out fake?

Answer:
 As u/Cypher_Blue points out it is illegal.  It is also stupid - payments can be tracked.  How would you hide the deposit?

Have you considered, you know, asking your parents for the money...or...and I know this is both bold and unexpected, but getting a job and *earning* it?


Title: [CA] Disturbing black mold in LG refrigerator.

Question:
[deleted]
Topic:
Consumer Law

Answer: Legally? No, wash your damned fridge.


Title: I was fired because of a background check, but people who are actually convicted felons work where I use to work. Can I sue for wrongful termination?

Question:
A few years ago I was super poor and very desperate and I ended up breaking into people's houses for food. Served a month in jail and was given a deferred sentencing. Once I'm done with probation, I basically won't have a record.

A few weeks ago I lost two jobs. One at a gas station and one as tech support. Both places ran a background check and the felonies I was charged with came up. However, I am not convicted of these, they are still only charges until probation is over. I now know for a fact that there is a guy working at the gas station who was actually convicted of two felonies and they did a background check and didn't fire him. Similarly, at the other place I know there are people who have records. Not felonies, but still.

Can I sue either of these places for wrongful termination?

Answer: No, they can fire you for charges and not fire someone else that's been convicted. There are a multitude of factors that may have gone into their decision, but being a felon is not a protected class. There's no wrongful termination.


Title: So I drunkenly stole from my employer and have a question

Question:
I was drunk and stole money from my employer. I have agreed to pay him back but found out today that the paycheck I should have gotten from hours worked prior to the incident, I won't get. The check would've have been more than enough to cover the money. He is still making me pay back the money even though he isn't going to pay me for the hours I worked prior to it. I'm okay with him keeping that money to pay him back but why should I still have to pay him back after he kept my check? I know what I did was stupid and unethical. I'd like only serious answers. I don't need anyone else telling me what I did was stupid.

edit: forgot to add location, I'm in Kansas

Answer:
 Your employer cannot deduct anything from your paycheck without your permission. He also cannot make you pay back more than you stole. However, if you make a stink about it, file a wage claim, or otherwise try to pursue him for this, he could end up calling the police and report the theft.

My guess is he knows you don't want him to do that, so you're going to roll over and take whatever he does without bitching too much.


Title: Road Rage Incident (NY, Nassau County)

Question:
Throwaway, TLDR at end

A few days ago, I was in a road rage incident. No one was hurt and no damages. However, someone could have been hurt. This was all recorded with a dash cam only recording the front and voice.
I am only looking for advice if I should be reporting this to the police.

I was leaving the parking lot to turn left. Only one lane can turn left which I was on. No green/red light signal and I had my blinkers on to turn left. Few seconds later, this big SUV on the right comes along and blocks my right side of view so i wait for him to pass to the right. Instead he turns left (breaks the law I assume) and goes on. Few seconds later, I turn left and see his car driving down to the red light.

Now this is a three lane with signal going left, right and right.
I drive down the middle lane to turn right while the SUV is on the right side. Suddenly he goes to the middle lane without signaling. I was a bit far but a little agitated.

After the light turned green, this guy kept braking, moving, braking and I'm honking rapidly (5-6 honks which was probably excessive but this guy had to be fing me) until he fully stopped and his wife opened the passenger door on the right and said some stuff but couldn't hear her and called the driver "That was a one lane turn, B****" while  backing up and driving to the right since it was a 3 lane and I was in the middle. I don't think his wife knew what was going on.

I drove to the next red light and I see look at the rear view mirror and see the car speeding. So I made room in front of me in case this guy plans to ram me. Instead he drove through the side and cut me off. Came out of his car, walked to my passenger side of the car and asked "what did you call my wife?"

I ignored and drove away. My passenger was a bit shocked cause she thought he was going to smash the window/shoot a gun or something. He was big.

Not sure why he went to her side and not mine.

I haven't viewed the video but if I do see him suspiciously hiding something while walking to my car, should I report him or ignore it because I also yelled at him?

TLDR: SUV blocks view while making illegal turn, cuts me off, I yell B*****, chases and cuts me off, comes out of SUV to question and I drove off.

Answer:
 I think all that video is going to show is two assholes playing road games and yelling at each other.

Nice work putting your passenger at risk, though.


Title: I found out I was reported, a year after. Help

Question:
Hi internet!

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About a month ago I got a call from the police in my hometown, which I also happened to be visiting at the time since I was celebrating christmas with my family.

My hometown is about 1500 km (930 miles) away from my current city. (This is in Norway)

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The police officer in the other end of the phone told me someone had reported me for "body infringement" (kroppskrenkelse in Norwegian). I asked him who was reporting me. But the police officer said that I couldn't know til right before I would give my statement).

Reportedly the incident happened at a night club in my hometown, about a year ago at the time (Christmas 2017).

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Mildly put I was very surprised since I have absolutely no recollection of what he told me, though I remember visiting the nightclub at the given date.

I told the officer that I was very busy since we were planning to go to our family cabin 3-4 hours away from my home town to celebrate Christmas it was not very likely that I would have time for that, so I suggested that I could give statement to the police in my current city, but he said that it was in my best interest to get this case "out of my record", since now I have a "open" case in my record. And he also said that the police department where I live have very much to do.

The officer stated several times that if I didn't give a statement, the police could eventually come pick me up at my home with force.

That stressed me a bit, and said that I could maybe give a statement on the phone if I didn't have time to visit the Station. He said he would have to check out if that is possible (He sounded kinda like a rookie, since he spoke very hesitant at times).

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A couple of days later, I saw the police officer had tried to contact me, but since I was not available at the time I didn't see the missed call before the day after.

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Since I tried my best to enjoy the peaceful holidays with my family who I only see a couple of times a year, I didn't think much of it, and I thought they would contact me again if they wanted to talk.

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Time went by. 3 weeks.

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Last week same officer called me, but now I am back where I live in the southern part of the country.

He said that  I could give the statement over the phone.

But now I am unsure if that is what I want to do, because I feel the officer I have been speaking to regards to this case have been unprofessional and called me almost in the middle of the holidays, and also with a threatening undertone told they could come pick me up with force.

And also I don't know what I can tell them, since I have no recollection of the reported incident and it's almost impossible for me to "reconstruct" a evening out over a year ago.

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The police officer also said that I could deny giving a statement, but that would not be in my facour if the case went to court.

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I said that I wanted to speak with someone who knows the law before I make my decision.

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**TLDR**: Police in town 1500 km (930 miles) away called me, and want me to give them a statement over phone instead of face to face with the police in my own city.

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I am not sure what would be the best thing to do here, but I want to get this case off my shoulders!

Can I refuse to give a statement since I don't remember anything of the things claimed and not much from the day it supposedly happened?

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Sorry for my english.

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All help is really appreciated!

Answer:
 Something doesn’t add up. I would gain legal advice before talking to the police. I wouldn’t give a statement or pick up the phone again without talking to a lawyer, depending on the report against you. Answer #2: NAL.
Firstly, it's very odd that they would interview a suspected perpetrator of a crime (potential assault) over the phone. They would want everything official and recorded incase this went to court so your statement could be used as evidence. From your description of the phonecall, hesitant, not knowing what you could and couldn't do, are you sure this is real, and not some king of joke or scam? I would advise you phone your local police station directly and tell them you received a phonecall from someone claiming to be the police, but the conversation was odd and raised red flags. Ask them if there is an open case against you.

If there is, your going to want an actual lawyer with you while you give the statement. This could be serious, and saying the wrong thing could really hurt you. Even if you're not being charged right now, have a representative with you for the interview.


Title: Relinquishing parental rights. Texas

Question:
Now let me start this off by saying that I am not a dead beat dad and am current on my child support.
Many years ago I made the mistake of sticking my dick in crazy but not realizing it at the time. And as a result she became pregnant, surprise surprise. To make a long story short I moved away and she refused to let me see him with out her present. At the time I was just finishing school and had no money and did not know anything about my rights and just wanted her to go away. It has been 7 years, and at this point in time any relationship would just be damaging and weird. I feel terrible saying so but I don't want anything to do with the child I am just indifferent. I have a family now and we are happy. I have done a little research and there is a case of 'extreme indifference' for releasing parental rights. Any thoughts of what I can do to relinquish my parental rights?

Answer: I don't believe you can unless someone else is in line to adopt/be responsible for the child. The court will prioritize the kid's material needs over your feelings (or lack thereof). But IANAL.Answer #2: If you are indifferent why not just continue as you are?  How would relinquishing your rights improve the child's life?


Title: Torrenting copyrighted media, any have actual experience with a lawsuit on this?

Question: I got a notice from Comcast that a law firm would issue a subpeona for my contact information along with a dozen others by 12/19/16 if I have settled it with them before then.  Has any actually be successfully sued for this before?

Answer: People have definitely been successfully sued for copyright infringement like this before.


Title: (MD) Divorce preparation, BF's ex wife is trying to attack him financially

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 IANAL. Are they not already divorced?  I'm not sure how she could attack his finances if a divorce is finalized.  That usually doesn't allow the ex spouse to go back and attack finances if they feel like it.

Also they should have a custody agreement in place.  If she's not allowing him to see his son during his time he would be able to take her back to court to enforce the custody agreement. Unless they have a morality clause in their divorce agreement she shouldn't be able to dictate who he can have around his son.


Title: (Colorado) Was my wife discriminated against for being pregnant?

Question:
Background: My wife, currently 6 months pregnant, is an experienced special ed teacher (10 years + Masters degree). We moved to Boulder last year and she got a job at a school half-time. This upcoming school year, there are 2 openings for full-time special ed teachers at that same school she worked last year. She applied but was not hired for either of the two full-time positions. The school ended up hiring two teachers who did not work there last year.

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My wife had planned to be out for the first 3 months of school due to maternity leave. The principal knew all of this but cited her answers in the interview as reason why she wasn't hired for the full-time position. She still has her half-time position but wanted to be full-time and didn't interview at other schools that had full-time special ed positions because she knew there were 2 positions available at her school.

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My wife plans on filing a grievance with her union but does she have any other recourse?

Answer: Unless you have proof she was discriminated against, she still has a job and she chose to put all her eggs in one basket instead of increasing her chances by applying at multiple locations.  There is a point where school districts need a teacher and someone without a masters is much cheaper than your wife would probably be.Answer #2: Its possible, bot nothing here obviously suggests it.  Do you have any reason to believe that she was discriminated against other than the fact that she is pregnant and that she didn’t get the job?


Title: (Scottsdale, AZ) I called in sick to work, boss tried to prevent me

Question:
I'm going to keep this short, but I work as a server at a sports bar and I'm too sick to come in to work. I called my boss and told him that, and that I tried to get my shift covered but the two people I asked couldn't do it. He said it wasn't his responsibility as the GM to get my shift covered, and I told him that I'd call some more people to help him out but that to the best of my knowledge I cannot legally come in as I believe I'm contagious, to which he replied "That's another story."

We did get my shift covered and I thanked him for understanding, but he had an aggressive tone and was reluctant to really do anything. I've been working there for 6 months and never had to miss a shift, but I know in the past people have been written up for calling out sick and not getting it covered. When can I call in sick, as a per diem worker, and what can the business ask of me when I do?

Answer:
 >When can I call in sick, as a per diem worker, and what can the business ask of me when I do?

Workers must make "good faith" and "reasonable" efforts to give advance notice and not "unduly disrupt the operations" of a business. I don't think this has been defined yet, but finding someone to cover for you might be considered reasonable.

[Here's an article on AZ's mandatory sick leave law that went into effect earlier this year.](http://www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/jobs/2017/05/25/arizona-mandatory-paid-sick-leave-law-takes-effect-what-know/333955001/)


Title: Hospital holding us hostage

Question: So in Michigan my girlfriends legs decided to stop working (numb and unable to move). This is something she’s been dealing with for a while, it comes and goes. She went to the ER to try to get a doctors note for work. They said her previous diagnosis was incorrect and they wanted to keep her overnight for tests. This was Thursday. By Friday afternoon they said they have no idea what’s wrong with her, they can’t help her, they have no treatment for her, but they refused to discharge her and said if she leaves it would be against medical advice and insurance wouldn’t cover her stay. They didn’t agree to discharge her despite us asking multiple times per day until Monday evening. They basically held us hostage with a medical bill without providing any treatment (not even an IV drip for fluids). Is there any legal action we can take?

Answer:
 She may call her insurer and explain the situation, and verify coverage.  If the insurer says they won't cover if she leaves AMA, she does not have a beef with the hospital.

If they say that they will cover if she leaves AMA, then the hospitals threats are empty.

I would caution you to follow the advice of the doctors.  I shouldn't even have to say this, but sudden paralysis can be very serious.

If this was a previously diagnosed condition, and known by her not to be serious, I'm not sure why she would go to the ER  " to try to get a doctors note for work."


Title: [NJ] Car rental place trying to charge $400+ fee for returning van a day later

Question:
I've been looking to rent a van for a cross-country trip and was working with a travel agent on this. I had something booked for $1,500 and unlimited miles. The agent called me at 6:00PM the night before saying that company cancelled the reservation but he found someone else who had a similar van but miles weren't unlimited. In my panic and haste, I agreed to it. I picked it up yesterday and signed the agreement.

In driving home, I did the math and realized how much extra their mileage rates would cost me (should have done it before but yeah). Sent the rental place an e-mail last night asking if they could negotiate, otherwise I'd return the vehicle (I had already found better rates through Enterprise car rental).

This morning, via e-mail, they are saying I can return it but won't get a full refund. I asked how much they'd charge. They said "400$ plus actual rental days". I asked where they got that number from as it seemed random and I don't see it mentioned anywhere in the agreement I signed. I haven't heard back from them yet.

Can anyone advise me on how I should approach this so that I don't pay $400+ since it is not in anything I signed?

Answer: If it isn't in the rental agreement and they wont budge pay it then sue in small claims.


Title: Wife is divorcing me and makes more $$ than me

Question:
She makes close to $165k, me only $65k.  She has about $90k-$100k in debt on her credit cards/auto loans/other debt, I have about $15k.  We own 3 homes, one has a tenant, I reside in one in California, she resides in the other in Las Vegas.  We have an 18 month old toddler that will stay with her since I work 12hr days (military) and it would just be easier on the baby.

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My question is should I ask for anything monetary in the seperation?  My california mortgage is about $800 more than the military gives me so I was just going to ask the difference from her.  Is that too little?  Or is that enough considering her debt?  If she agrees to keep her debt and I keep mine is that a good offer?

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Thanks!

Answer: You're obviously speaking to a lawyer right?


Title: [MA] - Realtor who sold us our house refusing to take down video of the interior

Question:
About a year and a half ago, I bought and moved into a house that the realtor had made a video showing all of the inside of the house. Today my friend found the video and I was surprised it stayed up. I contacted the selling attorney and asked for it to be removed, and was told it "wasn't possible".

I'm concerned about having detailed photos of the inside of my house and every means of ingress documented on the Internet with a video that comes up as one of the top hits on Google if you search my address. Is there a way I can get this taken down?

Answer: "I've always wanted to rob this house, but until I know  whether the dining room is to the left of the entry hall or the right, it just isn't feasible," said no one ever.


Title: Husband committed suicide, stuck as cosigner on his student loans and currently drowning. Begging for help.

Question:
Hello all, this situation occurs in Jackson MI.

This is on behalf of a distraught friend.

During their divorce, her husband took his life.

He left behind $30,000 worth of student loans.  They are private, ALPLN if that means anything to you.

With her wages, she is $2,000 above the poverty line.  She has a daughter she is trying to provide for.

She has tried to show good faith to the loan company, cashing out her 401K to make payments.  She currently does not have a job, so as to help her daughter through this difficult time.

Before her ex-husband died, he had made an arrangement with the loan company for $300/month.  This arrangement is set to end next month, raising the monthly cost to $700/month.

She has called the loan company several times, begging them to allow her to pay the loan at $300/month as otherwise she will be unable to make her rent.

She was told several times a stern "no".  They state they are due the money, and will get it in its entirety one way or another.  Her current fears is if she is unable to make the full payments that they will start to garnish her wages, or obtain a court order to empty her bank accounts.

Her husband left behind a $100,000 life insurance policy.  This benefit was given to his under age daughter.  It is currently in a bank account with the court over seeing it (since she is a minor).

Her daughter also receives SSI survivors benefits.

She does pass the Brunners test.

She has spoken with an attorney, who was very dismissive.  She was going to try and claim bankruptcy, and attempt to have these loans either partially forgiven or discharged completely.

Her current plan is to try and obtain a lawyer who will go after his life insurance- to at least partly cover the student loan.

She really does not want to claim bankruptcy, as that is another large obstacle in their way at this time that will continue to follow them for many years to come.  She is also concerned the court will deem her unfit to handle her daughters SSI survivors benefits.

Our question is:  Does she have any chance at accomplishing this?  I hear time and time again that it is mostly impossible to have student loans discharged.  Does anyone have information on what documents or any legal laws/codes/rules (I don't really know how all this works)  that she can have her attorney look out for?

Again, she is trying to obtain legal counsel that will represent her and not be so dismissive.

Thanks to everyone in this forum for any help provided.
Topic:
Credit Debt Bankruptcy

Answer:
 I am an attorney with significant probate, bankruptcy, and civil litigation experience.

She isn't getting the life insurance money legally, and any attorney who says otherwise is scamming her.Answer #2: She needs to get a job. It's very unfortunate that she cosigned on the student loans and very unfortunate that the husband did not arrange for her financial security before he passed. Answer #3: Does your friend have any access to the daughter's trust for expenses related to raising the child? NAL, but I'm wondering if she can effectively get "child support" from the insurance money, which would free up more of her salary to pay the student loans.Answer #4: Instead a bankruptcy attorney, she should consult with a probate or estate planning attorney.  They might be able,to advise her on the possibility of accessing the 100k life insurance policy to provide for the daughter while sh is a minor.   In the event she becomes custodian of that money, she could use it where needed and maybe payback the money at 300 per month.

Further, if she should gain access to the 100k she should offer a payoff to the student loan at 50-60% of the amount owed and be done with it.

Finally, a few states prohibit garnishments entirely. She should check her state.  Also, if garnishments are indeed allowed, the creditors can also attach any bank accounts.

She should never have touched her 401k.  The penalties and taxes paid on early withdrawal make it as bad as a payday loan.

She really needs estate and Financial advice. Answer #5: If she passes the Brunner test, which is impossible to know without a bankruptcy court saying she does, then that's all that's relevant. File bankruptcy and wipe that shit away.


Title: My employer just stopped approving over time. What is legally considered "work" as it pertains to emails, text messages, and phone calls after my 8 hour shift?

Question:
Details:
I live and work in Texas. As I understand it, I am considered a salaried employee as I am guaranteed 40 hours a week of work.

My company then hires me out to accounts who expect me to work at their facilities 8hrs/day Monday through Friday. Until a week ago, any time worked outside of those 8hrs/day we would be paid for overtime. My company has now said it will no longer pay overtime and I want to make sure I'm not "working" off the clock.

Most days, after working my 8 hours at the facility, I will still receive work related emails, calls, and texts. Last night, for example, I was still receiving phone calls at 7pm which is a full 5 hours after I have completed the 8 for which I am paid that day. I didn't answer the call because I am worried that would count as work. Does it? What about responding to emails or text messages?

Any help, however little, would be very appreciated.
Topic:
Employment Law

Answer:
 We need a better understanding of your employment.  Are you hourly or salaried?   You're guaranteed 40 hours apparently, but do you punch in and out?   If you work 39 do you get paid for 40?

You may be salaried exempt meaning that you get paid the same each week regardless of how many hours you work.  You would be exempt from overtime pay if this is the case.


Title: Roommate asked to use parking permit for the summer, now refuses to give it back

Question:
I go to college at a large state school and live off campus, where parking is very hard to come by. There are limited parking spaces, each house gets a set amount of on-street parking spots, and it costs hundreds of extra dollars to buy a parking spot from other students or sources. There is essentially no viable parking alternative option for me without paying hundreds of dollars for a parking spot, or hundreds of dollars in parking tickets every month to park illegally.

When we first signed the lease for our apartment, it was agreed upon that the 2 parking spots that came with our lease would be given to me and our other roommate, who were the only ones with cars at the time. However, my 3rd roommate decided to get a car halfway through the year and has been parking illegally since then. She's racked up hundreds of dollars in parking tickets to keep her car on campus, and because she works a full-time job in a different town, she needs to keep her car.

I was working in a different city for the summer, so the roommate who'd been parking illegally asked me to borrow my permit for the summer with the agreement that she'd switch the permit back into my car's registration once the summer was over. All of our permits are done online, so I kept the permit information on my account and just added her car registration to the permit. I kind of knew she might try to pull something like this so I purposely made sure to keep everything under my own account. Halfway through the summer, she called the permit office and somehow cancelled the permit on my account and moved it to her own account \*without my permission\*. Each account has a login and password, so I have no idea how she cancelled my permit.

It's now one week before the end of summer and I texted her asking to switch the permit back into my name (and back onto my account). She's refused to switch it, saying that she needs to keep her car here for work. I live 3 hours away from school and at least once a month go home to visit my parents (not accessible by public transportation), and had a part-time job lined up in another town that I would also need my car for (multiple times a week). Is there any way for me to get my parking permit back?  Both our names are listed on the lease and parking permits are listed as "first come first serve" on the website. However, I registered the permit first and she somehow got the permit moved from my account to hers without my permission. Is there any way I could argue that the permit belongs to me or am I screwed?

Answer:
 I would go to the permit office confused about why you can no longer log into the account that has your expensive parking pass paid for.

They should help you get it back. I personally would leave out the roommate part and just stick to “I left for the summer and now I’m back and I cannot access my account.” If you tell them about your roommate they may pawn it off as “you need to deal with them not us.”

I’m petty as shit and would just do this and not tell the roommate when you have it switched back. Answer #2: Report to the office that administers the permits she accessed your account w/o your consent.Answer #3: > Halfway through the summer, she called the permit office and somehow cancelled the permit on my account and moved it to her own account *without my permission*. Each account has a login and password, so I have no idea how she cancelled my permit.

She either guessed your password/security answers for rhe permit acct or the email acct that you have associated with that permit.

Change your passwords, change your security questions.


Title: If a cashier's check arrives for me out of nowhere, can I cash it?

Question:
I have received a cashier's check made out to me for a large sum of money. I have never heard of the addresses on the check or envelope, but it has my name and address in the recipient fields. Also the check says "RE: SHIRLEY PHELPS-ROPER". Can it be a bad idea to deposit the check into my bank account? What should I do with it?
I live in Oklahoma.
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer:
 Throw it away, it's almost certainly part of a scam.  The check is fake, and you'll be told to "return the money" to them.  Only your check will be real, and they'll get your real money when their check bouncesAnswer #2: >Can it be a bad idea to deposit the check into my bank account?

It can be a bad idea in several ways.  Most notably its part of a fairly common scam, the check isn't good, and you'll end up paying NSF deposit fees to your bank.

>What should I do with it?

Wait for the sender to call with the second half of their scam (oh, it was a mistake, please send us 1/2 back and keep 1/2 for your troubles).  Then hang up on them and throw the check away.


Title: (MA) I just found out my two co-workers (who do the same job as me, same amount of work etc.) asked to be promoted and new positions were created for them, with no consideration for other members of the team.

Question:
I work at a university in the development department. I have several co-workers, but just found out that two of them went to their boss and asked to have a new role created (raise included) and they were given the new job.

As far as i can tell, they don't have any additional roles and haven't taken on any special projects, and they won't be taking on any additional work, they'll just be doing a specific job within the greater role (which is already included in everyone's job description). they asked for it and HR approved it.

My question is? If a new position opens up, is the employer obligated to post the job and attempt the hire the best candidate?

Mind you, there is no open role when they levy for the new position. They appear to have copied an old job description and said, "we do this job, promote us". And they were promoted. I'm pretty shocked actually, there are multiple people on the team who have more experience and years on the job but these two took the initiative and asked and they got it. I understand the early bird gets the worm, but isn't there a law that says a new role has to be at least posted internally? Everyone feels like they were never given a chance, and I'm confident it can be proved they don't actually have more responsibility or extra tasks in the job description. Felt pretty slimy all around.

This was announced to the rest of the team so that it wouldn't be "awkward" when an email went out about it. It really sounds like they just asked for a new job and got one without any other consideration. even if its a promotion, it seems like there are then plenty of people who could show they did just as much work and had more experience and were not given a chance at moving up.

Answer:
 >If a new position opens up, is the employer obligated to post the job and attempt the hire the best candidate?

That 100% depends on company policy regarding job postings/filling


Title: Caught shoplifting $16 of merch

Question:
+I'm in California
A couple of days ago, I (21F) was caught with a $16 merchandise and Kohl's LP stopped me at the door. They took me to the back room and said "If you return the merch we won't call police", so obviously I returned the merchandise. I was asked to sign two papers which I didn't really read because I panicked. They said I couldn't come back for a year. They took a picture of me and copied my driver's license, and they told me I MIGHT get fined in the mail, and then they let me go. They were actually pretty cool about it because I still purchased $200 worth of merch but I was extremely embarrassed...
I guess my question is, is it likely they made a police report? Will this be on my record? Will I really get fined for something under $20?
Also, does anyone know what I signed??? Lol
This is a bad habit I picked up from a couple of my girlfriends... I feel so stupid and I'm honestly never shoplifting again...

Answer: No one can guess what they might do. Yes you can and likely will be asked to pay a fine instead of being sued civilly. Answer #2: You *probably* won't have an issue with the police. You may receive a civil demand letter in the mail within the next month demanding you pay a hundred dollars or something. If you decline to pay, they may sue you. Most lawyers advise not paying, but it all depends on what kind of peace of mind you'd like to put the matter behind you.


Title: I’m going to try for a stalking order against adult neighbors who are stalking me and my kids. By stalking I mean literally stalking in every possible way.

Question:
My question is that I was told I could only have myself as petitioner and one person as the respondent.
It’s unbelievable they are getting away with this. My kids have had to switch to homeschool and I have had to drop college for this term. I am trying so hard not to lose my job.
We are scared for our lives. The police and DA’s office is involved, but they keep saying it takes time to build a case. Which I get. I’m just afraid we will be dead first.
They are 24/7 obsessed. Legal aid will only help if a stalking order is contested. Victim’s assistance can not help us get the order. The DA is taking a long time to work on the proof. These people are sociopaths. We have not engaged in anything. Please help with any advice.
Thank you so much.

Answer: Location is not optional on this. State laws vary GREATLY


Title: Ex Wife destroyed my credit

Question: I have been divorced for almost 20 years and part of a verbal agreement was she would refinance the house when she was able.  During the 20 years she has had the house in foreclosure a few times including within the last several months.   I went from a 720 credit score to under 600 and now I am unable to secure a loan to help pay for my daughters wedding.   Is there any legal action I can take against her?   Can I have her evicted and take over the house?

Answer:
 Who's name is on the deed?Answer #2: Your talking about some verbal agreement but what does your divorce order actually say about the house?Answer #3: IANAL, but realtor and divorced. You are mixing two issues here. I can tell you from direct personal experience, it took me about 2 days of phone and email work to provide the mortgage and car loan companies a copy of the divorce decree and have them remove the hits on my credit. That is an issue of who is liable for the debt based on the divorce decree. If there is no decree spelling out who is liable, then we now have the second issue.

Does the decree cover the dispensation of the house? Who is responsible for paying it and who is supposed to be on the title? If the answer is "both of you" then you are both liable for any liens against the title. If you were supposed to sell it and divide it, then you didn't do that then you are likely still liable.

You can check with a local attorney, but if you failed to divide the marital property in accordance with the divorce decree, then you created the situation and the liability and are going to have a hard time fighting it.


Title: [AZ]Allowing others to park in back lot for a fee, parents (homeowners) concerned about landlord to neighboring house

Question:
Sorry for the weird and uninformative title. I couldn't really think of how to title it.

My parents own a house by a school. They bought it for me to live in while going to school there. We have a pretty large back lot, and since it's in a really nice location, my friends pay me some money per semester to park there. This is much cheaper than the on campus parking. I make some money, my friends get nice parking, everything is fine and dandy.

Now, there's a lady who owns a few of the properties next door, and she rents them out to tenants. For the past couple years, apparently she's been arguing that she doesn't have enough parking and her tenants should be able to park in the back lot. My parents have been adamant that its our private property and she doesn't have rights to our back lot.

She just got new tenants, and told them that I rent out spaces in our back lot, and told them to come see me. I told them that yeah, sure, they can park there for a fee per semester, and they were interested and wanted to do it.

My dad freaked out at that point, and was going off about easements and how if I allow them to park there, soon enough their landlord is going to somehow demand rights to park there for all her tenants because we've now allowed tenants to use a spot in our lot for a fee, and they'll say that since we've let them park there, that they now have rights to our lot. Something like that. My dad is pretty terrible at explaining things, so I have no idea if he actually knows what he's talking about.

He just kept saying the word easement. And gave some pretty bad examples trying to compare our situation to it, but it didn't make much sense. Could someone make some light out of this and help me figure out whether it would be safe to charge the neighbors to park in our backyard without having to worry about their landlord trying to invade our property?
___

Edit: Thanks /u/MartyMcFake for all the information on easements. Didn't really know about them until today, and it's nice to know that doesn't apply to the situation so that'll make my parents feel better about that.

Thanks everyone else for all the input about running a "business" on private property. I didn't realize making a couple hundred from parking could end up being such a big deal! haha. You guys have all been really helpful. (:
Topic:
Real Estate law

Answer:
 This is a terrible idea.  You are running a commercial parking lot on a residential lot. Copy pasta from the last time a question like this was posted.

https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/3e365h/my_dad_is_letting_high_school_students_from_the/

If a claim occurs on the property and it is a result of him running a business on his property the insurance company is going to deny the claim and then cancel his homeowners policy.

What he is doing poses substantial risk and the insurance company is not being paid to cover that additional exposure. That is how insurance rates are determined.

He would need to have a separate business liability policy and also have a general business license. If his homeowners gets cancelled for cause he is going to have to go to a subprime market to get a new policy and that is going to cost a fortune.

Unless he cash purchased his home he is required to have homeowners insurance as a condition of his mortgage. If he can't get new insurance the mortgage company will impose insurance on him at about 3x the normal rates. This insurance only covers the structure, no contents, no liability.

Not a good path to go down. He might get away with it for a long time, but if something goes wrong he is completely boned.
Answer #2: Do you have a business license?

Do you have commercial insurance on the property?

If you're charging money for parking, you'd technically be a business....Answer #3: [Here is a little primer on easements](http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/easement)


Title: Can my employer tell me what public streets I can, and cannot drive on?

Question:
I’m an automotive technician for a car dealership. Yesterday, an angry resident called and complained that someone was driving fast through the neighborhood. Today, my manager brought out a form for each employee to read, sign and date, stating

04/25/2018

All employees are not to drive on “___ st.”  at any time. All employees are required to drive on residential streets and observe the legal speed limit of 25 MPH. We have been warned by neighbors of multiple incidents of near misses with pedestrians. Neighbors have warned our company that complaints with the city and the Police Department will result if driving on
“___ st.”  continues. An alternate route
around “___ st.”  is required from this point forward.

Oregon

Answer: He can fire you if you continue to drive on a road that he's told you not to drive on.


Title: [Florida] Help with speeding violation

Question:
Hello everyone, I've never posted here before but I have read things from time to time.

Today I got pulled over for speeding by a highway patrolman. I was going 76 in a 45. I know that's really bad, but I wasn't doing it just to be an asshole. I was testing my car, as I just had the wheels balanced and wanted to see if it still had this wobbly movement when I got up to interstate speeds. The interstate is a good deal away from where I was (outside city limits) so I figured I'd test it on a long, straight, lonely backroad nearby. I'd figure I'd have no problems. Well there was a highway patrolman there (I don't know why) and he pulled me over.

He asked me if I knew why and I told him yes. Then I said "I know it doesn't matter but I can tell you why I was speeding if that'll help." He said sure so I told him. He went back to his car for a bit and then came back and had me sign this white form he printed out. He said it wasn't a ticket but as it was 30 over I would have to see a judge or settle it out of court before hand. The things he listed that the judge could do sound pretty bad ($500, service, etc.) but the things out of court sound a lot better (an online driving safety course, whatever). He was a nice guy and seemed to understand. I always drive in the safest manner possible, and while I know its no excuse, it was perfectly safe for such a task.

I told my mom and sent her a picture of the form. She is having her attorney look at it. The patrolman told me to go by the Courthouse/Clerks Office (I can't remember what it's called). I was going to go today but my mom said not to and to let her attorney look at it first. I expected this response, although it makes me upset that I shouldn't do what the patrolman said, or at least delay it.

Could someone explain why her attorney should look at it first? Also if there's any tips or anything else I should know. I've never been pulled over before or anything so I'm clean besides this.

Also I'm 18, been driving since 16 and live in Florida.

Answer:
 This isn't a typical ticket where you can handle it yourself. 30 MPH over the posted limit is serious and a court appearance is mandatory.

You'll be well served to listen to your lawyer here. Drive carefully. Answer #2: > I wasn't doing it just to be an asshole. I was testing my car,

Great defense. You should use this in court. I'm not sure how risking the lives of other drivers by driving 30+ over the limit is not being an asshole, but maybe the judge will agree with you.

> but my mom said not to and to let her attorney look at it first

Your mom is a smart lady. If you have to appear in court, it is possible that this is a criminal charge and not a simple traffic violation. What specifically were you charged with?

> Also I'm 18

Be prepared to have your insurance rates skyrocket.

As an aside, there is no reason to ever go 30+ over the speed limit, unless you are on a racetrack.


Title: [USA/WA] My employer is making me work 11 hours every day. Am I eligible for overtime?

Question: Here are the details. I am employed as a contractor at a mobile game company, which as far as I understand is white collar work because it's computer software. However, I was reading on this subreddit and doing other research, and there seems to be a law that says effective December 1st, 2016 the minimum wage for exempt employees is $913 per week (I make less than that). I tried calling my state's department of labor, but they claim that this law is not in effect yet. What are my options?

Answer:
 The changes never went into effect. When you say contractor do you mean you're an employee or an independent contractor?  WA has no daily overtime requirement, it just conforms to federal law.Answer #2: IANAL, I and many of my friends have worked in the same industry. I can tell you that you’re not alone in working for some sketchy contracting companies.

If you’re submitting your own time sheets, one thing I quickly learned was to make duplicates and keep them in a three ring binder (or if digital, take a screengrab, store in a folder somewhere on your computer or email them to yourself or just print em out, stick them in the binder). In the event that they missed pay or are not paying you accordingly, you have proof if you choose to file a claim with LNI.

Be careful. Washington is an at-will employment state, so they can fire you for any reason they want to. On the flip-side, you can also quit for any reason you’d like to.


Title: Manager asked if I drank every night and if i forged a doctor's note

Question:
I have been working at a new company for the last 3 months and I had some health issues that are close to getting resolved that have made me have to call out and some of those times, i didn't give a lot of notice. It hit fever pitch this morning when i called out (with proper notice) and my manager informed me that if i didn't come in with a doctor's note that i just shouldn't come back. I went to the doctor's and got a diagnosis of a possible stomach ulcer, and when i came in to work to hand my note to my manager, they asked me (very casually) if i was drinking every night and then proceeded to ask if i had printed the doctor's note out from the internet. I'm not experienced at all with reporting a manager for something like this, and im not even sure what it would count as  (defamation?)

&#x200B;

Also, I do not drink. I have a beer every now and then if offered, but I haven't bought alcohol personally in more than 3 years.

Answer: Asking a question isnt defamation. Answer #2: Was disciplinary action taken against you?


Title: (ME) Ex Wife threatening to take us to court because she wants to be able to claim daughter every other year on taxes. She has never paid the court mandated child support.

Question:
Ex wife didn't bother to even show up for divorce and custody agreement back in April of 2010.  My husband was awarded primary residence, but chose to have shared custody with the ex wife.  She was court ordered to pay 50.00 a week and husband was awarded the right to claim daughter on taxes.

She has never paid any child support.  She does not pay for private school, after school care, school lunches, etc.  During the year, daughter loves with us Sunday night through Friday afternoon.  Ex wife picks her up from school on Fridays.  We pick her up Sundays.

Every year she messages me (the new wife) asking if husband has claimed daughter and then rants at me when I respond yes or please discuss with my husband.  This year she says she is taking us back to court.

I'm terrified that the court is going to side with her, ignoring the fact that she technically owes us at least 15k in back child support because it's never been enforced and because she's the mother.  She is remarried with two kids and playing the struggling student card and keeps talking about what is "fair".  Husband thinks she's just blowing smoke but if she files a motion to modify, we are probably going to file a motion to enforce, as well as modify the custody agreement as well.

I guess I really want to know if she has a leg to stand on.  Or if I should stop freaking out about this.  She keeps dragging me into this stuff and I'm currently 7 mos pregnant.

Answer:
 To take you back to court she'll probably need a lawyer.  Lawyers cost money.  If you get your own lawyer to enforce the child support order she will have a lot less money to spend suing you. And you'll have 15k to spend on lawyers in case she does.Answer #2: have your attorney respond, and discuss going after back support with said attorney. if it's already in the order, and payment and living hasn't changed, it's gonna be hard for her to get a change.

honestly she should discuss this with husband and you should stay as far away from it as possible.


Title: (KY) Father taking money from my trust fund

Question:
My grandmother passed away in early 2011 and when she died, she created pretty clearly defined trusts for each grandchild, including my sister and myself with roughly $70,000 in each. Our dad had these put in money market accounts and diversified market funds that were supposed to be sitting in there making money and we could withdraw it for 'Support, care, maintenance, and education.' (We only used it for our college tuition.) Our dad was the named trustee and has been the only person with access to this money for the past 5 years (the will said my sister and me couldn't take control of the money until we turn 25, which comes in 5 and 7 years for us.)
Anyway, earlier this week we made a call to the broker who handled these funds for us and asked for our balances and they were both at below $5,000 which was about $70,000 short of what we had expected them to be because we go to school in state and live at home, so capital gains roughly cancel out tuition costs. I called my dad and asked him and he admitted he had been taking money out of our trust funds for the past 5 years in order to pay his living expenses and basically not work, which by all indicators seems it would be a breach of fiduciary duty on his part.
Where should I start to pursue recouping these losses from him (if it's even worth it in legal fees) and how can I report this broker to somebody, because I'm not convinced he wasn't blatantly allowing our dad to take this money from us?

Answer:
 Why don't you start with the office of the district attorney, and see what they have to say about this.

I'm sorry to say that you can never trust your father again - for anything.Answer #2: Any recourse will, unfortunately, likely involve suing your father. Are you prepared to do that? Answer #3: It is a clear breach of fiduciary duty. The money wasn't his - he was effectively supposed to manage it for YOUR future benefit, not his.

Sue him. Try to get what he said in writing first though.

Not sure about recourse against the broker. Broker likely didn't know why money was being withdrawn, and as your dad was the trustee, he had legal access. Answer #4: Dad admitted he stole the money.  Did he offer any way to make it right? Or did he just say "thems the breaks, kid."

He could take out loans for you and your sisters college. He can get a job and pay you back.

If he didn't do anything to make it right, sue him.  Does he have a house? A car? Any savings?


Title: Why would someone not have a voicemail for "legal reasons"?

Question: (AZ) We had a guy come in for a job interview and he mentioned that he didn't have a voicemail "for legal reasons". What could some of those reasons be?

Answer: The only one I can think of is that he's on probation and prohibited from having voicemail.  That would be extremely unusual.  If I had to guess, I'd say he's avoiding some sort of legal proceeding by not having a method to contact him easily.  Or he's a conspiracy nutjobAnswer #2: I don't have voicemail because "I hate listening to voicemail" reasons.


Title: I recently bought a bar in NYC and renovated it without getting the proper permits. A yelp reviewer noticed. If he reports me, what will happen?

Question:
A yelp reviewer made a particularly bad review of my establishment, and said that I needed permits for renovation, is this true?

Edit: I removed the review, I don't want to be tracked down.

Answer:
 I do construction/remodel  in TX, if you go behind city inspectors back and do work without permits they will pick you apart and shut you down until every possible little thing is fixed. Always pull permits, I imagine NYC is much more strict.Answer #2: FYI I'm leaning towards this as being fake; that or Google isn't indexing Yelp properly.Answer #3: So the obvious question: were these kinds of renovation that you actually needed a permit for?Answer #4: Frankly, it sounds like paying the permit fees would be much cheaper than being fined.

Good luck.Answer #5: your bigger problem here is not just getting the proper permits, but whether the work that was done "meets the standard those permits require" if not, when an inspector comes to "inspect" it will all have to be re-done to spec......you are in need of a good contractor who knows the system and can help you get through.....Answer #6: Probably the best thing to do is call 311, ask them who to speak to about permits and then find out if the work you have done requires a permit or they are just considered alterations like redecorating that don't need a permit.

I don't know if bars get those letter grades Bloomberg started, but if they do you know an inspector will be by sooner or later.

EDIT: Apparently you needed a permit for the [drywall](http://www1.nyc.gov/nyc-resources/service/4181/drywell-installation). Whether an inspector would notice the replacement I can't say.


Title: Company owner paid for me to come to New Bern, N.C. Now potentially stranded.

Question:
I applied to this place in New Bern, NC and the owner wanted me to do a working interview for a couple of weeks. Paid for me, my girlfriend, and even our dog to come down here and said they will provide a company vehicle and a furnished place to stay above their garage and access to the house.

   Within a few days of being here, it becomes apparent that the owner might have possible mental instability and his wife and employees say that he is a narcissist and can not be trusted. They tell me he is verbally abusive to his employees and to not except the job offer.

  I remain professional however and continue working the working interview, using the house as need be and using the company vehicle.

   Untill last night.

   All the employees in my department quit but I remain there and take on their work load, doing really well. I clock out after working 11 hours to take a break, notify the owner, write a note, etc that says I'm going to come in to finish the rest of the work. Granted this is a 8-5 job normally.

   He then calls and texts acting very upset and saying I never had permission to use their house or the car except anything but for work. I call his wife and his office manager to verify and let them know I feel uncomfortable. He is an Alcoholic and I asked if he has violent tendencies. They tell me they're not too sure but that I did have permission and that he is unstable mentally.

   While talking to them he tells me to bring the car back (I stopped texting once when I felt afraid.) He says he will report it stolen. The office manager says he can't do that but does have a ton of cop friends down here and that he is rich.

   Long story short, I call the Jacksonville, NC police department and tell them what is happening and that I am afraid for my life. I ask for a police report but get dismissed. I am then treated by the owner and call again but am told to just give him the keys back. I drive to a hotel with the last of my money and give the keys to the officers.

   I am now stranded here till Saturday with no place to go.

   Can I sue? Can I do anything?

   Note:I have called the police department and a bailbondsman, and no arrest warrant was made however the police said that they would've arrested me last night if their computers weren't down.

Answer:
 There is a lot in your story that is...odd.

Why did you feel afraid for your life?

What kind of job/company is this?

How many employees in your department actually quit?

Did you have any paperwork signed for your employment that spelled out your responsibilities and allowances (like using the house and car)?Answer #2: You sure he's the one that's mentally unstable?


Title: (MD) Neighbor kids goading dog

Question:
Location is MD

My parents recently adopted a new dog. He bites, but he is getting much better. Unfortunately, the kids next door (3 of them, They look to be in middle or elementary school) goad our dog (Jax, 2 months, 36lb bulldog). Examples include calling him over and dangling limbs over the fence or trying to climb over under the pretense of getting a ball. Luckily my mom is usually out and shuts this down. I know Jax would never hurt them intentionally, but we scared of liability or having to put him down if he draws blood.

Our fence is 5ft and we try to be out with Jax as much as possible to mitigate risk, but still. My question is what damages could happen if they get bit? How can me mitigate this as much as possible?

As an aside, we have told the mother about this. While she did something when the kids played on the roof during the past few months, she doesn't seem to do anything now.

Answer: Don't leave the dog out unsupervised. It's annoying, but that's the safe thing to do when you have an aggressive dog. Answer #2: I'd get a camera that faces where they normally do this. At least you can record it an incident happens and if it was the kids that provoked the dog or not. Answer #3: I’d start with the somewhat obvious practical solution.  Find the kids’ parents and tell them what’s going on.  “Your kid is doing something dumb that could end with serious injuries” tends to motivate parents.