Title: One of my best friends is getting charged with criminal sexual assault and I have no idea what to do. Please Help!

Question:
Hi reddit, I am a first time poster and have not really lurked on this subreddit, but I feel helpless and don't know what else to do. I go to a small engineering school and we often visit other nearby Universities to party as our population of girls is rather small, males making up about 7/8ths of the school.

About two months ago, two of my friends go to their friends place at a nearby school for the weekend. They go to a party, meet some girls, exchange numbers and have fun. The next morning my friend is texting one of the girls and she tells them to come to her apartment to drink and chill with her roommates. Both my friends are 19 and all the girls are at least 19, in case you were wondering. So they pick up some beer (with a fake ID) and head over. They're all having a good time playing drinking games, dancing and whatever party stuff. It's about 7-8 people total so nothing big.

It gets to about 3am and everyone starts passing out. My friend and the girl he texted start to make out and then head to her bedroom. It starts to get heavy and she asks him to take her bra off so he does. They are both naked now and he starts to finger her to get her wet because for some reason, I don't know if it was cause she was drunk or whatever, but there was not much lubrication. He then puts a condom on and enters slowly because as he described, she was extremely tight and she was not lubricated very well. She gives a little moan and says ow lightly so he pulls out and asks if she is okay. She says yes, so he enters again, but this time she pushes him off and tells him to get out of her room. So he puts on his clothes and leaves the room. She starts crying to her roommates and they all yell at him to leave, and him not knowing what to do and why this was all happening, just gets in his car and drives home confused and tipsy. The next morning he decides to just forget about the whole situation since it was very strange and he just met her so he just deleted her number and went on with his life.

Forward to this morning. Two of our campus safety officers and two detectives from the city this all took place come in to our class and call him out. They take him to a room, start a recording device, and start to ask him questions. I don't know what exactly they asked him, but I just hope he didn't incriminate himself. They told him that he was being charged with criminal sexual assault and supplying minors with alcohol. He already has an MIP that he got not to long ago and I think he is still on probation for that, but I'll ask him if he is and edit. What can/should he do from here on out?

I feel so helpless knowing that I can't really do anything and it makes me so angry knowing that this could fuck up his life/reputation forever because some dumb drunk girl either regretted or changed her mind about wanting to have sex with him. Why couldn't she just have said no, not sex? He is the most genuine and kind person I have met in my entire college career an I hate that this is happening to him. He is a electrical/computer engineering dual major with 22 credits this semester. He is up day and  night studying and I don't know how he hasn't lost his mind yet and now this has all of a sudden popped out of know where...fuck life sometimes.

Answer:
 your friend should get a criminal defense attorney. he should not talk to the police or make any statements without the attorney present!
it sounds like the encounter WAS consensual, although it's denied and the facts are not in his favor. keep in mind that we don't know all the facts and evidence, and neither do you. the best you can do is to tell your friend what I said above about getting a criminal defense attorney asap and stop talking to the police or anyone else!


Title: Could this constitute hostile work environment ? (MD)

Question:
I have a coworker who makes disparaging comments on my religion whenever it even tangentially comes up.  Stuff like "I'm not into brainwashing" or "I'm glad I gave up on all that guilt."  To be clear I'm not trying to evangelize him; I'm saying things like "I'll be a little late on wednesday because of church" or "why yes my new year's was lovely, we had an interfaith service and the shofar was awesome."  So typical water-cooler type talk that happens to involve religion.

I'm mostly curious; I don't really plan on taking this to management unless it gets a lot worse.  But I'm wondering if legally his comments could be a hostile work environment.

Answer:
 Hostile Work Environment is a legal term of art and contrary to popular belief, it does not mean that the workplace was hostile in the colloquial sense. Rather, it refers to a pattern of discrimination or harassment as a result of an employee's membership in a protected class. Please see [this link from the EEOC](http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/harassment.cfm) to better understand the advice you may receive. The majority of situations that many consider a hostile work environment do not meet that definition legally.

*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/legaladvice) if you have any questions or concerns.*


Title: [US] Should I whistleblow on my workplace or just quit?

Question:
Hi all,

I am actively looking for another job because I have realized, after many therapy sessions and talks w/family, friends and my mentor, that my current workplace (nonprofit organization) is very toxic and dysfunctional. Here is the current situation:

* Some of our board members right now are actively organizing against the organization and want to fire the Executive Director (allegations include that we're money laundering, unfairly firing ex-employees, being racist against a certain group of people, and more)
* There are various threats from ex-employees to sue the organization that are separate from the board members' issues (allegations include unfair firings, poor working conditions, etc.)
* Ex-employees have been fired due to attempts of organizing a union.
* Ex-employees have quit due to having panic attacks at work from poorly ventilated and hot working spaces. One of said ex-employees checked into a mental health clinic after her panic attack.
* Another ex-employee was raped while conducting a home visit to a volunteer. He checked into a mental health clinic afterwards and I believe the company tried to cover it up. Upper management said he "quit", but nothing else.
* In one month, we will be traveling to a hotel that has a huge infestation of bedbugs for a 3-day conference with 100 people (staff and volunteers). I have gotten bedbugs from this job before, so I know what the signs are. I have raised my concerns to management, but we will still be staying at this hotel.
* Speaking of bedbugs, my experience w/bedbugs at this job has been poor. Basically, two employees started spreading rumors about me when I announced that I received a bedbug infestation from a volunteer who was living in bad conditions and had bugs crawling on her jacket. They told the other volunteers that I was trying to "discriminate" against the bedbug infested volunteer and that bedbugs aren't that bad of a problem, I was being oversensitive. The company reimbursed me $800 for medical expenses, treatment and replacing furniture in the end, but that doesn't make up for humiliation at work.
* One of my coworkers falsified data, saying that we raised more money than we did and recruited more volunteers that we did, and my manager went along with the big lie to appease our donors. I know we falsified the data, there is no proof of these big numbers in our internal records.
* Coworkers and volunteers are actively racist, homophobic and transphobic towards each other. I've heard lots of racist slurs at work. We have a low retention of LGBTQ employees/volunteers because of homophobic and transphobic attitudes of staff and volunteers.
* We keep re-hiring an individual for seasonal work because he's the "go-to" person and he is in our "inner circle". However, we currently have an employee who has launched a sexual harassment complaint against this individual, saying that he constantly texted her with different anonymous phone numbers in a undesired sexual manner. After going through an investigation, HR requested that the victim employee go through a sexual harassment training and advised that she avoid contact with him in the future, when he returns to work.
* Sexual harassment happens all the time. It's happened to me multiple instances and we don't have an active protocol to address it. Thus, I avoid being alone in the office with certain volunteers, because I don't want to be touched or stared at.
* When other employees talk to me about feeling sexually harassed, I'm not sure what to do. I'm not sure if speaking up would jeopardize my job.
* I believe that my race is actively hurting my success at this company. Upper management has asked me to "step back" when it comes to confronting issues of racism at work because I am not considered a person of color (even though I am). Other coworkers have made racist remarks to me, saying that my race does not "suffer" as much as the other ones and that I should be quiet when it comes to this issue. We actively avoid ordering food from restaurants of my race because we think it might upset the other people of color at work. When the media comes to do interviews about our work, I am usually never picked because I am "not a good representation of the population we serve" at work, despite having strong qualifications and being a great public speaker. Other employees of different races are picked for media opportunities.
* There is active mold, multiple roach infestations and safety issues in our office. Our office has been broken into multiple times and people keep targeting our parking lot for car break-in'/breaking windows. It's taking forever for us to update our security cameras, they don't work very well.
* Little opportunity for advancement, asking for raises can put your job in jeopardy because you're seen as "selfish".

The overall culture of the organization is being a "yes man", even if that means we drive a bus off a cliff. People don't really voice their opinions here, even if it means to protect the safety and wellbeing of employees. I have voiced my opinion strongly about our safety and wellbeing on the job, and now I am seen as a "complainer" in the organization, someone who brings "negative vibes". I feel depressed and at times, suicidal, so I know I need to leave this toxic environment.

I am really scared that by posting this, someone may trace this to me. Reader, I hope you please try to respect my anonymity. I don't want to get into trouble here, I feel like I'm going to get fired all the time. My workplace is in the US South, I don't want to get into more specifics other than that. I am scared. Thank you for reading and your time.

Do you all think I should whistleblow, or just continue my efforts to find a new job and try to forget this ever happened in the past?
Topic:
Employment Law

Answer: You might want to Google what whistleblowing actually is and entails. Almost none of your bullet points are of issue legally. The one thing I would say is that anyone who is being sexually harassed needs to officially report that to management so they can respond, and if they don't respond or retaliate then they should see an employment attorney. But to answer your title question, whether or not you want to stay on this bus driving off a cliff, that's up to you and not a legal question.


Title: Research Chemicals confiscated

Question:
I bought 3-FPM, 4-FA, and etizolam and they were all "confiscated" by my university. I paid for these chemicals with my own money, so they confiscating it is analogous to theft considering they did not pay me for those chemicals. Is there a way I can get money for them considering how they probably disposed of the chemicals already?

They thought it was cocaine or some illegal drug, so they sent it to the lab, then told me that the substances weren't illegal, but they refused to return them to me.

U Michigan

Answer:
 The University isn't stupid,  They know what you are up to.

>3-Fluorophenmetrazine (also called 3-FPM or PAL-593) is a short-lived stimulant drug of the phenethylamine variety which has recently been made available online.

>4-Fluoroamphetamine (4-FA) is a substituted amphetamine with stimulant, entactogenic and nootropic effects. It is described subjectively as being between amphetamine and MDMA.

>Etizolam (trade names Etilaam and Etizest) is a short-acting psychoactive drug of the thienodiazepine class which has been shown to produce depressant, anxiolytic, sedative, hypnotic, muscle relaxant, anticonvulsant, depressant and amnestic effects. 1mg of etizolam is approximately equivalent to 10mg diazepam.


Title: Tx, US. Neighbor's AR15 discharged and entered our home. No injury.

Question:
Looking for some advice on the situation as I am still processing what happened. I have not yet spoken to him and I don't know what I want to do. I spoke with my significant other, who was home but outside fortunately, and he was visibly shaken and distraught until he found out everyone was ok. Has offered to pay all damages and is in the process of reaching out to a contractor. What other information would you guys need?

Edit. Should we file a police report? If he has someone come fix damages would there be a need to file a report? I don't think we want to press charges.

Answer: What is your specific question?


Title: [Canada] Could I get in trouble for taking a laptop that my parents bought me for school with me when I run away?

Question:
Okay, so long story short, I'm 18 years old and I'm kind of running away from home. My parents believe that I am going to University (in another province) at the end of August, but I plan to defer my admission and just leave by myself. The problem is my parents have bought me a laptop, and I do want to take it with me, but I'm not sure if it's okay. Like, could they call the police and say that I stole it? Am I stealing it?

Also, my parents have also taken out an RESP that is supposed to mature this year, what do I do about that? Can I ask to defer the maturity date as well?

I know this post is a bit of a mess, but I'd really appreciate some advice. Thank you :)

Answer: If it was a gift, no. But seriously, you're 18 and it's not really running away. Just tell them you're getting a job, packing up your things and moving out.


Title: [CA] what are the laws for unleashed animals coming into your yard and damaging your garden. My neighbor claims that cats are allowed to go wherever they roam, and I will be in legal trouble if I try to stop it.

Question:
I'm really not trying to start some philosophical debate, I really need to try and resolve a neighbor issue.

I don't know what the actual California law says about this.

Thanks.

Answer:
 Cats are not bound by US law because they are not people. Their owners are, however, and assume responsibility for the damages their cats cause. Unless the cats he is referring to are jazz musicians. Those cats are out of sight.Answer #2: You can sue him civilly for damages.  You can call animal control.

If you do anything to harm the animals, that's potentially a crime.Answer #3: Based on your questions, I think it is best :

A ) Call the municipality or animal control and ask if they can aid you with your problem.

B )  Hire a lawyer, let him/her explain the laws.

C ) Please do NO trap/hurt/kill animals.  Answer #4: Leash laws tend to be by municipality or county, so you’ll want to check there. However, even in places where cats are allowed to roam it’s perfectly legal to humanely chase or fence them from your yard, so neighbor has been huffing kibble.Answer #5: You'd probably get in trouble if you use rat traps because they could easily break the foot/legs of cats. You would need to use a livetrap like a Hav-A-Hart www.havahart.com Sometimes local animal rescues have a program to trap feral cats so they could possibly let you borrow such a trap.

Some other things you can do are use a sprinkler with motion activated watering setup, apply cayenne pepper, physically place things to keep cats from getting into your plantings. One thing gardeners do is place objects or chopsticks in freshly worked areas to make it inconvenient place for cats to squat and poop or dig around. You might get some better advice from /r/gardening.


Title: Ex-tenant left their stuff, what can we do with it?

Question:
Hi, all!

My boyfriend and I are finally moving from our tiny apartment and are renting a 2 bedroom house here in NC. The house is just being rented out by the owner, no property management company is being used. Our lease officially started on Aug 1. I'll try to keep this short.

The owner's previous tenant had to break their lease and move out of state for a family emergency about a month back. She cleared out some of her stuff, but a lot is still left like her curtains, some decorations, lots of cleaning supplies, but the biggest problem is her enormous king size bed that is still in the bedroom. The owner has asked her when she would move the stuff out and one of her friend's was supposed to come get it all, but never has. The landlord gave her an official warning, giving until today[Aug 4] to get it all out, but it looks like that is not going to happen.

The owner does not know what to do with it. He is just a very sweet, very old man. My boyfriend offered to get rid of it for him, but I'm wondering if there will be any repercussions against us for handling her property. My boyfriend also wants to keep some stuff (namely the bed), and I'm not very comfortable with that.

Is there anything the previous tenant would be able to do to us if we trashed or kept her stuff? Thanks!

Answer:
 first, and you seem to understand this, this is between LL and prior tenant. but if you and your bf are working with LL to resolve this, then it's all the same.

abandoned tenant property differs state to state. generally the rule is reasonableness.

generally this means to store things safely and cleanly and make reasonable attempts to contact and arrange for removal by the owner. Answer #2: I am assuming the previous tenant had a signed lease with the owner/landlord? In that case, he is responsible for removing the items in accordance with the contract.

For example, in some cases the landlord may need to hold the property for a certain amount of time, or even rent a storage locker in the previous tenants name and transfer the liability to them.


Title: [OK] If my grandfather puts a house, land, and business in 2 of his kids names years before he passed away, can his second wife legally take the land from them through the will?

Question:
Grandfather recently passed away. He had his shop and his first house put in one of my aunts name. She pays taxes on the house by herself, but the business taxes was paid by my grandfather since the business was still being ran. Then he had some land that was put in my other aunts name. She has a get away house on there and my cousin and his family lives there on the other side of it. My aunt pays for taxes.

We all got our letters for the will, recently but we found it strange that my grandfather's lawyer wasn't the one sending them out it was another that we never heard about. Early today my uncle went and talked to my grandfathers lawyer and he said that my grandpas wife had changed the will and my grandpa signed it in may. He then said that he wanted to talk to all of us before the will was read, get with my grandfathers doctors to see if he was competent enough to acknowledge what he was doing and to contest the will when we all show up. He said he thought that we were all aware of the situation.

I'm worried about about someone losing their place to live, and another one who had a house built losing that too just because my grandfathers spouse doesn't care for them.

Edit: I'm in OKlahoma. Bot said i didn't specify my location even when I put OK in the title.
Topic:
Wills Trusts and Estates

Answer:
 It sounds like your lawyer is on the ball. Hopefully the doctor will go on record saying that Grandpa wasn't competent; changing the will that late in life given the circumstances seems strange on its face.

Be prepared for a legal battle. She won't be able to do much while the will is being contested.


Title: I got a DAT (NYC) for drug possession in the 7th degree....

Question:
the cops thought it was coke, and so did we. but we got caught right after we did it, and it did Not feel like coke. we're suspecting it's ketamine. If they find out it is ketamine, it's a Class D felony.
The cops said we'd probably get a slap on the wrist. but i'm worried. what can we do if it turns out it IS ketamine?
i have no priors, my record's clean. i'm 19. THEY DID NOT MIRANDIZE ME
What should i do? i'm so scared! please n thank you.

edit: it was 3 of us, and we honest to goodness found the stuff in a bathroom at a party, but we were too scared to tell the truth so we said we all bought it from someone we didn't know. i had nothing in my bag, they apparently saw me do a line, but the two other people i was with had my grinder and weed on them. of all three of us i think i'm the most in the clear, but i don't know what i should do.

is it worth telling my mom? she'd be furious but she would eventually help me. i'm wondering if i'm equipped to handle this on my own.

also, i'm based in baltimore, was visiting home for thanksgiving. cops said this wouldn't be a problem.
idk i'm just scared :( i'm young and stupid

edit2: the full story: we were about to roll a j in the park around 12 or 1am and then these cops just showed up and there was ketamine on my friend's phone and in a baggie under her shoe. (cops assumed it was coke.) her boyfriend was holding my grinder with a little less than a dub in it. i stayed quiet and i initially told them i didn't do any of the "coke" but they said they saw me do it, so i didn't respond. they searched all my shit and didn't find anything. the actual literal possession was on my two friends unfortunately. but from what i understand me just being there counts as possession?

i'm mostly worried about what i have to do if they do tests on the drugs to find out what it is. the cops pretty firmly believed it was coke and the three of us didn't express our doubts about whether it was actually coke, because we weren't sure. if it end up being ketamine or something worse, can we be held accountable for that? like if we were sold something that we thought was one thing but was actually something else?

the description of possession in the 7th includes "knowingly" but i don't know how far that goes.

i'm just paranoid. i didn't really say anything. i was trying to keep it light, though. chitchatty. i wanted to match the cops' vibes. their take on it was that we weren't in huge trouble but that we're dumb as shit and shouldn't do drugs. they were really upset about the coke, not as much about the weed.

also, generally speaking, we were in a public place. there was nothing on my person or that i was holding. i was just there. can i be convicted if that's the case?
Topic:
Drug Possession

Answer:
 Bottom line: no matter what the drug turns out to be, you need a criminal defense lawyer.

Bottom, bottom line: you keep doing all these drugs and you'll keep needing criminal defense lawyers for the rest of your life.


Title: [CA] My ex has my car. I want to transfer it over to him but he won't let me. I don't want the car back, I just do not want to be responsible for it? What can I do? The car insurance is under his name. What can I do?

Question: [removed]

Answer:
 Do you have the pink slip? Fill out the information about him being the new owner and how much he paid for it or if it was gifted.Answer #2: IANAL, and I am not sure if this will work for your specific circumstance, but, you could just fill one of these out:

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-registration/titles/title-transfers-and-changes/notice-of-transfer-and-release-of-liability-nrl/


Title: [KS] Report a teacher for theft

Question: Freshman year in high school I did a book report on a book that my English teacher deemed "inappropriate" and confiscated it. She will not return the book despite my requests. I have asked 3 or 4 times. She says "have a parent come get it". My parents won't waste their time to go get a book from the school. The school year is almost over and I want the book back. I know it probably sounds dumb but I want to report a theft if she won't give it back. I personally bought the book on Amazon so there are records of that. She's had it about 2 years now

Answer: Then have your parents get it. She had a right to take it (through school policy). She is holding it until the adult responsible for you gets it. If they choose not to them that is their choice and you are screwed


Title: Is this breach of contract sufficient to break a lease early? (NJ)

Question:
Hopefully this is the right place to ask.  I'm also going to try to keep this as vague as I can so the other parties don't stumble upon this.

I'm currently in a year lease in NJ that expires in several months.  For reasons not pertaining to my question, I want to break the lease early - ASAP.

The landlord is using a portion of the property to store their own personal belongings.  Due to this, the room(s) that are being used as the landlord's storage are largely unusable by me.

It is written into the lease that the landlord has agreed to remove their personal property from these rooms by a certain date.

So my question is, if the specified date passes and they haven't removed their property from the rooms, is that sufficient cause for me to break the lease early?  I would be willing to fight this in court if I had to.

Answer: What is expressly promised on the lease? Removal of the items? And by what date? And do you have express access to those rooms?


Title: Lent Friend Money - Says He Wont Pay Back

Question:
About 2 years back i lent my then bestfriend $3500 so he could buy a motorbike. We made no written agreement but we certainly agreed verbally that the money was to be repaid and was by no means a gift. He has never been proactive  in trying to repay me and the only time he does repay me is after i've sent him facebook messages asking him too. At present he has paid down $500 of the $3500. Just recently i sent him another facebook message asking if he could make another repayment and he hasn't responded. I can tell he has seen the message but obviosuly hasn't been bothered to respond. Given it's now 2 years after i lent the money and how he has made such little effort in trying to pay back i'm now looking to see what legal options i have going forward to try and recover my money

Note i live in NSW (Australia)

Answer: Depending on your location you can sue him in small claims court.


Title: Who owns my land? Bonus adverse possession question! [Mesa, AZ]

Question:
In May of this year I purchased a property in Mesa, AZ. It's a semi-attached townhome in an HOA (yeah, yeah). We did NOT have a survey done because the community/HOA has been in place since 1978 and borders a golf course; all the homes have pretty clearly defined fence lines that have been in place many years. The oldest satellite image I've found is from May 2006 which shows that the fence line was the same then as it is today, 12 years later.

Next to my home is a wash/access lane for the HOA to maintain the common areas that border the golf course. All the documentation I can find defines this as a 20' access lane and that property belongs to the HOA.

The issue is that at some point prior to 2006, a fence line was built apparently extending my lot out into the wash 2-3 feet.  Since taking possession of the property, we have been the only party maintaining the lot from the fence line in - the HOA has never done any maintenence. I assume it has been like that for a very long time. Total area is probably around 30x3'.

I am wanting to fence in part of the yard, including a part of this "extended" area (currently just a stucco wall/fence line, need to add the metal fence parts). HOA docs say that "no building, fence, wall or other structure shall be commenced, erected, or maintained upon the property," etc. until written plans/specs have been submitted to and approved by the HOA architectural committee. Assuming a prior owner made this change, it had to either have been approved by the HOA or at least not contested for 12+ years.

I don't particularly care whether the property is mine or not. It has an obnoxious tree on it I want to tear out, and if it turns out it's the HOA's property then I can make it their problem.

My questions are:

1: If this IS the HOA's property and they refuse to approve my fence, can I demand that they correct/move the fence line at their cost? This would mean tearing down a 3-4' stucco wall, removing a lot of dirt and rocks as well as a large tree, and rebuilding the wall on the actual property line.

2: Could any sort of adverse possession laws apply here? I don't know how this might be affected given it's owned by the HOA, and that I've only owned the property for 8 months. I don't know if it's considered "my" land by the county or if I am paying taxes based on the larger lot.

I know this is potentially a bigger issue than this sub can tackle, but I would appreciate some insight from people with more knowledge and me, and some guidance as to how to handle this.

Album with pics for reference: https://imgur.com/a/wNF9M

Answer: You can be 100% certain who owns what if you pay to have a survey done. This is probably your first step, no matter which path you choose to go down.


Title: (GA) Two part question about lease contract, and emotional support animals

Question:
A few days ago I picked up a stray and brought him home. I took him to a vet to see if he was microchipped and it was not registered. I tried Facebook to no avail. So I got attached. Really quickly.

I currently live in a very small apartment complex and planned on talking to my landlord about keeping him and paying a pet deposit fee. I left for work this morning and checked my phone during the day and had an angry text from my landlord. He said he knew I had the dog and that I needed to get rid of him immediately. I was very apologetic, said that I wasn't trying to hide him. In the lease it talks about no pets unless there is a paid fee and permission from the landlord so I asked him about that and said I would be willing to pay. He gave me a hard no and accused my dog of "shitting in the front yard" which isn't true because I walk him far away from the complex and always clean after he goes.

My first question is about the lease. It has been signed already but I am confused about the section that to me clearly says you can have a pet if you pay the fee (as soon as I get home I will post this part of the lease). I have a feeling that since I've already signed the lease that I am at a dead end there. He doesn't have to let me add it on.

This is where my question comes in about emotional support animals. Will this help me at all? I have anxiety and depression and so far this puppy has been so incredibly helpful to me. There is just so much crap out there I dont want to be scammed out of $200 with a piece of paper that wouldn't hold up in court if I ever have to go.

So my questions are, is it totally useless to bring up the lease again since it was already signed? And if I am able to get him certified as a emotional support animal, would this help me at all?
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer: Please don't retcon an ESA just because you want to keep a puppy. What you are suggesting is analogous to buying a wheelchair at a thrift store and using it to score good seats at a concert. I train and sign off on service dogs and ESA dogs, what you're considering is complete and utter fraud even though I totally understand where you're coming from. Just don't.  Answer #2: So, you brought a stray into your apartment before telling your landlord, and your thoughts are to then claim the puppy as an ESA to so that you can keep him?


Title: Divorce (NY) with green card pending

Question:
Hi! Happy Thanksgiving.

I recently found out my husband has been seriously cheating on me. I haven’t fully decided what to do, but I’m leaning toward divorce.

How does divorce work in New York State when you’ve only been married for 3.5 months, and he has a green card application pending? I’m a US citizen and am the sponsor of his marriage-based green card. The full application was only submitted a few weeks ago.

Will he be denied the visa and have to leave the country? If he leaves the country soon, how do we finalize the divorce if he’s not here? I read online that in NY you have to have unresolvable problems for six months before they let you have a no-fault divorce, but we haven’t even been married that long. I don’t know much about divorce law, but I believe no fault would be the way to go because it’s logistically easiest, and he admits his infidelity, and we have a pre-nup stipulating no alimony, and we have no marital property besides some furniture and pets.

Thank you for the thoughts.

Edit: to be more clear on one important question, how do we finalize the divorce if he’s not in the country? He doesn’t have a job at the moment so I imagine that he will leave America as soon as we break up, and not come back. Thanks.
Topic:
Immigration

Answer:
 >Will he be denied the visa and have to leave the country?

It depends. If he can show UCSIS that he married you in good faith, he may be able to retain his residency status while the I-485 is still pending.

>I read online that in NY you have to have unresolvable problems for six months before they let you have a no-fault divorce, but we haven’t even been married that long.

Infidelity is grounds for a fault-based divorce. The no-fault rule is that a marriage must be "irretrievably broken" for at least six months prior to filing.


Title: Car gets broken into while at mechanics shop overnight. Are they responsible for damage?

Question:
My car was broken into last night after a mechanic asked to keep it overnight so they could work on it today. I received a call this morning that they didn't take it in the garage and it was broken into. I lost a window, my tech equipment, and my stereo, all totalling probably around a thousand dollars or more. Can the shop be held responsible for this?

Location is Centennial Colorado, USA.

Answer: Insurance agent here, this does not constitute legal advice, only my experience in the field and a web reference](https://law.freeadvice.com/insurance_law/auto_insurance/vandalized_car_auto_repair_shop.htm). The auto body shop isn't liable because they didn't cause the damage or theft through negligence. You're insurance may pay for damages using your comprehensive coverage which covers "acts of god" like weather damage and vandalism. They will not however replace or pay for your tech equipment. That falls under your renter's/homeowner's insurance. You'll also most likely be in the hot seat with underwriting if you hadn't previously reported transportation of goods/services and a business use.


Title: (Nashville, TN) Sale of Alcohol to a Minor

Question:
I manage a bar just south of Nashville, TN.  During the weekends, we have a doorman...during the week we are open to the general public of all ages.

During the week two gentlemen sat at the bar where one bartender was working, and I was behind the bar doing inventory.  The gentlemen both asked for beers of which I responded that I was doing inventory and that I had to check to see what was in stock.  After checking inventory I told the bartender to tell the gentlemen we were out of that particular product, and to take their order for something else.  This bartender already assumed that I had checked their ID's, and got them something else instead.

Once the bartender placed the beers down I was called over and I was cited for selling alcohol to the two persons.  I never rang anything up, I never placed alcohol in front of the persons...I didnt so much as to walk anything over to them.

Upon issuing the citation the bartender came up and she in fact admitted guilt---she told the officers that she put the beers down...I was still the one who got cited. According to the citation, signaling "let me check to see what is in stock" is apparently selling alcohol.  The bartender was let go by my GM after the incident.

I have two written statements, one from me and one from her, discussing the situation.  I do not know if those will be acceptable in court.  I have hired an attorney to accompany me and to handle my case.

My general question is this punishable?  What is considered selling?  The officer said that he had every right to assume that if we had that particular product I would have gave it to the persons.

I have mixed emotions about the whole event but first off I am just trying to cover my ass...this is my livelihood

Thank you for the legal advice!

Answer: IANAL, but seeing as you neither collected money nor served libations, I don't see how they can stick you with selling to a minor. That being said, would you be considered the supervisor of the bartender who served them? Perhaps in telling her to serve them, through your authority over her, you indirectly served them?


Title: 80mph in a 70mph zone in VA (MD resident), what do??

Question:
About ready to punch the entire state in the face.

So I was on my way to WV, driving through Shenandoah county in VA. Broad daylight, no rain, very little traffic. Now I had a run-in with Virginia RD laws about 5 years ago in a different county (82, got reduced, no conviction), and know full well what a pain in the ass they can be, so I was being careful, but apparently not careful enough. I got clocked going *exactly 80 mph* in a 70 mph zone by a state trooper. No fine given up front, mandatory court summons.

Reddit, what do? Everything I'm reading says that 81 and over is what's required for RD, but I was going *precisely* 80 according to the cop. Do I challenge this? Do I try for a reduction? HALP.

**Edit**: Have now spoken with the necessary people, I am NOT in fact facing a RD, just a simple speeding ticket. Cop for whatever reason just decided to make that as unclear as possible and possibly deliberately misled me because reasons. Thanks to the 2-3 posters who were helpful.
Topic:
Traffic and Parking

Answer:
 > About ready to punch the entire state in the face.

Because you can't follow the law?


Title: Carrying my rx medication on me. Illegal ?

Question:
So i take Ativan for my anxiety disorder. And instead of always carrying my pill bottle with me i bought a little key chain that holds a few pills. If i carry a print out of my rx label in my wallet does it make them legal to carry out of a pill bottle ?

Thank you.

Answer:
 You have to keep prescription medications in their original bottle, especially for drugs like Ambien or Ativan. You can ask your pharmacist for smaller, labeled bottles that help you carry medications for your day-to-day goings when you're traveling in or out of country.

Pharmacists are a great resource for questions like this and more often than not are educated in the legal aspect of the medications they dispense, and how their customers may use the medications they buy.


Title: My wife's boss is withholding money from her paycheck because he claims she hasn't been working full time at her salaried job.

Question:
My wife has been working for a company in California that contracts her out to local schools for speech services for about 5 years.

During the first 4 years she was being paid per hour. She would log in her hours on a time sheet and submit it to the company to get paid. She signed a contract each year showing her hourly wage and details regarding sick days and early termination of contract.

During year 4 her boss begged her to work at two separate sites, 3 days at one location for 8 hours and 2 days at another for 6 hours. He said for the 6 hour site that he would pay her a higher wage, she accepted and he did indeed pay her at a higher wage for the second site. She did not sign a contract but he was good about paying her on time so no issues came up.

Year 5 rolls around and my wife decided that she wants to become salaried employee  because the finances get extremely tight in the summer time when she isn't working. She calculated her income from the previous year and asked the employer if she can get that amount over a 12 month period. He agrees, she asked him about the sites and he confirmed via text that the sites would remain the same. She asked him atleast 4 times for a contract so that she can sign it and have something for her records. He said he would get it to her but never did. He still wanted her to submit a time sheet at the end of the month and she agreed.

Fast forward in August of 2016. She starts her job when the school year starts. At the end of the month she notices her check is short and when she contacts him about it he says since the school year started in he middle of the month that he had to prorate her salary and that it will all balance out by August of 2017.

Everything was fine and my wife was getting paid the same amount every month from August of 2016 until March of 2017. Note each month she has worked a different amount of hours due to various holidays and school breaks.

At the start of April she checks her paystub and notices she is short about 20% of her monthly salary. She calls to find out and is told that she hasn't been working the minimum 40 hours a week as required to do so. My wife is shocked because this was never brought to her attention. The owner of the company states to her that they will be taking out money for the hours she hasn't been working unless she can make up about 200 hours from now until school ends in June. My wife tells him that's impossible because there is not enough time to make up any "lost" hours and asked him why they didn't tell her after the first month or two. He states that they were giving her a chance to make up the hours but she never did. She tells him how she asked for a copy of the new contract atleast 4 times before the school year started and he never provided it and he never mentioned anything about an hour requirement. Furthermore when she texted him and called him to confirm her sites for the year they were exactly the same sites and he never mentioned to her that hours for site 2 had to be 8 hours instead the 6 hours that she was working .My wife emailed him detailing these facts and he replied by saying that don't expect to get paid your full salary if you work 2 hours a day. She is confused because she has always worked no less than 6 hours. She gets all her work done and is constantly praised by both school staff and teachers.

She is extremely concerned that he won't be paying her her full salary and is worried that he won't pay her at all in summer. Does she have any recourse? Do we need to contact an attorney or try to work it out with him directly? We both are worried because we had planned for the money and we just bought house last year. Any advice would be great.

Note she has all the text messages and emails saved from her conversation with him. Sorry for any errors it's extremely late and we haven't had much sleep.

Answer: Uh go to a lawyer and bring all the paperwork you have. This sounds pretty serious... I would think that the fact that they paid her before and there weren't any problems favours her, so it will most likely be up to them to show that they changed the contract and have a copy of it. Would probably good if she had some record of the hours she worked, might be a good idea to talk to the clients as well, but first a lawyer. No contract is super dodgy which is why I wouldn't try and 'work it out' directly, she's already talked to him and got nothing logical.


Title: Guy Is Harassing Me With My Nudes From 3 yeas ago

Question:
The title basically explains it all
A guy I was never involved with got nudes from my ex boyfriend( he basically sold them to everyone and anyone who wanted them) and now 3 years later this guy is hitting me up, sending his own nudes to me as a “thank you”. The issue is.... the picture was from when I was 17... and the guy was obviously over 18 when he got them. I’m not even sure if that’s the only picture he has of me either.

If I go to the police will I also get in trouble from when I sent them 3 yrs ago?

Answer:
 Since you committed a crime by creating child pornography you should *absolutely not speak to the cops,* contact an attorney and explain what has happened. You will need their advice on how to stop him distributing child pornography/revenge porn of you while not also incriminating yourself. Answer #2: You are underage that is child pornography .

You might face legal issues as well best bet is to go to a lawyer ..
Criminal defense or civil law is your best bet I think


Title: Landlord wants first month before running credit check

Question:
I’m applying for apartments in Las Vegas and one landlord is asking for the application fee of 35.00. The other thing they are asking for is first month rent (rent special) and a holding fee of either 199.00( if you rent for 12months) or 499.00 (if you rent from months 6-11). I find this extremely unethical or even legal?
The fine print says that holding fee is refundable upon request in the first 24 hours of the applicant or the application is denied? Here’s the catch she says the credit check is taking up to 48 hours. So if denied I could lose my money order for 199.00 since it’s takes 2 days..
Since when do they ask for the first months rent before running credit?
I’m looking to rent in Las Vegas NV.

Answer: It is legal. I wouldn’t rent from her. But it is legal.


Title: Tenant caused AC motor to burn, wants me to pay.

Question:
Location is Ontario Canada

My Tenant recently contacted me to let me know that the air conditioner motor is burnt. I sent a technician out and they confirmed it was burnt, and also informed me it was due to a lack of airflow due to the intake vent being blocked by a drawer (less than 10% of the vent is exposed)

The tenant wants me to get it replaced,  which I will, do you guys think the cost should be on me or the tenant due to them blocking the air intake with their furniture? Thanks in advance!

Answer: On you. Unless they blocked the vent intentionally knowing the result, I'm guessing they had no idea that a blocked vent would cause a burned out motor.


Title: I was fined $200 (CAD) dollars for fishing with maggots. Calgary, AB, Canada

Question:
I went fishing a couple of weeks ago with my step dad and little sister during the family day weekend. We didn't need a fishing license because it was free that weekend. A fisheries and wildlife officer gives my stepdad a warning for fishing with maggots and fines me $200 for fishing with maggots. We were fishing right beside each other. I gave my drivers license to the officer my stepdad didn't have his. Doesn't stop my little sister (age 8) from fishing with maggots. Apparently it's unlawful to fish in the Bow river in Calgary with bait. I didn't know that cause I haven't been fishing in 6-8 years. I just went because I wanted to try it out. What can I do to not have to pay this fine?

Edit: added "drivers" before license.

Answer: Not sure why you're assuming there is a way not to pay the fine and you just don't know this one cool trick but that's not how it works. Likely you can appeal but unless your claim is you weren't using maggots you don't have a defense. You broke the law and got caught and now have to pay a fine.   There wouldn't be much point to issuing fines if you could use this one cool trick to get out of them.


Title: Tenants are revolting against other tenant accused of a crime. What are my options?

Question:
I'm the landlord of an apartment building in New Jersey for thirty five years and this situation has never happened before. I'll keep this brief. One of my tenant's, Joe (not real name), has been accused of sexual molestation at his job at a daycare center. He maintains his innocence. Now, somehow, word on this has traveled. Everyone, and I am not exaggerating, wants the man and his family (wife, two children under 10) evicted. Joe and his family have not broken any rules and have always paid the rent on time every month since they've lived there. I see no reason to evict, especially since I believe he is innocent until proven guilty. However, my tenants are trying to force my hand. I am being threatened with lawsuits, and many of my tenants want to break their leases to leave early unless Joe goes. As far as I've read, it seems there are no grounds for my tenants to legally break their leases or for me to force Joe and his family out. Still, what should I do about this situation? Joe's door did get tagged with "PEDO" amongst other acts of vanadlism which I can't prove were done by my own tenants. It is getting ugly, and the police have been little help.
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer: To deal with the vandalism of op's property, would it make sense to invest in an exterior camera that would be able to catch any future acts of vandalism?


Title: [Employment Law] My company's over time policy seems illegal

Question:
My company has a weird overtime policy and I cannot find anything under the fair labor standards act so I thought I may run it by a few experts.

Our company (USA, OH)  has an overtime policy in which the can contact you outside of your regularly scheduled hours to work. You're scheduled around 40 each week, but they can call or text you at any time and say "So and so called out. I need you to cover their shift" and if you say no, you get 2 "points". If you collect 14 points you're fired. If you call out that's another two points and you are voluntarily mandated to work as many shifts as they ask until you hit 70 hours and then you may say no with no points awarded.

The pay is the weird part. They pay your regularly scheduled hours weekly, but any overtime earned is put into a separate "bank" that you can draw from twice a year. You do not get paid in checks for overtime until you have accumulated 120 overtime hours in your "bank".

This doesn't seem legal. I am considering quitting but am also wondering if I have a labor department claim.

Answer:
 The scheduling part is a weird (and frankly, stupid) way to manage, but sounds legally acceptable.

The overtime bank thing is absolutely not.  You must be paid for all hours worked, including relevant overtime or other pay on your regular pay date.  There are no exceptions.


Title: NY, NY - Can my co-op block all air-access to my living room? Urgent!* (well, urgent to me, anyway)

Question:
SETUP: My pre-war NYC building has to install new gas pipes to and in all apartments.

BACKSTORY: Last fall, a gas leak was reported. Con Edison inspected, turned off the gas to the building and advised that all lines need to be compliant with new codes. It's been a drag going without gas since then, but I get it. Safety first. New gas lines will be installed on the building's exterior.

ISSUE: My apartment is one of the smallest in the building, and the only one with a terrace. I overheard the workers talking about needing to use my terrace to "stage" the scaffolding. I heard one guy say, we'll keep the scaffolding on the terrace, and the tenant won't be able to use their terrace for the next two weeks. I can live without using my terrace for two weeks, though all my plants will die. But my terrace door is my window; it's the ventilation to my living room. There are no windows, and there is no AC.

QUESTION: Can they block the air from my living room for two weeks? Do I have any grounds on which to argue with them?

*urgent because I overheard this yesterday, and they're starting tomorrow morning.

Thanks in advance for any and all replies.

Answer: Might be a fire hazard. See if you can negotiate to have it be used as a storage space so long as you can open the door to the terrace. Your leverage is a halt work order due to fire marshall inspection. (Not sure if this will pan out.)


Title: Might be out 2k plus not able to bring my dog to Japan; considering a consultation

Question:
I have been working and living in Japan since July of last year. I moved from **San Diego, California**. Through my dog's veterinarian, we (husband and I) have been preparing to move him here with us too. This process started in early July, before I left for Japan.

To bring a dog into Japan (a "rabies-free" country) from the US (a non rabies free country), the process is extremely long and extremely strict.

It includes:

* A particular microchip

* A certain number of rabies vaccines received within a certain time period of one another

* A rabies titer test that must be processed by one of 5 special rabies laboratories in the US (we went through Kansas State)

* At least 180 days must have passed before the dog can legally enter the country to be sure that no rabies has developed as a result of the test

* The original rabies titer test results with a white and purple sticker (no copy is acceptable)

* An exporter's declaration form (owner fills this out)

* A health certificate (a USDA accredited vet fills this out)

* 40+ day notification of intent to import through the appropriate Japanese quarantine facility (we are going through KIX, Kansai International Airport, in Osaka)

* (within 10 days of departure) The exporter's declaration form and the health certificate form must be endorsed by the USDA in order to receive official stamps and a certificate granting permission to take the dog out of the country and into Japan. Has a validity period of 10 days so this was the very last thing we had yet to do

**Any mistake, clerical or otherwise, on the paperwork could result in the quarantine or outright euthanization of my dog should I attempt to bring him to Japan**

We have done everything aside from the USDA endorsement. The problem came when I started asking the vet for the original titer test results because I needed to send a photocopy to the Japanese Quarantine in KIX so they would have it ready to check with the original that I have to bring.

The vet told me that they do not receive the original results and that they are automatically sent to the USDA for safe keeping and that I could access it by going to the USDA when I need to get the other two documents endorsed.

This went against everything I knew about the process but when pressed, the vet insisted that they do not receive the original. So I called Kansas State, who processed the rabies test, and asked them. They said that the requesting vet clinic *does* receive the original results but to call the USDA branches in Sacramento and LA just to be sure.

I called and they both confirmed that for travel to Japan, the original titer test results are **always** sent back to the requesting vet clinic.

The vet still denies this and I decide to call Kansas State back who then puts out an email to Antech (a private entity who acts as a go-between for clinics and the rabies laboratory), me, the USDA, and the vet clinic to locate the original.

We were never able to track down the original but that's not the least of our worries.

The copy that I received from Kansas State had a glaring error on it: my dog was marked as a female instead of a male.

I immediately called Kansas State back to ask and was told that the requesting vet clinic (my clinic...) submitted him as a female and if I want to reissue, it would be a $105 fee.

I fought the clinic to pay the fee even though they insisted that because it was the mistake of a former employee, they weren't liable for it.

They put in a request to change info complete with a statement, the fee, and proof of my dog's actual sex, last Friday.

But there's no guarantee that it will be processed and back in time. The vet clinic says that if it isn't, it isn't their fault because they tried as hard as they could to "reunite" us.

In addition, the vet I spoke with who previously touted herself as the "expert in the office" on preparing animals for Japan confessed to me at our 3am (my time..) meeting that she has never done it before but is doing "what she can". I feel lied to since this is the same woman who was so eager to not have me walk out the door to find someone demonstrably knowledgeable about the process.

Japan Quarantine has my dog's arrival date on April 20th. He MUST be in Japan on that date or we have to redo the entire 40 day notification, which means buying *another* plane ticket and taking more time off work.

At this point, my dog is being taken care of by my roommates in San Diego but they are not willing to look after him anymore since our agreement was until April, when I would take him home.

This means that I have to rehome him while I'm in the US next week if this paper doesn't get there in time.

I leave in two days to go get him and due to a grievous error on the part of the vet clinic, I may not be able to bring him now. I've spent over USD 2000 on plane tickets, testing, and paperwork fees over the course of almost one year just to get my dog here.

I strongly feel that the vet clinic is responsible for this in every way and I do not want to let them get away with this if the worst happens, but I don't know what kind of consultation to seek or even if I have a case. I'm 25 and have never even considered a lawsuit against anyone before so my question is:

**If I have a case, how should I go about contacting someone to talk to? Is there a particular kind of category that this falls into?**
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer: Conference call the vet and Kansas state ?Answer #2: This is out of my legal experience realm and I have no advice but wow Japan is not screwing around at all when it comes to keeping rabies out of their country.  I feel sorry for you and you clearly love Dogs as much as I do and wish you luck. Answer #3: No advice on this situation, but for the future, because it seems like your dog might be traveling internationally again: there are companies that specialize in this.  They know exactly what needs to be done and some even provide care while the pet is waiting to be exported.  I'd go with one of those in the future instead of directly through your vet.  One of the more well known larger companies is PetRelocation.Answer #4: You may have already done so, but you may want to call the embassy for advice. I'm sure they've had many cases of pets arriving with incomplete requirements, and may have testing capabilities once you arrive. You may also want to ask about what makes a case go to quarantine vs euthanasia


Title: [California] Roommate is trying to bully me out of the low-rent unit we share - threatened to "make my life a living hell" if I didn't give notice

Question:
**There is now a TL;DR at the end of this post.**

I've been living in a 2 bedroom unit for the past 8 years that is very low rent for the area. I always rent out the other room to save $$, and have always had the other roommate on the lease (for accountability). I've had five roommates over the past 8 years, all of whom have moved out of their own accord for various reasons (marriage, job relocation, etc.) I have a great relationship with the landlord (not on site) who regards me as one of his best tenants, tells me he keeps the rent low specifically to keep me there. I've always done M2M leases for the flexibility of whoever is living there.

**The following paragraphs are details about the roommate's change of character. If you don't want to read this skip to the one that starts with "at the end of June".**

I've had my current roommate for 3 years. When he first moved in, he was a great roommate - cleaned up after himself, paid bills on time. About a year and a half in, he lost his well-paying job and had to take a shittier one that doesn't pay as well. Unable to manage his finances without his old salary, he missed his car payments to the extent that his car got reoped (he missed 8 car payments in a row). He eventually got another car (much shittier) but then his auto insurance got canceled for nonpayment (it's been canceled ever since, so he's been driving without insurance for months).

On top of that, he started borrowing money from friends, which has resulted in him losing all of his friends. I had become friends with a few of them over the years, so I was able to follow up and get their stories about how he asked to borrow $200-$500 to "get by" and then never paid them back or called them again. He even borrowed money from family members and never returned their calls about it. He has continued to pay the rent and his portion of the utilities on time (which was my biggest concern) but it's always a fight to get him to pay these bills (requiring multiple texts/emails, etc.)

Over the past few weeks, he has turned into a huge slob. He constantly leaves trash everywhere and has stopped cleaning up after himself. This has forced me to start cleaning up after him in order to use the common spaces, which is frustrating. I also have recently had an increase in my own salary and decided I wanted to get him out once and for all and have the place to myself.

**At the end of June** I sat down with him and had a conversation about his cleanliness and overall attitude, me having to get on his case about shared bills, etc. I offered for him to sign one of two documents I wrote up (per the landlords permission): one that would require an increase in his portion of the rent to cover a cleaning service, and the other was a 60-day notice for him to move out (I did 60 days to give him time to get his shit together). He said he needed a day to think it over, and I agreed. The next day I get a call from my landlord that my roommate had gone to his office and demanded that I move out, stating he wanted to get a new roommate and cut me out of the lease. I don't know what the landlord said to him, but the LL was calling me private to tell me that that he wanted to keep me and help me get the roommate out. He also threw the docs I presented him with away.

Per the terms of the M2M lease, both of us have to sign a notice agreement for this lease to be ended and for a new lease (with just one of us on it) to begin. If only one of us were to submit 30 day notice (for example, me) the person that submits the notice has to forfeit their rights to the apartment. So it doesn't work for just me to sign a notice, which was my original plan.

However, my roommate is refusing to sign anything or to communicate with me or the landlord. After talking to me, the landlord sent an email to both of us saying he wanted to meet with the two of us in person about the apartment. My roommate replied stating "that won't be necessary". My landlord says he is now in touch with the owner of the unit (for clarity, my landlord manages but does not own the unit, the owner is a few states away) to see what we can do (the owner likes me too, she has sent me nice notes when I have renewed my lease with her). He is also going to try to reach out to the roommate 1:1 to see if he can convince him to agree to a mutual solution.

Now for **the latest development:** last night when I came home from a weekend trip, the roommate said he wanted to talk and immediately told me he would "never move out" and that the apartment was now "his". I started to object and he said that if I didn't move out, he would "make sure my life was a living hell" then went away to his room. Upon hearing this I went and checked that all my stuff was intact and that nothing was stolen in my room, fortunately everything was intact. I was pretty shaken up and stayed locked in my room for the rest of the night.

As of this morning I am looking into what I can do to protect myself while the landlord sorts out the situation. While he was at work I took pictures and video of the entire apartment (except his room) in it's current state to ensure I would have a record of what it looked like in case he trashed it. I'm considering buying a nanny/security camera for my room so I can get it on tape if he tries to mess with my bedroom (my bedroom door doesn't have a lock, I'm not sure what the requirements would be for me to get one installed). I am also considering taping all of our future conversations since he threatened me in this manner, though I know CA is a two-party consent state so I would have to ask for his consent to do so. I understand if he threatens me again and I can get it recorded, I'll have evidence for a police report, which would also allow my LL to kick him out.

As an added note: right now my credit is near-perfect and his is in tatters. My LL was considering having us re-apply for the apartment with our updated credit scores, then choosing the one with the stronger application to keep the place (which will be me) since we had both expressed in private to him that we wanted to end the lease with the other. Since the roommate is refusing to talk to the LL this doesn't appear to be an option.

Apologies for the length of this post, I attempted to cover all relevant points. Any advice about what I can/cannot legally do is welcome.

**EDIT**: It's a month-to-month lease and we are on the same lease, sorry I didn't clarify that in the post.

**TLDR: On a month-to-month lease with a roommate whose gotten progressively shittier. My landlord and I want him to move out, but he refuses to communicate with the LL or me, then threatened me per the title of this post. Looking for advice on how to protect myself/my stuff while my landlord works on getting him out.**

Answer:
 If you're both on the lease then there are the following possibilities:

1. You move out.
2. He moves out.
3. The landlord ends the tenancy for both of you with 60 days notice (unless you're in a RSO unit). Edit: And I'm assuming the lease is M2M.
4. The landlord evicts both of you (if he refuses to leave, or if y'all stop paying rent, or otherwise break the lease).

If he violates the lease and the landlord uses that, then the landlord has to evict BOTH of you, which sucks for you. Why don't you ask the landlord to end the tenancy completely, you both move out, and then you move back in on a separate lease? Or would that increase the low rent?

In the future, if your lease allows subletting without involving the landlord, then it's to your benefit to not involve the landlord. If you had done it that way, you could give him 60 days notice to leave (required in CA for M2M tenancies more a year) and you'd keep the apartment for yourself.

Also you cannot record audio of him. That's illegal in California without his consent.Answer #2: There is too much information in this post, most of which is not relevant. You two are on the same lease, correct? When does that lease end?Answer #3: Op, you might want to offer a lump of money, such as two months rent to make your roommate move out. It might be better than a full blown eviction process if he just stays there even if your landlord ends the tenancy.
Just make sure to wire it when he's out. Better to draft a simple contract from a lawyer to make sure that he cannot pocket the money and stay there.


Title: College Resident Assistant(RA) tells students medical info - fall under Hippa?

Question:
(Iowa)
Edit - So not Hipaa, but privacy rights or anything?
Edit(2) - Found out I could argue that the RA violated RA statement in the student handbook.

So I recently landed myself in the hospital after some medication wasn't working as intended for me, regarding mental health(a very private thing in my book). The RA heard of what happened, and obviously had to follow procedure and contact their bosses. This was all fine and good, I know that they had certain steps they must follow.

I end up staying in the hospital for a week until they can get my medicine working and clear up some things at school for me, and during this time my mother and I made it very clear to the dean of students that the RA was not to speak of what happened to other students. Well, I come back to school to find out that word has spread, a few people knew the whole story, and now I'm unlikely to get a position I was going to apply for because I have too many "personal issues". I was wondering if Hipaa laws are on my side when it comes to college employees, or RA's sharing my medical information. Even just basic privacy laws. I have a meeting with the dean and want to lay out that this was unacceptable, it's a repeat offense, and I want students to be protected.

Any help would be much appreciated.
Throwaway for reasons.

Answer: HIPAA only covers medical professionals.


Title: Me (26M) and my wife (26F) bought a mattress from a store and they sold us the wrong one. Our backs and necks are now hurting. [Chino Hills, California]

Question:
On Labor Day my wife and I bought a temperpedic mattress from a store in Chino Hills, Ca. We both like soft beds as harder beds hurt our back and neither of us had liked temperpedic but the salesman showed us this one temperpedic mattress that was just perfect.
So he writes everything up and shows us the mattress one more time and says "this is the one correct?" to which reply "yes". He then tells us that these mattresses have a long break in period and that we will need to give it a few months which was fine because this store has a 100 day return policy.
So we get the mattress and it is very very firm, nothing like the mattress we originally tried out, but we figured it just needed to break in. About a week ago my wife says that this just isn't working as her back is hurting very badly, as is mine.
So we go to the store and tell the rep who sold us the mattress that we need to return it and he showed us the mattress he sold us and it was the completely wrong one! The softness level difference was about 4 notches lower on the one he sold us. He points out that the name of the mattress he sold us is on the form we signed, but how was I supposed to know the name of the mattress?
So all I want at this point is to get the mattress we originally wanted with the same 100 day trial period as we are still wary of temperpedic mattresses but the rep says all he can do is exchange out the mattress and maybe get a 30 day extension approved. My wife being cautious of temperpedic mattresses now wants to go with a pillowtop mattress which I reluctantly agree to and we signed the form for the exchange.
So /r/legaladvice do I have a case here? I know I signed the form that showed the wrong mattress name but the rep kept pointing to the right mattress.

tl;dr mattress store showed us one mattress and sold us another one. Our backs started hurting and all they could offer is was an exchange and a possible 30 day extension.

Answer: A case for what? An exchange, sure.  Personal injury? Not really.  You haven't sought any treatment, so you have no bills to substantiate damages.  Plus, the fact that you signed for the mattress you actually received pretty much kills any claim you could have for injuries.


Title: Landlord charging me $3.2k for a single broken glass pane

Question:
The final verdict: gonna ask the friend to cough up the money (even though I feel super bad as he works hard for his money and it's like 6 weeks pay). There's no way around this. Probs will chip in a couple hundred. Thanks for all the advice.

I live in an apt complex run by a university. My friend broke a glass pane when he was over. He was moving a (verryyy) heavy table about and must've hit the corner on the glass. The glass is a double pane which seems sturdy and of good quality but I don't think it should be that much to replace.

1. Does it really cost that much to repair a 1m2 double pane glass?
2. How can we dispute this?

From email I received:
"This letter serves as a formal notification of the event that took place in apartment (---) and concerning the balcony glass, reported as a work order on 12/4/2016. As stated in your Lease agreement, you or your guest(s) are in violation of this Lease if the Rules and Regulations or other Exhibit to this Lease, any apartment or amenity rules, or fire, health or criminal laws, regulations, and codes are not followed regardless of whether arrest or conviction occurs.
Please note that the above mentioned activity is a violation of the following terms of your Lease agreement:

1. Premises
d. Maintenance, Alterations, and Repairs
                ii. Resident shall be liable to Landlord for damages sustained to the Apartment or to Resident’s person or property as a result of Resident’s negligence and/or failure to comply with the terms of this subsection.
“Reasonable wear” means wear occurring without violation of this lease, negligence, carelessness, accident, or abuse.

Exhibit A
USE AND CONDITION OF APARTMENT AND PREMISES/MAINTENANCE
2. Damage to property, including but not limited to paint, plaster, walls, appliances, doors, cabinets,
carpets, floors, furniture, or damage to any part of the Premises caused by leaving windows or doors
open during inclement weather will be the responsibility of the Resident. Resident may not remove any
furniture, equipment or appliances from the Apartment. Residents cannot paint or wallpaper any of the
walls in the apartment. If violation occurs this will result in charges to repaint.

Due to this violation, we will be assessing your account a $3,186.00 fee to replace the glass. Please submit your payment of $3,186.00 within 60 days of this notice to avoid additional fees.

Please review the attached invoice for further details.  Please contact the leasing office if you would like to discuss a payment agreement."

Answer: Cost of materials plus labour and taxes and other fees. I mean, It could possibly add up. How does the invoice you received break it down for you. If the information isn't there ask to see it.


Title: Brother (11yo) spent $2000 in in-app purchases using my mom's credit card

Question:
Hello everyone. We are in European union. Czech Republic.

My brother used my mom's credit card that she paired with his account to make one 1$ purchase to buy $2000 worth of in game currency in game supermechs by tacticsoft. He used said currency to open lootboxes. Within 48 hours I refunded each transaction individually using his Google play account. 25 of the request were confirmed to be refunded by Google (~200$ worth) and the rest got declined. There's no way to appeal this. Google on Twitter responded with copy paste response that wasn't very helpful. It's hard for us to get a hold of anyone at Google here in Czech Republic. No number to call. All using automated forms that don't help us. We are desperate and don't know what to do.

Any advice is needed, welcome and appreciated.
Topic:
Non-US

Answer: You’re most likely fucked. At least you got some of the money back, which should’ve been impossible if we look at their micro transactions policy


Title: [IN] What LA would you give a women, breadwinner of the house, no kids, emotionally abused by husband, that wants a divorce do?

Question:
I've been following this sub for a while and I'm reaching out to you guys for some legal advice. I appreciate any advice given. Thanks!
Like title, I've been married for 13 months, and I meet my husband around 27 months ago.
Kids: We don't have any kids.
Assets: I purchased a house around 6 months ago to remodel and rent it out to my parents. The title and mortgage is on my name, I paid everything and my family and I are the ones doing the remodeling, with professional help.
My husband has not contributed in any way in the other house. We live in a rented house and our lease is in both our names.
My husband decided to go back to school and do a bootcamp for 3 months, so I've been paying by myself all the bills, rent, mortgage, food, etc.
Common debt: His most recent student loan is on both our names because he needed a co-signer.
For the past months I've been going to therapy for depressiona and anxiety, but I started to see that I'm in abusive/toxic relationship. My parents currently live with me and although they don't speak English, they have witnessed the abuse I've been suffering.
There's a lot of details I can go around the abuse, like gaslighting, making me feel it's my fault, physically blocking my way so I can't leave the house, taking my car keys away, etc.
It's been really hard to see how my life was and how different I was before I met him and how I've entered this dark hole when I thought this couldn't happen to a high educated women. I was wrong.
I have asked before for a divorce, and spent nights out in hotels, but he won't stop calling me, emailing me, texting, etc. also to my family. He once threatened to kill himself if I left him (this was the first big huge red flag). I want to divorce and not create a war, but I'm also afraid for myself as my husband owns weapons and he is physically much bigger and stronger than me.
What legal advice would you give to a women that is seeking a divorce when suffering emotional abuse and has assets and is the bread-winner? What steps should I take?

Answer: Get an attorney immediately, who can advise you on everything you are asking about, including seeking a protective order if you are concerned about your physical safety with respect to your husband's behavior and ownership of weapons.


Title: I got written up at work, despite a valid doctor's note.

Question:
Hi!

Currently I'm a daycare manager at a doggie day care, in Pennsylvania. I'm not sure if that matters or not.

Yesterday I was super sick, and in turn, went to the doctor. I missed work and wasn't able to find coverage.

Today I come in, and my manager accepted my doctor's note, then wrote me up for not having coverage and added a 30 day probation where I can't miss or change shifts, or be demoted.

My coworker immediately goes, "That's illegal, they can't do that." But I can't find a definitive answer googling.

Thank you in advance!

Answer: There's no issue with them disciplining you for missing work, doctor's note or not - unless you have a specific accommodation for missing work.


Title: Cop gave me the finger(on video) than ticketed me for speeding.

Question:
So recently I was driving in Washington and got pulled over for speeding. the ticket and cop says I was going 75 in a 55(20 over), but he dropped it to 65 in a 55(10 over) for a $125 fine.

I am fairly certain I was not speeding to begin with and extremely confident I was in no way going 75 on that stretch of road. The ticket shows he used a speed measuring device(smd) to clock my speed even though he was moving in front of me. he was in no way pacing me for any length of time and being ahead of me I have no idea how he determined my speed.

Now the part that got to me the most was him giving me the finger prior to pulling me over. He then claimed i was tailing him "while he was speeding in response to a call". My dash cam shows otherwise. The video needs to be cleaned up but even now you can see him giving me the finger prior to pulling me over.

My questions are:
1) how could he measure my speed accurately when he was driving ahead of me without pacing me?
2) can I use this video to help me at all when I contest the ticket
3) if i have the video cleaned up will it be inadmissible as evidence?

tl;dr:
Cop gave me the finger then a ticket. hoping for some sweet justice.

Edit:I apologize  if I sounded like i was trying to get out of something I did. I want to contest because I was not speeding and felt the officer was very unprofessional whether or not he made a mistake.
Seems like the consensus is I cant use the video in court but I can file a complaint against the officer.

Answer:
 Yes, you can use the video as evidence, but I doubt it is going to help you.

Here is what the cop is going to say in court:

"On such and such a date, I observed Defendant speeding on Speedtrap Road. I followed him at a distance of X feet and used my Super Duper Radar Gun, Model XR-725H, last calibrated by the Bumblephuck Police Department on September 25, to clock Defendant at a speed of 75 mph.  I wrote Defendant a ticket for 65 in a 55 as he was cooperative and respectful, blah, blah."

Or he will just say that he was doing 80 in response to a call and he could tell by your distance from him that you were doing 75, based on his training received at the Bumblephuck police department where he was last certified on July 5th, etc, etc.

Giving you the finger was unprofessional but the judge is not going to drop the ticket because of that.

Now, if the cop does not show up, it will be dismissed and you have about a 50/50 chance of that in a large county.


Title: Can I sue the McDonald's I work at for damaging my hearing?

Question:
As the title says, working at McDonald's has damaged my hearing. I know it sounds silly, so let me explain. I have taken good care of my ears over the past 18 years of my life, and are sensitive to loud sounds as they are well intact.

Well, this week we got a new fry machine. The fry machine beeps, everytime it's ready, you have to shake it, change oil, etc. These beeps are extremely sharp in sound. The previous machine wasn't as loud, as I was able to function just fine. However this machine, is insanely loud. You hear it before you even enter the McDonald's loud. And in one moment two nights ago, one burst of sound was so loud, it sent a huge Pain in my cheek, and all in my ear. And for the whole night, sometimes when I'd open my jaw, my ear would bleed in pain.

I live in Quebec, and I'm not exaggerating when I say it's fucking loud this machine. I can take a video of how loud it is if you guys want. I also haven't gotten my ears tested yet, however my left ear is less susceptible to hearing subtle noises compared to my right one.

Is it possible to sue them over this change? I've also been begging my managers to change the volume, but they just laugh in my face and say "It forces you to answer it faster." And there's a possibility they know how to fix it as well.

TL;DR: They changed the fry machine, it's twice as loud as the one before. My left ear has been in pain for two days, and hears less than my right one. And my managers aren't so eager to change it. Can I sue them over this?
Topic:
Canada

Answer:
 Your best bet is to see an audiologist and be properly diagnosed with hearing damage, particularly if it's temporary or permanent. Until you have any sort of medical diagnosis, it's difficult to determine what kind of legal position you have.

Can you use hearing protection in the meantime?Answer #2: Has your hearing been damaged?

I mean to say, do you have one or more doctors who will testify that you have hearing loss?  Can you say for sure that the hearing loss would not have occurred except for the machine?


Title: CA Landlord decided not to renew the lease last minute.

Question:
I live with my younger sister and young cousin. They just came to US for college, not speaking much English yet, so I’m the one taking care of the family.

We are currently renting a single family house in Irvine, California, right next to my sister and cousin’s college.
When we rent it, we said we need a place for at least 4 years, until they graduate.
Agent told us the landlord’s entire family (couple with two lovely kids) is relocate to Florida, not coming back due to job change. The lease is yearly based, renew every year.
We moved in Sept 8, 2017. Rent is $3750, with $7500 deposits. (since my income is not high enough to support the full rent, other 2 girls are paid my our parents from China, which hard to prove income sources. So we just put on 2 month rent for deposit)

Just this month, (July 1st)  when I go pay for the rent, agent talked to me about renewing the lease, saying he’s sending me the new lease to sign.  Everything was cool.

Yesterday(July 25) I received an phone call from agent, saying the landlord decided to move back. We are not be able to renewing the lease. Asking us to move out Sept 8th.

I’m working half time in NYC and half time in Irvine. So I won’t be back home until Aug 31.
My cousin went back to China for summer holiday, not coming back until school start on Aug 20th.
My sister and cousin haven’t even get drivers licenses yet since our place is just walking distance to their college.

I asked agent try help us negotiate with the landlord, at least give us a few more months. They refused said we need to move out immediately.  The wife had homesick, she really wants to come back home.
And they’ve given us a 30 days prior notice, which it’s totally legal. It’s their right.

It feels like a fake advertisement, all the promises in the past was revoked suddenly. Even they didn’t put on writing, but they said it’s for long time renting.

We spent lots money and time decorate the place since we were planing to stay for a long time. Now they told me to move my stuff to storage if I don’t have time to look for a new place.

We did some change on the house(wall painting), I don’t really have time to paint it back now, so I’m worried about the deposit. Without getting back the $7500 deposit, I cannot even afford the new place and moving cost.

Any suggestions?
we couldn’t find a place in time of lease expires(which is very unlikely since it’s only 8 days for me), is it still possible for us to stay for a while to look for new places?
For Sept, we only need to pay for 8 days rent, but if I still deposit the whole month rent, can I stay for a little longer?

But feels if we don’t move out on Sept 8th, does it affect the chance for us to getting back the deposit?

If I stay until Nov 8 (2 month after lease expire) not paying the rent (deposit covers), so I have some cash on hand,  have time to look for new place, and can clean and revoke the old place back to original by myself, and my sisters can pass the driving test and maybe buy a car so they can drive to school.
Is it possible and still legal?

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer:
 > Any suggestions?

Yep.  Move.  That's all you've got.

The lease is up September 8th; that means you don't have rights to it after that place.  And you **never** did - the lease is the lease, and no other promises or side deals mean anything.

If you don't move out by September 8th, they can file an eviction suit against you.  You do **not** want that - merely having the suit on your record, regardless of outcome, makes it difficult for you to rent in the future.

Also, your deposit does not cover rent.  You pay rent **every month** you live there.  If you don't pay rent every month, now they have two good reasons to evict you.

You have six full weeks to find a place.  That's plenty of time.


Title: I got laid off by a company that shut down a month later

Question:
So, I’ve never been laid off in my short professional career so bear with me here...
I (and a couple dozen people) was laid off the beginning of last October and have received 2 out of 4 severance payments agreed on (the 3rd should be coming Friday). Last Wednesday, that company shut its doors, ceased operations and laid off all its remaining employees. From what I hear, they didn’t receive severance, only 2 days pay and a pat on the back. My question is, are they obligated to provide severance to those laid off from October since the company is gone? And if they don’t, what can even be done?

Answer:
 Your location is not optional.  In most states (all?) in the USA, severance is a nicety, not a requirement, unless the employer is contractually obligated to provide it.

Edit: In CA, severance pay is not required by law and is left up to the employer's policies.


Title: Thinking about divorce, worried about assets [CA]

Question:
This is a throwaway for obvious reasons, and I'll be slightly ambiguous with some details to maintain anonymity. If you need more details, PM.

Basically I am thinking of leaving my SO.  We have been married less than 5 years and have no children. We have a house and cars and such. I have been the bacon bringer the entirety of the marriage and he has not worked at all.

With the CA laws, I am worried I will lose my house.. he couldn't afford to take over payments, but I also wouldn't want to sell my house... is there a way to not lose my house? I have a pension and 401k thru my job.. does he have any entitlement to those things? Will I have to pay spousal support? Even with CA's laws, can you write out the terms of your own divorce? I don't know how any of this works, and I'm trying to cover all basis before I dive into this.

Thanks in advance.

Answer:
 Was the home purchased during the marriage?

>I have a pension and 401k thru my job.. does he have any entitlement to those things?

Possibly.

>Will I have to pay spousal support?

Possibly.

You need an attorney, a good one.


Title: Should I sign NDA after quitting job?

Question: After I told my employer that I wanted to quit my job, he told me I may have to sign an NDA later. Can the company take legal action against me for NOT signing the NDA?

Answer:
 No, you don't have to sign anything. They may not like it, they may try to bully you into signing it. They may even try to withhold your pay check, but that would be illegal.

That said, if you signed something when you joined that included NDA language, you may still be bound by an NDA whether or not you sign one when you exit.Answer #2: > Should I sign NDA after quitting job?

I wouldn't.

> Can the company take legal action against me for NOT signing the NDA?

No.


Title: My roommate wants to move out after paying rent twice on a year lease.

Question:
So me and my room mate both 21 years old decided to move out of our parents house and rent a house together from a landlord we found on Zillow. Shortly after 2 months, he started having issues with drugs, went to a psych ward, basically stopped talking to me and said he wants to move out. We both signed a 1 year lease for this house. I don’t really know anyone else who can afford to live here with me.

Can he just stop paying rent? What’s going to happen? Thanks guys

Edit: we are in Ohio

Answer:
 Yes he can, but his actions will have repercussions.

Since you are both on the lease, you are both responsible for the rent. If you are unable to cover the whole rent, you will more than likely get evicted. You can try to discuss this with your landlord, sublet the room out if it is allowed in your lease or if there is a lease cancellation that you can act on.

You can later sue your roomate for his half of the rent but that isn’t going to help you pay your rent “now.”  Answer #2: You will need to make sure the landlord is paid if you don't want to get evicted. You can sue him for his portion of the rent, but if he is an addict who is in and out of a psych ward he may not have any money for you to go after.Answer #3: Perhaps you can have a conversation with your roommate. Level with him and tell him if he wants to bail, that's fine but he needs to help you find a replacement and work with your landlord together. If he can't help, perhaps you can stress to him that this will affect you and you will be responsible for the entirety of the rent. Maybe he'd be willing to pay out an extra month to save you from eviction while you work with your landlord to find a solution.


Title: Is it Illegal to offer free sex on the internet

Question:
I encountered a Craigslist ad stating that a free 10 Gallon fish tank was for sale. I texted the number as I was interested in the tank but when I did so the following texts ensued:

Me: Hi! I’m really interested in your fish tank if you still have it

Craigslist Seller: No I'm afraid that was a lie but I am giving away free sex if your interested ;)

Me: Oh that’s great are you male or female

Craigslist Seller: female

Me: Interesting. And you chose to post "a free fish tank" to get people to call you. So would the "fish tank" be implying that's what you smell like? Then my other concern is, you must think very poorly of yourself and must not be easy to look at if this is the way you go to acquire another person to even  consider having any sexual contact with you.

Me: Do you know the soliciting sex free or not on the internet is illegal? Do you know how easy it is to track down a person with just a phone number? My husband is a Sherriff here in stanislaus county and I have no choice but to turn your phone number over to the authorities. I hope you will try to find a safer way to meet others for you sexual desires. Good luck to you in your future. Something tells me your going to need it.

Craigslist Seller: Chill dude it's a joke

Craigslist Seller: I wasn’t planning on having sex with you

Craigslist Seller: My friend put my phone number on the Craigslist ad I was getting a lot of replies so i started saying weird stuff to see what reactions i would get

Craigslist Seller: I'm a 15 year old virgin I WAS NOT planning on having sex with anyone and I don't want trouble. I'm aware that it was stupid to say that and I understand the consequences just please don't turn in my phone number it was a joke

Craigslist seller: Hello?

Craigslist seller: are you there

Craigslist seller: ???

Craigslist seller: Please respond

Me: Yes I am here

Craigslist seller: Please don't turn my phone number in I'm sorry if I caused you trouble I wasn't planning on doing anything

Craigslist seller: I was just going to tell you it was a joke after a few texts

Me: this is not a game a 15 year old should be playing. The internet is no joke and like I said its easy to attract the wrong people playing this game

Me: I should tell my husband and let the sherrifs come have a talk with your parents.

Me: Have you even removed the ad???

Craigslist Seller: I can't remove it as I didn't post it but my friend will likely remove it if I inform them that this got serious

Me: If it's still there then I will report your number. If I see your number anywhere on craigslist again I will absolutely turn you in

Craigslist seller: what about legitimate Craigslist ads

Craigslist Seller: I use Craigslist

Craigslist Seller: Legitimately

Me: What is a 15 year old posting on craigslist legitimately?

Craigslist Seller: I’m not 5

Me: But your acting like it. you are very irresponsible

Craigslist Seller: I'm sorry I won't do it again

Craigslist Seller: They might not remove it right away because they haven't seen my text but I told my friend to remove the ad

Me: We shall see. I want to see that ad gone within 15 minutes

Craigslist Seller: It's not my fault if they don't remove it right away

Craigslist Seller: I asked them to and that is all that I can do if they don't respond until after 15 minutes there isn't anything I can do about it

Craigslist Seller: but I’m sure they will see it and remove it within the hour

Craigslist Seller: Ok they are deleting it rn

Craigslist Seller: It should be down now

Me: I’ll check

Craigslist Seller: ok

Me: You should rethink who your friends are

Craigslist Seller: Ok will do

In the texts I confidently stated that it was against the law because I was relatively sure that it was. However I am now wondering if I went to far or if it is even illegal at all especially if the person does not have intent. Did I do the right thing? Please answer this question thank you for your time

Answer: Stop harassing kidsAnswer #2: It's unethical best. You sound very uptight and need to chill out.Answer #3: What do you think tinder is? Basically people looking for hookups. And that is definitely not illegal.Answer #4: I think the only illegal thing in this conversation was you using ‘your’ instead of ‘you’re’


Title: MA, there was a case set the precedence for laws/law enforcing not being able to target 1 specific person/company. What was it?

Question:
enforcement*

I've been trying to find it on google but I can't seems to get the right keywords.

I remember the case involving advertising a product to minors (I think it was tobacco). Basically, they decided to disallow a specific brand of tobacco from advertising but not any other brands. The case has to do with applying the law on everyone.

I think it was a good defense against being the only one to get pulled over (when everyone else was also speeding).

Edit: thanks for everyone's replies, but I am trying to find the specifics of the case. (I didn't get a speeding ticket)

Edit 2: Just thought of it some more, maybe it was a store acting on a complaint and removing a specific company's product while not removing similar products from another company.

Answer: This is in no way a good defense against speeding.


Title: Texas - I am launching an Adult Sex Toy website. Which states can I not legally ship to?

Question:
I cannot really find clarification on this. I notice large competitors ship to all states and yet there is some rhetoric about TX, GA, AL, and KS making shipments to such products illegal. Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks!
Topic:
Business Law

Answer: That sounds like something you need an actual lawyer to research and answer for you.


Title: What's going to happen to me?

Question: I have charges for distribution of child pornography and uttering threats (I'm 15) a guy sent my gf some pictures (of you know what) and for some reason she sent them to me, not even thinking about it I sent the pictures to the guy and said "I'm gonna kill you" and he told the police, I have court in september and I still haven't seen a lawyer, Wikipedia says the only option is jail (and possible fine) and that I'll be a sex offender but I can't find anything spacificly for minors, or anything very trustworthy I'm really looking forward to getting my license but that can't happen if I'm in jail and this is really stressful I need closure

Answer: Stop getting legal advice from Wikipedia and go speak with a lawyer. There is nothing else to do right now.