Title: How can I turn my stepfather in???

Question:
I’d just like to first say that my stepfather raised me and is one of the most upstanding men you’ll ever meet. He is a wonderful man and a perfect grandfather to my daughter. However he has a disease. And that disease is alcoholism.

I have very good reason to suspect that he’s been driving after drinking. He constantly sneaks drinks hidden in his golf bag and on numerous occasions has been seen chugging tallboys outside of gas stations by our family members. He was better for a time but now he’s definitely back to it. In 2009 he got a DWI, only minutes after dropping me off (I was a minor).

How can I “turn him in”??? I’d like for the police to monitor him and pull him over if they see him.   I’m very concerned about his safety and the safety of others. He desperately needs intervention but becomes hostile whenever he bring up his drinking at all. Alcohol is forbidden in the home. We have tried every avenue to help curb his drinking but 20 years of doing what we can obviously isn’t helping. I mean it when I say he needs mandatory interventions if we are ever going to help him.

Answer:
 Call the police when you see him about to drive drunk and provide his location and description of the car.Answer #2: There is literally no way that you're going to get police to monitor him like that. Zero. If you think he's been drinking and is about to drive then you call you the police and report it.

Also I'm sorry but you can't help an addict that doesn't want to stop. No amount of intervention from you, your family, or the police is going to force him to stop drinking.


Title: How can I divorce-proof my car dealership?

Question:
I am planning on opening my used car dealership this year, but I am not sure how to go about it so that my future ex-spouse doesn't get access to the money. We have no kids. Is there a way I could do it through someone else, and later transfer it to myself?

Edit: Thanks, everyone.

Answer:
 Not getting married would have divorced proof this.

Or you can get divorced before opening it up.


Title: [MO] About a year ago I yelled "Fuck the police"

Question: I yelled fuck the police at a officer issuing a ticket to some car on the side of the road. About a mile or 2 down the road I look over and that same officer is driving right next to me and when we lock eyes he pulls me over. He immediately has his gun drawn and throws me out of the car in cuffs. He wouldn't tell me what I was being pulled over for and forcibly searched my vehicle when I told him not to. He planted a white "controlled substance" in my vehicle and "found" it. (it was a plastic vial about 2 inches tall and as thick as a pencil with white powder in it) He kept trying to get me to tell him what it was and I would respond with "I don't know what is happening so I am not going to say anything" Anyways I was booked for a "controlled substance" and was never actually charged for it. I was scared to confront anyone in case they would end up going through with that charge and it was my word against theirs. Now that nothing has happened for about 15 months I am wondering what can I do against the department that destroyed my rights. I know it was a dumb ass thing for me to yell but I have the 1st amendment on my side. I am also a very clean kid who has no drug record. Thanks to anyone who is willing to help!

Answer:
 I don't have anything relevant to say, but if your story is not fraudulent I would just like to congratulate you for letting that cop hear your opinion in a loud and bold manner.
Answer #2: File a complaint against the officer with his police departmentAnswer #3: Visit some civil rights attorneys.  See if anyone thinks there's enough evidence to sue the officer and the department for a violation of your rights.Answer #4: File a public records request for all documents relating to your arrest.  Look for inconsistencies, or lack of a reason documented to pull you over in the first place.

By waiting 15 months, you may have allowed a lot of the evidence to have disappeared.


Title: Family law/child visitation advice

Question: My boyfriend has been separated for over 2 years now, he has two children with his ex. (We are expecting our first child together in June.)They were doing supervised visitations for over a year and up until recently the court ordered public visits. Court ordered visitations Sundays from 12-4 PM, meeting at the mall food court & that if the visiting parent, which would be my boyfriend, was more than 20 minutes late the visit would be canceled. The first Sunday this was to be done, she was late because supposedly she did not remember where they were supposed to meet. On Wednesday after this visit, she called him asking what they had ate because they were sick and they were going to the hospital, so he told her what the kids had eaten. Co-incidentally that day we had to be at our birthing class that day, and it is at the same hospital, he called her and asked what room they were in and she claimed they were doing "better"- this is not the first time she's claimed to take them to the hospital when she actually didn't. This past Sunday was the second visit, and today she called again to complain. She claims that he is forcing the children to greet me and they do not want to, and he is not forcing them to do so whatsoever. He tried to explain to her that they need to respect their elders but she got upset and told him to let her take care of the children in deciding whom they should respect and who they shouldn't. She pretty much said I do not deserve their respect just because I am his new partner. She threatened to talk to the court mediator and bring back supervised visitations if he continues to force children to do things they do not want to do. I don't even engage with children and let them have their time together. It seems like she calls for any little reason just to disturb or stress us out. We are located in California.What can we do? Thanks!

Answer: It sounds like there's a lot going on here, including missing the reason *why* your boyfriend is on supervised visitation. He should consult his attorney if their custody agreement isn't working out.


Title: [New Mexico] Do I have the right to sign my daughter out of the NICU AMA (against medical advice)?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 You have the right to control your minor child's medical treatment.

However, if you choose an AMA discharge, the hospital has the right to notify the Children, Youth and Families Department who can then do their thing, which at a minimum will be investigating and could result in them taking emergency custody or seeking leave of court for the same.


Title: [CA] Can a prison guard make you workout?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Some Corrections Officers use the physical punishment in exchange for not writing them up for breaking policy.

I'm not aware of it being legal in any institution in this country, but it's one of those old head punishments.

Source: Worked Corrections for four years, never made anyone work out, ever.


Title: Sister and Mom struggling greatly due to 2 children. Sister needs child support but doesn't want to give any custody.

Question:
My sister has had her first child at 16, and is afraid to get child support or file for it due to the fact that she thinks it would give the other parent rights.

As that may be, they're struggling immensely and need financial assistance, is there any way she can file for child support and not worry about giving rights in regards to custody?

There are two separate fathers for her two children, one she is still pregnant with, the other one is two. I don't know who else to ask I figured maybe /r/legaladvice would have a good suggestion.

Thanks

Location Colorado

Edited to put location

Answer: Nope. Father's have rights. They can file at any time to assert those rights. She can file and maybe the father wants visitation and requests it. Maybe they don't. No one here can guess.


Title: Could Washington Landlord evict us if she learns housemate is growing pot?

Question:
I am about to sign a lease with 4 other students and 2 of them are already living in the house. The 2 don't want to lose the house (nice house VERY close to campus) and showed us the house last week. At the end of the tour we were shown a back room where they were growing pot. One of the two has a medical card from a health care provider and is permitted to grow a pound and a half every 90 days (?) for back pain.
So as I understand it, it is legal for him to grow and it wouldn't be an issue if it was in his own house.
We are signing a one year lease, the Landlord doesn't know and they plan to keep it that way. I have read through the lease and there is nothing that relates to the growth of pot or anything like it.
If the landlord finds out, could she evict him?
Could she evict all of us?

Legally is this any different that someone growing Aloe?

Notes
It's in a room accessible only by two bedrooms so the landlord never sees it on brief visits.
They have a pretty impressive (I'm not well educated on pot growing so this is an amateur speculation) air filtration on it and I wasn't able to smell it until I was right in front of it.
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer:
 You do not have a right to violate federal law and can all be evicted for this.Answer #2: >Legally is this any different that someone growing Aloe?

Um... you may want to reconsider this.

Marijuana is still illegal under federal law. Grow operations come with more chaos than you can imagine at the moment.

Find another place to live.

There are options where you won't be at risk. You may have a longer walk to campus but you won't end up with chaos.

I'm all about people doing as they will and I'm good with whatever but if my kiddo asked me? I'd say - find another option. You don't want to deal with this nonsense.


Title: 10 year old with trust for a house. not sure what kind of trust but his Mother is the trust handler? whatever the term is. house is kind of pricey. why arent orphans exempt from taxes?

Question:
his dad died and now the house is in his name, not his mothers , as dad did not like or trust the mom. does the mom have to pay taxes on a house that won't be hers when the child turns 18? the house is his when he turns 18.can she sell the house if the taxes are too high? its not her house, the house is in the trust with her as the trust manager for her and the deceaseds child.

state is florida

Answer:
 If his dad did not like or trust the mom, why on earth would he have chosen the mom as the trust manager?

Normally the trust would include a certain amount of money to pay property taxes.
Answer #2: So, there's a trust with mom as the trustee and the son as the beneficiary.

Unless the house is worth a LOT, there should be no estate taxes due, although there may be some probate fees to pay.   The trust will have to continue to pay property taxes on the house.

The most likely scenario is that the mom, as trustee, sells the house.  The proceeds of the sale are then in the trust, with the mother as trustee.

What the mom can do with the money is determined by the terms of the trust itself.  And, when the son takes control of the money (or the house if it's still in the trust) will also depend on the terms of the trust -- it may be that he NEVER takes control.


Title: Can I cancel my second cell phone line during the declaration period of my divorce filing?

Question: Hi Reddit, looking for some advice here. I'm going through a divorce in California and we are in the declaration stage (sorry if I don't know the correct term). Am I allowed to cancel the cell phone line that my spouse uses but is registered to me? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

Answer:
 Don't do that.

It might feel good for a couple days, but it will come back to bite you in negotiations later.

Ask your cell phone carrier what the options are to split your account, and just do that. Then she will get a bill for her line.


Title: Are police in the UK allowed to forcefully drive me home after catching me trespassing?

Question:
Yesterday I was caught climbing a crane by the police here in England, I didn't show any resistance when they put me into their car and drove me home but out of curiosity were they legally allowed to do that against my will?

I know this post isn't technically asking for legal advice so It will probably be removed.

Answer: Rather they drive you to jail?


Title: Friend bit by co-worker's dog at work. Need advice on next steps.

Question:
So my friend just texted me that she got bit by her co-worker's dog at work. It is not a service dog and I do not know if the dog was on or off leash at the time. Her leg was punctured by a tooth and pretty deep. I told her off the bat to write down the incident and email herself on her personal email for time stamp, and to go to HR to file for worker's comp.

Co-worker is freaking out and trying to settle it without a formal complaint. Besides all the above, what else can I advise her in this situation? I don't think she wants to sue, but I want her to cover whatever bases she can. As a side note, she literally put in her two weeks this morning.

Answer: IANAL but I'd say she needs to call the police/animal control. People always find that distasteful, but it's what has to happen. If the dog bit her it can and probably will bite someone else in the future. Maybe a little kid. Better to deal with it now and make sure it is handled correctly.Answer #2: Dog bites are strict liability. She should go get as much treatment as she needs including getting checked for rabies, and hire a personnel injury attorney. it's likely that either the buisnes's insurance or the owners homeowners insurance will be paying any damages she collects.


Title: Taking the police department to small claims for involuntary hospitalization

Question:
I've had some great difficulties emotionally recently. A few months ago, after indicating I was going to harm myself through social media, the police checked on me and committed me involuntarily to a psych ward. They called an ambulance to take me there. I told the police I was depressed, but that I wasn't going to harm myself and was in no danger. I told them it was a mistake to write what I did, and told them I was seeking attention. They decided, against my will, to commit me anyways. I was charged almost $4,000 for the whole thing. I've filed a claim with the city, but I don't expect that to go anywhere. I'm considering taking the police department to small claims, on the basis that I should not be responsible for charges that I didn't want to incur, for treatment I didn't want, and that was called for me against my will.  I also told them beforehand that I could not afford whatever charges would come up, and was told by one officer that "the county should cover it." Neither the county nor my insurance have covered a cent. I was not violent, nor resistant; I cooperated with the police, and was discharged from the ward within a day as they quickly determined I was not a danger to myself or others.

I'm wondering, what can I expect if I go through with this? Any tips or suggestions?

Answer:
 Police dont commit you. The Drs/hospital does. And everyone had good cause. You stated that you wanted to harm yourself.

Talk to the hospital about payment options/waiversAnswer #2: > I'm wondering, what can I expect if I go through with this?

You can expect to lose. Answer #3: You indicated you were going to harm yourself and were rightfully institutionalized.

There's no way you're going to make them pay for your mistake.


Title: Ordered four products through Amazon two weeks ago. I've emailed exec customer relations and they have been "working on my problem" for five days now. What can I do next to get my money or my orders?

Question:
I ordered one item "one day shipping" and the other three "two day shipping". Two weeks later, and I've received four " sorry we can't ship your product yet " emails.

I email Exec customer relations, and they've been delaying for almost a week. I just want to move on.

At what point is this theft or failure to provide services paid?

Answer:
 It's never ever going to be theft.

Have you asked to just get your money back yet?  Generally Amazon Customer Service is pretty good about that.


Title: [PA] The name of my abuser is on a list recently released by the archdiocese. I’m 48 - this occurred and when I was 10 - 16.

Question:
Seeing his name brought back a flood of anger and sorrow for that little boy, and I’ve been ok but definitely scarred/affected over my lifetime. I never told anyone - I just cut contact over the objections of my parents.

Who can I contact to make myself known as a victim and willing witness if needed? None of the articles have any such contact info.

Answer: Contact the police in the jurisdiction where the crime occurred. Just call their non-emergency number, which you should be able to find online. The statute of limitations in PA for child sex abuse is 18 age plus 32 years, so you are still within the timeline. You are outside the timeline for a civil claim (age 30), but it’s possible the police and District Attorney could pursue criminal charges. No one on this subreddit will be able to tell you what will happen, but if you feel like it would help you to report the matter, report it.


Title: Is it legal to sell merchandise you don't own the rights to?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 No Answer #2: What you're describing is a literal example of bootlegs. They are 100% illegal to sell.

If you're caught, Nintendo and the company who makes Pokeman Go can sue you in court, for a lot more money than the stuff will make you in profit.

Note that Nintendo vigorously defends it's copyrights and trademarks.


Title: Seeing my son

Question: I posted in advice and they told me to come here. My ex partner doesn't want me in my sons life because she has problems with me. I live over 200 miles away (long story) what can she legally do about stopping me without going to court. Also if I was yo show up and take him out for the day would she be able to get me arrested? UK

Answer:
 > I live over 200 miles away (long story) what can she legally do about stopping me without going to court.

Do you have a court-ordered custody agreement of any kind?  If not, then she doesn't have to let you see him.

> Also if I was yo show up and take him out for the day would she be able to get me arrested?

Do you mean, with her permission or without?

If you want to see your son, and she's not cooperating, file for visitation or custody.


Title: [TX] Somebody just left a small box with some white powder in it. It smells like some drug, maybe cocaine. I never do drugs. I think someone delivered it to incorrect address. What to do? Cops will think I am drug addicted.

Question: 19/M from EL Paso,TX.

Answer: Life Pro Tip for next time around too - If you find a small box with white powder in it and you have no idea what it is or where it came from - DO NOT smell itAnswer #2: If some random person just left an unsolicited box of white powder at your place, call the police (non-emergency #).


Title: [Nevada] Locksmith damaged my car and now says he isn't liable

Question:
I'm short on time so here it is. I payed 140 to get my keys out of my locked car. He used one of those pump things to open it but didn't warn me about damage before the procedure. The door frame is now bent open near the top, leaving about a 1cm gap, and someone could easily break into my car with just a long wire. Now he is saying that he doesn't give reimbursements and I'm not sure what to do.
He told me to contact my insurance company to get reimbursed but wouldn't that raise my insurance and leave me responsible? Thanks for the help. I'm in Nevada, USA.

Answer: Get an estimate for the cost of repairs. Send a registered letter stating that the damage is due to his work/actions and you expect him to pay for it by X date. If he doesn't pay, file in small claims. Pretty simple.


Title: Is text a legal form of communication in Maryland?

Question:
Fairly straight forward question - as a TENANT in Baltimore, MD, can text messages be a legally binding form of communication with the landowner/property manager?

For example:

Tenant: “the roof is leaking water into the house from the rainfall, you are going to cover all expenses related to this, correct?”

Property manager: “yes”

OR - does this HAVE to be through email?

I hope I’m specific enough for this subreddit, let me know if u need anything to be clarified further.

Answer: There's no legal standard for "communication". Anything written by someone can generally be used as evidence.


Title: Ex-wife received a homeowner's insurance check that is also in my name and wants me to sign it over.

Question: Was separated last year and in the middle of divorce when hail hit the house where I used to live (and she still lives). The insurance company cut a check in my name and her name. Not or it says and. She tried to cash it but they need my signature. Its for $4900 and she is getting a new roof put on. Am I okay to sign it over or is there something I should consider first?

Answer: You should consider why the insurance company thinks you are still an owner of the house. Did your ex simply not notify the company, or has the title of the home not been changed, and what does that mean as far as a mortgage, liability for taxes, etc.?


Title: [MO] What recourse for house fire contents claim denial?

Question: A family member of mine had their house burn down recently, a total loss.  They had $98,000 of coverage for contents.  The insurance company is denying their claim until they can "prove" what was in there and its value.  What legal action, if any, can be taken to resolve this favorably for the home owner?

Answer:
 The homeowner can work with an adjuster or someone to prove the contents.

This is how contents loss coverage works.


Title: Very Expensive DWAI blood test results never came back, all charges were dropped. Anything I can do to recoup losses?

Question:
Hello all..

I live in NY, USA (not the city) and in September of 2013 (the day GTA 5 came out to be precise) I had a encounter with some of our country's finest and was quickly (the cop was breaking quite a few traffic laws to get me there in a rush it seemed) escorted to the next city over's hospital for a blood test.

So here's where my questions start...

Did he *NEED* to bring me to the emergency room for that?  I was told that they could have just as easily taken my blood somewhere else.

Sometime during mid April, I got a call from my attorney saying all the charges were dropped.

But all that aside, I was left stuck with a $430.00 bill that I really don't want to pay if I shouldn't have to.  I couldn't afford to at first so it was sent to a collection agency and got it paid some time ago.

If I could, who would I bring the dispute up with? the Hospital, collection agency, or even the PD?

Answer:
 Did you get billed from the ER for an emergency room visit? They can't legally do that because you didn't consent to being a patient. That's something the police agency has to arrange with the hospital.

In my hospital, we have a contractual agreement with local county agencies to provide services. Answer #2: Uh, you've got some details missing. Why did the officer pull you over? Were you even in a car? Why did they suspect you were under the influence? Did you refuse a breathalyzer or field sobriety test? Nobody just skips to the blood test for no reason. Were you, and I say this as delicately as I can, perhaps being a pain in the butt?Answer #3: > Did he NEED to bring me to the emergency room for that? I was told that they could have just as easily taken my blood somewhere else.

Such as.....

Every agency I know of around here uses the ER or urgent care for blood draws.


Title: [RI] Neighbor is trying to force me to park farther up the road

Question:
Some background: I have been living with my GF and her mother since I graduated high school a couple years ago, attending college. Since her driveway is small and is always full (2 cars max), I have to park on a road adjacent to hers. Her house is one house from the corner of the road where I park. I've been doing this 2 years now with no hassle or fuss, just like some of the others who live on that road.

About 4 or 5 months ago a family moved into a house on the street where I park my car across the street. They never really said anything to me, they seemed friendly, etc. A few times they told me not to walk too close to their dog (in the yard) so it didn't bark, so I did, whatever.

It snowed on Monday, which caused the whole road to be snowed in where I normally park. This road doesn't get plowed, so I had to shovel myself a spot to park after work. On Tuesday, I came back from work to find almost the whole stretch park-able of road plowed (a very small road). The neighbor has a Civic in addition to a truck for work, his wife's car, and another miscellaneous car. He has a very large driveway (like a mini parking lot), but he likes to park his Civic on the road for whatever reason. I don't have a problem with that.

However, on Wednesday, he told my GF's brother, very loudly and belligerently that I had to move my car from the bottom of the road, since that was his spot. He had apparently plowed the road, or a friend did, and he said I had to park in the spot I had previously cleared.

Now, I should have probably complied to be nice, but I thought that was ridiculous. He does not own the road, not the street in front of his house, nor does he own across the street. So I continued to park my car as I pleased. I never tried to block him in, always gave him ample space. It was completely asinine, seeing as the spot where I had parked my spot was actually not across the street from his house, but actually his neighbor's.

However, today I awoke to see my car blocked in by two of his vehicles. He took them and parked them bumper to bumper so I couldn't leave, for revenge. I haven't taken any action so far, because I don't have anywhere to go today, but I'm wondering what legal recourse I have. I'm thinking I could have the police force him to move his car(s) or, barring that, have them towed.

Answer:
 Call the police and let them sort it out. I'm afraid you may now have a neighbor from hell. Good luck.Answer #2: Call a tow truckAnswer #3: Does your GF's neighborhood have an HOA policy designating that vehicles are not to be parked on the street?

I had a problem similar to this situation a few years ago, where I had 3 vehicles and I was living with my ex-girlfriend and her now-wife. Our driveway was barely able to fit two vehicles on it, so I parked two of them on the street. One was a company vehicle, the other was a huge truck. I parked them out of the way down toward the cul de sac so I didn't violate anyone's space. The HOA then tried to tell me that what I was doing was illegal and would result in my car being towed, but after I reviewed the HOA bylaws and contacted the chief of police in the jurisdiction I resided at the time, I was well within my rights to park where I wanted to. The HOA just considered it an eyesore and tried to bully me. After I talked with the HOA president and brought up the bylaws and the e-mail from the Chief of Police I received, he never contacted me about the issue again.

So, tl;dr, it could be appropriate, it could NOT be appropriate. You need to ask your police department (down to the inches) what falls within their scope, and make sure that it's legal on that particular road to park on the street.


Title: Can my job legally drug test me?

Question:
Oklahoma resident here. I don't know where else to post. I've been a "chronic" smoker for 6 years. I have worked in a warehouse where I operate a forklift for a year and 6 months. I took a standard pre-hire drug test and detoxed before,resulting in me passing.

According to my employee Handbook, we have a "Drug Free Policy" wherein it states that "no employee shall possess, sell or be under the influence of any drug while on company property." That's it. No where in the book does it mention random or yearly mandatory drug screens. Nor does it specifically state you can't partake while not on the job.

I ask, because one of the managers jokingly mentioned "mandatory drug tests" during our lunch and now I'm a little on edge. I can pass a drug test, via T-break and Ice detox green tea. But obviously not if it's random or otherwise. Should they pull a stunt, since there was absolutely no indication of further testing, can they legally do so? As with other jobs, I assume they can since my job has safety regulations. But unlike my current employer, those companies have a very thorough handbook that states random drug testing and what-not can be issued at any time, for any reason.
Topic:
Employment Law

Answer:
 They almost surely cannot force you to take a drug test.

They can almost certainly fire you for refusing to take one if they demand it.


Title: My landlord wants to charge for overages on included utilities. Is that legal?

Question:
Hey reddit,
So my landlord sent a bunch of tenants in our complex a text message this morning saying she has a "record high" utility bill on electricity and gas for the month of August (think AC use in San Diego). She's wanting us to reduce our energy consumption collectively by 40% for September, and anything over the new reduced limit will be divided and added to our individual rent payments. Is this common for landlords to do? FWIW, utilities are documented in all of our rental contracts as included by the landlord with no fineprint for excessive use.

Edit: Location: San Diego

Answer:
 This isn't an "is this legal" question. It's a contract question. Read your lease -- that's what governs.

Does the lease say that the landlord can bill you for utility overages? If not, the LL can shove it.


Title: How can I keep autism secret?

Question:
I'm in BC, Canada. It seems like way too many people have access to my medical records and find out about my autism. Who has access to my medical records in BC? How can I make sure that those people don't gossip about my diagnosis?

Is there a way of getting autism off my medical records? I feel like that label often distracts my doctors from properly taking care of my health. They blame all of my health issues on depression or autism.
Topic:
Disability Issues

Answer: You're not saying the diagnosis is incorrect, so there's no real way of reversing it. Doctors need to know your medical history for hopefully obvious reasons, I can't see a scenario where your current, acting doctor shouldn't be permitted to.


Title: Friends trashed a hotel under my name, however I’m a minor who used a fake ID too book the hotel . Facing a penalty of upwards of $1k which I’ve partly payed off.

Question:
The hotel is saying the matter will be taken to police if I do not pay the rest however I don’t have any money to pay it off. Currently payed off close to $600 or so and I’m told to pay $100 every week but it’s extremely hard for me seeing as I don’t have a job and am in school.

What can I do? Will my parents eventually find out? What are the charges I’m looking at? They’re saying it’s a vandalism charge which is fair enough. The hotel first said the damages were $100 and that will be taken out the bond, how ever kept calling me and increasing it.

What can I do? What should I do? If the matter does go to the police where would they get the money from if I don’t have? This situation is extremely stressful for me and I would appreciate the advice.

Btw I do realise I’m a fucking idiot no need to tell me that.
Topic:
Juvenile and Youth Law

Answer: You need to immediately tell your parents.  Yes, they're going to find out, either when the police or a lawyer contact you.  Right now, you've got vandalism and fraud to worry about.


Title: Selling a van. Buyer wants his money back

Question:
I posted an add locally selling a camper van. Last night a young man replied and came out and looked at it. I told him it had been sitting for six months and needed to be gone through mechanically. I told him the only thing id done to it is buy a new battery before it sat for six months.
We spent 2 hours trying to get it to start and it finally did. It ran for ten minutes and died.
I wrote out a bill of sale and gave him the title after shaking his hand.
The thing is ive already spent that money. I immediately paid some back bills with it.
Can he back out of the deal? Ive offered to tow it to a mechanic or anywhere he wants within 100 miles.
Was i susposed to hold onto the money for a specific period of time.
I told him there was no warranty that it was as is where is
Any help is appriciated

Answer:
 In most places used vehicle sales are as is. He has no recourse unless you actually lied about the vehicle, and he'd have to prove that.

Tell him the sale is final and he needs to get his van off your property.Answer #2: In most, all?, states a used car is sold as-is unless a written warranty is given.

I would not make any offers to assist anymore. If he tries to sue respond in court, but do not communicate anymore with them.


Title: 2 California Public School districts are asking my friend to attend unpaid orientation. Already been hired, but they are calling this part of the 'hiring process' and not paying for their time as well as fingerprint verification. I've worked in business and this would never happen legally in CA

Question:
That's basically it.

Friend got a job as a sub teacher last year and they had to attend 'training' aka orientation after getting hired. It was not paid. I know from working at several businesses, some that have been sued over this issue... if you HAVE TO show up, you have to be paid.

Same friend got a second job at a different district and they're pulling the same shit but they had to also pay for fingerprints ($100) and now they are making them attend a two hour training in the middle of the day (losing a day of work and salary at their other job) for two hours and not getting paid. They've already been hired and this is clearly orientation. It's bullshit that they are not paying them for this. California labor law states that they should be paid but somehow the government is not following their own labor laws.

I wish I could tell them to go fuck themselves publicly but I'm an adult and have friends and family that also work for the local districts.

Answer:
 Are they "hired", or are they "approved".  I'm not a teacher, but my understanding is that the subs get on an approved sub list and are "hired" for the actual day of work.  I'm asking because it sounds like this orientation is a requirement to get on the sub list and the school board may justify it as you aren't qualified for the sub list without the orientation.  So not technically mandatory, you just won't get called without it.Answer #2: That’s pretty typical, especially for school districts. I wasn’t paid for my orientation, and didn’t think much of it because I was just grateful to have a job. Answer #3: California teacher and substitute here, this is normal and is part of the hiring process. I have subbed in 6 districts and know subs in 8 more, the orientation is usually half a day or less and is always unpaid.

It’s because you aren’t officially in the system until after orientation because there’s legal hoops to jump through, and because subs are only paid for classroom hours.


Title: Employer wants me to return a tip

Question:
I live and work in California, where I recently started driving deliveries for a pizza place. Last night, I dropped off a delivery and was given $40 for an order a bit below $30. I asked how much change they wanted back and they replied, "oh, it's okay." I asked if they were sure, they said "yeah, it's fine." I left happy with a large tip.

Tonight, I got a call from the boss. Apparently the person I dealt with on that delivery got the money from a parent, who called in demanding their change back. My boss wants me to go back and give them the money by closing time tomorrow night.

Am I legally required to return the tip? If not, can I keep both the money and my job or do I have to suck it up for the sake of continued employment?

Answer:
 You are under no legal obligation to return the gratuity, [which has become your property](http://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs15.pdf). If you choose not to return the amount your employer is requesting you to return and you are terminated for not returning that amount your employer will be violating AT LEAST the FLSA and possibly California state law. Being forced to give to anyone your property would likely be considered a kick-back in accordance with [29 CFR 531.35](https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/29/531.35)

Assuming you are paid exactly minimum wage, which most delivery drivers are paid. While some in this sub will tell you that you can be terminated for not returning that gratuity, they are wrong. They are incorrectly applying the "at-will" employment clause that you are under. They are wrong because an employer may not require an employee to [kick-back](https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/29/531.35) a portion of their wage to a customer.

I would also suggest you read this link [Tips and gratuities](http://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/FAQ_tipsandgratuities.htm).

You CAN be terminated though if you refuse, but not for refusing to [kick-back](https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/29/531.35) a portion of your wage.. Your employer can fabricate "[just cause](http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Just+Cause)" or terminate you without providing any reason "no cause". But in your circumstances you would likely be successful if you were to file charges against your employer for wrongful termination. In your circumstances if you were terminated an "no cause" were given, you might also be able to collect unemployment (not sure about that, IANAL and do not know how California deals with Unemployment claims)Answer #2: You can legally keep the money. If you choose to disobey your employer they can legally let you go.


Title: Does the govt pay your legal fees if they try and persecute you criminally and you are deemed innocent?

Answer: Generally not. You could conceivably sue if there was some sort of gross misconduct, but that's exceptionally rare.


Title: Collection agency keeps calling me for my brother's unpaid ER bill

Question:
Hi- First time poster here.  Sorry if this is not the place to post.  My uninsured younger brother (mid 20s) went to the ER this spring (May 2018ish) in NY state.  He fainted and passed out and they just gave him some fluids,etc.   He is not insured (UGH) and hospital wanted $10k bill.  He told them when he left the hospital he could not pay. Now the collections agency found me and my sibling and is looking for him.

&#x200B;

I just signed him up for 2019 obamacare so that won't take effect. I asked him to bring a copy of the bill home for holidays and see what we can do.  Is there any advice on how to deal with the collections agency in the meanwhile?
Thanks REDDIT any advice would be so appreciated.

Answer: Not sure on the specifics and im sure it varies state to state, but there are regulations on how collections agencies are supposed to conduct themselves when it comes to collecting debts. Hassling someone over somebody else's debt might actually be illegal.Answer #2: Do not pay a penny towards this debt.  If you pay, you are accepting responsibility.  Tell the bill collector to stop calling, they actually have to listen.  Document every call or attempt to collect.


Title: [Los Angeles] Got into a car accident a few years ago - Insurance didn't pay for the damages. Being sued for 50k in damages.

Question:
Pretext: Back in 2014 I borrowed my brother's car for a month and was involved in a car accident where I was at fault. I didn't live with my brother so my name wasn't under the insurance.

The insurance refused to pay the damages - I didn't know this because my brother said he would take care of this.

I recently graduated from a decent school (Applied Math) and saw the lawsuit letter at home for 50k from the other driver which I legally replied to and have a court date for June.  (Their Car wasn't "nice" but the air bags did come out so I assumed it was totaled)

I dont have a job yet (but I've scored a gig teaching for the next two months) and don't really have 50k laying around - in fact Ill have to pay for my school loans as well (about 40k)

I guess I'm afraid of what could happen to me. If I had a job or money I'd happily pay the money because its something that stresses me every day... but I dont and I'd consider myself lower class.

Not sure what options I have if any. Would Bankruptcy be an option? What might would I say during the court meeting? Its kind of unfortunate to say but there was times that I consider ending my life over this.

Thankfully I have a very supportive family and really close friends that keep me going. I appreciate any response or advice.

Answer:
 My first question would be: why didn't your brother's insurance cover the accident? 1) you were a permissive driver. 2) you weren't a regular driver (because you would have had to be named).

Look I think you need to go back a few steps. I don't see why you weren't covered by your brother's company as a permissive driver. All the other things stem from that. Now there may be a valid reason for that, but what was it?


Title: Wife was just served a custody agreement from deadbeat dad's grandparents

Question:
In Washington State...

Here's the background:  Child is 5 years old.  DBD (deadbeat dad) has never seen the child.  At about 3 years old Child began visiting DBD's parents on an irregular basis.  After about a year visits became more frequent. Every other weekend and on Wednesdays.

Soon Childs mental and physical health became an issue. He would be exhausted for a full day after his visits and would eat only junk food.  He would also have accidents in his pants ONLY the days he returned from DBD's parents house.

After noticed these trends his teachers and his counselor advised we make these visits less frequent.  When we brought up concerns to the grandparents they reacted aggressively and in a way that was also concerning, so much so, we stopped all visits immediately.  They proceeded to file a CPS report citing all the concerns we brought up to them and blaming them on us.

After a very invasive month of dealing with CPS they found that not only was the report clearly malicious, but the the child was doing much better and his school and counselor confirmed this.

So after that plan failed they went to a lawyer.  Since grandparents have no right to custody in this state the lawyer had to talk DBD into playing along with this charade.  Now DBD "wants" custody of the child conveniently  on the same days his parents had the child.  The kicker is.  DBD lives 3 hours away each way...

It's clear to me the only reason this is happening is because of the grandparents. I need all the advise i can get people!

Answer: Hire an attorney tomorrow. This is going to be a battle. Start getting proof from everyone (cps report, teacher, therapist).


Title: Receiving random Amazon packages daily

Question: Starting about 2 weeks ago, my mom started receiving a different package from Amazon every day. They were mostly useless objects (waxing kit, shoe inserts, iwatch strap, face vacuum?) and they didn’t have a return address or any means of tracing the packages. They were all addresses to my mothers house under her name, but she was not ordering these objects or paying for them. This doesn’t seem horrible at first thought, but does this mean my moms information is out there? Are there any steps she should take?

Answer:
 I read an article a few months ago.. I found it!

https://www.businessinsider.com/people-receiving-amazon-packages-they-didnt-order-2018-2

"Here's how the scam works: A seller has something listed on the website, then a fake account created by them or someone close to them buys the item and sends it somewhere random. That account can then leave a glowing "verified review," which is worth a lot to sellers. "Answer #2: Read this article (that is about Chinese companies that did this) https://www.forbes.com/sites/wadeshepard/2017/11/27/americans-are-receiving-unordered-parcels-from-chinese-e-criminals-and-cant-do-anything-about-it/#7043ff0773da

Your Mom's info is out there in public records (white page phone book, land records, etc) so this is probably just to boost the companies numbers (and she can't make her public info disappear). Tell her to toss whatever she feels like tossing.Answer #3: I’m not sure what the scam is.

My sister has been getting those packages for about a year now.


Title: Girlfriend being interviewed by DEA

Question: My girlfriend is being interviewed by the DEA this week cuz her nursing supervisor asked her to co-sign on a narcotics waste that she didn't witness. apparently her supervisor is a drug addict and stole the pills. Should my girlfriend be concerned, should she seek a lawyer? What punishment should she expect if any?

Answer:
 Why in the hell in the world would your girlfriend sign this?

Your girlfriend SHOULD be VERY concerned.


Title: NYC - I've used my personal laptop for work at a startup the last 10 months. If I'm considering leaving, do I need to consult a lawyer about how to handle all the company IP on my laptop? (x-post from /r/CSCareerQuestions)

Question:
Submitted this question to /r/cscareerquestions, but it was suggested that someone here might be able to offer useful advice as well.

I have several code repositories, lots of notes/documentation, various random scripts, private keys/api keys, etc. on my laptop.

This is a personal MacBook that I've owned for about 3 years, used it for work the last 10 months.

If I leave this company (they don't know I'm considering it), should I be concerned about them coming after me for the IP on my laptop or something? A fellow programmer friend cautioned me on possibly talking to a lawyer before resigning.

The company is <15 people, and I anticipate the co-founders being very upset if/when I quit.

Answer:
 Some of this will depend on your employment agreement and any other contracts you've signed, so go over those, and if the answer is unclear, have a lawyer review those.

_More generally_, you should **not**:

* keep your job's intellectual property/confidential data past your termination, or
* destroy your job's intellectual property/confidential data.

If you've been following reasonable information hygiene, this will be simple: archive up the directory that contains all your work documents and code, put it on a USB stick, hand it over when you quit, and delete it from your hard drive. If you're like most people, though, you'll probably have little odds and ends stashed in configuration files or in random folders, stored in backups, and generally all over the place. Take the time to clean this up properly, since you will likely be liable for any damages you cause by leaking their data, whether you do so intentionally or not.

Advice for next time: _at least_ set up a separate user account, if you don't have a work laptop to use for work.


Title: (USA UT) My sisters are being abused and I'm not sure how to help them out

Question:
This whole situation will take a bit of explaining in order to fully understand what's going on. I'll do my best to leave a TL:DR at the end.

About twelve years ago, someone in my neighborhood found out my dad had been taking pornographic pictures sisters of at least one of my little sisters. I don't remember too many details of what happened at the time and my family never spoke of them. Going on, my grandparents were watching us while my parents were out of town. DCFS had gotten a tip from our neighbor and came to my grandparents house to question my sisters. Once my parents found out they rushed back, took us home, and secluded us from the outside world. I know that the police were going to make a follow up investigation but my dad some how was able to prevent it as they didn't have enough for a warrant. Soon after we moved to another city within the state.

Fast forward to 2014, I had just left home and was out from under the filtered influence of my dad. As time went on I began to realize that many of things I considered to be 'normal' at home were actually really concerning. For instance, my dad had a favorite sister, we'll call her M, who is considered to be the most attractive of my sisters. My dad was very possessive of her. He would grope her breasts, rub her inner thigh, and would make her spoon with him on the couch. He would often take private naps with her and would often demand to inspect her in her underwear even though it made her uncomfortable. Though this behavior was prominent with sister M my other two sisters were not exempt from similar treatment.

Now, going up I was taught by my parents that this was normal for a dad to do and not wrong or perverse. Once I left home and had shared some of these things with my fiance she informed me that my dad's behavior was incredibly wrong. As the realization sank in I became increasingly worried for my sisters and to what extent had my dad sexually abused them. I decided to submit a tip to DCFS to see if they could do anything to fix the situation. The day after, the local police department was in touch with me and were asking for more details, which I provided. I also told them about the child porn incident and warned them that my sisters had been trained to respond a certain way to the police and that if they tipped my dad off before they had a sit down with my sisters my dad would be able to put a lid on the situation. As fate would have it, the officer on the case made a mistake that altered my dad to what was going on and he was able to further prep my sisters against any attempt the police made at contacting them.

My contact with my family was cut off at that point as they rightly assumed that I had been the one to tip off the police. Some of my extended family has been in touch with my family and have filled me in on more concerning details. One of my aunts recently noticed that my mom and sisters all wear the same type of bra, so she joking remarked, "Oh how cute! You all shop for bras together." My youngest sister, C, laughed and said, "No our dad buys them for us." A bit concerned now my aunt then asked if they all wear matching panties, to which C affirmed and that dad bought them for them all as well. It may be worth noting that this is all Victoria's Secret underwear, not just something he picked up from Wal-Mart.

A few other details:

* When my sisters visit family they plead to sleep in the same room as their cousins and to not have their own room.

* Two of my sisters are over 18. They are not allowed to have a conventional job. They can only participate in the MLM my dad is apart of. Their earnings, little as they are, go to his account and he has to authorize whatever money they spend.

* They are not allowed to go to college or move out.

* They are not allowed to go on dates unless the boy asks my dad for permission.

* They are all under the impression that the can't get married until sister M gets married and that when she does they will all get married at the same time.

* My nearly 21 year old sister is not allowed to buy flip flops unless it's the brand my dad approves of.

* Any family member that has vocally called out my dad or taken concerned has been cut off from all contact.

* My dad has trained my mom to defend his character for him and often has her do so even if no one has questioned his character.

* My dad has made sexual advances toward other women in the presence of their family, my mom, in public, with complete disregard to who is watching.

* Many of my family members and I suspect not only has my dad sexually abused my sisters but has had multiple affairs.

* My dad has taught my mom and sisters to believe that he is a very misunderstood person and that the world is out to get him.

* On of my dad's nieces recently informed me that my dad raped her when she was a little girl.

That's just about everything. My extended family and I agree that something bad is happening to my sisters. Though we are not aware of the extent of the abuse what we have seen we know is wrong. We feel that if my dad cannot cease his behavior he probably needs time in a correctional facility. We are certain that my sisters will not be allowed to leave home anytime soon, that if they do ever marry they will marry men my dad will know he can control or are just as bad as him. We feel that it is in the best interests of my sisters if they were removed from home and out of my dad's control. As we know that going through law enforcement in the past has failed we're not sure what more we can do to help my sisters. If there's an angle that I have not considered or a specific way to work with the authorities more effectively that we be greatly, greatly appreciated.
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer:
 Since two of your sisters are now over 18, you could also try contacting your state's Adult Protective Services agency: https://daas.utah.gov/adult-protective-services/.

Most people associate APS with the elderly, but their mandate is to protect "vulnerable adults," so they may be able to help here.

Edit: They may actually be better equipped to handle this situation, since DCFS would not have the ability to separate the older two sisters or your mother from your father if they are unwilling.
Answer #2: UT, huh?  I'm making some assumptions here.Answer #3: What did the police officer do to tip off your Dad? How long ago did that happen?


Title: Walmart Shopping Policy for not stealing (South Carolina)

Question:
So I opened up some lip balm one day in WALMART and I decided that I did not like it because it made my lips ashy. So I put it on the shelf somewhere else. When I was walking out I was stopped by the prevention people saying where is the lip balm. I told them I put back she it was in my back pocket which it wasnt. I did have it in my back pocket for like 5 mins because I thought I was going to buy it but when I tried it I didnt like it. So they put me on the Walmart list is that? Plus she told I could have gone to jail how? I didn't walk out the store PLUS I even went to the cash register and bought stuff. Could I have still gotten arrested?
Topic:
Criminal Law

Answer: So you opened a sealed product in a store? Did you use any of it to determine if it made your lips "ashy"?


Title: California speeding ticket (100+) as a Canadian citizen

Question:
So I received a 100+ mph ticket while on a road trip through California. I am a Canadian citizen and resident (do not have a US driver's license or registered vehicle)

The fine amount is $1100 and there is a mandatory court appearance .

It is completely unfeasible for me to make the court date, or even make another trip all the way down there to see a judge... I've spoken to one lawyer briefly and they told me there would be no warrant for my arrest if i fail to appear however others have advised differently.

Some people have told me a state warranty could turn into a federal warrant which would cause issues if I ever want to enter the US again.

I wanted to hear some more opinions on this before contacting the court or hiring an attorney.

Thank you reddit.

Answer:
 > I've spoken to one lawyer briefly and they told me there would be no warrant for my arrest if i fail to appear

Welp, I know which attorney I *wouldn't* be choosing.

If your court appearance is mandatory, I would highly recommend retaining the services of a traffic attorney.  Many times they can appear in court in your stead, which sounds like the solution to the situation you're in now.Answer #2: If you do not show you will get a warrant out for your arrest. Next time you try to cross the border you will be arrested.

Hire a lawyer to represent yourself.


Title: [Wisconsin] someone married to a felon wanting to own a firearm.

Question: My friends mom has a felony and her husband wants to own a firearm for self defense.

Answer: He's putting her at a lot of risk if she has access. When you marry somebody you marry the good and the bad.Answer #2: Would he rather own a gun, or live with his wife and keep her out of prison?


Title: My boyfriend's car was hit by an uber driver

Question: [deleted]

Answer: Insurance will determine who is it fault. It's pointless to contact Uber since it sounds like the woman was not on duty for them at the time.


Title: Illinois, girl facing her second domestic abuse charge which I believe makes it a 4th degree felony...will she be deported

Question:
she is here on a student visa, she is accused of biting her boyfriend on the hand and has a history of some mental illness brought on from abuse at a young age.

if she is convicted of a lesser charge or spends less than a year in prison can she avoid being deported....if deported would likely commit suicide for a number of reasons

Answer: That depends on the individual's circumstances, as well as INS. That being said, if INS refused to deport anyone who threatened to kill themselves, they would be an extremely ineffective agency.


Title: Texas- car towed, took it back without asking.

Question:
A few weeks ago, my friends and I went to go see a DJ. We parked in a lot with a gas station, on a side parking spot facing the street. There were no posted signs about towing, and there was clearly space for it.  We went to the show and came back to find our cars towed. Apparently this took place within minutes of us walking away.

Being 4 kids in our early 20s on the wrong side of town at night, no money, and no transportation, we found some local police to help us out. They understand our predicament and took us 10 miles away to the tow yard.

We arrived and got in line with around 20 others there to pick up their cars.
My friend stays to pay for his car, but in the moment I saw the tow company as essentially a group of thugs who just stole my car and were trying to extort money from me.

The gate was open next to me where people were walking in. I saw my chance and followed them. Found my car and drove off the lot.

Minutes later I get a call from my friend, still on the lot, saying they, the tow company, had called the police and had a squad of cops and tow trucks looking for me. Luckily, I arrived home and nothing happened.

I was a little frightened, but everything seemed to work.out fine.

Today I received a letter from the tow company saying they had filed a report with the police that the car was stolen from their lot.

In the letter they requested the $270 for the tow and said that if I didnt pay up in the next 10 days then they would "take further action" against me.

Also, the tow company cc'd the letter to my cars finance agency.

Tl;dr tow company stole my car and asked for a lot of money. Just walked in the open gate and took it back.

So, r/legaladvice , what kind of trouble am I in? Will I have police hunting me down? Can they take the car back again? Is the letter just an empty threat that I think it is? What should I expect?

Thanks for your help.

Edit: cool, ill probably end up paying it and I shouldnt have parked where I did. Still curious about the legal side and repercussions. Thanks.

Answer:
 They did not steal your car. You parked on someone else's property and that person had your car towed. Whether or not it was a legal tow is between you and the property owner. Not the tow company. So yeah, you need to take care of this before the police catch up to you. Answer #2: You are, right now, guilty of stealing the money you owe the tow company.

You will not be hard for the police to find, since they have all your vehicle information.

I strongly suggest you pay the owed amount.  This is not going to go away, and it is only gong to get worse for you from here on out.


Title: [ID] Age of consent laws, slight confusion

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 The age of consent is part of the definition of [rape](https://legislature.idaho.gov/statutesrules/idstat/title18/t18ch61/sect18-6101/) and a number of related statutes, and is the age under which someone is incapable of giving consent to sexual activity. If you avoid sexual activity, then you won't have trouble with the age of consent.

You may, however, have trouble with your girlfriend's parents. Bluntly, someone a full quarter of your life younger than you is not an appropriate romantic partner, especially when they're still young enough to be, in many ways, a child. If her parents take issue with your relationship with their daughter, they can stop her from seeing you, and can seek police assistance or a restraining order if she sees you anyways. That can get you in legal trouble for reasons that have nothing to do with the age of consent.Answer #2: >Hope this isn't too dumb of a question.

It is, but you are entitled to receive advice, regardless.

No, holding hands won't get you in trouble.


Title: Being extorted by an escort

Question:
So, title sums it up.  I saw an escort.  HUGE MISTAKE.  This is illegal where I live.  Lesson learned.  Looking for legal advice, not moral.

After our meeting, the escort texted me and said that she recorded our time together with a hidden camera and she'd post the video unless I paid her.  After a little back and forth, I talked her out of taking any action and thought we were finished.  Months later, she texted me again, asking for money.  I gave in this time, mostly because I felt bad for her.  I knew deep down this wouldn't be the end of the saga, and of course I was right.  Not even a month later, she's at it again.  At this point I'm just so mad that I'd like to know what my legal options are.  Yes, solicitation is wrong and there will be consequences.   But am I better off to just go to the police and get this settled?  She'd have charges for solicitation as well, filming the encounter (illegal here), extortion, and harassment.  It would be bad for me, worse for her, but at least I'd be done.  Is my thinking correct?

Answer:
 Police take extortion way more seriously than sex with an escort. Definitely go to the police with your evidence.Answer #2: You gave someone blackmailing you money - they're going to keep doing it forever. It will never end.

Do you actually know if she recorded this encounter?Answer #3: >But am I better off to just go to the police and get this settled? She'd have charges for solicitation as well, filming the encounter (illegal here), extortion, and harassment. It would be bad for me, worse for her, but at least I'd be done. Is my thinking correct?

Nobody on this sub ought to tell you to go the police and confess to an offence. That's 100% "your own paid lawyer's advice" territory.

That said, I think you're generally on the right track. There are only three acceptable responses to an extortion attempt:

0. Going to the police and complaining that someone's extorting you;
1. Telling the person to go fuck themselves;
2. Revealing yourself whatever they're threatening you with, and then returning to option 2.Answer #4: When you say escort - do you mean from an agency? Because if so, they might like to know what one of their contractors is up to.Answer #5: Blackmail means you go down a path of forever being extorted. If it's for money, you pay. If it's influence, you keep doing favours. You can seek legal advice for this situation, but extortion carries a much worse penalty in the law's eyes than seeing an escort.Answer #6: I would tell her to kick rocks and negotiate with your lawyer if she wants another dime.


Title: [OH] burnt a part of the carpet in apartment, lease is almost up, what do I do?

Question:
About a year and a half ago I was making fried chicken in a skillet, oil got too hot and started smoking, I panicked tried to take it outside. Almost made it, some sloshed on the carpet and melted it. About a 18"x2" trail from patio to end of melting (spots not one solid track). I (stupidly) told the GM the next morning and she said she wanted to rip the entire carpet out for the whole 15'x15' room, no estimation on costs though. Some contractor friends of mine said I'm getting horribly ripped off and they could cut a patch out and just replace it. My mom said they'd want to rip it out because the seams(?) are at the walls or something. The apartment complex quite literally just switched management, and I'm not trying to get screwed if I move out of my apartment at the end of May. Any advice? If it means anything: $400 deposit, 3-year tenant.

I know what to do if that happens again so you guys can hold those comments (on grease smoking etc).

Answer: It's not up to you or your friend how they repair the damage; it is up to management.  They are entitled to have the carpet be EXACTLY the same way it was when you moved in.  If you damaged it, they are entitled to use any and all of your deposit necessary to return it to the condition it was in before you damaged it.


Title: So I want to be a lawyer? United states

Question:
If this is the wrong use for this subreddit, let me know.

Alright guys, so I want to be a lawyer. I recently had a bunch of personal tragedy and I'm ready to move on and realize my goals.

I can go to school anywhere in the states- so recommend me your undergrad schools and your law schools. My home state is California though and I'm not interested.

My high school grades were okay so something with a high acceptance rate will probably be needed.

Recommend to me a state you would practice in and why. Or what state do you currently practice in? Why?

Any other general advice?

Answer:
 No, you probably don't.

High school grades don't matter to law schools.  However, if you only have "okay" high school grades, you probably couldn't be bothered to stay on top of your homework when the subject bores you.  Guess what being a lawyer is?  It's basically doing homework, every day, on a subject that's mostly boring.  And most of it is (shhhh!!!) cutting and pasting crap you already did once before.

Your explanation below of why you want to be a lawyer is some generalized bullshit about how you want to do something intellectually challenging that makes no mention of any of the underlying reasons for or realities of the practice of law.  There are a million intellectually challenging avenues out there.  Been to tech school?  Design something in that field.  The United States is grossly oversaturated with lawyers.  We don't need another one, and you don't need to be one.  We need people to actually create things.

Still want to be a lawyer?
(1) Get an undergrad degree in a hard science.  Do as well as you can on the LSAT.  Go to law school.  Take the patent bar.
(2) Look up "top 14 law schools."  Do well enough on the LSAT and in undergrad to get into one.

(3) Do well enough on the LSAT and in undergrad to get into another first-tier law school on a full ride.


Title: New to disabilities in the workplace.

Question:
I recently had to attend an interview (that I was unable to reschedule)  without my psychiatric service dog because she was ill. In my interview I never brought up my service animal let alone that I have and use one most every day of my life. The last thing on my mind was to share that I have a disability/disabilities and that she is task trained to mitigate them.

I have been offered the position however therein lies the caveat! I need to know if anyone has experience/advice on how to explain her presence on my first day of work.

I have had a service dogs previously and brought them to schools however this is my first one that I am bringing into the workforce in the private sector.

This is all in the US.

TY ALL FOR ANY AND ALL ADVICE!

Answer:
 I'm no ADA expert, but assuming that law applies, I imagine the issue would be whether allowing you to have the dog is a reasonable accommodation or not. I don't know where you work, so I have no clue what the answer is.Answer #2: Is it not the employees responsibility to disclose any disability and reasonable adjustments at interview or prior?

Not that they can discriminate against you but there will be certain things they have to check i. E health and safety to you, others and the environment. By not informing them of something like this and then turning up on the first day could open up a can of worms legally for the company. They may even consider it as failure to disclose or dishonesty. I would definitely suggest contacting them before your start date so they can do any checks they need.


Title: Mom took my grandfather's inheritance from me

Question: Back in 2014 I was living with my father in Ohio while my mother was in Tennessee. My grandfather died and left a large sum of money through an insurance company to which I was the sole beneficiary. My mother claimed she never touched this money and it would be waiting for me when I turned 18. I've been digging about it recently, because my mother has been very stingy with information I would need to claim the money. Eventually, I found out from the insurance company that back in 2014 the entirety of the claim was paid out to my mother under an act which allowed the parental guardian to take the money and use it in raising the child. I never saw a dime of this money, and even more damning: I haven't seen her since mid 2013. I don't know what to do or what actions to pursue. I know that she can't pay that money back. Is there any way I can get the money back, and more importantly bring her to some form justice?

Answer: You can sue her. How much money is it?


Title: I might be owed child support?!

Question:
[deleted]
Topic:
Custody Divorce and Family

Answer:
 I am not sure where you live, but in the USA, generally, enforceable child support orders need to be approved by a judge.  edit: Just saw OP's edit of New MExico

Although you think she may owe you that, she and you can go to court and a judge will decide.  Retroactive child support is not common, particularly when neither party has gone to court for a modification.  Additionally, even if she makes more than you or as much, percentage of custody is a factor.

Your recourse is to seek the advice of a family law lawyer and modify the child support agreement if possible. Answer #2: You seem to have some rather sexist notions of child support.  Gender is completely irrelevant to the situation.  If she should be paying you child support, you should take it.  It's not for you, it's for the child.  If you don't want it, put it in a savings account and let your child do what he/she wants with it upon reaching adulthood.


Title: [Ireland] Trying to get at my inheritance, trustee is being very unhelpful

Question:
Both my parents passed away 10 years ago when my brother and I were both minors. We were to get everything when my brother turned 18 (he's younger than me) and our aunt was the trustee of the will and our guardian. He turned 18 in February but we didn't try to do anything straight away because he was still in school and I had a lot of health issues. Now we're trying to get things sorted out, and it's difficult.

The problem that's frustrating me most at the moment is our aunt, she's not really being helpful at all. There's an account with money that is meant to belong to my brother an I now, but she still hasn't given us access to it despite being asked multiple times. She's actually gotten money out of it for me when I was completely broke from hospital stuff, but I can't get at it myself. I don't even know what bank it's held in. We're at the point where we need to pay for things (costs associated with getting the house on the market, etc.) and she's really holding us back by not just giving us the account. Neither of us have jobs (he just finished school and I left my last job due to an illness) and I can't even get on the dole because on paper I have all this money that I don't actually have access to. I don't even know if that account is the only one because getting information out of her is like pulling teeth. I had to pester her for days just to look at a copy of the will when we were working out how we were going to split things, and it was only in her wardrobe. I know she's busy but it's not like I'm asking her to hold my hand through the whole process, I just need the information to do it myself.

Is there a way to force things at all? Like is there a way of taking control of that account, or retrieving information if she's taking an unreasonably long time giving it to us? I can't afford a solicitor, though we are going to have to see the one who did my dad's will sometime soon because apparently he has the deeds to the house, which is another reason why we really need to get at that account.

Because it's relevant: Our aunt did lose a lot of our money by investing it in her ex-boyfriends business. Without going into too much detail, I believe(d) it was a mistake. She's come clean about it, which is why I'm not really sure what to think about her being so awkward now. She also just told me the other day that there's not much money in the account that I've been wanting to get at. I'd been told previously that it was being saved for my brother and I, then a few days ago she told me there's not much there because we've been living off it. I don't know if that means it was used when my brother and I were younger, or more recently, or just us or her kids as well. I haven't a clue what's going on, and no one will tell me anything.
Topic:
Wills Trusts and Estates

Answer:
 Sounds like your aunt blew through all of your cash and is trying to hide it from you.

Was she able to withdraw/control the account while she was in guardianship of it? Answer #2: > I can't afford a solicitor, though we are going to have to see the one who did my dad's will sometime soon because apparently he has the deeds to the house, which is another reason why we really need to get at that account.

Yeah, this is your best bet. He should at the very least be able to point you in the right direction.


Title: The venue for my wedding states that chair rentals can only be done exclusively through their rental service. Can I bring my own chairs? (PA)

Question:
Let me start this off by saying this is a pretty frugal wedding we're having. We were going to rent chairs but the company wants about $500 for about 30 chairs. I can buy chairs for about $5 a piece and then have them for the reception as well (which is somewhere else) and still have them to sell afterwards. I just want to know whether I can actually do this. This is what it states in the terms and conditions for the venue. I've omitted names and places.

---- Corporation is not able to provide amenities such as sound systems, tables, chairs, tents, or other support materials and services. Provisions for parking are NOT included in the issuance of any ---- Corporation permit. Tents are not permitted on ----- Pier. The --- is the exclusive rental equipment provider for -----, Corporation. All rentals including tables, chairs, arches, other items must be secured through -----.

Edit just in case anyone cares: So I called and the guy said bringing our own chairs, supplies, etc is fine. Its just renting that needs to be done through that company.

Answer:
 Without seeing the whole contract, your best bet is to call and ask. It appears that IF you were going to rent, it MUST be done through them. I don't see any stipulations about bringing your own seating.

I would call and ask them. Congrats on getting married!Answer #2: I am definitely now thinking about starting a chair sales and delivery company, with an option to buy back the chairs at a guaranteed price.

edit: I have not yet worked out how to apply this loophole business model to catering services.


Title: No lease, burst pipes and flooding--please help!

Question: My husband and I are currently renting a 700 sq ft house in Beaver Falls, PA. We have been visiting family for Christmas and found out today that the pipes have burst and the house is flooded with 4 inches of water, because we left the heat off (this is the first time we've lived on our own, and unfortunately we're not very knowledgeable about that sort of thing). We don't have a lease, and our landlady is telling us that we must pay 100% of repair expenses. We don't have renter's insurance and don't have a lot in savings--we're newlyweds who just graduated from college. We're kind of panicking right now, so any help would be really appreciated!

Answer:
 Your actions caused the house to become damaged, so now you need to repair that damage.

You're in an unfortunate situation, and I do sympathize with you. But I'm not sure what you're looking for here.


Title: I work for big box retailer they gave us a raise but cut hours and benefits.

Question: They gave us a raise but now only managers and asst managers get full time hours. All other workers can only work up to 24 hours a week and have lost all health care benefits. Is there any way to fight this?

Answer: Invention of time travel. Clone Bernie Sanders and elect all of the clones to congress and the presidency, or be selected to be president of the company and change the policy. Outside one of these options I would say no.Answer #2: I don't think they're doing anything illegal. The 24 hour limit is probably driven by AHA.


Title: [New York] "Pending" Felon sister who is court mandated to live with my parents has filed a restraining order against my father claiming that he abused her her whole life

Question:
My father was arrested this week after my sister, who is 24 and a pending felon, went to the police station to file a report against him claiming that he has abused her her whole life. He was released and has a court date at the end of August.

I believe my sister is doing this to get out of having to live with my parents, and to get out of trouble for going against the court's wishes, which I will describe later.

My sister was arrested twice in the last year, the first time for possession of drugs (I think it was Oxycontin) and the second time for stealing over $200,000 from her employer.

She was in jail for less an 24 hours for both things because she was "always a nice girl" "from a good family". She currently does not have a felony on her record by rather a "pending felony" or something like that, and she is on probation for 3-5 years.

Part of her probation is that she has a 9:00 curfew (to be at my parents house at that time), mandatory drug tests, and she cannot see her "ex"-boyfriend.

This all started when she started dating a known drug dealer (he sells Oxycontin and Heroine that I know of). He is very charming and charismatic and has NEVER been arrest despite being a known drug dealer in our hometown for at least a decade. He studies old court cases in his spare time and keeps 2-3 apartments but sleeps in hotels. He's really smart and really scary. I think he's a sociopath or has some sort of borderline personality disorder, but I obviously can't be sure.

My sister has consistently broken her curfew, and recently my parents found out (from people telling them and then following her) that she was meeting her "ex"-boyfriend in hotel rooms.  Of course my parents didn't tell anyone because they wanted to "protect" her to keep her out of jail. They have been covering for her.

Well my parents confronted her earlier this week about seeing the "ex"-boyfriend. And that's when she filed the charges against my dad.

I think she wants to make it look like she "had no place else to go" and "had to escape the abuse" so she doesn't get in trouble for seeing her ex. I'm really worried because my parents never reported to anyone all the times she has broken her probation and so my sister *appears* to be following the judges orders and "being a good girl". I am worried that now if my parents tell anyone the ways she has broken probation it might seem like they are retaliating against her.

I don't know if it needs to be said, but I will just to make sure there are no questions. My father has undoubtedly never touched her, he has never laid a hand on any of us. He was beaten by his father when he was young (it was the 1950's and I guess it was common) and he made it a point his whole life to not be like him. We all know this, and I think my sister knew that this would hurt him the most.

Anyway. If anyone has any ideas or tips of what I (older sister), my other sibling, or the rest of my family can do to help my father, I would really appreciate it. I am still in disbelief that my sister would stoop this low.

Answer:
 The truth would be the best policy in this case, and should've been the policy from the beginning.

All your parents did by not reporting her violations of her probation was to enable your sister's behaviour while showing her that she too can get away with anything without consequences.

First things first: get a lawyer for your father. Then follow his advice, which would possibly involve things like taking statements from you and your other siblings that nothing your sister alleged has ever happened, etc.

Secondly, leave your sister to deal **FULLY** with the consequences of her actions and don't cover for her, or post her bail, or any other form of assistance until she *voluntarily* admits that she did something wrong and honestly wants to make an effort to change. Anything you do before that point will only encourage her behaviour.

[PS: Just realised that most of ^ that was more life advice, and the only piece of legal advice was to get a lawyer...]


Title: Can I be charged with shoplifting for leaving the store(unknowingly) with an item a cashier forgot to scan?OH

Question: I was going through my weekly expenses on sunday and looking at my reciepts when I noticed a purchase made the monday of last week. I completely unloaded my cart and even put the item(an 8 dollar pack of socks) on the conveyor belt. I paid the amount of money for everything and then left the store. The cashier even put the socks in my bag. I did not even realize that the cashier did not scan the socks until Sunday when I was going through my reciepts(I had a lot of items during that purchase about $50 so I did not notice).  I go to this store about 1-2 times a week(it is a store like walmart). Should I go back and return the item? If I ignore it, is it possible they can arrest me for shoplifting? Should I risk going back to this store again?

Answer:
 You should not take the item back to the store. If you for some bizarre reason need to do so, you should talk to an attorney first. You are fine. I am sure you could be arrested, but you won't. I wouldn't go out of my way to avoid shopping there.

*answer inspired by tales of accidental granny theft leading to tickets upon granny trying to DTRTAnswer #2: As a practical matter there is almost no chance that they even know this occurred.  If your conscience is eating at you, you should go to customer service the next time you're there and explain that inexplicably they didn't charge you for the socks and offer to pay.


Title: (MN) Proper disposal of human specimens (organs, fetuses. . .)?

Question: My day was weird and gross yesterday. I go to a really old college that used to be a nursing school 70 years ago. The school is a hodge podge of old buildings that had new buildings added on along with various sections of buildings closed off to the public. I work for one of the Dean's offices as a student worker and was sent to get something from one of those closed off areas. I ended up going into the wrong closet and finding a lot of old medical equipment. Me being curious went more into the room and found human organs along with fetuses in different stages of development in jars. Some of the jars were broken on the floor and the smell was unpleasant. I also bumped into the shelf in my initial surprise and broke a jar. I told my boss about it yesterday, and they spent the rest of the day running around having no idea what to do and trying to figure out proper disposal of human remains. My questions are (1) will they have to call the police? (2) They can't just have a janitor throw everything out right? (3) Fetus disposal is weird in the US atm, will they have to bury them?  Are there any states in the US where you would have to bury them?(4) how do you actually dispose of this kind of stuff if anyone knows? Thanks!

Answer:
 > (1) will they have to call the police?

They may get involved at some point but having specimens obtained legally in formaldehyde jars is perfectly fine.

> (2) They can't just have a janitor throw everything out right?

He'll no.

 >(3) Fetus disposal is weird in the US atm, will they have to bury them? Are there any states in the US where you would have to bury them?

Are you sure if it is a preserved fetus? Like really sure?

>(4) how do you actually dispose of this kind of this kind of stuff if anyone knows?

Call a certified hazmat team most likely. The police department probably knows some good ones if your school doesn't.


Title: Found a Crystal Meth Pipe at my house

Question:
Hey guys, i’m 17, 18 in 2 months... My mom really doesn’t do a lot for me. I chose to live with her when my parents got divorced many years ago. I live with her and my stepdad (who’s in and out because all they do is argue) . Anyway, one day, home alone, I go through her things because something doesn’t feel right. I found a bong in my stepdads dresser, and 2 pipes in my moms things. One in good condition with crystal meth inside it, the other, cleaned out and broken in half. My mom doesn’t really take me to school sometimes out of laziness, doesn’t work or pay bills, we actually have no water currently. And i can’t tell you how many times i’ve gone to sleep crying and hungry, before I told her i’m hungry she told me to stop bothering her. Basically my situation is fucked and I wanna know what would happen with me, if I were to call the police and show them this meth pipe? I have it hidden in my room. Not a wise idea to have it in my possession, even if it isn’t mine, I know.
Please give me some feedback. Should I just wait until i’m 18?? What would happen then, though? Thanks guys

Answer:
 IANAL but I have worked in social work situations and it will not benefit your situation at all to have her potentially arrested. I'm not saying that you shouldn't report her for illegal activity, and it does sound like she's failing you as a parent, but it is also going to put you in a position that would potentially send her to jail and leave you to fend for yourself. Being as close as you are to 18, if they can't place you with a family member, you're not really going to be able to be placed in foster since you're almost 18.

Do you have someone you could stay with? At this point, your Mom probably knows her drugs are missing and this is likely going to cause some problems anyway. The best advice is to get yourself somewhere safe and hope that a family member/friend will take you in until you can get yourself a job.


Title: Spouse (20M) and I (20F) are both sailors and getting a divorce, trying to be as amicable as possible. What do I do moving forward? Do I need a lawyer?

Question:
Hello everyone, this is my first post here. Yes, I know we're young and we learned the hard way that everyone is right about young marriages in the military. We've been married ~18 months and have finally called it quits; now we're just trying to get through this without any fighting as we'd still like to be friends. There's no animosity, we're just incompatible.

No kids, renting a duplex together, and our biggest expenses we're paying off together is his truck and my credit card (things we both agreed to help each other with even before this).

We decided that we want to split things as fairly as possible, but I'm wondering if I still need a lawyer? We just agreed to split up earlier this week, so nothing is final yet. I'm hopefully moving in with some roommates in October, and we're trying to have our divorce done by the end of next year. What do I need to do moving forward?

TLDR: Learned the hard way that being young, dumb, and in love doesn't make a happily ever after, now we're going for an amicable split and trying to come out as friends. What do I need to do to come out of this okay legally?
Topic:
Custody Divorce and Family

Answer:
 This shouldn't be very difficult, you should consult with a lawyer but if you can basically agree on asset divisions it won't be complex.

If your primary joint asset is a yacht that will add a level of complexity....


Title: Arrested for marijuana possession in my own driveway in Oklahoma. What are my rights here?

Question: Was driving laps around my neighborhood around 2 am listening to music. A cop saw me and followed me home then walked up to me right before I got out of my car and stated that she smelled marijuana. Wasn’t read my Miranda rights... could I get the evidence suppressed?

Answer:
 Your Miranda warnings aren't required upon arrest or citation.  Only if you are in custody and being questioned substantively; and even then, the recourse is solely to throw out those statements.  Answer #2:

Smelling weed is a valid reason for a search. Finding the weed tends to make it hard to say that the officer lied about smelling the weed. Did the officer find the weed?

If you were smoking the weed and driving around, be glad you didn’t get charged with a DWI, get a lawyer and hope for the best.

Or if you weren’t smoking the weed, sill get a lawyer and hope for the best. Answer #3: Why do you feel the need to drive and smoke weed at the same time?  There's a golden rule: Only break one law at a time. DUI and having product in your car definitely breaks this rule.Answer #4: You were doing something stupid and got caught. There is no violation of your rights in the scenario you described. Answer #5: Almost certainly not but have an attorney look at it.


Title: Is it really illegal for a company to give you a bad reference if another job calls? If so what are the consequences for doing so?

Answer:
 Assuming you're speaking of the USA:

No, it's not strictly illegal.  It may potentially be defamatory, if the statement is knowingly false.  But it's not illegal to truthfully give a bad reference.

Many companies avoid doing so as a matter of policy, not as a matter of law.Answer #2: Not a Lawyer, Just HR.

An opinion can be deemed defamatory but bad references are okay so long as they are truthful.

Generally references would be something like

XXX was employed by NEWCO from XX/XX/XXXX to XX/XX/XXXX under the title of _____ Manager. (If a person wants to give a bad reference would continue like so). Employment was terminated by NEWCO because XXX was found in violation of his/her employment agreement with NEWCO.

They wouldn't say "We fired XXX because he was a tardy asshole who got drunk on the job."

However, if they have written proof in his personnel file they can say. XXX was terminated due to repeated tardiness. It's best practice to note tardiness if and only if there are things in his file which prove his tardiness and that he/she was warned about tardiness. (Email warnings, Written warnings. so on and so forth.)

In such case "Asshole who got drunk on the job" would be defamatory assuming NEWCO has no proof of this.


Title: went to buy a rifle and was denied by NICS

Question: To make a long story short i was living new york when the safe act went into affect, my wife and i where having problems for months before one night it all came to a heated yelling altercation i told her if she didnt like being in the house she should leave thats when the cops showed up (i can yell very loud and i assume the nieghbors called the cops) they came into the house and talked to us and figured out what was going on thats when they asked if i had any weapons in the house and i said yes and i opened my safe which had shotguns, rifles, and two ar15's in it that apparently had just become illegal because they had a collapsable buttstock and  pistol grips on them. I was arrested and taken in and charged with two felonie firearms charges which through a deferment program where redused to misdemeanors that was 5 years ago after a short probation i recieved all my firearms back (picked them up at the police station) accept for the ar15's. i now live in ohio and went in to buy a ar15 lower assembly so i can build my own rifle again as i did with the other two that i had years ago and was delayed then denied several days later which makes zero sense to me as i can own a firearm but cannot buy one. any advice or reasons why would be helpful thank you.

Answer:
 What exactly did the denial letter say? They wouldn't deny you unless they thought you were a prohibited person, so unless the information in the NCIC is incorrect, you shouldn't have any firearms at all. It's all or nothing. You're either able to own and purchase or you're not. There isn't a category where you're unable to buy but able to own.

The appeals process can be found [here](https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/nics/national-instant-criminal-background-check-system-nics-appeals)

Did your wife file a restraining order against you? That could trigger the NCIC issue, apart from the firearms violations.


Title: Business owner is known to do unethical practices (including underpaying employees). Here's a list of all the things I've personally experienced from him, is there anything I can do?

Question:
I quit just this last Sunday because of the practices by the business owner (BO) and the shit he put me through. I was an independent contractor with the company (which is merely a chain of farmer's market stands) and this is my story:

- Sunday, June 19, 2016—5:45 AM; I text BO that I have been vomiting and experiencing explosive diarrhea throughout the night and that I can’t make it to work.
- Sunday, June 19, 2016—6 AM; while I am literally in the middle of puking my guts out, I can hear BO pounding on my door and shouting my name.
- Sunday, June 19, 2016—6:10-6:30; constant harassing texts and phone calls from BO to “come outside and talk to him.” Finally, at 6:30 I have a lull in the pukefest and I go to the door to see that he is no longer there.

___
- Sunday, June 26, 2016—4 AM; business owner gives me a one hour notice that my morning shift got bumped up by an hour… while I was sleeping.
- Sunday, June 26, 2016—5:30-5:35 AM; business owner pounds violently on my door for a solid five minutes scaring the shit out of me to the point where I almost called the police. When I pulled out my phone I saw that the BO had called me twice. This was all still several minutes from the time I needed to be ready by. I very clearly told BO that his violent pounding on my door is not acceptable, which he then made the excuse that what he did was okay because he’s “doing me a big favor” by giving me a ride to the market. He then started to say “if we had been late because of you—“ which I cut him off to say “You were the one that didn’t give me proper notice of the changes to the schedule. If we were late, it would’ve been because of you.”
- Sunday, June 26, 2016—3:30 PM; business owner belittles another employee because she voiced that she felt it was inhumane to expect us to work in the heat with no sanitary source of drinkable water available from the company (one basin of water is recycled throughout the day to wash vegetables, dishes, hands, etc). BO kept condescending to her by calling her “sweetheart” and then said, “if you can’t do the work without complaining maybe this isn’t the job for you.”
- Sunday, June 26, 2016—3:45 PM; BO says he’s only going to pay us from 6:30 to 3 because “we weren’t working fast enough.” Myself and two other employees were present.
- Sunday, June 26, 2016—4:30 PM; BO refuses to pay me, specifically, after paying both the other workers the proper wage. After a bit of arguing he decided he's pay me at a significantly smaller "base rate" for the day, then he said "actually, I don't think I want to pay you for today. I don't like your attitude." I then demanded he pay me at least the base rate, and after some thought he obliged. As he was driving me home, he then again said "You know what, you don't really deserve to be paid for today's work." I cut him off shouted at him calling him a filthly liar and then he said, "fine, I'll pay you." and I responded "Oh, you *will??* Are you sure about that?" and he said, "that's what I'm saying *now*" to which I said, "what about when you drop me off? What will you be saying *then?"* and he then told me that *I* was being disrespectful and being an inconvenience to *him.* I was holding the cash box, so I opened it to count out my pay so that he couldn't scam me out of it later, and he told me to "respect the cashbox and close it." I was furious at this point and shouted "YOU DIDN'T RESPECT MY HOME OR MY SECURITY OR MY TIME. YOU WILL FUCKING PAY ME." He shut right up and continued driving while I counted the money in his face. I asked if it was the correct amount, he nodded, I pocketed my pay, closed the cash box, threw it in the backseat, and at the next stop light I got out and called an Uber.

God. What a fucking asshole. Any advice?

Answer:
 Being an asshole boss is not ~~legal~~ illegal.

But, refusing to pay you your previously agreed pay rate for work already performed is illegal. File a wage claim with your state's department of labor if he shorted you. If he did not (even after your argument), then you have no claim.

*EDIT: legal and illegal are 2 different words. Duh.*


Title: Fake ID taken at restaurant (Minnesota)

Question:
My fake ID was taken at a small restaurant in southern Minnesota when I was visiting my friends. The waitress took it to the back saying that she needed to double check it since it was “an out of state ID.” I know it’s not the best to use a fake, but I’m almost 21 and all of my friends are of age. The manager came back a few minutes later saying that they needed someone to come verify it. He said it was a police officer on his way. At this point I asked for it back but he said no. I decided to leave the restaurant since I’ve never had an issue like this before and I DONT want to be arrested under any situation. I left quickly and saw the manager walking the parking lot when I left. He was super aggressive and then came back to harass my friends still at our table about “where I was staying that night” and what my “real name is” because it could “affect them legally.” So.... can I be charged for this? I don’t know if the police were ever involved other than the guy saying that they would be called to check it out. They still have my ID which has my real name (but not real information), so can they legally pursue this? Would they? It was a college restaurant that I assume people get their IDs taken a lot. What would I do if they did purse it?

I’m super shaken and this has taught me a huge lesson. Please any advise would help. Thank you.

Answer:
 The police could charge you. If they ask to speak with you, don't.

Don't use fake ID's and don't commit crimes far away from home.