Title: My friend and I were at a park smoking marijuana late at night. I got a fine for being at the park she got a PTA (Posssion) Florda

Question: My friend and I had come back from a music festival and we decided to smoke at a park by her house. Halfway through smoking a cop pulls up and she asks us what we were doing. My friend and I decide to just tell her the truth and gave her the little bit we had left. After the officer questions us she asks for our ID's and walks back to her car. Eventually she comes back to the passenger side and asks my friend to step out. They talk outside the car for a couple minutes and she comes back with a PTA, which basically means she was arrested on paper, for possession of marijuana. Then the officer asks me to come over she gives me a fine for being at a park after dark. Besides being confused as to why I got a slap on the wrist and my friend got charged. What should my friend do now?

Answer:
 > My friend and I decide to just tell her the truth and gave her the little bit we had left.

For future reference:

1. Don't smoke in a car!
2. Don't possess in a car!
3. Don't tell anyone anything! Never admit to a crime!
4. Don't ever agree to a search of a car. If they have the evidence necessary they'll do a search anyways.
5. Be very thankful that you didn't get a possession charge.Answer #2: She should hire a lawyer.


Title: [TN] Are there any hoops I have to jump through to sell my own alcohol?

Question: So I want to start producing my own vodka, but on the right side of the law. Are there any legal hoops to jump through to sell my vodka locally? I'm not trying to take down Absolut or anything, just wanting to build a local brand and have some fun.

Answer:
 All of the hoops, you're talking about a distillery which in general has even more regulations then a winery or brewery.Answer #2: Well yeah, a lot of hoops. Alcohol is strictly regulated by the ATF. Answer #3: IANAL but I looked into this while running a winery a few years back.

Distilled alcohol is heavily regulated, far worse than wine and beer. For example, there is no "home use" exemption. You will need to provide the names of all managers and directors so that they may be investigated and confirmed to be of good character. You must post a non\-refundable bond equal to the $$ of three years tax on the alcohol you will produce. You must meet very stringent requirements for the premises where the distilling is done, included locked and controlled areas for tax\-paid product. And all this must be in\-place and approved *before* your still is together and ready to produce alcohol or you are in violation of the law.

Call the nearest BATF office and ask to be sent all the forms. We decided to pass, even after importing a \[dissasembled\] antique Classic cognac still. We estimated it would take over two years to get everything set up from scratch and that was with the experience of a fully functioning and licensed winery behind us.


Title: (US- Texas) Need legal advice for getting unreturned property back from an ex friend.

Question:
Location: Texas, United States

Here is a little background:
My little sister (age 17) had a fight with my father over an issue that happened last year. My sister since October, was staying with a friend (17/18) who she thought was her best friend. Back in February, my sister got into an argument with this friend of hers, as her friend suddenly was asking for rent money. So my sister stormed out of her house. When she returned, my sisters stuff was thrown out on the lawn and the porch, excluding her Xbox One and her stuffed animal that my dad gave her the day  she was born.

As for what I am asking legal advice for:
My family has given up getting my sisters Xbox One back. As my sister never wrote down the serial number and my aunt who gave her the console ordered from Amazon where they don't keep a record. However, we want to get my sisters stuffed animal back as she has had it for 17 years. We have countless photos of the stuffed animal for proof. If nothing is able to be legally done, I am at the point of messaging the girl on Facebook to offer money to get the stuffed animal back.

Answer: Have you asked her for it? This isn't really a legal issue.


Title: Insurance charged me for two cars then dropped me

Question: Massachusetts!! So, I'm with an online based car insurance company and I totaled my Chevy in July 2016. I live in Mass., where insurance is required, and the representative said it would be best to just keep the insurance until I found a new car, in case I wanted to drive someone else's. Took her advice, my bad. Bought my Jeep in Oct., transferred the plates, called to get insurance on it and remove the policy from the Chevy. Fast forward to now, My policy was cancelled in Dec. for overdue payment because they never took the Chevy off, which they fully admit was their fault and they're willing to reimburse for any extra payment. I have auto-pay so I just put the money in the bank and forget it. The problem is, they wont reverse the lapse in payment thing which makes my coverage cost way more and generally looks real bad. Their reasoning is that they sent an email, so I should have noticed the email and alerted them to their mistake. Can they really get away with screwing up just because i didn't tell them soon enough that they did so? Do I have some legal obligation to check my email to ensure they aren't screwing me or they get away with whatever they want? I'm calling my Attorney General Monday, but any input or advice would be much appreciated.

Answer:
 How much money is actually on the line here? Answer #2: File a complaint with the MA division of insurance

http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/docs/doi/consumer/css-complaint-form.pdf


Title: Problems with a NICU

Question:
Recently we had had a baby come 7 weeks early, and we’ve been at the NICU since March 19. He’s came a long way, and he’s doing good, but we’ve had some problems with the staff, and at this point, I think they’re partly responsible for his stay being dragged out.

The biggest problem is the inconsistency, I don’t think really any doctors, as well as the nurses have been on the same page. Even in how they treat him.

He was having problems with his oxygen dipping while he was sleeping through out the week, and they let him resolve it, said he was fine. Well a newer nurse was here on Thursday and failed him for having the alarm, the same one he’d been having, that pushed our date back another two days, as well as gave him a car seat test with the pads in, and failed him when his oxygen dipped and yesterday a more experience doctor said that the first thing you do when testing a premature baby is to take the padding out and use blankets instead.

So was the nurse right for failing him when he was sleeping Thursday, or should they have had him back on oxygen the first night he had those problems instead of a week later instead of making him work harder every night. Why is there also no consistency in the car seat test?

As well as when they put him back on oxygen, he was on 1/16. Which before he was off, it was 1/8, he was tolerating open air more than the 1/16, because they said it’s just so little air and with the tubes, it’s making it harder to get the air he would normally get anyways, so why when he failed Thursday, why put him on 1/16, which he tolerates less than open air, and open air is what failed him? His oxygen was still dipping with that, and we knew he would alarm out so we bring it up, and the one doctor agreed, that it should be an 1/8, so how is we are getting something right when it’s their job to know what’s going on?

As well as insurance, which my work wouldn’t cover, so we got insurance through the hospital, to get a letter after we have the insurance saying the NICU is ran by a different company, and we are responsible for the bill if insurance doesn’t cover it, which guess what, they don’t. They couldn’t even disclose that when we were talking about insurance with the hospital initially so we knew what to get in the first place, now we’re stuck with some high deductible insurance that’s not even covering this, unless we win this appeal which I have no faith in.

As well as there has been general inconsistencies the entire time. They’ll have his information wrong on rounds, just this morning even after we told the main doctor what was going on, they had three separate things wrong. I correct them, and it’s “oh if doctor xxx thinks that’s the case, than that’s what’s going on.” Yeah no shit, we know because we talked to her, why haven’t you?

What I once thought was a dream team of doctors has just shown me they’re really not. This just keeps getting harder and I’m beyond pissed, like this is the best one of the best NICUs in the country can do. Maybe I’m just looking for someone to blame for a tough time, but to me, that this seems like subpar treatment for what this is going to cost.

As well as the doctor yesterday pointed out, he’s going home on oxygen, we know how he does on an 1/8, we could have been home by now if they weren’t fucking around. As well as just so many small inconsistencies I can’t think of them off the top of my head.

Oh, another thing. For a visit, when he left, they were going to have a small graduation type deal, cap and gown for him, sounded real cute. We got word that the newspaper was wanting to use it for a story. We’d thought about it, and we ourselves didn’t want to be in it. If they wanted to write a little story on him or whatever they could but we didn’t want interviewed. Well a few days go by, and someone from the hospital calls, asking if we want to do it, and my girl says no, they start trying to talk her into it. Says it looks good for the hospital and staff, as well as it would be easy, they would tell her what to say, and she tells them no, that we haven’t been happy with our stay, and they change tunes, telling her nevermind on it. So we’re pretty sure the graduation wasn’t for him or us, but to try and promote good pr for this place.

If anyone knows what I should do with any of this, or even any suggestions would be appreciated it. I’m going to be talking to a social worker soon as well as patient advocate, but outside that, I don’t know if I have much power over this, or if this is just how NICUs are and they’re protected through some bullshit laws. I just don’t know. And being a mix of the best and worst time of my life, not knowing something like this is just making it even harder.

If I have no legal ground for anything, I want to at least tell them how shitty they are at their job. I have no problem making an ass out of myself it gets them to think before they sleep and maybe not put someone else through this.

Answer:
 Med mal is too specific for us to say of you have a case or not. You'll need to consult a lawyer.

You need to remember that generally an individual's stay in the ICU is not a linear profession of getting better. Often patients take one step forward, one back etc. Its just the nature of growing and developing. Oxygen also isn't a drug you turn off. You wean a bit, turn it off, but activity such as trying to pass a car seat test might be too much demand on the baby, which requires oxygen again. That is normal. Just because a doctor says the babys discharge date is x, doesn't mean it's set in stone. Its decided by your child's progression and if your child is healthy enough to leave

You honestly do sound like you are looking for someone to blame.

They dropped the newspaper story because you didn't want it.

I personally don't think you have a case from what you described but wish your little one the best of luck getting home


Title: I made a table and chairs for a customer, he paid for both. but stopped payment on the check for chairs bc they were not comfortable, he still has them and won't give them back.

Question: I feel as if the chairs are still my property because I was not paid for the chairs, but I'm not sure legally what options I have or what I can do to get them back and cut ties and go our separate ways, which is probably the best direction given this customer is impossible.  as for the table, he likes the table and I was paid for it.  any advice is appreciated

Answer:
 Sue him for the agreed price of the chairs in small claims court (if it is less than the small claims max)Answer #2: Thanks everyone, in Massachusetts btw, I will try the police first and then small claims.

Really really appreciate the feedback


Title: Residence wants to make me pay full rent for the summer even though they won't let me live there (Ontario)

Question:
Hi, I was offered a research position at the university of waterloo and I wanted to stay in graduate residence for the summer. I am not allowed to take graduate courses for the summer, and you must take courses to stay in residence. However, the RLC was working with me to possibly let me stay in residence doing research, so I accepted my residence renewal contract online.

The research fell through, and now they won't let me stay in residence. they are now saying I need to pay the full spring term of rent, even though I accepted back in February and I don't start the spring term until May 1. Are they allowed to make me pay for somewhere that they aren't allowing me to stay in? I would understand taking my DD, but forcing me to pay rent for somewhere I can't live in even though I want to live there seems ridiculous. I'm a broke student and that's 3000$.

Answer: Double check everything you've signed but I'm pretty sure (and please someone correct me if I'm wrong) that they can't demand rent and not let you stay in/use/have access to the property.


Title: University failed to get proper accreditation, severely limiting the use of my masters degree. [PA, USA]

Question:
On mobile, so I apologize for any bad formatting.

I graduated from a well known University with a Master's of Public Health. When I originally applied for the program, the University was in the process of becoming an CEPH/ASPPH Accredited University. The head of the program assured me that she had gotten 4 other Universities accredited, and that it was a "sure thing" for the school I would be attending.

Fast forward 3 years, I graduate, and the school fails to get accredited. Not only did they fail to get accredited, but it was suggested that they close the program, and they no longer offer that degree at all.

What this means for me, for the most part, is that I cannot apply for employment within a government agency or acedemia. They require a degree from an accredited university. Even when I apply to jobs in the private sector, they have a hard time vetting my degree. As the program no longer even exists, there is sometimes confusion when a prospective employer requests. And I feel that it negatively affects me while trying to expand my career. I have managed to find employment in the field, but not to the caliber that I was expecting to be able to persue with a properly accredited degree.

I feel I was advertised a "sure thing", and didn't get what I will be paying for for a long, long time. What I want to know is would I have a case to have my loans partially/wholly forgiven, and if so, what kind of lawyer to persue for the best possible legal advice? If any additional info is needed, please let me know.
Topic:
School Related Issues

Answer:
 Whatever you feel was advertised, you signed up for an unaccredited program and that's what you got.

I'll let people better versed in civil law than I am chime in, but I doubt that you have a winnable case here.Answer #2: > When I originally applied for the program, the University was in the process of becoming an CEPH/ASPPH Accredited University.

Well there was no guarantee this would be the case, so you got what you paid for.


Title: Young Dumb 21 year old in my house

Question:
Columbus, Ohio - My wife and I rescued her brother about a year ago.  He was about to be homeless and end up in jail so we took him in to teach him how to adult.

He is somewhat stable and has paid us back and I’m ready for him to be out in a few months.

Theres an outstanding issue I’m unsure of:  he needs to claim bankruptcy for a bunch of random shit from the past.  We can easily get that done with a lawyer.  My question is will this wipe an eviction notice from his record?  He just got denied an apartment application because of an eviction notice on his record.

Thanks.
Topic:
Real Estate law

Answer:
 No, the eviction happened so it will be on his credit report until it falls off.Answer #2: The BK won’t “erase” the eviction, but it may make it easier for him to get approved for a lease. In my city (in a southwest state) people with evictions have a difficult time renting (but it’s not impossible. I think the record was the client I had with 4 evictions with judgments for rent/damages  in 10 years.

After BK my clients seemed to have not much difficulty finding a place to rent, as long as they had enough income to support the rent.

BUT my city definitely doesn’t have a “blacklist” or anything like that for renters like they have in highly competitive rental markets. There are lots of DIY landlords. I believe the biggest concern for these type landlords is that with an active judgment against them, a tenant may start having wages garnished at any time and then be unable to pay rent.  BK solves that problem by discharging. The judgment.


Title: [Illinois] - Cops just came into my sister's uni apartment claiming illegal occupancy.

Question:
Hey, so my sister's studying over in Chicago on a scholarship that had her apartment and everything paid for by the foundation giving the scholarship out.

My mom went over to visit this Sunday, and just now she got the shit scared out of her by four cops and a sheriff coming in with guns. They hand her some papers about an eviction order filed by the management company against some random defendant who doesn't share any information with my sister. Says a bunch of stuff about the plaintiff being owed payment of attorney fees (with a bunch of other fees listed but crossed out) against this random defendant, and it's all very confusing.

My sister's currently in classes, and my mom forwarded all the relevant information to her because apparently it's levied against everyone of the apartments in the building (all-student building covered by the foundation), so I figured I'd ask here and see if anyone has any ideas. We are not American so the legal nuances here completely escape us and I'm just trying to calm my mom down.

Thanks in advance.

Answer: Nobody is going to be able to tell you anything with the scant information you provided. However, almost all cops carry guns in America. It is not alarming that they had them when they gave the papers to your sister. It would be alarming if they didn’t.


Title: Passport posted to FB

Question:
My location is Vietnam but this has all happened on FB.

On the biggest housing ads page in a big city(I think 20k members) a landlady posted the fb as well as her conversation with a guy who left without paying his last month's utility or giving advance warning. Pretty inconsiderate.

She also posted a copy page of his passport with none of the information blacked out, which can be seen by any of the members as well as anybody outside the group. Again, this is in Vietnam where identity fraud is absolutely rampant.

I urged her to take it down and she REEEEEEEEEE'd at me so I reported the picture to fb and urged the other members to do the same. She deleted all my posts and the many posts of people crying foul and banned me from the group.

The advice I'm looking for is this

1. I reported the picture to FB under the special review option and I'm worried they might not be quick enough. Should I report it again under some different avenue for speed's sake?

2. The kid was pretty inconsiderate of his landlady and housemates  but at the end of the day her losses will likely be no more than 1/2 a month's rent on 1 room. Multiple posters tried to reason with her and she gave no fucks that releasing this kid's PP to the public was an enormously disproportionate response. I want to know what else can be done legally to inflict the maximum amount of damage on her for this. Is this a crime? Is a crime against a US citizen on fb under US jurisdiction? Is there some way her page can be removed or IP banned?

Thanks! I hope this isn't too obscure.

Topic:
Computer and Internet

Answer: The US has no jurisdiction here at all. If the Vietnamese police don't care then FB is the only recourse (or court if Vietnam offers civil relief for posting PP info online)


Title: Boss plays with pistols all day in a small office with magazines in them. Afraid to confront him

Question:
My boss got his concealed carry, and instantly became obsessed with guns. He's a 27 y/o CEO of a multi million dollar company so I think it's fair to say he doesn't have the wisdom that age grants us. To paint a quick picture, he came from a wealthy family and didnt have to work much in life so he just doesn't understand seemingly basic things about corporate/ standard work environments.

The reason I made this post is because our company is extremely "cut throat" and people have been fired the day after being hired for not learning fast enough. Even people who have had legit complaints about being uncomfortable or feeling weird at work have been terminated for "not fitting into the office culture." I've been here for a couple years and I'm the head of my division for the company, but I feel so unsafe hearing him rack and unrack the slide on his glocks all day.

Politics aside, I myself am a legal gun owner so I don't get nervous by guns. But it's in the hands of this guy. I want to confront somebody but I'm scared I could lose my job over it or be "outcast" by the CEO which is a straight shot to being let go from the company within a short amount of time. Is this something I could talk to a lawyer about? Or if I confronted my boss, could I legally be let go for feeling concerned?

I'm sorry I'm terrible at formatting. Thank you for any advice.

Answer: From a legal standpoint, I can't think of a crime here unless he brandishes a weapon. From a gun safety standpoint, what he's doing is incredibly careless and irresponsible, not to mention entirely inappropriate for the workplace. (Well, assuming your workplace isn't a gun store)Answer #2: You need to find a new job.


Title: [US] Legal Graffiti?

Question:
I am an artist. What if I were to do graffiti on some *"surface"* that I bought, let's say cardboard or wood, and then I would just prop against walls on public spaces.

I know it's not technically *legal*, but since I would not do any *damage* and I would not be covering any legit advertisement, what could I be responsible of?  Littering?  That's a misdemeanor just a parking ticket, right?

Answer:
 ... If you are going to do this what's the point of even calling it graffiti? It's just abandoned art that you've spent time and money creating, which then anyone can take or throw away without compensation to you.

Maybe just work on your art instead and find a wall in a Gallery to prop it up against so that you get paid and people can enjoy it eh?


Title: [CA] How do I deal with sublessee's dog while she is being evicted?

Question:
I apologize in advance for the length of the post. I just don't want to leave any details out, in case any of it is relevant.

I rent a 3-bedroom house in California. A few months ago I started my own home business and it has been fairly successful. I decided to get a personal assistant to help out, so I put an ad on Craigslist. 10 interviews later, I found the perfect candidate (we'll say Shelly was her name). Not only would she help with my business, but she offered to babysit my 6-month-old daughter as well, as she had her degree in early childhood development. Everything went really well for the first couple months. She was at my house pretty much 16+ hours a day, either for work or for babysitting. When her lease ended at her current place, she proposed the idea of moving in. After thinking about this and talking it over with my landlord, we agreed this would be okay and added her as a sublessee on a separate contract. I would not charge her rent and we would split the utilities. In exchange for her living there, she would provide the babysitting service for free. I still paid her for the work she did for my business.

In the beginning when my personal assistant had moved in, she also brought along her Border Collie. When we initially met her dog, he was very well behaved, calm, and obedient. I did not foresee there being any issues. Fast forward to the present. Last week her dog attacked my neighbor's teacup Chihuahua which weighs no more than 2 pounds. Granted the Chihuahua was on my property; it had somehow managed to get into my backyard through the fence that separated mine from the neighbor's. I remember hearing what sounded like a high-pitched scream in the back, and when I ran out to see what was going on, I saw the Border Collie with the Chihuahua in his mouth and he was shaking it back and forth. I managed to get him to drop the Chihuahua, but it was too late. The poor thing was so broken and bloody that by the time my neighbor got it to the vet, it had died.

I discussed this issue with Shelly. She had witnessed what I had seen as well. Now what really perturbs me is the fact that she feels no remorse whatsoever for the death of the Chihuahua. She kept telling her dog, "Good boy, you were just protecting your home." Sure, the Chihuahua was in our backyard where it should not have been, but at the same time, I don't feel her dog's behavior was right at all. Like I said, the Chihuahua could not have been more than 2 pounds soaking wet. There was no way it could have threatened or intimidated her 45-pound Border Collie. This all really bothered me, because I have a 6-month-old in the home and this could have happened to her. I expressed my thoughts to Shelly, and she was in complete denial. She kept saying her dog would never attack my daughter and that the Chihuahua should not have been in our yard, that her dog was just protecting the home from intruders. She showed absolutely no form of contrition or sadness, and this made me really uncomfortable.

I have asked Shelly to keep her dog in her room or in the backyard. I don't want him anywhere near my daughter, even if there is supervision. She has not complied with my request and continues to allow her dog free rein of the house (excluding private areas like my office and my bedroom). She allows her dog to be around my daughter, and while nothing has happened YET, I still feel extremely uncomfortable. My baby is at that age where she is crawling and grabbing things. So because Shelly has refused to do as I have asked, I ended up giving her a 30-day eviction notice on Monday.

Needless to say, Shelly has stopped working for me and I do not allow her to babysit my daughter. I watch her myself or take her to daycare if I have meetings with clients. There have been incidents where her dog wanders into my office while my daughter is with me, and I have shooed him out. Or he follows us around the house as I am playing with her. There have been a few times when he jumped on me while I had my daughter in my arms. I have told Shelly about this, but she still refuses to keep her dog in her room.

My question is... while I'm waiting for the 30 days to run its course, what can I do about Shelly's dog? Do I have a legal right to demand that he stays outside or only in her bedroom? I know I can't just kick Shelly out, so I am trying to do this legally with the 30-day eviction notice. I know I can't tell her she can't use the common areas and whatnot, but does this also apply to her dog? Can I keep him outside or have animal control pick him up while I wait for Shelly to move? I honestly fear for the safety of my daughter, after having witnessed the pure aggression with which Shelly's dog attacked my neighbor's Chihuahua and ultimately killing it.

Sorry for the long post. Any help appreciated. Thank you.

EDIT: I didn't put it in my original post but I probably should have, since my fear of the dog's behavior seems to be unfounded. The Border Collie has been introduced to the Chihuahua. My neighbor has been over several times with her little dog and there was never an incident before. We even left them in the backyard together unsupervised at one point when my neighbor and her husband were over for dinner. Nothing happened then. The fact that her Border Collie attacked and killed a dog he knew is what makes this whole thing that much scarier to me.

Answer:
 > Like I said, the Chihuahua could not have been more than 2 pounds soaking wet. There was no way it could have threatened or intimidated her 45-pound Border Collie.

Unless you're an expert in dog communication you aren't qualified to make this statement. Even though us humans can say "that tiny dog couldn't possibly be a threat to that big dog" it doesn't work that way with dogs. The collie could absolutely have felt threatened by this intruder.

> This all really bothered me, because I have a 6-month-old in the home and this could have happened to her.

This is in theory true of any dog but if she has been living with it all this time with no problems this is not a valid concern.

> She has not complied with my request and continues to allow her dog free rein of the house

Fancy that. She lives there and so does the dog.

> Do I have a legal right to demand that he stays outside or only in her bedroom?

You can ask. What's your plan if she doesn't agree to that?

> Can I keep him outside

That would be cruel.

> or have animal control pick him up while I wait for Shelly to move?

They won't do it.

I think your fears are unfounded based on a single incident with an intruder dog that came onto her "turf".


Title: Strangers getting in your car

Question:
Hey all, I deliver pizza in a college town by a bar, and have the misfortune of dealing with drunk college kids every weekend. Anyway, recently a kid got in my car and demanded a ride home and wouldn't leave. Luckily he didn't get violent and eventually I called the cops and they got him out, but I got some pepper spray in case something similar happens again and they get violent, which drunk college kids tend to do.

I don't intend to ever have to use the pepper spray, it's more something to have just in case. But I was just curious about the exact legality of a stranger getting in your car. Does it count as breaking and entering? How much force am I allowed to use to remove them from the car? If it makes a difference, I keep money in my center console so there is the potential that they could try to steal it, and since I work on tips the more time I spend trying to get them out of the car, the less money I make.

Edit: I'm in CT

Answer:
 Practical advice, not legal advice: If you have pepper spray there is the strong possibility it will be used.  If you discharge pepper spray inside an enclosed space, everyone in the enclosed space will get hit by the pepper spray and the enclosed space will be coated in pepper spray.

If you discharge in a car, everything in the car will be coated in pepper spray - your target, you, the windshield, the seats, under the seats. You will never get it out of the car and you will have to live with it for ever.


Title: Legal advice on living situation with S/Os parents.

Question:
I'll try to make this quick...

Been living with my S/O at his parents house for exactly 1 year. The mother, no prior communication with us, is talking about changing the locks on us. I work, support us, and clean up after us. I am very respectful in the house. This woman is flat out *crazy* though! She puts hair in our food, hides kitchen utensils, purposefully will make the kitchen unusable for hours at a time so we can't eat (mopping the floor over and over and..), turns the water hot/cold constantly while we shower, hides my mail, etc.. she is a heavily emotionally abusive person. She absuses the fuck ('scuse the language, this bugs me) out of her husband too with neglect. Hes 90 years old on hospice (he even has cancer) and she is a cheater, leaving him for weeks at a time to go on vacation. She does not buy him food. He can only eat when she eats. She makes him clean the house (she's 25 years younger than him and in perfect health!). Etc etc...
Anyways, Ive been here for a year without them asking me/us, formally or informally, to leave. And now all of a sudden, because said woman is pyscho, she wants us gone this week out of spite and jealousy (by randomly changing the locks on us with our belongings still inside the house).

Do I have *any* leverage here? 30 day notice before eviction at least? No, I have not paid rent. She was stealing my S/O's disability the past few years though and we have reported that. If this was a normal, not crazy family I would just leave, but they are being insanely unreasonable and crule. Id like to keep my jobs, which is hard if I have to relocate. If Im screwed, Im screwed, no worries. But Im asking anyways.

EDIT:

Oops. I am in CALIFORNIA. Sorry all!

Answer:
 We need to know your city/state to advise fully, but generally speaking, 30 days written notice to vacate is required (longer or just a bit shorter, depending on where you live).

She cannot just change the locks, if she does, you can call the police for an illegal lockout.

Ed: also please contact your local Adult Protective Services about her husband. If what you're stating is true, that's horrible neglect. :/


Title: [PA] Landlord Suing me for rent on a lease I am not on.

Question:
Background:
I am 22 and in college, and I have about a 45 minute commute each way to school. I have friends who rent a house near the University (not through the university) and I would stay on their couch a night or 2 a week. When one of their roommates dropped out, they asked me if i would want to take over for him and move in. I had them give my information to the landlord so we could begin the steps to getting my name on the lease. He mailed me a lease application and told me to fill it out and send it back along with a check for rent. I did this around the end of January and moved in the first weekend of February taking over the lease which would end in June. I never had any contact with the landlord after this point. After about a month, I still had not received a lease to sign. I was getting ready to contact the landlord soon, when one day I came home from class to find the landlord had filed a lawsuit against the 3 original signers of the lease for the missing rent. I spoke with the guys who lived there, and we decided it would be best if i moved out since my name was still not on the lease, and the landlord had never even cashed the check i had sent him for rent. i moved out in the first week of March, not wanting to cause any more problems. The landlord had won the lawsuit against the original 3 lease signers and had gotten all his money for the missing rent. FF a few weeks and i learn that he had also had them evicted because of this. Today I got a letter in the mail for a civil lawsuit from the landlord claiming I owe $1700 dollars in unpaid rent. I understand that i could be responsible for the month i lived there, even though my name was never on the lease and he got that rent money from the lawsuit he won against the original 3 guys. I intend to get a lawyer, but i want to know what kind of chance i stand or any advice you guys have for me, or if the landlord even has any kind of chance since i never signed a lease, or entered any kind of agreement with the Landlord.

Answer:
 I'm confused, were the original guys leasing the entire house or only the individual rooms? This distinction is important.

If the former, then the landlord *couldn't* rent to you without modifying the original lease in writing. You might be on the hook for nothing as you aren't on the lease. If anything, you might be subletting from the original guys (assuming they were the leaseholders to the entire house), but you all mutually dissolved your tenancy.

If the latter, then you were likely a month-to-month tenant who was renting a room from the landlord and could owe since it sounds like you didn't give him notice. In this case, he was your landlord and you needed to end the tenancy with him, which you didn't.

Also, did the landlord get all of the owed rent from the other guys? If so, then he has no damages and his lawsuit against you will be thrown out. But this also depends on the distinction, too.


Title: New random person on lease is a crazy person, is there any way to get her off the lease?

Question:
In North California.

So we are 5 guys and got a girl to live with us. I meet this girl winter quarter and she seemed normal. Really social and seemed chill. She turned out to be friends with my friend from high school and I was like ok she must be normal and all. However, this girl turned out to be crazy. She doesn't understand boundaries. It's clear she has a mental illness. She caused a fire in her current place and instead of calling 911.. she snapchatted it. She eats other people's food. She can't take care of herself and cooks food that is raw, which caused her to be hospitalized. She turned out to be really shady. Like we have no idea who her family is or if there are any guardians in her life. Literally, her family didn't visit when she was in the hospital. This is too much for college students to handle. Worst part is that she claims to have a family full of lawyers and she is already on the lease for next year. Now one other housemate is saying he'll move out if she lives with us. I don't know what to do. We talked to management and the only way we can take her of the lease is if she agrees. I'm not sure what to do. This girl isn't someone that can be reasoned with. I'm really not sure what to do.
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer: Your landlord already gave you the right answer. Unless she violates the lease and the landlord decides to take action, there's nothing to be done unless she leaves voluntarily.


Title: [NC] What's the deal with the Citizen's Arrest?

Question: Suppose I am placed under a "citizen's arrest". Am I legally required to comply with the arresting citizen's instruction? Or can I just say "screw you" and leave? How legitimate is a citizen's arrest?

Answer:
 The deal with citizen's arrests is that they are a terrible idea for exactly this reason, even where they are legal.

When I make an arrest, it's going to go one of two ways:

1.) The person I am arresting recognizes the legitimacy of the arrest and chooses not to resist.

2.) The person does NOT recognize the legitimacy of the arrest and chooses to resist.

If Option 2 happens, then I have to escalate my use of force to effect the arrest.

In a citizen's arrest, option two is going to happen way more often, because it's just some guy saying "you're under arrest" and not a cop.  So that means to effect the arrest, force is going to have to be used.

And the citizen almost certainly has none of the following:

* Training in use of force
* Intermediate weapons (pepper spray/TASER/baton, etc.)
* A radio to call for backup
* handcuffs
* experience detaining and arresting someone
* knowledge of how much force is okay to use

So it's nearly a guaranteed clusterfuck in a lot of cases.

I'm not familiar with NC statutes and case law specifically, but [here](http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_15A/GS_15A-404.html) is the statute.  It specifies that a private person can only make an "arrest" when directed to do so by a police officer who is asking for help.  A private citizen may DETAIN someone temporarily on their own under certain circumstances, however.

Also, the two things for "resisting arrest" ([here](http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/statutes/statutelookup.pl?statute=15A-401) and [here](http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/BySection/Chapter_14/GS_14-223.html)) that I can find all specify that it only applies to arrests by officers.


Title: BC/Ontario Canada- University has declined my application because my highschool math credit is from 2006- is this allowed?

Question:
I am a mature student trying to get back into university as a 28 year old. The university asked for my highschool transcript as part of the application, which I gave to them. I guess I should mention here that I am from Ontario and the university I am applying for is in BC.

The university then proceeded to deny my application, saying I did not meet the math requirements for the program, which didn't make any sense- I took the required math courses in highschool.

After some digging I was informed that even though I took the exact required math course in 2006 that I am required to retake the course to be able to apply to the program I want because the "curriculum has changed a lot in 10 years".

My questions to r/legaladvice are:

Is this legal what the university is doing? I have the EXACT CREDIT, course code and all, that the school is asking for in their literature/correspondence with the dean.

What are my options for a rebuttal? do I need to talk to some higher ups in the university? should I go a legal route? I don't want to have to retake the highschool course unless absolutely necessary... it makes no sense whatsoever that they have accepted my other highschool credits but not my math one?

Answer: You don't have any options. The school is not legally obligated to enrol you. You can try escalating with the school, you can take the catch-up course required to replace the credit, or you can find another school.


Title: Someone hit my parked car now I have a witness

Question: This happened in Columbus Ohio on March 18th.  I parked in the parking garage at my work and after I left another car parked next to me and swiped the side of my car.  They dented the side of my car by the bumper and did not leave a note.  A witness saw them do it and took a picture and gave the license plate info to the security in my building.  The car was moved after she took the picture.  I filed a police report.  The report said the police went to the guys house but the car wasn't there. And I haven't heard anything since.  Yesterday the witness caught me going to my car in the garage and flagged me down.  She gave me the picture she took at the scene and said she will be willing to help me out in any other way I need her to.  What are my options now?  I got a repair estimate and its about $1,300 worth of damage.  I have their license plate number and a picture of them next to my car.

Answer:
 > What are my options now? I got a repair estimate and its about $1,300 worth of damage.

File a claim with your own car insurance. They'll get a copy of the police report, track down the other driver, and file a claim against that person's insurance.


Title: Singled out for no reason on the bus and separated from everyone else

Question:
I'm going to go ahead and say that I live in Mississippi and I'm 18. Two weeks ago my bus driver separated the boys and the girls (she claimed there was an "incident" but uhhh no.) As I identify as male I've been sitting on the boy side. Today out of nowhere she made me sit in the front of the bus (note that no one else has been moved and assigned a seat, just me.) and attempted to move me to the girls side. After me repeatedly telling her I'm not a girl (this is common knowledge) she said she was writing me up. The principal pulled me out of class later to verbally dress me down and tell me I have to follow the bus driver's rules or they'd kick me off the bus (which is the only way I have to school) and this afternoon I had to sit in the front (she was very angry about the fact she couldn't put me on the girls side.)

She's singled me out and isolated me from everyone else and it's horribly affecting my mental health. I've been crying off and on since then. Is this even legal, and is there anything I can do to get them to let me go back to where I was sitting(middle of the bus)?

Answer: Have you discussed this with your parents?


Title: Think I viewed and underaged video on pornhub

Question:
I was on pornhub tonight looking at handjob stuff and I stumbled upon a video that depicted minors. I had already jerked off to it, I thought that cp wasnt on pornhub at all and im really fucking scared. I sent a tip to the FBI about the link but im afraid ill get in trouble for watching the video. I don't think i can trust porn after this, it has scarred me. I'm 19 and i dont want a video i clicked on to ruin my life.
Topic:
Juvenile and Youth Law

Answer: Clearly your not ready for porn. Just forget the event every happened, no one is coming for you, Chris Hanson retired years ago.


Title: Property Boundary Issues with Neighbors

Question:
I have a particularly unfriendly neighbor who has been constantly doing things over the years to try to bully us in a passive-aggressive way. We've never engaged with them directly and always ignored their attempts. We've lived in this house for 12 years and they've lived here many more years. Not sure exactly how long but at least 10 years longer.

Regardless of all this, when we came home from vacation today these neighbors had moved the property line and taken about a foot or so of my driveway away with stone patio pavers. They put stakes in the ground to look like it was surveyed and says "property line". Not sure if it was actually surveyed as the line only goes as far back as my driveway then stops.

The last survey map I have is from 1997 and it shows that in the back yard their fence is possibly partly on my yard, and they are probably somewhat right in that my driveway is somewhat on their property.

They had wooden railroad tie like barriers and a fence in their back yard as long as i've lived here. They established that line, not me. I was just using the driveway that has always been there and I have been maintaining it. Their fence is slanted so that the front part is a little too far into their yard, and the back part is (i suspect) on my property.

My questions:

1) I'm assuming I shouldn't trust their markers and have this professionally done myself. We are probably going to put the largest privacy fence we can buy up to be done with these people.

2) Should I move these stones back to the previous line? One concern is I paid for the gravel in the driveway (not paved) and I'd like that back as that's my property. In order to reclaim that gravel I need to remove all the patio stones. I don't want to start a war with them because it's just childish and I don't have time for it.

3). Do I have any legal recourse to this action? If their fence is on my side of the property can I have them move it, if we are now going to enforce the property lines?

I plan on having my wife speak to her boss who is a lawyer on Monday, but in the meantime I'm trying to hold myself back and approach this the right way and not throwing those pavers into their yard.

Thanks for any help!

Answer:
 Do not touch the markers, even if you think they're wrong (that's a potential felony depending on the state). Hire your own surveyor to determine the lines. If it turns out the markers are wrong, and they've - basically - tried to steal your property, then you talk to a real estate attorney (and maybe the cops).

If the lines are correct, then you may want to speak to a real estate attorney too.

In the meantime, take copious photos of the area in question. Maybe get a cheap camera set up to watch the property line. Just in case.


Title: Previous tenant package thrown away

Question:
I get mail from previous tenants all the time, mostly junk mail and coupons and "special offers". I give them back to the postman, but I received one package addressed to a previous tenant and, due to the pattern of receiving continuous junk, assumed it was just some free samples and threw it away.

The person has now contacted me personally....after weeks of having thrown out the package asking where it was. I'm concerned she will file charges when it was really an accident...although I know even throwing junk mail away is still technically a crime. What  can I do?

Answer: What package?


Title: Who (if anyone) acted criminally in this fictional death?

Question:
This was the plot to a mystery novel I read years ago, so I'm just curious.

In the story (heavily implied to be set in Baltimore), Jack, Ed and Charlie own a business. One evening Charlie shows up in the office drunk and begins accusing Jack of stealing from the company. Jack storms out.

Jack is walking down an alley to his car when Charlie catches up and grabs him by the arm to force him to stay. Jack instinctively shoves Charlie, who falls backwards and hits his head on the ground. Jack gets in his car and drives off.

After a little driving Jack calms down and calls Ed at the office and asks him to see if Charlie needs medical attention. Ed assures Jack he will, then hangs up and heads outside where he finds Charlie, alive but still unconscious on the ground. Ed has reasons to want Charlie dead and deliberately leaves him in the alley, knowing the freezing cold will likely kill him. Ed then calls Jack and says Charlie is dead from the fall. Jack wants to call 911, but Ed tells him it was an accident, the publicity will destroy their business and impact Jack's family. Jack agrees to do nothing. Hours later Charlie dies of exposure.

In the book, Ed commits several other crimes so it's not clear what all he's arrested for. Did agreeing to get Charlie medical help and then not doing so make Ed responsible for his death?

I don't recall if Jack made any false statements to the police after Charlie was found. Any other potential charges?

Answer: Actually, its all probably a horrible accident. Charlie assaults Jack, and Jack uses reasonable force to defend himself. Jack has a reasonable claim to self defense, even if what happens to Jack after ultimately results in his death. The third guy has no duty to care in this scenario since you can usually (barring a state law) never be responsible for not helping someone in need.


Title: I just got fired from my job but I think it was an unfair termination

Question:
I was a delivery driver for panera.  This would have been my second write up but I was fired instead.  The write up system at panera works on a three strike system, three strikes you are out.

I was told this after the first write up.

The manager who did the firing claimed that there was a true second incedent on May 18th, but he refused to show me the documentation for that supposed incedent when I asked for it.  I would think that would be my right as an employee of the company to know when I'm being written up as I was for this one and the first one.

On this write up paper I left this information on the comment section of the report and the manager signed off on it.

Do I have a case here?

Answer: Unfair does not equal illegal.  You didn't put your location, but if you live in any state but Montana nor DC it was legal


Title: Attempting suicide with an illegal weapon

Question:
THIS IS CURIOSITY ONLY. It doesn't matter what country/state, I'm generally curious.

If someone survived a suicide attempt with an illegal weapon, would they be charged afterwards?

Answer:
 >  It doesn't matter what country/state

LOL of course it does.Answer #2: >It doesn't matter what country/state

Some countries and states make attempted suicide illegal


Title: r/thathappened: Ex-girlfriend says I need to pay her child support. I'm not the father of her child. (Update: She sued for child support and lost) • r/legaladvice

Answer:
 And OP would have gotten away with it till

> Judge sided with me and she received a fine for perjury.

Really? She was charged, convicted and fined for perjury day of? No need to even call the DA?


Title: Dog bit neighbors dog. Don’t wanna put her down. Need help.

Question:
A few years ago I rescued a dog from our Humane Society. It quickly became my mothers dog. At the last house she was at, she had 16 pugs as a neighbor. She had an incident with one pug that put its head under our fence one day a few years ago, but those neighbors were understanding of the situation (there dogs were always outside and unsupervised and burrowing under the fence into our yard). We payed to have her dog get stitches. No harm no fowl, remained good neighbors. We kept the dogs separated and there was never another problem.

Fast forward to the new house and the neighbors dog for whatever reason angers my dog. She got out and bit her dog once when we moved in. We assumed the dog was frightened because of the new house. There wasn’t any blood or anything but we payed for the meds for her doggo because doggo’s are wonderful and deserve to be loved. About a year later though, our front door opened strangely in the middle of the night, and the dog got out. This time though it was an issue. She bit the dog again as it was out for a walk.

This final time it was what I would consider damage. My dogs a bigger dog and the victim dog was smaller. The lady brought her dog to the neighbors and we cancelled Christmas to fully pay for the doggo’s bills. Animal control showed up this time and after looking at her for a while deemed her “potentially dangerous” as opposed to “dangerous”, a category with much stricter regulations. For us this means we either need to move to dog out of city limits or someone that is willing to take her. Right now if we keep her we would need to pay $250 fee every year (no biggie) and install a kennel in our small back yard (a biggie, but doable) and if someone in town get her they would have to do the same.

I’m doing my best to comply with their rules. The dog door to the backyard has even been closed off. So she cannot her out and bark or even remind the neighbor of her existence. We really wanna be good neighbors and do the right thing but and get rid of the dog. But we also wanna be good people and take care of a good dog who for some strange reason doesn’t like a select few other dogs even though she’s been around tons of dogs often.

This brings me to today. When offered money for her dog so she doesn’t have to pay upfront for anything around the holidays, our neighbor decided to explode on my mother. Prior to this we have all seen her around the neighborhood making sure to trash talk us to our neighbors, I’ve seen her at three houses pointing towards ours and gossiping. When we told her of our current situation, keeping her inside at all times unless we go outside either her only until we can find a new home for her, she decided to start screaming to kill the dog and slamming her hand into her fist in front of my mothers face screaming “everyday all I hear is her trying to break through the fence”. But she has been locked in the house.

We told her our plans of getting a kennel so we don’t get fined but still keeping her inside unless supervised and she again said to kill the dog. No phrase of “put her down” just “kill it”. Rejecting the money, she said she’s refusing payment and wants it to go to our homeowners insurance so our bill increases before saying she’s gonna continue to call animal control until the dog is gone.

We just need time. This dog is the most loving, caring dog in the world. My mother does not want to put down a dog that animal control says doesn’t need to be put down but our neighbor is now borderline threatening us. Were not trying to keep the dog, it’s just with only two week to find a new home, and her next owners needing to be understanding of her situation, it’s difficult.

Any advice would help. I don’t know if anyone will see this so if you do thank you for reading.

Answer:
 I can understand your neighbor’s anger. It’s rooted in fear. Her dog was attacked and perhaps could have died. It’s even understandable that she would talk to neighbors about it. She thinks your dog is dangerous. She has a point. I don’t think she should be behaving threateningly, though, and she shouldn’t be calling for your dog to be killed. But she is frightened and angry.

I don’t have much advice. Seems like the only thing to do might be pay money in the next two weeks to get whatever sort of coop/kennel to be built in the backyard as soon as possible. You can use the money your neighbor refused. Without having a good network, it will be very difficult to regime a “potentially dangerous” dog that quickly.

Perhaps reach out to local shelters / animal nonprofits to ask their advice. Maybe you can tap into their network. Answer #2: Okay. I’m sorry to say this, but you are wayyyy too relaxed for this situation. Put yourself in your neighbor’s shoes. Her small dog was mauled for no reason by an uncontrolled dog with with a prior bite history.  Of course she’s mad, and she has every right to tell your other neighbors about your aggressive dog.

Aside from animal control intervening, this is not a legal issue. Control your dog.


Title: Car accident scammer

Question: So my parents got into an accident yesterday, someone rear ended them pretty good, took a huge chunk out of the back of my dad’s car. Still drive-able though..... the lady who rear ended them was extremely apologetic and kind, and in a hurry and had to go to work, and my dad being the kind person he is, decided to just exchange insurance information and let her go. Well my parents tried to look up the lady’s insurance to file a claim or whatever and it doesn’t exist.. my dad also called our insurance and since there’s no evidence of anything they basically said we’re SOL unless we want to pay for it to be repaired out of pocket. so my dad called a non emergency number and talked with them and they essentially said there’s nothing they can do since Florida law requires highway patrol or some figure of authority to assess the accident. Fast forward to this morning and my dad gets a call from the lady’s husband. He’s screaming at my dad saying I want your lawyers information blah blah I can’t believe you’d do this. He basically wants to take my father to court and try and say my dad fled the scene, even though he was rear ended they could say he backed up into her or something. So basically they want to turn this on my dad and take it to court and since no authoritative figure came to assess the damage we have no evidence. Aside from obviously telling our lawyer all of this, is there anything my parents can do to prepare for the civil case? Strong arguments? Details? They’re very hard working people and it sucks to see this happen to them, have their kindness taken advantage of.

Answer: Your dad should contact his insurance with the information he has.


Title: Realistically how many hundreds of thousands of dollars can Amazon sue for if they find out someone has gotten more than one free “one time Amazon prime subscription”?

Question: Technically if you have several credit cards you can have more than one Amazon trial. I BELIEVE it’s meant to be for more than one person, so it’s obvious Amazon has the rights to sue. Realistically how many hundreds of thousands of dollars can someone get sued for if caught in a situation like this (as in the amount a judge will very likely accept as a fair request)?

Answer:
 Why do you think Amazon could or would sue a customer for "hundreds of thousands of dollars"?

Amazon prime is a (quick Googling...) $13 a month service. If someone scams them out of a second or third or fourth free trial they're getting something Amazon would have sold them for $13 a month.

I'm not American, but can't imagine a judge giving them much more than the $13 value, maybe plus some additional in respect of admin/legal fees.

But Amazon aren't going to sue anyway, they're just going to cut the service off.


Title: (Arkansas) Haven't received my paycheck 3 weeks after payday.

Question: I started a new job recently. I was supposed to receive my first paycheck October 3rd, I found out that day that my boss forgot to get my w-4 filled out, so I had to fill one out and he said he could get me my check after. In the weeks since I've tried talking to him or managers about it multiple times and ever time I'm told "I'll get it soon." I've received my latest paycheck (Oct 17), but still haven't gotten the first check. I have to pay rent next month and wont have enough without it. What are my options here?

Answer:
 In cases of payroll error - which this essentially is, an employer should give you your paycheck within 3 business days. If you've received a check, there's no reason for further delay. They clearly have your info.

Does your 10/17 pay stub show hours/salary from 10/3? Or is that your first Year to date check?  The pay stub should show you a year to date total of earnings.

Ask your boss what the delay is. Tell them you are owed for X hours/days work and need to be paid immediately. If you have a corporate HR office, call it.

I am concerned that one of two things will happen. 1. You'll be cheated out of that first check. 2.  You'll be fired for "troublemaking".

#2 is more likely if it's a lower paying job. Retail or food.

Good luck.


Title: Can you be forced to use PTO during a factory shutdown?

Question: Location is new Hampshire. Every year we shutdown production for a week in July (specifically the 4th of July week). Normally they haven't required employees to use PTO during this time but it was definitely encouraged. We just received an email from HR stating they are requiring all associates to use 4 days of PTO during that week. Can they do this?

Answer: Yes they can force it. They also could offer no PTO. Baring a union contract of course.


Title: [Oklahoma] Can I force a family member to probate a will?

Question: My grandmother passed away a month ago and my dad has not and will not probate her will.   General assumption is because he is not getting her house.   Her property taxes on the house and acreage have not been paid for a year.  My aunt, my sister, and myself are just trying to get the land put in the proper hands so we can take over paying the taxes on our shares, and if he loses his then that's on him.   Is there a way for force the will to be probated?

Answer: Nope, but you can just file a copy of the death certificate, ask to be appointed an administrator of the estate, and go from there. If you've got a copy of the will file that and ask to be made executor.


Title: A guy who has been dead for 80 years is zapped back to life in present day New York with no documents and no one alive who knows who he is. How screwed is he?

Question:
I just finished replaying the Blackwell series, I've been wondering about this, and I know other people who have played this game have too. (Spoilers ahead, but this game came out in 2013, so...)

Joey is a tailor who was murdered in 1930s New York. Shortly afterwards, his ghost was bound to Patricia Blackwell, who is a Bestower (someone who helps lost ghosts pass on). When Patricia dies, he is then bound to her daughter Lauren, and after Lauren's death, Lauren's niece Rosa. At the end of the last Blackwell game, Rosa has had the entire universe shoved inside her head (it's complicated). As her last act before she dies, she zaps Joey back to life (with a new body and everything). Rosa was the only person alive who had *any* idea who Joey is. Joey has no official identification of any kind. Even if he located his original birth certificate (or SSN or what have you), it belongs to someone who has been dead for decades and it's not like he can walk into the DMV and just explain to them that he's been a ghost for the last 80 years.

So, how screwed is Joey?

Answer:
 Fairly.  With no way to prove his identity, it would be incredibly difficult to *create* a new one.  There would be no easy way to get things like an SSN, so he would not be eligible for... almost anything.   He'd be relying on handouts from people and working jobs under the table.  A lawyer might be able to help him out, but it would be an uphill battle.

See also:  [the case of Benjamin Kyle.](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjaman_Kyle)


Title: Wife won't let me take my daughter to family get together

Question: I am going to a family get together tomorrow and my wife didn't want to go because she can't handle our daughter crying in the car. She said I'm not taking our daughter either because she's her mother. Do I give in and go by myself or take our daughter even if she says no. Can anything happen to me legally if I take her? We are in Michigan

Answer: Unless there is a court order dictating otherwise, any parent can take their child anywhere (for all intents and purposes).


Title: [NJ] Can I sue my best friend for property damage?

Question: Ill try and keep this short. Me and my best friend had a major falling out, with no sign of reconciliation. Whenever she was in my car, she would smoke without my permission, and because of this there are now about 5 cigarette burn marks on the upholstery. Do I have the legal authority to sue for this, and what would I need to bring to the court as evidence. Thanks in advance!

Answer:
 So after the first time she did it you never let her back in the car again right? Or do you pull over and kick her out the minute she lights up?Answer #2: Did you kick her out each time she lit up, or did you let her keep smoking?

This is one you should probably just walk away from if you want this person out of your life.


Title: Possible illegal content on a automatically curated website

Question:
Hello /r/legaladvice.

I have created a website that crawls images from imgur, and identify if they are porn images or not. Then the porn images are displayed on the website I am building.

The only problem is that I have seen that some images actually contains underage nudity. Now I don't actually hosts the images, I just host and identifier that permits me to retrieve the image from Imgur website.

I plan on implementing a button to report an image that will trigger a manual verification, and then the deletion of the image.

Now my question is, can I face legal proceedings because of this ?

EDIT: The server that is hosting the website is situated in France

Answer: Your entire site is based around stealing content from Imgur? Seriously?


Title: My workplace has told me to remove my personal keyboard and mouse, or they would 'hold it hostage'

Question:
I'm not sure if this is even in the right sub... but I work at a call center as a inbound messaging rep, where there the majority of the employees take inbound calls, not instant messages like I handle. We've recently got new computers and were supplied a standard rubber dome keyboard and mice with them. Some of us have opted into bringing our own keyboard... some just have their themes of desk that they way (EG hello kitty, batman, etc), while others choose to bring mechanical keyboards (admitting for the same reason) arguably for their comfort benefit for long hours of typing. I've also been using a Logitech MX pro as my mouse of choice (though some days I use my Logitech MC vertical).

Today my manager has told me that the IT department came over to my desk and said I am to remove those belongings from my desk or have them held hostage (confiscated).

There are plenty of other people that use their own peripherals, I feel like I'm being singled out and stuck in a corner... what are my options?

I'm not using these peripherals to look better then anyone, or to decorate, these things actually make a difference and improve my performance at work, and it seems like I'm being punished for wanting to improve my work space..

Answer: You don't have any options.  As much as I like the Hello Kitty theme, the boss can tell you you cant bring your own things.  If you refuse to comply you can be fired and have your UI revoked.


Title: Election board employee told me I couldn’t register to vote because I had an out-of-state driver’s license- is this true?

Question:
Hi r/legaladvice! Apologies if this is posted in the wrong sub, I’m happy to remove if it is. This occurred in PA, US.

About two years ago, my fiancé and I moved from my home state to PA, where we lived in county A, where I registered to vote with no issue. Recently, we moved to county B (which is still in PA). Upon moving, I attempted to change my voter registration to our new address- the registration form stated that I could provide my PennDOT-issued ID number OR PA driver’s license number OR provide my signature. I opted to give my signature because I’ve opted to maintain my driver’s license in my home state. I submitted my registration form and received an email stating that all was good, that my “application had been accepted” and would be reviewed by the county election board.

Yesterday I received a letter in the mail from County B’s election board stating that I had to provide a PennDOT ID number by October 9th (ummm what) in order to vote in this November’s election. I was a bit confused, so I called the election board’s office and explained why I couldn’t provide a PennDOT ID number. She told me that in order to vote in PA, I needed a valid, state-issued ID (which I kind of think is BS- I had no issues in county A) and that I was too late anyways. She ended the call with “by the way, what you’re trying to do may even be illegal!” And then hung up on me.

Normally i’d just let the matter rest but this beezy was pretty rude and I’m not sure what she meant by her last comment. Obviously, I’m not going die because I can’t vote but I live and pay taxes here, and didn’t have this issue in our last county! I’m also not taking issue with the “too late” thing- although my application was filed before the October 9th deadline. A cursory Google search reassures me that I haven’t broken any laws or anything, so I guess my question is: what the hell?! Did I actually break some weird PA election law? Can I really not vote because I don’t have a PA-issued ID?

Answer:
 You can't keep a driver's license in a place you aren't living, with a few exceptions - mainly military and political.

Identification and driver's licenses aren't "pick where you want".
 You're in violation of PA law by failing to change your license within 60 days of residency.

So you got two choices:

1.  Maintain residency in other state(if possible), keep ID, vote there.
2.  Change residency to PA, new ID, vote in PA.

Your call.


Title: How to get a refund for my Gold's Gym membership? [CA]

Question:
6 days ago, I read a Gold's Gym ad on Google that said "join for $5 and bring a friend free for 5 months." I filled out the form and a member called me the next day, setting up an appointment. I received a text message saying I have an appointment with a certain employee but that employee never showed up so someone else had to sign me up.

I ask her about the $5 offer promo code, she says no worries she'll set me up. I go through the signup process being offered personal training sessions and posture correction sessions which I deny, and in the end she pays me the full price for a month-to-month membership. It was about $100 down and $30 monthly. I still sign up because I need to workout. I didn't even get to read the contract and she made me sign multiple times for each clause. I did not get a copy of the contract in the end either.

Then I discover my dad's work insurance can get me the same membership at Gold's Gym or Anytime Fitness for $25 monthly, $25 applicable fees, and $25 for the next month; so $75 upfront.

So I go in person to cancel, and they make me fill out a cancellation form. They tell me I still have to pay for the next month. I walk out of there and realize I only lost by signing the form, since I'm effectively losing the $100 down payment I paid for. So I ask them if I can get a refund and they tell me they'll need to get the manager who's only in from 9am to 6pm.

I have no idea what things to bring up tomorrow since I don't have a copy of the contract. It's been 5 days since I signed the month-to-month contract, can I still get a partial or complete refund of my membership fees? I saw they have a 30 day satisfaction guarantee online (https://www.goldsgym.com/30-day-guarantee/) where I can get a refund as long as I meet some criteria. I am in Thousand Oaks, California for the reference.
Topic:
Contracts

Answer:
 Never sign something before reading it.

You signed a contract then cancelled the contract. I assume the $100 is standard cancellation process so congratulations, you've now cancelled your contract. You can't uncancel it just to potentially get a cut on your cancellation fees.


Title: [MA] Injured while playing a children's game.

Question:
I was playing a game called ninja (description here: http://www.ninjaslap.com/ -- it's basically like playing tag but with hands) with coworkers at a party. One person elbowed my nose, fracturing one side.

The otolaryngologist tried to set it back, causing severe pain. It didn't fix the issue entirely, since the nostril is harder to breathe out of. The air passageway inside the nostril is noticeably smaller. In the winter, it was prone to bleeding.

The co-worker refuses to help pay for the medical costs (under $1k).

Do I have any recourse against him for any of this? There is the damage caused to my nose, the pain suffered (from the injury and the medical appointment), the cost of these appointments, and persisting issues.

Answer:
 Personally, I think the assumption of risk is gonna kill any chances you have at successfully recovering anything from your co-worker here.

Also, this is *nothing* like the game of tag.


Title: 16, US, How can I legally bond myself to a contract as a 16 year old?

Question: Hi, US, Pennsylvania, when I turn 18 I receive a large amount of money. I am planning on buying a car soon and having my mom pay for it then pay her back when I'm 18. The thing is, she's been screwed over by another family member in a similar situation a few years ago. And she doesn't want to enter another agreement like this where I can just not pay her and she can't do anything about. What can I do so that I'm legally bound to pay her when I'm 18?

Answer:
 Buy a car you can afford to purchase. Then upgrade when the trust kicks in.

Because if you wreck the fancy car in 6 months, you probably aren't going to pay for it in 2 years.


Title: Girlfriend's landlady told girlfriend and girlfriend's parents "there are rumors that I messed with [girlfriend's] daughter." (KY)

Question:
It seems a pretty cut and dry case of defamation per se.  The landlady also told my girlfriend that another tenant had seen me having sex with someone outside in the field, but I'm not sure if her parents were there for that one.  Thankfully, the girlfriend and her parents know the child-stuff is untrue, so I can count on them as witnesses.

* The statements made were untrue

* If the landlady believed the statements to be true, she would have contacted social services instead of telling my girlfriend

* There is absolute damage to my reputation and well-being as a result of these statements

I don't even know where to start.  The landlady just started 2 weeks ago.  The apartments are section 8, government-subsidized housing, mostly for impoverished single parents.  I'd been staying at my girlfriend's for a couple months while recuperating from a leg injury but wasn't on her lease.  Before the leg injury, I visited her often enough that most of the other tenants just assumed I lived there, but I had submitted my lease and cable bill from my place as proof of residency elsewhere when the previous landlady requested it.

The new landlady insisted she needed an up to date copy.  Within 3 days, she told my girlfriend that I was only allowed to visit her 3 days per week, then the next day she told my girlfriend that I had to be gone from the property for 2 weeks in order to prove that I wasn't staying with her.  She threatened my girlfriend with eviction if my girlfriend didn't file paperwork at the courthouse to evict me.  The 2 weeks banishment was offered in lieu of that.

I gave no argument, and began staying with a friend nearby (my old lease had expired while my leg was broken).  My girlfriend and I stayed in contact, and I learned about the landlady's statements from her 2 days after I left.

I've been reading case-law this morning and it seems pretty clear that the statements were made maliciously with the intent to harm my reputation.

I know I need to lawyer up, but where do I start?  Can I file the motion myself somehow, or is there free representation available?  Do I file suit against the landlady personally, or the property company?  With 3 witnesses (on camera, no knowledge if they record audio), it seems like it should be pretty straightforward case.  I definitely want it known in open court that I am not the sort of person to do those things, and I feel that these accusations have permanently marred my reputation and probably will subject me to future abuses.

I've never been involved in or watched any civil case, and the only criminal cases I've been were stupid misdemeanors when I was younger.  I don't really know how any of this works and I don't have any income.

Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer:
 > I've been reading case-law this morning and it seems pretty clear that the statements were made maliciously with the intent to harm my reputation.

Hold your horses there, Matlock.

First, what evidence do you have that the landlady committed a **known** untruth?  If the landlady's statements are accurate, then you don't have defamation.  For instance, if there really *are* rumors that you boned her daughter, she's not defaming you.  Same with the sex in a field thing - if someone did say it, then it's not defamatory.

I'm not sure where you think social services comes into play - I feel like there's a part of the story you're missing her.  The rest of your issues have nothing to do with your defamation claim.Answer #2: Ignoring all the other factors for a moment, you say there is "absolute damage to your reputation." What is that damage specifically? Since the whole point of defamation law is to take care of injuries to reputation, those suing for defamation must show exactly *how* their reputations were hurt by the false statement.

Now back to what the landlady said, if she was just repeating what someone else told her, she is not someone you could go after for defamation. If a neighbor told her "I saw Fred eating an apple" and she told someone else "Mary said she saw Fred eating an apple" then she's telling the truth, whether or not Fred ate an apple.


Title: My estranged wife looted my house and had my girlfriends car towed.

Question: . We were separated last june she moved from Michigan to Wisconsin., we had a stipulated divorce agreement and a date for court in Wisconsin . She canceled the divorce(told the judge she was moving but has yet to move) but our notarized separation agreement remains in effect. It states that I have possession of the home and that all property has been divided to the satisfaction of both parties. I took a job a few states away, she enters the property, sold my possessions and had my girlfriends car removed (at this point we can't find it). So my question is this, Is my notarized separation agreement enforceable in small claims court or only in divorce court? And what steps should I now take other than filing a report with the police which I already have.

Answer:
 INAL so I would think the first thing you would be doing is contacting your lawyer asap, if you dont have one, now is the time to get one. Those cheap divorces are never worth it in the end. Answer #2: The police should be aware of your girlfriend's car location, people usually cannot just have a tow vehicle show up anywhere for any reason. They're cautious about doing legitimate tows. Answer #3: 0) You already have a police report.

1) Call your insurance company and file a claim.  Whatever you do not get back from them you can sue your wife for.  And of course, call your GF's auto insurance to file a claim too.

2) Call the police and see if they have located the car;  Possibly call local towing companies.

3) Call your lawyer.Answer #4: How do you know it was your ex-wife, and that you weren't just robbed?Answer #5: If your separation agreement was in the clear to begin with, why was your first action *not* to re-key the house, change your alarm code, remove your ex as an authorized representative for... well, everything, etc.?

Not necessarily legal advice, but I would strongly suggest that you fix that much of it ASAP, assuming that separation agreement holds water.Answer #6: Contact your homeowners/renter's insurance. Answer #7: File a police report for the theft of the car and the belongings, call your lawyer and ask about a contempt motion.Answer #8: I'm just a little confused about the location.  The house is in Michigan, but you are not.  She is in Wisconsin.  Or was until she came to the house in Michigan.

Why is the divorce for Wisconsin then?  just because it was easier for her?  Or am I mistaken about where the house is?


Title: Leaving my restaurant job for 2 1/2 months to sing with the opera.. They are trying to tell me I will lose all my shifts

Question: I'm in Studio City, CA... leaving for Utah for less than 10 weeks and they're saying I can't get my shifts covered. I'm on a w2 and been at the job for 7 damn years...(thanks for the loyalty!) I've heard from a few sources that I'm legally allowed a 90 Day Leave of Absence without the risk of being terminated? Do I have any rights here or am I up shit creek without a paddle?

Answer:
 > I've heard from a few sources that I'm legally allowed a 90 Day Leave of Absence without the risk of being terminated?

Not to sing with the opera.  If your employer has more than 50 employees in a 75 mile radius, you'd be covered by FMLA for up to 12 weeks but only for medical leave.  Taking another job for 10 weeks isn't protected under any law and they can fire you for doing so.  Answer #2: What are these 'few sources'? I'm pretty doubtful that's true, it would certainly be a very rare exception to the general law of the land. Company loyalty, alas, doesn't usually mean much in the business world.

Would finding a comparable job afterward be extremely difficult? You'll have to judge the job market in your area and decide if (presumably) following your dreams for the chance to sing in the opera is worth the risk of having to job hunt immediately on return.Answer #3: Loyalty? You are leaving for 10 weeks.  Kind of a high horse you are sitting on there.Answer #4: I would fire you too....


Title: I was just wondering this today as I left my parents' apartment complex.

Question:
They have an automated gate and to the side is a big sign that says they are not responsible for damaged caused by any gate malfunction.

Does this sign really absolve them of any responsibility, or was there some sort of malfunctioning gate precedent set? Is the sign just bogus and a way to keep people from suing them?

If their gate blew up and decapitated me or one of my loved ones due to poor upkeep I would be miffed.

Edit: I live in Texas.

Answer: If you could show they negligently or deliberately did something to cause damages they could still be successfully sued. Just like when you participate in some dangerous activity like sky diving you have to sign a waiver. If your family member was in the plane and the pilot purposefully crashed it, you could still have a wrongful death case.


Title: Oregon. My grandmother is seeking conservatorship over her husband. Her husband has a son that is doing the same. Can her husband's son do that?

Question: [deleted]

Answer: The court will decide what is in the ward's best interest. If your GM's finances are co-mingled with her husband's, son may have a more difficult time in getting conservatorship. Is son also seeking to be the man's guardian? GM's attorney will be better able to explain the process and the proof necessary.


Title: Mechanic asking $900 to repair exact same problem as 4 months ago when it was $1500.

Question:
CT, USA

My wife's 2004 Subaru Forester had some noisy rear wheel bearings four months ago.  Unfortunately the entire mounting bracket needed a replace as the bolts were too rusted to replace just the bearing assembly.  It cost her around 1500 parts and labor to replace that with a used part the shop recommended.  They also offered a brand new part that would take time to ship and cost close to double.  We chose the used one, which, we were told, was in far better shape and much newer than the one that we were replacing.

Fast forward to this week and the same issue has occurred.  Loud bearings.  Took it to same place, and they are quoting $900 to fix the exact same problem the exact same way.   It's cheaper because we are told they are trying to work with us because we just spent $1500 with them four months ago.

I've never had a problem with this place and trust them quite a bit.  I don't think they are running a scam or bring dishonest.  But part of me feels that they should be holding their supplier of the part responsible for something like this, and not us.

A legal minded friend of mine suggest we pay and get the work done and then file a small claims suit against them.

Are we totally screwed on this?  What do you all think?  What info am I leaving out?

As the car is in the shop as we speak I don't have a hard copy of the service agreement to go on...before anyone asks about that.

EDITS:
Location.
The part is out of its 90 day warranty.
The "legal minded friend" is not a lawyer.  I don't know why I even used that term.  It's just a friend who suggested considering a small claims suit, that's all.
I know the part is used, but we're talking about a wheel bearing which is good for a lot of miles...how many miles were on the one we were given...don't know.
The car is 2006, not 2004.  Probably negligible.

Thanks for the replies keep them coming!

Answer:
 You had the option of new parts or used, and you chose used. They came with a 90 day warranty because they are not as reliable as new. And now they failed after the warranty expired.

The shop owes you nothing.

They are even working with you and giving you a discount to fix it again because the part failed so soon. Take them up on the offer, hopefully with a new part or better quality used part.

If you have them do the work and then sue, the judge is going to rule in their favor. The shop has done exactly what you asked and charged you the price you agreed upon. "Feeling Wronged" is not a legal argument.


Title: NH: Applied for a job and the employer made an error with my file so my application was not considered until after the position had been filled

Question:
I had applied to be an RA at my university. The way their hiring process works is students go through the university’s application process and are given a numerical score based on their performances. There is a points threshold to help narrow down the application pool. If you meet your threshold, your file is kept in the application pool which hall directors look over and hire from. However, if you do not meet the threshold, your file is removed from the pool. All applicants above the threshold that are not hired are placed on a wait-list in case one of the hired RAs drops out.

I went through the application process and when the results came out I was denied. However, a day later, I was called into the housing office because there had been an error with my file. One of my scores from the application process was not added by the computer and had this score been added, I would have been above the threshold. They put me on the wait-list since it was after the hall directors had looked over all the files and filled the open positions. They did inform me that my score fell in the lower quarter of all the applicants and other applicants who had been wait-listed all had scores in the lower quarter as well.

I’m not sure if this is the right place to post but I didn’t know if there was anything I could do about the situation.
Topic:
Labor Law

Answer: legally? no, there's nothing you can do. it was an error.


Title: AirBnB contract, is it excessive?

Question:
I have stayed at a couple of AirBnBs before, and never had to sign a waiver like this. The host said their daughter is a paralegal or something and insists that the have this form signed. I am not linking a post to the actual rental, but it is basically a hunting shack with no running water, but looks otherwise in very solid shape.

Maybe this is totally normal and warranted, but it caught be off guard and is not something I had heard of before.

Picture of the contract from AirBnB host with identifying information blocked out: [https://imgur.com/a/BwokUlX](https://imgur.com/a/BwokUlX)

Answer:
 I'd forward that on to AirBnB's customer service. There's a good chance they have no idea that the lister is asking guests to sign an additional agreement, and AirBnB [requires](https://www.airbnb.ca/terms?locale=en#sec7) house rules and other restrictions to be disclosed in the listing. If any of their terms conflict with AirBnB's terms, AirBnB might well drop them as a lister.

AirBnB also requires that listers agree to let to guests based only on the AirBnB acceptance:

> 7.1.7 When you accept or have pre-approved a booking request by a Guest, you are entering into a legally binding agreement with the Guest and are required to provide your Host Service(s) to the Guest as described in your Listing when the booking request is made. You also agree to pay the applicable Host Fee and any applicable Taxes.

If you're being required to sign an extra agreement or denied service because you refuse to do so, on an accepted request, you can probably force a refund.

Requiring a _notarized_ liability waiver is absolutely bonkers, and is not normal.


Title: [California] A coworker of mine won't leave me alone despite telling them to stop contacting me. Is there anything I can do?

Question:
I started a new job last year and ended up becoming good friends with one of my coworkers. After about five months of working together, this coworker decided they were in love with me and things got really weird. They asked me out, but I said I wanted to focus on being friends before anything went further.

Soon they were asking me really personal questions in regards to my relationship and sexual history, and they started getting really overbearing and controlling. They were trying to set limits on what I could and couldn't do, which made me really uncomfortable. They even said things like I had to be true to them, even though we weren't dating.

After a while, I started trying to distance myself -- from most people because I was feeling overwhelmed, but especially from this person. They started getting agitated and would constantly message me about why I couldn't give them attention or be the friend they needed while they were going through a rough patch. I tried to offer my support as best I could while going through my own issues, but it was never enough for them. I told them to seek professional help, which they did, but it seemed like more of an attempt to talk to me more.

I told them several times that I needed space, but after a few days of limited contact, they would immediately start sending me messages again, asking again why I couldn't be a better friend or couldn't be there for them.

Eventually, they sent me messages at work saying that they were suicidal and they didn't care if I was frustrated or not because I couldn't be the friend they needed.

I reported this incident to higher-ups at my work, but more out of concern for my coworker's well-being. I left out details of their contact with me outside of work because I felt it was a personal matter at the time, and also my coworker had made me feel like everything was my fault and that one misstep from me would cause them to do something drastic.

After a few spiteful messages, this coworker started acting like everything was okay between us. Almost like nothing happened. I tried to interact with them in a civil manner because I felt they were still unstable, and also because I felt a bit guilty, but I made it clear that our friendship was over and that we shouldn't interact anymore.

I began ignoring this coworker and shut then out after telling them that we shouldn't interact anymore and they didn't take the request seriously.  On one day when I ignored them, they kept sending me messages at work trying to get my attention. They eventually got angry at the lack of a response and stormed out. They ended up talking to a lead about quitting, and they ended up deciding to take a break from work.

What followed were a series of texts and e-mails saying that whether or not they returned to work was on me and that there was a deadline to work everything out "peacefully." They basically made me feel guilty again for what happened and made me feel responsible for whatever became the outcome of the situation.

I responded with one text in simple terms for them to stop contacting and interacting with me, to which they responded with more messages, phone calls, and e-mails. This time, instead of anger, they were sad and desperate in tone.

It's gotten to a point where this person has driven out to an area near my work to meet with me, even though I never agreed to any of this or even responded to their messages. They've also been near the area of my home in case I wanted to talk.

I was wondering, is there any chance to get a restraining order against them? They know where I live, and obviously where I work, and their constant messages have caused me to have breakdowns at work. I'm not sure if my situation would meet the guidelines for one, although my friends believe my coworker's mental and emotional instability, as well as suicidal thoughts, are cause for alarm. There haven't been any incidents of violence, however. My friends also believe that their behavior and messages seem really obsessive.

If a restraining order isn't an option, what other alternatives are there? Sorry if I broke any rules in this post. Thanks for any input!

Answer:
 Let me ask you this: why, for the love of god, have you continued to engage with this person for any reason? Your continued contact is sending mixed messages, fueled by your guilt. You have no reason to continue to speak to a person who is so mentally unhinged that he may have become dangerous to you.

You need to gather a record of all of your interactions and seek a restraining order.


Title: Is my HOA trying to stop AirBnB and do I have any legal defense?

Question:
BOSTON:

Originally posted in AirBnB/fuck HOA

I rent Mon-Thurs as I am a consultant who travels.

I believe my HOA is slowly trying to stop AirBnB. They notified me by letter that they added move in and move out fees of $100 each which "...deflect the cost of interior maintenance due to move in and move out frequencies".

Is there any hope that my rental is so short and not truly "moving in/out" that I could have legal grounds if challenged?

Also - this says it was implemented as of August. Our annual meeting is held in September.  Does it seem like an additional meeting was held where this was approved and I was not invited?

Please save me Reddit! I would be crushed without AirBnB as an income source.

Answer: It is not uncommon these days for landlords and HOAs to take measures to stop Airbnb tenants. There are valid reasons to not want Airbnb usage in their community. This will be a long fight you have to decide if you really want to put a lot of energy into this


Title: Can a land lord collect rent from almost 2 years ago?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 >Does he have a legal right to this money even though its been 2 years?

Yes.  You owed him.  He doesn't have the money and you do (without regard to what you may have subsequently done with that money).  The statute of limitations has not passed.


Title: What are my self defense rights against clowns in California?

Question:
Had our first "creepy clown" sighting in my town today, about two miles from my place at a local park where people often play PokemonGo at even at night. Saw a kid in a clown mask. Later saw the news and apparently they chased and scratched a car. Decided to buy a steel bat to keep in my car.

If I'm being physically charged at by a clown (even if they intend to stop) am I within my rights to defend myself? What if they have a weapon? What if they don't? What about if they are damaging my car? What am I realistically allowed to do and claim in self defense if I feel threatened? My wife walks to work every evening about two blocks from our place. If she gets attacked by clowns on the way to work I want to know she can legally crack someone's fucking face open if she has to.

Answer: Same as against anyone else. Reasonable force to defend yourself (and only defend yourself).