Title: SOCAL - Wells Fargo admits Marine's account was hacked and isn't investigating

Question:
Hi. I originally posted to /r/personalfinance and it was suggested I check here as well.

My brother is a Marine who was using his GI Bill to go to college. On top of tuition, he received a monthly stipend (~2K/month) so long as he attended school full-time. The VA checks stopped coming. The school blamed the VA. My brother had to drop out and a get a job. Then the VA sends a collection notice for the $10K he allegedly received but wasn't in school. Seeing that the rest of our family had to help out with loans and groceries, etc, I can say he didn't receive the money.

He contacted Wells Fargo fraud department and went into the branch. At first, the phone rep couldn't verify his identity, even when my brother was physically at the branch and the branch rep pulled up his account with the same info. They finally slip up and reveal that the money in question was on an auto transfer to another account, which is why my brother never saw the money in his account. They won't give any info on the mysterious other account. He asked to prosecute because my brother is on the hook with the VA for $10K in collections that someone essentially stole. They sent him an affidavit that he didn't receive. It shows in WF's system that it was canceled internally with no reason given, but that the fraud investigation was still ongoing.

Calling WF hasn't yielded results. A call to the online account fraud department ends with being told to contact the debit card and bank account fraud line and vice versa. We sent in a tip to ABC 7 and are considering reaching out to other media outlets. Someone suggested I check about going to the media without legal representation. Should he get a lawyer before talking to the media, assuming they're interested in reporting? Or should he keep quiet and just contact a lawyer instead? Thanks!

Answer:
 Ok, there are a lot of holes here; they may be caused by your brother not knowing what is going on, or you, or maybe something is legitimately wrong; but I can't really tell.

First - I assume your brother is a former Marine, because he can't get the MHA payment if he's still active duty. But perhaps he's a reservist.

Second - GI Bill payments no longer have "break pay" provisions. If you stop school over summer or winter break, payments stop too. There's no provision for being paid when you're not in class, so you have to make sure to save enough for your rent payment for those times.

Third - GI Bill payments are always paid in arrears, and only after certified by the schools VA certifying official. There is always a backlog when the semester starts, and waiting until October or November for the first three months of payments is typical.

Fourth - if he drops out in the meantime, the VA certifying official can reverse any of the payments for tuition, but probably not MHA payments (though I'd have to check if canceling a certification eliminates the eligibility for back pay too).

The transfer and link to another account sounds a bit like a red haring, but maybe you can clarify more exactly what they said.


Title: [FL] Am I ever going to get my money?

Question:
My car was stolen and wrecked about 2 years ago. It was my car but my husband was driving it, I was at home at the time. Filed a claim with Progressive insurance and they paid out.

By the time cops identified the theif (via DNA) he was in jail in a neighboring county for violation of probation on a separate, previous charge. Kid is 19 years old and already had 3 felonies plus who knows what before he turned 18.

Anyway, guy pled guilty last January and was ordered to pay $7,000 to my insurance company and $500 to husband.

It's been a year and a half now and as far as I can tell he's out of jail now. Probably not for long, since he seems like a real pos.

Is there any way we'll ever see this money? Anything we can do to move things along?

Answer:
 You can call his PO and ask about the status.

Something something blood from a turnip.


Title: Can I sue a PD for reckless driving?

Question: A friend of mine was arrested and fully admits to those charges. He was handcuffed and placed in the back of a cruiser. The officer then drove recklessly and sped on the way back to the station. Can my friend sue the PD for endangering his life?

Answer: Did your friend get damaged by this in any way?


Title: Ex is threatening to call lawyer over a favor.

Question:
Gonna try and make this quick:

Ex and I were taking a trip somewhere, tire exploded, had to throw on a spare and drive to tires plus to get a quote, was about $228 and I was getting kinda heated cause it was an unforeseen expense on a brand new tire.

I go to use the Bathroom, come out, and she paid the bill already and I kept saying she didn't have to, but she insisted. I insisted that I'd return the favor.

A few months pass after we broke up and I made an attempt to mail out the $228(Cash cause I didn't have checks at the time, yes I realize to use checks from now on) and apparently she never received it(however, her mother opens her mail sometimes, and I absolutely had every address correct etc.)

She now randomly contacts me today and says

"230 Cash or I call my lawyer tomorrow"

I get it, I'd want my $230 back as well, but she insisted she'd pay for it, and I was never even obligated to repay that, yet I still made an attempt to and she apparently never received it.

Could I be in any potential legal trouble? I simply just don't have another $230 to toss out to nonsense.

I live in Florida, USA

Answer:
 Her lawyers not getting involved over 230 but will tell her to sue you in small claims. I'd advise going to Judge Mathis. You claim gift she claim loaned that you tried to pay would be used against you that you thought it was a loan.

Real deal though what happened that y'all being so petty? You cheated? She cheated? What happened?


Title: [Ca,USA] My neighbor keeps looking over our fence and it's starting to make my wife and I uncomfortable...

Question: This all started when my neighbor built his pool months ago. He built part of the pool elevated so when he uses the pool he can see clearly over our 6ft fence that separates  the properties. He peers into our backyard and can see into our house. He has stared at my wife in her underwear and even apologized for it when he came over to blame me for throwing grass shavings in his pool. His apology "sorry for looking it's just hard not too". My wife is creeped out by him but not sure what I can do to stop him. He has climbed on the fence to talk to our gardeners and complain about leaves falling in his pool and continues to throw towels and shirts on the pool so that half of it is on our side of the fence. Is there anything I can do or am i just stuck with a crappy neighbor

Answer:
 You can contact the HOA, get approval, and build a higher fence.  Most HOA's will let you go 8ft high.  There is also lots of fast growing shrubbery that can easily grow in in one season (bamboo species) and block his view.

One way to deal with children or people who trespass over fences, is to coat the fence top with lard, pitch, or tar, or some other harmless but nasty non-toxic sticky substance to discourage this behavior.   I asked, you can explain, "It's an all natural product that wards of wasps and hornets.  My wife is deathly allergic to them." etc so as not to hurt anyone's feelings.

It's best to avoid going nuclear with a neighbor if at all possible.


Title: Guy from India wants me to make a LLC in the US (Maryland)

Question:
I've been asked to start a LLC, establish a Merchant account and business account at my bank in the US for a business owner in India in exchange for a cut of the profits. How risky is this? Seems like they would like to process payments through me. They apparently can't do business internationally and don't have access to Merchant accounts.

Is this legitmate, how secure would I be if I went for it, how would the taxes would work (would I be responsible for them all?) and just things in general to protect myself going into this. Why can't they just use paypal, Wepay, Skrill since that is sorta a merchant account?

Answer: This has scam written all over it.


Title: Domestic Violence in RI

Question:
Last night, my husband and I got drunk and got into a physical fight. He pushed me into the wall and some pictures knocked down and I got a large welt but that’s about it. He left and I called the police, which I’m seriously regretting. I told them what happened and that I didn’t want to press charges or fill out a report, but the officer told me that basically it’s out of my hands now and that since a crime was committed, he can get in trouble whether I push forward with it or not.

They’ve enforced a no contact order and my husband went to turn himself in and has been there for over 3 hours waiting on the bail commissioner. His court date isn’t until Tuesday and with the NCO, our kids (from previous marriages) can’t be in contact with each other and it’s flipping my life upside down. It was a drunk argument and I wish I never called, is there anything I can do so he doesn’t get in trouble? Please help, he’s afraid he’s going to be on probation and this is starting to look like it’s going to end in divorce.

Answer:
 No, you can not. The state has a vested interest in prosecuting domestic violence cases with or without the victim's consent or cooperation. Many domestic violence victims are trapped in the cycle of abuse, and will not want to cooperate with prosecution, so the state takes the case out of their hands.

Also, I'll tell you what I tell every DV victim I come in contact with (I'm a police officer, but not in RI). Don't rationalize or normalize this behavior. It's not okay to lay hands on your spouse, no matter the situation. Even if the offender is drunk, it's no excuse. It's not okay to be getting drunk to the point where you lay hands on and injure your spouse. Anything that happens going forward is his fault, not yours. He's the one who decided to get drunk and assault you, and what happens to him is because of that.


Title: I think I might know who is stealing my credit card information..

Question:
{edit: I live in MI, U.S.}

I think I might know who is stealing my card information, but I need some advice on how to proceed so I can catch them. So the other day I got a call from my bank about two suspicious charges on my card. They were both for over $100 at a well known department store, about thirty minutes and 5 miles apart. The bank caught somehow caught on and denied both charges (idk how they did that.) Anyway, issue resolved, getting a new card this week. But how did they get my card info in the first place?

At first I thought my information had leaked online and these were orders that were to be shipped, or maybe someone had collected my information at a gas pump where I slide my card often. But tonight on a drive I got a text from my father saying that my mother's card had to be canceled because someone tried to steal money from her card. The charge was under $100 this time, and it was at the same name apartment store, but on the other side of town.. This is where things clicked. My mother had given me her card once recently to use when I went to Taco Bell since I was a little out of cash at the time. I go through the drive thru and it's this young lady who acts a little odd, and never gives me a receipt back. She even seems a little slow at giving me my card back. This is the only overlapping location where we both use our cards, so I really think this is it, but I don't know for sure.

So this is where I need advice. Do I approach the manager and say I think one of her employees is stealing card information? Do I ask to see her security cameras? I was thinking what if, when I get my new card, I ONLY use my new card at that location, and only with that cashier? If my card information is stolen again, then I at least KNOW it was from Taco Bell..

What do you think, Reddit?

Answer: I think you should leave this to the professionals and contact the police with your suspicions.


Title: News station put my name into an article before trial.

Question: I was cited in an undercover sting operation and am planning on taking to trial with a good chance of winning. My name was posted along with the others who were arrested or cited. If I win this trial and am acquitted of charges can I sue for defamation? I would lose my job if my employer saw this article. My parents would also take a huge emotional tole and it could possibly effect their ability to do their job, if someone in my hometown found out, since they are in positions of influence in their town. At the least can I get a court order for the news site to take my name off? Location is oregon

Answer:
 Truth is an absolute defense against a defamation suit.

If they said you were arrested for X and you were arrested for X, regardless of the outcome of the trial, you have no case. Answer #2:

>a good chance of winning

HMMM

>My friend was cited for sexual solicitation. There are text messages that include him asking for a "rate", if they can shower together, if he should bring a condom. He also took off his shirt and shoes as the undercover cop went into the bathroom. It was a sting operation. These are very strong implication for exchanging funds for a sexual act. Is there any chance under any possible scenario where he can win the trial? What are his chances with an extremely good lawyer?

I think you are maybe putting the cart before the horse my friend, you do not have a good chance of winning which is what people told you an hour ago.Answer #3: No to all of your questions. You were arrested. The media accurately reported that you were arrested. You are not entitled to secrecy regarding the arrest.

This does not change if you are not convicted. You were still arrested.

For fun, was this a prostitution sting?


Title: Mother-in-law found guns in her grandmother's attic. What can they do with them? - IL, USA

Question:
My mother-in-law is helping her 101 year old grandmother move into a new house this weekend, and while packing she came across two older handguns in the attic. She suspects that they belonged to her grandfather, who passed away almost 20 years ago.

Her grandmother doesn't want them, so she's trying to figure out what she can and cannot do with them. The grandmother lives in Illinois, and my mother-in-law lives in Indiana.

* Does she or her grandmother need to acquire an FOID before she can take possession of them?
* Can she bring them back to Indiana?
* What paperwork would she need in order to do a private sale?

Thanks for resources or advice you can spare :)

Answer:
 To transfer them your grandma will need to get an FOID, then have them shipped to an FFL in Indiana where your MIL can do a background check and get them transferred to her.

DO NOT LET HER TAKE THEM FROM IL TO IN HERSELF.


Title: 127 Hours (Until My Lease is Up)

Question:
I signed a one year lease (CA) around this time last year, and it will terminate in a few days on June 10th.

What I didn't know was that it's customary to provide your apartment complex 30 days notice, and they had sent me a few letters and messages instructing me that I had no choice but to do so, or on June 1st I would owe the entire month's rent, with the first 10 days of the month being at my old rate, and the remainder of the month being at the month-to-month rate that I automatically enroll in upon termination of my old lease.

I read through the leasing agreement and did some CA civil code exploration, and... My understanding is that no one in CA has any obligation to give 30 days notice to leave upon the end of a one-year lease, and that such a rule applies only when they are enrolled in a month-to-month lease.  The agreement I signed also says that you should give notice, not that you must.  The only obligation a lessee has is to vacate the premises before close of business on the final day of the year lease.  I confirmed this with the leasing manager, after being told several times I had no choice but to pay 30 days rent despite my lease ending on the 10th by the associate who worked under her.  The letter they mail to residents was worded similarly, saying that the 30 days notice was not optional.

Long story short, employees at my complex have been telling residents verbally, over email, and through letters they have no choice but to give 30 days notice, and they must pay a prorated month to month rate to make up the difference if they are unable to give 30 days notice within their original year-lease window.  I realize I probably have no recourse since I haven't incurred any damages (yet), but do others?  And is this the sort of thing I should be reporting somewhere?  Or is it typical apartment complex behavior?

Answer: That's pretty normal.  What does your lease say about notice?


Title: [NV] temporary guest now refusing to leave stating residency.

Question:
(I thought i had posted this but i cant find it anywhere, apologize if this a duplicate, new to reddit and this app, dont see anywhere i can view posts ive actually posted on)

Now Ive read under a few things here. And just want clarification of the differe t things ive read.

Me and my wife had allowed someone to stay in my house so they could accumlate funds for a down payment of their own place. They helped with a little bit of rent and food costs but pocketed most of the costs. They never formally signed paperwork stating they were following a lease agreement or that i was subletting them.

Now they are refusing to leave, police said nevada law says they are residents after 72 hours so i cant force the cops to remove them.

For eviction would i due this privately?
I fear if I get my leasing company involved they would have the ability to evict me in the process which would my kids out of a home. So... trying to avoid that.

Without paperwork do i even have a leg to stand on, or do I just give them 30 days notice as if i did?

Answer:
 You granted them their tenancy, so you are their landlord and not the leasing company.

They are month-to-month tenants without a formal agreement.  Such tenants are entitled to a written 30 day notice to vacate and you can evict them if they fail to comply with that notice.


Title: Minor brother captured on surveillance, photo then shown on the news.

Question:
Location: Utah

My younger brother (age 17) was caught on a surveillance camera 'power boxing' (slang for flipping a switch outside of the house on the electrical box to turn power off in the entire house). The surveillance photo was then given to police who posted it on Facebook asking for any information regarding the person (my brother) they referred to as a "teen". From there, the photo and the story was also broadcast on local news stations. My question is, do the police and news station have the right to post the photo of a minor in a situation like this? Would they be required to take the photo/post down if they had the knowledge that the person being photographed is a minor?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Answer:
 How would they know he was a minor when they posted the picture?  They didn't know who it was yet.Answer #2: Why wouldn't they? There's no particular restriction for publishing legally taken pictures of minors.

Even if there were, your brother was caught in the act of committing a crime. Publishing his photo is in the public interest.

My advice to you is to get a lawyer so you're ready if and when John Law shows up at your door. Also, tell your brother to stop being such a dumbass.  Answer #3: Your brother did a dumb thing and got caught. Don’t go looking for loopholes to get him out of trouble. A bit of accountability at 17 sounds like it would do him some good if he thinks it’s funny to cut someone’s power without warning. What if there was a person on medical equipment in that house?Answer #4: Teens get no special shielding when committing a crime.


Title: American tourist injured in Germany auto accident

Question:
Hello, I would appreciate any help as I'm kind of lost at the moment. I live in AZ, USA and I was on vacation in Munich, Germany. I was on a charter bus for a tour I booked. The bus was hit when a driver in a rental car was trying to pass us. I injured my arm in the resulting accident. I made sure my information was included in the police report, but did not seek immediate medical attention as the pain wasn't terrible. A week and a half later I'm back home in the US and see my doctor since I haven't had any improvement. My doctor ordered x-rays and now wants an MRI since there is possible ligament damage showing on the xray.

My US based auto insurance was able to help me track down the claims office for the German rental agency and they said they will be sending me some paperwork. My primary concern is paying my medical bills and lost wages when I'm out of work at the doctor or from the medication they have me on.

Is this a situation that I should try and find a lawyer for or should I be able to work the claim myself?

Answer: What did your travel insurance company say when you submitted your medical bills to them?


Title: Neighbor has a security camera pointed directly at our back deck

Question:
I live in a townhouse in Virginia and all of the units are right up against one another so it's pretty tight space wise. Obviously it's not uncommon to have a security camera nowadays, even our house has one by the front door in case of people stealing packages, breaking in, what have you. Our nextdoor neighbor has two security cameras, one by her front door and another by the back door that is pointed directly at our back deck.

We've had some disagreements with this neighbor in the past and there is some bad blood there, but not enough to justify her (in my opinion) recording us on our own property. I looked into this and the law seems fairly vague because it says that we're entitled to a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Is there a legal definition for reasonable expectation of privacy, or a case that sets a precedent? I really don't know if there is anything I can do but I'd like to be able to use my back deck without feeling like someone's watching my every move.

Answer:
 You can aim an illuminating light 'at' something in your yard that also splashes at your neighbors  camera and blind it out.

You'll know she's monitoring it if she complains or moves the camera. Then you can ask why she is filming you.Answer #2: \[NAL\] I had a similar issue. It's difficult to prove where/what the camera is recording without seeing the footage. If the camera captures the neighbor's property, and your deck happens to be in the background - there's little you can do other than convince the owner to re-position it.
As my neighbors don't seem to understand reason, I re-decorated with some pin wheels, a waving flag, blinking lights -- all of which are (generally) legal property decorations which cause a camera's motion sense function to trigger recording or (even better) trigger owner notifications... Camera was re-positioned two days later.Answer #3: looks like everybody is getting banned for giving common sense adviceAnswer #4: It's about as private as your ability to conceal. Put up a privacy screen and some landscaping. Maybe some flood lights to interfere with the camera. I wouldn't make it flashy and provocative. Make it look natural. Enclosing your yard creates a reasonable expectation of privacy from my limited understanding.


Title: My adult girlfriend had her phone taken by her mother, who has been snooping on her texts.

Question:
The parents pay the bill for the device and she lives under their roof for the time being, but since she is an adult isn't she afforded some level of privacy?

I would think this would violate some sort of law, but alas I'm not an expert and . They are very conservative and controlling.

edit: We are in Washington state, failed to mention in my title.

Answer:
 She should get her own phone and pay her own bill. Answer #2: > but since she is an adult isn't she afforded some level of privacy?

No, not just because she is an adult.  But because she is a human within the United States.  Individuals under the age of majority have a right to privacy, and frankly sir, I am offended that you do not recognize this.  You are disgusting.  You have triggered me, and you did not use a trigger warning.  You'll be hearing from my lawyer.

> I would think this would violate some sort of law

You're likely wrong.

> but alas I'm not an expert and

Agreed

> They are very conservative and controlling

Neato.  I probably would be too if my adult child still lived at home.


Title: No expressly stated pet policy?

Question:
So I found this apartment that I like (in Rock Hill, SC). I went to see it, they took all my information (including how many pets I have) and lent me out the key. I get back to the office and now they've told me that the owner really doesn't want pets. It's not posted anywhere on the listing, in the office, or on the application.

If I were to apply anyway, get the place, and move my pets in, would there be any case for the landlord to evict?

Answer: The application doesn't have to say it, the lease does.  If your lease says no pets, then you can absolutely be evicted for doing that (or forced to remove the pet).


Title: HELP I'm a server/bartender and i need advice on an incident

Question:
Person A: Female aprox 5'9 160 pounds
Person B: Male aprox 6'1 210 pounds
Person C: unknown

I began my shift and was told to pick up a table of 2. I recognized the 2 people at the table and indulged in conversation with both of them on how they are doing and what their plans were for the evening.

I was told they had finished work and were relaxing for the rest of the evening and came to grab a couple of beers and food. At this time they had already had a beer each from the other server who i took the table from.

 Approximately 30 minutes goes by and they ask me for another beer each I complied with their request and brought them the round of drinks. about another 20 mins went by and they asked me for 2 shots, I asked them if they were driving this evening they both replied no we don't drive. I gave them the shots.

 About 40 mins later they asked me for another beer each and wanted to order food they were showing no signs of intoxication so i brought them a 3rd round. About half way through their 3rd drink their food had arrived and they began eating i asked how everything was and if i could get them anything else they said they were okay.

After their meal they went for a smoke for around 15 mins or so when they got back they order another beer and a shot. at this point there was still no sign of intoxication so i brought them a 4th round of beer and their shot. so at this point they had 4 beers and 2 shots each and some food.

Towards the end of person A's drink i started to see signs of intoxication (talking loudly) at inappropriate times. person A asked me for another drink i told them that i was not going to bring them another round and my alcohol service was going to stop for that person. they said they didn't agree with my decision but respected it because they were servers also. Person A had a non alcoholic beverage instead.

They later asked me for the bills and i asked them what they were up to with the rest of their evening. they told me they were calling a cab to go down the street, while i was at the table i heard person B call a cab. they sat at the table for sometime.

By the time i noticed they were gone there were police in the parking lot pulling person A out of the car and taking a statement from person B.

A Police officer enters the building going customer to customer asking if they were Person C who the officer said called the police. my manager gives a copy of the bill to the officer and the times everything was served.

About an hour or so passes and person B come back into the bar and sits down he asks for some water and tells me what happend. Person B tells me they (person A and B) were waiting for the cab and decided they were going to go in Person A's car to "make out" and within seconds there pulled person A out of the car and charged them with a DUI and driving with an already suspended license.

my workplace is making me redo my alcohol training and made me sign a form stating that this is my 3rd offense for over serving..... i have never had any write ups or offenses before. I told the manger before signing that i didnt agree with the description of events and why it said 3rd warning. The time said they had been there for 2 hours when it was more like 4 to 4.5 hours spent in the bar. they said that i dont have to agree with it they just need me to sign the document to show that i have read it.

any feed back or opinions would be great thank you for taking the time to read

im from canada,ontario

Answer:
 the problem is i did sign it. the manager told me she needed to witness me signing it is there anything i can do to have it retracted.

this same manager has made me serve someone who i have cut off because they were her friend and told me they were not intoxicated...just to give you an idea of what this manager is likeAnswer #2: I appreciate youre here for legal advice but for general info from people in the business, you might also find /r/TalesFromYourServer to be helpful. Most of that sub is letting off steam about tips and awful or awesome customers, but you'll likely find fellow servers who have been in a similar situation and can tell you how it panned out, or give you [non-legal] advice on how to handle your managers.


Title: Landlord previously talked about going in mass shooting spree.

Question: I didn't think he was actually serious, but after living with him I'm realizing he's a complete psychopath. I don't think he's currently a danger, but he's a timebomb. Do I have a legal obligation to report him to the police?

Answer:
 Private citizens have no obligation to report anything to the police.

If you want to do so, however, feel free to go to the station and fill out a police report.


Title: Thumbprint clock in?

Question: Just curious, had a conversation with a friend who said that their company is attempting to implement a thumbprint scanner to clock in and out of work, and was curious if that was legal? This is in New York state.

Answer:
 Yes.

Why would it not be legal?


Title: My GF worked at a bar waiting for her social security number to come through, owner said he'd pay her, is now being shady. Does she have a leg to stand on?

Question:
So she moved here from another country, but is an American citizen. She had lost her social security number, so was in the process of getting a new one.

But life being life, she needed to work. So this bar hired her and told her she'd be paid once she got her number. She worked there for 158 hours, but was only ever cashed out the tips.

She's not on the books.

She met with the owner to get coffee and give him the number to get the actual pay for the 158 hours, now that she has the number, and he basically laughed and said if he *were* to help her he would be doing her a favor.

Legally is she in the wrong for working off the books? Is the owner? Not 100% sure the guy's going to handle things poorly, but the laugh kind of tells me he's going to be trouble unless she goes in with some sort of legal advice.

Any tips appreciated.

Answer:
 > She had lost her social security number, so was in the process of getting a new one.

You mean a new card, right?  SSANs are never 'lost' - yours is yours permanently except for very rare circumstances.  She can get a new card pretty quickly.

She's owed money for the time she worked.  Tipped employment is a little more complex than regular pay, but in all states she need to make at least minimum wage per hour, as a combination of tips and pay.


Title: [MO]Sister had her phone stolen at a group counseling meeting, company in charge not wanting to pay.

Question:
So, my sister goes to group counseling at a local hospital. They are required to turn their phones off, and check them in with the staff when they get there. They receive a "chip" that is meant to be turned in to retrieve the phone. Apparently, the staff actually does not really enforce the phone-chip system that they have implemented, and anyone can just kinda grab their phone whenever. So, someone stole her phone, and the hospital is trying to avoid paying for it.

Would this be suitable for small claims court if they continue to refuse to pay for a replacement? A replacement for the phone is currently $749.

Answer:
 Yes, this is perfect for small claims.Answer #2: This happens in my day program all the time and we pay for it, because we have to. Well, not all the time, we're at least, somewhat, competent.

Escalate it up the chain, even if you have to say that you want to speak with the CEO. Just continue to escalate it and continue to mention an easy lawsuit. I've seen my place try to not cover things in other instances and when they get resolved this is how. Once a higher up hears about potential legal problems they'll bring down the hammer. Answer #3: Small claims court will only award the value of a replacement in like condition.  Your sister's phone would be considered "used" so make sure the amount your asking for is consistent with prices for refurbished/used phones.


Title: UPDATE: (FL) Am I "allowed" to call Adult Protective Services on my friend who's going crazy?

Question:
https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/47uzuh/fl_am_i_allowed_to_call_adult_protective_services/

Her brother had her Baker Acted. She has since been committed, she's been having a severe mental breakdown for the past 4 years that her parents refused to do anything about.

Answer: ELI5: What's the Baker Act?


Title: [Ontario, Canada] Assaulted, but apparently 'consented' to a fight by insulting the person, despite being put in the hospital.

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Don't take legal advice from the cops. Go in to your police station in person and make a complaint about the assault. While you were being an asshole, being verbally antagonized is not a defense for assault in Canada.

Civilly, you can likely sue your assailant for whatever damages you incurred that were _not_ covered by OHIP or your health insurance, including the cost of repairing or replacing your glasses. If the police _still_ won't take this up, that's your plan B.


Title: Question about tips and claiming them (MN)

Question: We're a bar of about 35-40 employees. The way tipping works is the Bartenders give about 20% to security at the end of the night. Does security have to claim the portion given to them on taxes, and how would that then work?

Answer:
 Tax forms have a place to claim tips misc earnings...
Yes they are required to claim the tips, but in reality, most might not report it.


Title: Can my employer right me up for insubordination for not staying later than scheduled shift? [CA]

Question:
TL;DR Can employer write me up for refusing to stay later than 30min I was already staying past my scheduled shift.

Last night at my job I had a scheduled shift from 5-10, and being New Years Eve, I made plans to be a DD/go to a party at 11 given that my employer tends to keep people sometimes about 30 minutes late which generally doesn't bother me.

However last night at 10:30, I overheard my manager saying "Well we have /u/Enrager till up to 11 so i'll have him clean stuff up", and politely told her that I wouldn't be able to stay much longer than the 30 minutes I am now.

So basically she told me that even though it says i'm scheduled 5-10, she can basically keep me to 11 as long as she doesn't keep me longer or she'd have to give me a 30. I told her that didn't seem right (As i didn't say anything about it but was under the impression that after your scheduled shift you are allowed to clock out) and she told me well I could clock out and she can just write me up for insubordination for not staying longer basically.

So am i mislead or no in thinking that after you've completed your scheduled shift you are able to clock out. Likewise can she even write me up for refusing to stay even longer than I was already? Honestly all I would have liked was for her to have at least asked me if I could have stayed longer instead of just assuming and just keeping me doing more things to help close the store.

Answer: They can absolutely fire you or otherwise reprimand you for refusing to stay when they tell you to. They set your schedule, and it changes according to them. As long as you're being paid for the time, it's all fair.


Title: (NC) Charged with possession of marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia, what are my options? How bleak is my future? 26/M

Question:
Driving home last night, I was pulled over for a registration light that was out. When the officer came to my window to gather my information he could smell marijuana. (I had not been smoking, I had some in my pocket. About 3.3 grams is my estimate) and he asked if I had been smoking or had anything on me. To which I said no (I understand this was a mistake) in a panic, he told me to sit tight.

I was debating coming clean when the Canine unit pulled up, right as I saw that I immediately got out of my car, apologized for my dishonesty and told the officer exactly where everything was (my pockets) as the canine proceeded to search my car.

After a while they told me I could sit in the warmth of my car. The canine had found nothing, I didn't have anything else. The officer who pulled me over eventually came to my car and said he was not charging me with dui because he did not feel I was impaired enough (I smoked at a friends house earlier). Gave me the ticket for the two possessions and thanked me for my compliance and told me that if it ever came to court he would not mention my initial dishonesty. He wrote in the report to the judge that I gave up everything willingly.

From what I've read so far I believe I should get a criminal defense attorney, talk to him/her and follow their advice. If anyone could some assistance with anything I can do in the mean time? Being my first offense, is there any way to lessen the damage on my future?

Thank you for your time.

Answer: Your instinct is correct. You need to get an attorney and do as they say. This being your first offense, you may be able to strike a good deal. An attorney will greatly increase your chances.


Title: Investigating an arrest at my neighborhood school

Question:
I'm working with a neighborhood defense network. My neighbor saw three young men escorted out of the school building and walked into the back of a police van. We're planning on asking the school for more information on this at the next public meeting a week from today but before hand it would be helpful to collect as much information as possible.

Are there any rights to investigate this sort of thing, find out the reasons why the boys were walked into the police van?

Answer:
 > I'm working with a neighborhood defense network.

That has as much relevance to your right to information as "My middle name is 'Pat'". (None.)

You can ask the school. They aren't obligated to tell you anything.

You can call the police station (business line) and ask to talk to the public information officer about it. Some police department public logs, called a "blotter", are available online or published in newspapers. The police also are not obligated to tell you anything.

If the school was a grade school or high school, the young men were probably juveniles. The names of juvenile offenders are not made public except in very unusual circumstances.
Answer #2: You can get whatever information is publicly available from the police and the school.

You have no "rights to investigate" anything, because you are not the police.


Title: CA Mandatory Recycling Sign Posted On Business

Question:
Guys, need some serious help. I just bought a business (market w/liquor) in CA and I’ve gotten a notification that I need to put up a “We recycle beverage containers for cash” sign visible to all customers. The problem is, we are in an area that is very high end, but are very close to the beach so there is a homeless problem. We have lost a ton of business because of homeless people hanging around the store, and we are doing everything we can to make this a higher end market.

Now I got hit with this 60 day notice to put up the sign, and my option is either have it visible to all customers (and obviously the only customers that are going to redeem cans for cash are the homeless in the area) or to pay $100 per DAY! Not month, $100 a day.

So, please let me know if there is anything I can do about this ridiculous law. And just to clarify, I’m not anti-homeless people. The ones in this area are insanely disrespectful, peeing on my property, constantly loitering, using/selling drugs, pan-handling, etc. It’s a huge problem for the business.

Answer:
 >So, please let me know if there is anything I can do about this ridiculous law.

You can spend massive amounts of money trying to lobby whatever legislative body made that law to change it, or even more money in a Quixotic quest to get it declared unconstitutional.


Title: Can a business require proof of vaccination card for maskless entry?

Question: [removed]

Answer:
 Yes. People who are/are not vaccinated are not a protected class; it is legal to discriminate on that basis.

You are not obligated to share your medical history with the shop. They can require that you wear a mask if you're not willing to prove vaccination status. Life will go on.


Title: What are the legalities surrounding the use of "private roads"? (Ohio)

Question:
There is a road near my house that is marked "Private Drive", and the owners of the handful of houses on the drive have been telling people that they aren't allowed back there unless they live in one of the houses. They recently went as far as to put up a traffic cone with a sign that says "No Trespassing" at the end of the road.

The road is part of a four way intersection with traffic lights, and the traffic opposite the road has a "Left turn must yield" sign (see [Here](http://i.imgur.com/FtieqBS.png)) and traffic coming out of the road have their own lights(see [Here](http://i.imgur.com/VvOxFRR.png)). I would assume that traffic lights/signs only address roads that the public is free to use, yes?

The fact that they have mailboxes (the mailmen drive up this street) and that the garbage truck goes up the street further makes me feel as though this is no different than any other road.

I'd like to walk my dog up the street (perhaps snap some pictures, its a pretty neighborhood) with the hope that one of the residents will confront me just so I can knock them off their high horse.

I have no interest in getting in a heated argument, but would simply love to see their face when I present them with laws governing my right to travel on the road.

**Can anyone provide me with some Ohio Revised Code or federal law that mandates my right to use this street?**

Edit: I'm not doing this specifically to piss these people off, I just don't think it's fair to restrict people from using a road that they have a right to travel on. The road that this connects to is a four lane, rather busy street and anyone who lives in the area would likely love to use the street for dog walking, perhaps a run. I am not, as /r/rhomboidus would suggest, just trying to "be a dick"

Answer:
 "Hey guys I want to trespass specifically with the intent of being a dick to the landowner. Is this a good idea?"

No, no it is not a good idea.


Title: [ON] My dog knocked over an old lady and she is now sueing for damages

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Control your dog. Geez. You are 100% liable for her damages because your were negligentAnswer #2: you are liable for the entirety, and should be. further, you need to train your dog immediately, not only to prevent this from occuring again, but because if a car had been passing, or she fell and busted her skull...Answer #3: Is OP still liable if the dog didn't actually make any contact with the lady and her dogs?Answer #4: You are absolutely liable for damage your property (dog) causes. Control your dog. Take it to classes and properly train it. Answer #5: Ontario has the Dog Owner's Liability Act, which explicitly states that you are liable for damages caused by your dog's attack.

Those damages could include reasonable medical treatment not covered by OHIP, loss of income, housekeeping and home maintenance, and pain and suffering.  Those damages can be reduced if she was acting unreasonably.

There also could be orders requiring you to keep the dog on your property, muzzle it, etc.

Finally, there is also the possibility of criminal sanctions.  It doesn't sound like the kind of situation they would apply them, though.


Title: Someone might be hiding drugs in my house

Question:
Hi! It's my first time posting here and i have no idea if this is the right place for this, but i am pretty agitated so here it is. Sorry if the formatting is weird, am on mobile.

We have three bathrooms here, and the downstairs one has been clogged for quite some time now. My dad tried using the plunger but failed, and decided to buy a new and better one. He got out of the toilet a lot of rolled up, old newspapers. We unrolled them and apparently there's nothing, but the first tought we had was that it was used to hide/get rid of drugs that could have dissolved in the water, but we still have to check if there's any remainings on the paper.

We are puzzled. The only person that is not from the family that is always here is the cleaning lady. My mom always tought there was something wrong with her; she's always breaking things, hiding stuff and acting sketchy.

What can we do? Is there any test to do? Could it be something else?

Topic:
Drug Possession

Answer: It's.. unlikely.. that your cleaning lady is coming to your house to flush drugs. A wad of newspaper also does not help dispose of drugs for the exact reason you were able to retrieve it from the pipes (it gets stuck). You're reaching a bit here.


Title: Got a Subpoena in the Mail, don't know what to do, help!!

Question: In Sacramento, CA. A while back I was involved in an incident, and I recently got a subpoena in the mail to be a witness. What happened was, me and a friend both took acid (acid that I provided) one night when nobody was home. My friend got caught in a loop, started freaking out, took his shirt off and was shouting and yelling in the rain, tried to drive so I took his keys, he got violent, threatening to hurt us/threatening to kill himself and stuff like that. I called for help, my buddy came over and we decided we had to call the cops for interest of our safety. We called the cops, he fought a bunch of them off in my living room until they finally tased him (twice). Now, I have to show up as a witness to the event. I am worried that I can get in legal trouble because I gave him the acid. If they ask me, I was planning on lying about it, but I don't know! What do you guys think, I don't know what I'm doing, please help!

Answer:
 You should **absolutely** not lie if they ask you about it.

You should talk to a lawyer and if they ask you a question that might incriminate you, you should politely decline to answer that question on those grounds.


Title: Castle Doctrine in Pennsylvania, is it as clear as it states?

Question:
Was having some family discussion about home security, and we had pretty differing views on what to do if someone tries a home invasion/break in.

My limited understanding is that if anyone uninvited attempting to break into (or enter unlawfully) either a vehicle, home, or attached patio/deck/etc can be dealt with by force (up to deadly).

The argument though is what can *actually* happen if someone were to break into our house or even walk along our deck (obviously uninvited; probably some drug user looking to steal or something), and I use (likely deadly) force on them without knowing their intent.

What could happen to me in this scenario? Would I have to prove I don't know who the person is and prove they were trying to break in? I could just start rolling a camera on me as I approach the subject; but this seems like this could be used instead to say it was premeditated (although I wouldn't think that would take precedence over the castle doctrine if they were unlawfully entering). In the most predictable case this could occur; I'd expect it to be night/early morning (12AM-6AM), which seems like a really suspicious time for anyone to be around snooping around a house (strengthening my case).

The opposing argument is is that I would go to jail for either use of deadly force, or could even be sued by the injured party (should the force not be deadly) mainly due to the lack-of an "effective" lawyer (would basically only qualify for a public defender since finances are pretty limited).

On the note of unlawfully entering, would this be enforceable as soon as the uninvited person goes beyond a gate leading onto a deck? My understanding is that it would count as trespassing.

And on a slightly different note, does the property have to be actually *owned*? Does the castle doctrine extend to rented homes/apartments/buildings (where the person defending the property is a tenant) and vehicles?

**Short version**: If my family and I live in a rental house, with a deck, and someone attempts to break in, and I use what could be deadly force to stop them, am I covered under the castle doctrine (in Pennsylvania) and (lack-of more professional-wording) *scot-free*?
Topic:
Criminal Law

Answer: Generally you can't just shoot a person that is on your property. If they break into your home and are in your home you can defend yourself, but if they are breaking into a shed or car on your property that is no reason to shoot them unless they are threatening you with a weapon.


Title: At a business I am leasing, a video camera has been recording my every move without my knowledge. Can I take action?

Question:
I recently signed a lease to a hotel business. Nothing on the lease indicated that my leaser would be spying on me in the front office. I was playing around with the wires in the front office today and unplugged the internet connection to the camera. I figured they were inactive, but my leaser just accidently mentioned how he cant see anything that's going on in
 the office anymore through his cell phone app--he wants to have a guy over to come "fix" the wires. Did he violate any privacy laws? Can I take legal action?

I am located in Virginia

Answer:
 You are a commercial tenant leasing this place, and the landlord has a camera watching the interior of your business premises where you are conducting business?
 Is that what's going on?Answer #2: I would be worried that this was not the only camera. Answer #3: I don't understand the setup here. Are you leasing a whole hotel from the owners and running the hotel business? Or are you leasing space inside of a hotel for your own individual retail business? Are there other spaces where other people rent space inside this hotel? Is the front office you are referring to inside your own private space where people from other businesses are not allowed into?


Title: can my school do this?

Question: So I have been fundraising for an end of the year school trip. But alot of my friends have said they're not going so i dont really want to go by myself. But the school keeps the money I've fundraised if I don't go. Can they? I never signed a contract saying they were allowed to, or the opposite. They'll give me all the money i put into it, like hard cash, but I don't see how they have the right to keep money that comes from food my family/friends purchased with their money, that I sold, that the school has no part in besides organizing the fundraiser (they dont even make the food being sold). I mean, I'm not taking them to court for $63 but I'm curious. Who knows maybe I'll start a shitfit but mostly curious. I asked this in casual convo and got mixed replies, that's why I ask here.

Answer: Yes. The money was for the trip. You fundraised the trip. It is irrelevant if you want to go on the trip.


Title: Illinois retail store scam

Question:
Thanks for reading. I wanted to help a friend out and buy her some clothes from a department store. I applied and received a credit card from the store at the time of purchase. I realize what happened is not smart on my part but looking for advice. I was asked, "Do you want to give anyone else besides yourself permission to use this card". I said no. Continue process for card and purchases. I put about $120 worth of stuff on the card, get my receipt, and what I thought was the temporary card on a piece of paper. I didn't check and later found out it was a coupon with the receipt. My friend also gets a bunch of print outs which I assume is a receipt for each item. I don't check and continue on.
Next day, friend asks when my birthday is and I'm reluctant. Says she needs it to return items that don't fit. I oblige eventually and tell her. Fast forward 9 days, I don't have card yet but register account with the stores online website to see my balance. It is almost maxed at $800. I call credit card company, say I didn't make those purchases and they are sending me an affidavit to fill out.
I ask friend and she says she thought she could use the card for whatever and she is sorry for the misunderstanding and will pay me back in a few weeks which would be just over a month from time of purchase. Affidavit will be here in 7-10 days. I'm beginning to think this friend is scamming me and I don't believe she will pay. Card has been canceled. My question is, do I have recourse and will the credit card investigation not help because I got duped by a friend? Any other tips are welcome. Thanks.

Answer:
 > friend

you keep using that word...Answer #2: The two options available to you are to try to report this to the police as a crime, and to sue her in small claims court for the money she owes you.  You can do neither, just one, or both of these.

The report to the police will possibly not result in criminal charges.  It could be difficult to prove a criminal case if the suspect testifies that she had your permission to use the card, and all the information/paperwork needed to use it.  But you can still try if you want to.

You will probably have better luck with small claims court, the burden of proof is lower there.Answer #3: Not a lawyer; I suspect your friend is a scam artist and knew full well that she wasn't supposed to make more purchases.  I'd be very careful not to let her have any more access to your financial info.Answer #4: They might help if unauthorized purchases were made. If not, you sue your friend. Get something in email or text that she admits she made purchases and will pay you back.


Title: I am the father and want to care for the child instead of a nanny because we are separated, mom won't let me what are my rights?

Question:
Mom and I separated, i gave her her space in hopes we could work it out. She's not interested. I don't have any anger or resentment towards the mom. I just want to see my daughter. The mom wants to hire a nanny for $25 an hour and have me pay for it. I already have paid more than 2/3 of all childcare expenses.

I am still able to contribute to the childcare expenses. All i want is to spend time with my daughter and let my son have time with her too. I can't see why the mom has a problem since I wouldn't be cutting into any of her time. I just want to see my daughter when the mom is at work. If her parents want to watch her one day or two days i don't have a problem with that. Just want to watch her 9-6 when mom is at work. I don't need to discuss my relationship with the mom or anything at all. Just want to see my daughter. We are unmarried, the daughter has my last name and it's established that i'm the father. What are my rights?

Answer:
 Get a lawyer and file for joint legal and joint physical custody, and request *right of first refusal* .

https://www.ourfamilywizard.com/blog/right-of-first-refusal


Title: My school district is forcing me and other support staff to work with physically aggressive student

Question:
I am a teacher in a self contained special ed classroom. Since FAPE (Free Access to Public Education) is a thing I don't get to choose which students assigned to my caseload. I was assigned basically the most physically aggressive student with autism imaginable this year and I am wondering what legal action I can take to protect myself and my support staff?

 The student is profound and has very limited opportunities to learn because of his violent behaviors. Myself and my staff are assaulted daily and had our personal property destroyed by the student. I have been forced to give multiple restraints and isolation (closed off in an isolation room) which has angered the student's parents. I have repeatedly gone to admin for help and they offered a few band aid solutions but nothing of any real value meanwhile my staff are getting injured and using up all their personal/sick days to avoid being assaulted that day. Coming to work everyday is becoming sickening and I am looking for any way to protect myself and my staff legally.

Answer: Are you a union member? Have you discussed this with your rep?


Title: [CA] Can I legally publish revenge-porn videos of female (ex-)acquaintance who broke into my apartment and was filmed by security cameras?

Question:
I live in LA, but have a house in SF that I only use a couple of times each year (currently doesn't make sense to rent it out due to the strict laws there). Over a year ago I gave a key to a female friend (actually more of an acquaintance) of mine who wanted to stay in SF for a couple of days. She gave back the key a few days later and everything was fine. We stopped having contact a few months later due to an unrelated dispute.

One one of my last visits to my house I noticed that things are a little bit off and I had the feeling that someone must have entered it. But nothing appeared to be stolen. I had the same feeling on the next visit and finally decided to install some of those WiFi security webcams in my house (I had planned to do this anyway at some point).

So yesterday I got an intruder alert email from the security webcams. I decided to check the videos before calling 911 and the videos showed this ex-acquaintance of mine having sex all over the house with some guy. It appears that she somehow duplicated my key and is now using my house as her own personal party space. I didn't call 911, but I'm going to fly over and replace the door lock as soon as possible.

So now about those videos: I gave her the keys for a one time use only and I feel abused by her using my apartment without any authorization. Am I allowed to publish my webcam videos on the internet? I know that California has laws against revenge-porn, but do these laws also apply if someone breaks into your apartment and is then filmed by security cameras?

Answer:
 Revenge porn is illegal in California, period.  There is no exception in the law for "she did something wrong so I can do something wrong, too!"

Either call the police or don't call the police, but don't act like a pissed off 14 year old.


Title: [Texas] Forgot I had a ticket because of memory loss and now have 3 warrants I was unaware of. Today i was pulled over

Question:
Early this year I was pulled over and was given a $625 ticket for "failure to dim headlights" (I had my brights on because my indicator was broken and I didn't know). I suffer from epilepsy and the anger and excitement this ticket caused promptly gave me a seizure that night. I suffer memory loss after seizures and I didn't remember ever getting this ticket. Today I was pulled over because the camera in the police car read my license plate and alerted the officer that I had a warrant. When he double checked he found out that it is up to 3 warrants now because I failed to appear in court. I had to pay $300 after he took me in just so they wouldn't take me to jail. The rest they told me is set up as a payment plan over 2 months. The remaining balance is now $962. All these fees are because I never receiver a letter informing me I had a warrant in the first place. Is there any way to request another court date to state my case? I can get doctors statements that will verify my situation with my memory loss. Or should I just have them take me to jail? Because one thing is for sure...I do not have $962. I didn't really have the $300 from today. I hope someone can give me some advice! Thank you for your time

**EDIT**: I imagine I have gotten downvoted because people are angry that I drive while suffering from epilepsy. I want to ensure everyone that I do not drive for 4-5 months after a seizure. No matter how difficult that make getting around, the safety of other drivers are more important to me then getting around quickly.

**EDIT 2**: I should mention that I was not driving when I was pulled over yesterday. I was a passenger in my own car but the license is what prompted my friend to get pulled over and the officer recognizing me from the picture associated with the warrant. I have not driven myself since February due to too many health issues

Answer:
 >I suffer from epilepsy and the anger and excitement this ticket caused promptly gave me a seizure that night.

Did you continue to drive a motor vehicle after this? If so, you were most likely violating the law.  In Texas, you must be seizure free for three months (with exceptions) before you drive.

https://www.epilepsy.com/driving-laws/2008856

Answer #2: Did you not have the actual ticket at the time you were given it?  If you know stressful situations lead to seizures which lead to memory loss, would you not take special care to put that ticket somewhere you would see it and be reminded?

I don't think the fault here lies elsewhere, sorry.


Title: I feel duped by law firm after free consult

Question: I setup a free consult to a law firm thru my employers EAP program. I gave my ex-wife the house as part of our divorce settlement. In our paperwork it states that she can prepare a quit claim deed and I need to sign it within 10 days while she does her best to refinance. She did not act on this until 5 months after the divorce was final and now with a clear mind I was not comfortable with this, yes should not have signed the divorce papers with this in it at the time but I did, and I went to the consult to see if I had to do the quit claim deed before she refinances and removes me from the mortgage. During the consult the 2 attorney's present were adamant that I should not sign the quit claim deed before a closing. They sold me that they could take care of this and make it so I only sign the deed over to her during a refinance closing. So I retained their services.. My first contact from the actual attorney assigned to my case, not one I consulted with, is a voicemail and email stating for me to come in and sign the quit claim deed!?!? I told her that is exactly what your guys told me not to do during the consult. Now there is an upcoming hearing on enforcement of final judgement and I have zero confidence in my chances. Is there anything I can do about being consulted one way and then represented a different way? I feel like I was conned by this law firm in Florida.

Answer:
 It doesn’t sound like you were conned. It sounds like you received differing advice from different attorneys at different times. That’s not really uncommon and there is often more than one possible strategy.

You should retain counsel you trust and follow their advice. If that’s not this firm, consider a different one.


Title: [CA] I found tickets I bought form VividSeats for sale on other sites. They are refusing to give me a refund and are being extremely unhelpful. What are my options?

Question:
I bought 2 tickets for a show on May 4th from VividSeats for $482 the day tickets went on sale (March 1st). A few weeks ago I found my exact tickets for resale on Ticketmaster. I sent them proof and they said they’d look into it. Now, these are digital tickets so in theory they could be sold to an infinite amount of people and all the tickets would be “valid and authentic” but they’d only work for the first person who uses them at the venue.

About a week later I contacted them again and they said the seller said it was a glitch and took them down so I’m all good. Except I know for a *fact* that the resale option on Ticketmaster wasn’t available until over a week after I purchased my tickets. They basically said “tickets aren’t fake, fuck off” so I posted on twitter and within 24 hours a customer service manager called me. They said they would electronically transfer me the tickets through Ticketmaster (the normal delivery method is just them emailing you a pdf of the tickets) so it would generate a new barcode for me, invalidating all previous barcodes.

Which is great… except when I called back yesterday they said they weren’t sure if they’d be able to do that. So they said they *might* give me “equivalent seats.” Now I paid as much as I did because these tickets are directly across from the stage. For them, “equivalent seats” could be halfway around the stadium. And they might not do anything at all.

So what are my options? I have hard evidence the seller is a scammer yet they‘re dragging their feet to do anything because the tickets are *technically* “valid and authentic.” And they said that if they don’t do anything now and the tickets don’t work at the venue, then they might give me a refund. This event is happening right before my 18th bday and I might never get a chance to see this group again. If I don’t get to see this show, to see them I’d either have to fly to New York, New Jersey, or Europe to see them and pay a shitload of money for those tickets (for context, the most expensive ticked sold by a reseller for this world tour was 3.5k). Considering I can barely afford gas, that ain’t an option.

The show is in a few weeks and I’m desperate to work this out. Could I sue? Legal fees wouldn’t be an issue as my uncle is one of the best lawyers in the area (Silicon Valley) but I don’t know if that would be too much. Are they actually required to do anything?

Honestly I just want my money back. Then I could use it to buy tickets I can trust.
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer:
 https://www.vividseats.com/terms.html

Take emotion out of it. I get it’s a concert you want to see but that doesn’t matter legally.

The offer comparable tickets is listed as something they can offer you. The refund takes place after confirmation you can’t get in on tickets purchased. Your best bet is to keep up with customer service and find a solution to get tickets to the event or a refund. If you paid with a credit card you can see if a charge back is possible but beware that you’ll likely be banned from using vivid seats again. When I used them they were the only resale option for tickets to the event I wanted.

You can sue but it’d be in small claims court, no lawyers. But you’d have to wait till after the show to prove that you were sold tickets that didn’t work. You will only be able to claim the ticket purchase price, not any extras like seeing them in another city. You will also likely have to file in Chicago.

Be aware threats to sue will stop them from offering customer service and refer you to their legal team.Answer #2: Not legal advice but the tickets are likely to work for the 1st person who tries to use them. Be at the front of the line as soon as the doors open and hopefully they'll work for you.


Title: (WI)Didn’t get a job because the hiring manager chose a personal contact over me.

Question: (WI) So the story starts with a friend that told me to apply at a business that happens to be in my town. I thought awesome I’d make more and have a short drive to work. Get told I’ve been asked for by name. My friend knows the manager there and referred me. So I go in with me resume, application, and references and talk with the manager. She wants to set up a interview with me so we set up for a date for the manager to call me to set up the interview. The day comes and hear nothing so I call a few days later and we get a date set up. First interview goes great and decide to set up a second interview. Just like the first time I don’t hear anything again from the manager so I call in to set up a date. Second interview comes and I nailed it they even said they had no complaints about the interview. So great I nailed two interviews and I’m feeling good about the job. They tell me they will call me Friday after they interview the two other people who had applied. Friday comes and I hear nothing once again. I call the following week and still hear nothing. I have a contact that also works for the sister company in a different city so I tell them what’s going on and they contact their HR and apparently the hiring manager gets yelled at for not returning my calls. Pretty frustrated at this point. Finally get a call back saying I didn’t get the job and said the person who got it had more experience than me. So I get offered part time to which guess what I don’t get a call back two more times! So I said that’s it there’s no way I’m working for this person. Find out a couple weeks later now that the hiring manager hired their SO’s boss’s kid. Is this legal to do and if not how do I enter a complaint? Also I’ve already tried to complain to the business themselves but they don’t really have a HR department and higher ups know what’s going on but basically don’t care to do anything.

Answer: Nepotism isn't illegal. Unless it was on the basis of some protected class, you have nothing to go off here.


Title: [VA] Is this an illegal firing?

Question:
I interviewed for a job about 18 months ago. At the time I was pregnant but wasn't sure (first trimester). I started work in my second trimester and had just started showing. I eventually confided in my immediate manager about the situation and he didn't seem too perturbed by it. It's a small company and my absence would create extra work for the rest of the team, but no one seemed too upset when I made the announcement. Everyone was congratulatory. I made sure everything that had a deadline during my maternity leave would be completed before I left.

Obviously, I hadn't been there for 12 months yet (so no FMLA), but the company did offer up to 4 weeks of paid maternity/paternity leave as part of the benefits package. However, right before I went on maternity leave, my boss's boss called me into his office and he was quite upset, telling me I should have been up front about my "situation" when they hired me in. He told me he now had to hire a temp to cover for me and that I wasn't a good team player. Honestly, at the time of the interview I wasn't even sure I was pregnant. It wasn't like I planned it that way. It just kind of happened.

I apologized and told him precisely that: I hadn't been sure I was pregnant so I didn't say anything. When I was sure I immediately told my direct supervisor. I told him I had prepared everything for my absence, that I could still be contacted if there were questions (stupid, stupid, I know, my dad already told me that was stupid).

Anyway, I go on leave, have my baby, and come back to work 3 weeks later.  Everything is fine but when it comes time for my performance evaluation, my numbers are near the bottom, much to my surprise. I haven't had any complaints about my work, I meet my deadlines, I work well with my co-workers. I should mention my direct manager left around Thanksgiving, so right before my performance evaluation. I don't think he was the one who gave me the low numbers. I'm pretty sure it was my boss' boss that did the evaluation since he was our interim manager until he found someone else.

Last week, I get called back into the big boss' office and he fires me for "bad performance" and my inability to function on the team.

I'm totally shocked. I am 90% sure it's retaliation for my pregnancy. However, I have absolutely no proof of that. I realize I'm probably better off not working for someone so petty but I'm worried how the firing will look to other employers.

Is there anything I can do?

I am planning on meeting with a lawyer but I just wanted to know if this will be a waste of time or not.

Answer: Yes you should meet with a lawyer. There is enough there to make it worth your while. If they were smart they would have just fired you for missing work if you weren't eligible for FMLA leave yet.


Title: How do you dispute a medical bill?

Question:
I am from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. When I was a baby I had kidney problems, I haven't had an issue since (I am 20). Earlier this month I experienced sharp pain in my sides and had to leave work. It was very late and the only open place was the ER. I contacted a nurse line through my insurance and they urged me to go to the ER. When I was there the doctor thought it was a bladder infection, did a urine test, and found it was *not* a bladder infection. He then did a CT scan and found nothing.
The doctor then told me he was treating me for bladder infection, prescribed me antibiotics and VICODIN! for the pain, (a bit much if you ask me). This doctor, i might add, was extremely condescending the entire time and didn't spend even 5 minutes talking to me. This entire visit cost ~$4400.

I saw a different doctor the next day, who actually listened to what I was saying and found that the problem was constipation. Seriously. Something the first doctor may have found if he had paid any attention to what I was telling him, or if he had used his brain instead of just trying to rack up bills for expensive procedures.

I belive I should dispute this because 1. He didn't pay attention to my symptoms. 2. did a CT when it wasn't necessary and 3. Treated me for something he had already said was NOT the problem.

Like I said, I'm 20. Just turned 20 recently. I have no life experience. I need advice.
Topic:
Healthcare Law including HIPAA

Answer:
 1- doesn't matter

2- he acted within normal processes. He didn't do anything another doctor would think crazy. He rules something out.

3- he went with what he thought. You didn't have to follow his advice.

You went to the ER. You got a service. You pay for it. You can call the billing department, tell them what happened, and see if they will give you a break. But being wrong doesn't mean you don't pay the bill.


Title: How to prepare the domestic violence case?

Question:
I have court hearing on Friday filed by my girlfriend. There is nothing major charges, but I have to be present on the case on Friday. For last month, she said she would drop the charges but she could not drop charges. I was hopeful that the case would be dropped that's why I didn't bother to look for any attorney or public defender. She does not want to go in front of the judge to drop the charges, because she does not want to look "bad"? Today, we broke up and starting a non-contact thing.
I was wondering how I should be prepared for the case?
I live in NM.

Answer: Your girlfriend has no authority to drop charges. You need to get an attorney. This is the only way to prepare for any criminal case. If you cannot to hire an attorney, ask for one to be appointed.


Title: [MO] Does having a Fishing license in one state allow you to fish in another state?

Question: Like, for example, does having a missouri fishing license allow you to legally fish in virginia? Or would I have to buy a license in the state I intend to fish in? I'm planning a trip to visit friends on the east coast and they want to take me fishing because I enjoy it.

Answer:
 The full faith and credit clause would not apply; as  the fee you pay serves as a direct pre-purchase for natural resources (fish) you are consuming to that state.

You would need one from that state


Title: If Person A lives in Chicago and is making fun of Person B in New York over the internet and publicly, and person B claims they are losing employment opportunities because of Person A making fun of them, can Person B order a "Mental Evaluation" on person A?

Answer:
 No.

Unless you mean "order a mental evaluation" as in take one's magical "order stick" and strike it thrice on a melon (preferably a watermelon, but a honeydew will suffice) while reciting "I order a mental evaluation! I order a mental evaluation! I order a mental evaluation!"


Title: Can my girlfriend's high-functioning autistic son be declared incompetent by his biological father? (US, TX)

Question:
We're afraid that his biological father is going to try to have him declared incompetent as a means of maintaining control over him. Once he turned 18 he came and lived with us. Bio father still claims him on his insurance as a dependent, and we're afraid he will try to have him remanded into his custody so he can bilk the son for money.

The son is 18, high-functioning, and just completed his first semester of college with good grades across the board.

Is this something we need to be worried about? Is there some paperwork we can have filed to prevent this from occurring in the future? As per the title, we are in the US, in TX.

He's been applying for jobs, and once he gets one I know he can file on his own to prevent being claimed as a dependent in the future. We're just trying to make sure he doesn't legally become someone's property.

Answer: There is an involved court process to do this. The father can't just "declare" it.Answer #2:  you are talking about getting conservatorship, which is quite the process requiring evidence and from what i understand most states dont auto-assume anyone with an autism spectrum disability is unable to make their own choices. I have high functioning autism although i live in NJ, at least where i am the burden of proof is put on someone trying to prove that the person in question cant make their own choices. I at one point had a parent threaten me with this which had me look into all this and realize its almost certainly a fear tactic.


Title: MN: I signed a new lease on paper, company now says I must sign the electronic version or face penalties

Question:
I signed a new lease on paper at my current apartment a couple months ago which will take effect August 1. Since then, the management company has switched to DocuSign, an online provider of documents for signatures. Today, I received an email saying I must sign the electronic copy or face "late charges", even though they've already acknowledged receiving the paper version. That part is obviously bullshit on their part.

I haven't yet reviewed the electronic version and compared it to the paper version I already signed. If they are exactly the same, would there be any consequence in re-signing the electronic version? If they are different, I'll take whichever version is more advantageous. Anything else I should be aware of? Can they really assess charges for not signing their electronic version when the paper one is already signed?

Answer: Do you have a fully executed copy of the paper lease in your possession? Signed by you AND the landlord? If so, they are bound to that lease as are you. If not, then you don't have a fully executed lease which means you don't have a lease, in which case you will probably want to sign the electronic lease so you have a place to live.


Title: Break in and Attempted sexual assault

Question: Hi there legal advice. My girl friend moved into a new apartment two nights ago with 3 other girls already in there. The first night she slept in the apartment none of the other girls were there. Some one broke in through the back sliding glass door because the lock was broke and there was only a peice of wood stuck in it to stop it from opening which was managments way of fixing the problem. The man broke in with the sole purpose of to put it bluntly rape my girlfriend luckily the cops came in time and nothing happened besides her being groped and the man got away. My question is as my gf is traumatized and afraid to sleep in her new home do we have a case against the apartment building considering the new there was a problem but did not inform her or fix the problem. Furthermore what should our actions be in conctacting a lawyer we are both very young and have no experience in this area

Answer:
 Can you say that the person would *for sure* not have broken in with a repaired lock?

She knew the lock was broken when she moved in, right?  She inspected the apartment first?

Generally speaking, the only person liable for a criminal act is the criminal who committed it.


Title: [Ohio] Is there anything I can do for my father against 14 felony charges involving my estranged family?

Question:
[deleted]
Topic:
Criminal Law

Answer: Why would you talk to them? Literally stfu unless you are given the OK by his defense attorney.Answer #2: Law enforcement doesn't bug your house if they think you have child porn. That's silly and just doesn't happen. If they think you have it they will get a search warrant and raid your house.   If your father has been charged with possession of child porn it doesn't matter what these people think it's out of their hands. What you can do is help him pay for an attorney which he desperately needs and this is the ONLY person he should be talking to about his case.


Title: Got stuck in random African airport with no money thanks to Expedia. Any advice on steps to take now? Legal action?

Question:
This is a repost from /r/personalfinance earlier
So this just happened yesterday. My wife and I are on our honeymoon in Tanzania. The second part of our honeymoon involved a stop in Egypt with a connection in Nairobi, Kenya. For the trip from Kilimanjaro, Tanzania to Cairo we relied on Expedia.com because we were unfamiliar with local Tanzanian airline and figured it was safer to book through a company from the US. I booked the tickets maybe 2 months in advance for a regular price (it was the same price per ticket if bought directly through the airlines). I also bought the Travel Protection Plan for some reason ($70 extra - I never usually buy it but since it was my honeymoon I wanted everything to be perfect) So the ticket purchase was totally uneventful. It came out to be $1087 – I am still a student with a low paying job so this was a big part of my savings. Anyways, I uneventfully checked in the night and the website said something along the lines of “You are checked in and no reason to further confirm the reservation”. So we wake up at 3:00am, drive an hour and arrive at 4:00am for our 6:00am flight. We wanted to get there early because it was an airport in the middle of Tanzania and I only speak English. My wife and I wait in line excited to get on the plane and sleep.
When we get to the counter, I hand the woman at the desk my passport and she immediately says our tickets are invalid. We pull out our itinerary from Expedia.com with all our information from PrecisionAir. She mentioned that this was booked through AirMonaco – an airline that I had never heard of before and it was not even on the itinerary. We were baffled. She said that Expedia.com had purchased the tickets through AirMonaco, an airline that has been suspended by the IATA two weeks ago and that this was between Expedia.com and AirMonaco. Apparently this is a problem that has occurred in the past – nearly 15-20 times in the past week. They kept saying that it was Expedia.com’s job to inform us of this suspension and that there was nothing that the airline could do because PrecisionAir had not received any money for this flight. This went back and forth for a couple minutes and eventually I asked her if we could just buy new tickets. She said that the only way to purchase tickets was with cash on the spot and there was an ATM outside if I needed to do so. They had no credit card machines and would not accept check. I had very little cash on me because who carries $1000+ cash in a foreign country. Anyways, I called Expedia on the spot thinking that it would be a quick fix while my wife runs out with our debit cards to see if she can pull out money to purchase the new tickets. Our debit cards did not let us take out the amount to buy new tickets because it exceeded our cash limit – and was a foreign ATM. By this time our flight was 20 minutes from departing. I went through the normal Expedia.com automated message until I eventually got to a human being. After explaining my situation over and over and telling the representative over the phone that my flight was about to take off she continued to put me on hold. In the meantime, I texted my father back in the States to call Expedia.com as well so we had a better chance of getting through to someone and incase my Internet connection died. He called them as well. I eventually missed my flight. After an hour of going back and forth I was transferred multiple times and eventually to corporate, explaining my situation over and over. Not one person from Expedia.com was aware of this flight suspension of AirMonaco which I still was unclear about what part they took in this reservation process. When I booked the flight I was given the impression that that it was a simple booking with PrecisionAir through Expedia. Its 9:00am and we were still arguing back and forth with Expedia, nobody wanting to own up to this process/flaw in the system. Everyone constantly is pointing fingers at each other and repeating the same thing over and over. After two hours, Donnie from Expedia Corporate offered the solution to just “go over to Nairobi which is a 4 hour drive in a different country. I had to explain to him that Nairobi was another country and I can’t just go there. After our two hour conversation he said there was nothing that Expedia could do and essentially told us to figure it out ourselves.
My dad back in the States who was also trying in the meantime got a hold of some kind of manager/supervisor. I heard him over speaker phone talking to this person and he continued to say that there was nothing we could do. The original ticket that we had was a 6 hour flight to Cairo and at this time there was also another 8 hour ticket available that afternoon through another Airline. Eventually, the man finally gave in and decided to get us on a 22 hour journey through the Middle East with a 10 hour layover in Qatar with no hotel accommodations, mind you we have been up since 3am. We assumed that they offered this because it was the cheapest option that they had at the time. It actually cost less than what we had originally paid. I continued to request my money back for the original ticket and they kept telling us that this was between me and AirMonaco, despite the fact that I bought the tickets through Expedia and had no contract with Air Monaco or made aware by Expedia that they were part of this reservation. After much back and forth, the man on the phone threatned to take this offer away saying that “we don’t even need to give this to you” and that we were “doing you a favor” by booking this 22 hour trip through the Middle East. I asked for some kind of compensation for a hotel, something that he vigorously refused. So as I had little money left, we am currently on a flight to Qatar.
TLDR- Basically Expedia sold us a worthless ticket that we had no knowledge of until we got to the ticket counter the morning of our flight. My honeymoon has been ruined and our plans to go home have been changed drastically thanks to Expedia.com. We felt very deceived, very stranded, and helpless throughout this process and we felt that Expedia took no responsibility for something that they should have been aware of from the start. They should have not only been aware of this suspension with this airline - which I have never heard of and have no contract with – but they should have informed its passengers of this problem. As of now, Expedia.com is still offering the tickets that I bought through PreisionAir. I still have no idea where my money is that I paid to Expedia.

Any advice on steps to take to get my money back?

Edit:  Sorry about any grammar or spelling mistakes. A little tired

Update 1:  I am currently in Doha.  We tried to call AirMonaco today and they said that it was totally up to Expedia.com to take care of this and that they were responsible for refunding my money

Answer:
 > Any advice on steps to take to get my money back?

Yes.

> Tried to call AirMonaco today and they said that it was totally up to Expedia.com to take care of this and that they were responsible for refunding my money.

AirMonaco is correct. You collect from Expedia, and Expedia collects from AirMonaco.

You paid with a credit card. So call the bank that issued the credit card and do a chargeback.

You also mentioned you bought a trip protection plan. You should pursue a claim.


Title: Disney world won't help me, I chipped my tooth on an old pastry I bought. All I got was a shhh package fastpass. HELP ME PLEASE!!!!!

Question:
Hello I have been with my family at disney Im from CANADA Yesterday while I was at ANIMAL KINGDOM, I bought a snack from a not so happy after all employee, ((elephant Ear) I know they are usually hard but I wasn't biting into the caramel or chocolate) it was like a jaw breaker. I instantly felt like something was wrong, I spit the piece of pastry out and so did my tooth. It was my molar from the bottom left and it has been difficult to function since... fast forward to the very sweet and kind lady helping me (Katie) she was helpful with taking me to first aid and then to fill out a claim at guys services, she gave me and my 5 other family members fast passes and two any snack coupons of my choice. We left because our schedule is so tight we didn't have time to leave and ruin our trip to make a visit to the dentist. (i fear the dentist more than anything) I can't eat at animal kingdoms restaurant because it was very uncomfortable trying to eat with a hole in my mouth with open nerves.
i try to call claims this morning because my insurance won't cover anything with out the proof from disney and now I have to wait for them to open again at tomorrow before I can receive  medical treatment. the manager at our hotel we are staying is very friendly but he was unable to do anything for me as the guest claims is not available today and they can only get me the info I need.

Im sure i could run to social media and complain but im not a bad person, i just want whats right to be done on Disney's behalf. and you people are kick ass so why not ask some fellow redditors.

I have been told by people I have rights to a lawsuit but i don't have the time for this as we are leaving to drive back to canada on saturday.

if i wait till i get back my insurance won't cover it but Disney World has got me stuck in my hotel room eating advil like pez and wishing i could get help.

Please help me I could use some advice or assistance as i am sitting here with my tooth in hand because the tooth fairy didn't take it. (JK) but seriously im in serious pain and they have offered nothing other than a couple of fast passes and more food passes for me to not eat.
They are admitting they are at fault but i Don't know who to talk to or who to bring this up to if you have any information ill be in my at the park with my family toughing it out cause im Canadian and just because Disney chipped my tooth on an old pastry they forgot to throw out yeserday. I get the kick in the ass for it..

Please help sorry for the spelling grammar what ever else i goofed on but i am in as much discomfort as you can imagine...

Please Help

Thank you for reading

Answer:
 > I have been told by people I have rights to a lawsuit

Yes, you can sue for this if you want.  But that takes months, at minimum, and you have to do it in Orlando.

Get treatment first.  Disney's under no obligation to do it for you.  Stay in touch with them about filing a claim for your damages.  If they don't cooperate, you'll have to sue them.  Answer #2: Tomorrow local dentists will be open for business. Call around first thing in the morning and ask for an emergency appointment. Any dentist open near Disney is used to seeing travelers on short notice. Yes you will have to pay that dentist but then you will have a bill to present to Disney. It's better than sitting in your hotel room in pain eating Advil.


Title: Job in San Jose offering 12 an hour, but minimum wage is 13.50?

Question:
Hello,

A friend of mine recently was hired on for a job that is offering 12 an hour in San Jose California. Based on my understanding it was raised to $13.50 on January 1st, 2018.  Are there any situations where this is allowed?  What can I do to investigate this further and ensure its legal.

Answer: Maybe they are not aware that the min wage changed in the new year.  Has he asked them about it?


Title: Advice on bailing someone out of jail

Question:
My brother was taken to jail last night. I believe he has two counts of shoplifting and he didn't go to court for either of them. I know he has a parol officer and I think it may be for these matters. I also think he didn't check in with his parol officer and that's why he is in jail.

My wife went to the jail to bail him out today and was told he had a detainer and if she paid his bail he'd be taken to another county. She asked an officer if they could have him call her or give him this information but they said no.

What is the best course of action now? Paying the bail doesn't make much sense. Should I wait for him to realize we're not paying the bail and call us back and tell him he needs to get himself a lawyer?

Edit: I forgot to include a location. We are in Montgomery County, MD. The detainer is for Frederick County, MD.

Answer:
 Protip: Don't bail out people who have a history of not going to court. You'll just end up losing your money. Answer #2: He has a warrant with another agency besides the one where he is.

So if you pay is bail where he's at now, he gets transferred to the other county, where he (probably) has a DIFFERENT bail he will have to pay to get out.

This seems like a bad risk, IMHO.  If he doesn't show up, you lose the money.


Title: [VIRGINIA] Employment agreement explicitly states that employees are paid out accrued PTO. Employer now claims they don't need to pay.

Question: As the post says. I signed an employment that says I will be paid all unused PTO accrued through my last working day. Company claims they legally don't have to pay me any PTO and wants to compromise by paying a fraction of the total PTO. What ground do I have here? I am quitting for a different job. Wasn't fired for anything. They say they changed the company policy to reflect not paying PTO. But I never signed a new agreement. I'm still employed under the old agreement.

Answer: If they are offering a compromise, it's usually because they are in the wrong and trying to buy you off.  Do not sign anything new, and go speak to a lawyer.


Title: TN - I found someone's bank card. I have no plans to use it. What to do?

Question:
Tennessee.

I was out shopping with family earlier and found a bank card on the ground. I was unsure of whether to hold onto the card and call the number on the back to try to cancel it, or to turn it into the store's customer service desk. I know the latter seems like the correct and responsible thing to do, but I had this feeling that whoever I turned it in to would pocket the card and attempt to use it maliciously. So, I have since pocketed the card. I have no intent to use the card for my own personal gain.

Should I call the number on the back of the card to try and get it canceled, then destroy the card, or turn it into the police? If I call, will there be any way to trace it back to me, in the event the card owner tries to accuse me of stealing the card?

Thanks to all who can help.

Answer: Call the number on the back of the card and tell them you found it.  They will instruct you on what to do with it (probably cut it up and toss it) and can prevent future use on the card and get a new card sent out to the owner.Answer #2: Call the number on the back like now, the card issuer will, instruct you to destroy the card, then they will cancel it, notify the cardholder, and things go however they go depending on the purchase history or lack of after the cardholder lost it. OR dont call, destroy the card yourself, and move forward. Its not going to be a federal case either way, but whoever lost the card should buy a lottery ticket because they're very lucky you found it and not some criminal!


Title: I got suspended from school for 5 days for no cause. All I did was read a book in class (and during lunch) about a school shooting. I did absolutely nothing wrong. Can I sue the school?

Question: [removed]

Answer:
 No. Ask your parents if they want to escalate it to the superintendent for you. Won't get you anywhere, but at least you'll feel like you tried.

Next time, act like you have some common sense and don't bring books to school with guns on them. Answer #2: This is clearly our paul/mike troll.


Title: Lanlord refuses to pay back my security deposit in a sublet without a lease

Question:
So I sublet a room from an apartment renter from March-August. There was no lease involved, but the apartment complex owners were fully aware that I lived there. I paid a $450 security deposit to the renter and was told when days before I moved out that I was a great tenant and would receive it in full. I have been in contact with him multiple times since then and he has given me in total $100. He has horrible credit and is a "starving artist" type, but he keeps promising me he will get me my money in time. I have text him multiple times this week with no response. As soon as I moved into the apartment he changed is number, which makes me think he just changes his number and attempts to keep the security deposit when someone leaves. I still live in the area and can show up to the apartment to talk to him if necessary. Is there anything I can do?

Edit: I live in IL, specifically the town of Westmont

Answer:
 You can sue him, but odds are you won't collect enough to cover court costs.

You just have to decide how vindictive you want to be.  You can sue, and will win, and can then put derogatory information on his credit reports, but none of that makes him pay you.

I would do it, just out of spite, and because the whole process of making his life shittier for the next few years would amuse me.

But realistically, you'll be spending about another $400 and probably 40 hours of time to chase $350.  You can get that added to the judgement, but it's more steps to go through.  It's not worth it if it doesn't entertain you.


Title: [NY] Caught stealing, charged with Petit Larceny. Need advice.

Question: I was caught stealing $60 worth of goods and have been charged with Petit Larceny. I have an appearence ticket for next month. I am a first time offender at the age of 19 and need advice, also I haven't told my legal guardians/parents. So I am seeking some advice on the possible outcomes and what I should do.

Answer:
 Stop stealing.

Tell your parents.