Title: US citizen[WA] accuses a friend of mine[EU] of espionage.

Question:
Hello, my friend worked overseas during the summer 3 years ago. He had fun and and a coworker of his told him that he could live in their house (mother with 7 children). The mother had a problem with her husband and they were separated( I do not know the full story) and as far as I know, she showed him(my friend) all the SMS she's gotten from the husband(I do not know why, perhaps as evidence in case something happened to her) etc etc.(he has mental problems and is abusive)

Now, 3 years later she is accusing him of espionage and wants a formal letter demanding all the information about how long he has been doing it and for how much money etc, if he doesn't provide this letter she will contact the FBI and ICE.(obviously my friend is innocent, and I don't know why she suddenly decided to accuse him after 3 years)

So far we told my friend not to answer to that writing. But what if she does act? What should my friend do in that case? Any advice?

Thank you
Topic:
Non-US

Answer: He should ignore the woman from this day forward. If the FBI, ICE or any police officer calls or shows up at his door he should not talk to them without a lawyer present.


Title: [VA Beach, VA] Passing a School bus Loading Children

Question:
Hello everyone.  Just this morning, I was pulled over for failing to stop at a school bus loading children. I understand it's completely my fault and I messed up; I just didn't realize what I had done until I had already passed. (Bus was in the opposite lane heading the other direction; no median). It was truly an honest mistake (I saw another driver had stopped and thought he was stopping to turn left, so I went around him, without realizing there's a stopped schoolbus. I was running late for work and had a new trainee opening with me, so I was in a bit of a rush, and acted faster than my brain...

When the cop pulled me, I was fully cooperative. He even cracked a joke. (I told him "my wallets a metal money clip, so you don't mistake it since it's made of metal," and he said "okay. Any guns? Knives? Machetes? Chainguns? Rocket launchers?" And I said no and we both kinda chuckled)  However, he wrote me a ticket for a Class A traffic Violation; 46.2-859 for "Passing a schoolbus taking on children," with a mandatory court summons, no way to pre-pay.  I have actually well over a month before court, however, it's still very stressful and I want to be as prepared as possible.

I've read already that it's a serious offense, that can result in jail time, license revocation, demerits on license, and a hefty fine. So, I tried to get in touch with a few lawyers local to the area. So far, I've only been able to speak directly with one of them; he said that more often than not he's able to get them out on technicalities, but in the event he's not, we went over "damage control."

He said before court, take the 8-hour defensive driving course from Idrivesafely.com for Point Reduction Services, and to have the certificate mailed to me directly.  As well, he asked about my driving/criminal history, (no crimes ever, only an equipment failure for traffic violations which was swiftly resolved), if I was working/going to school (going to school and working, both full time (16 hours of school per week, 40+ hours of work per week)), what my GPA was (I told him I believed it to be a 3.0 and he said I should consider getting a transcript because some judges it really helps to show you're just trying to better yourself and messed up).  The big ones were that I had a clean driving and criminal record (I actually have accumulated good points to burn), no children were endangered, I was respectful and courteous to the officer, and - even though it was a road without a median - the bus was on the other side, which can put it in a different perspective depending on the judge.

He says he has about a 95-90% certainty he'll be able to get it down to a civil case without jail time or a suspended license, but whatever fines and penalties that brings. He was a lot of help. I found him on Avvo, which is supposedly a good website. He quoted me at $300 retainer fee, and another $300 before court down the road.

I still have phone consultation appointments for 2 more lawyers today, and I can see about getting more appointments in the following days, however this is where I'm at so far.  I'm just trying to gather as much information possible at this point.

I guess I'm posting this to see any other potential advice. Any rights or wrongs before I go any further? Any do's and don'ts? Anything I've already done wrong that's fixable/unfixable?    I welcome and thank any and all serious advice!

Answer:
 Keep in mind that not all traffic tickets get thrown out. You may wind up paying $600 for a lawyer \+ the full penalty. This varies by locality, but judges don't like giving much leeway when children are involved \-\- especially for something so obvious.

By all means, talk to the lawyer and follow their advice. That's your best bet.Answer #2: OP- Consulting with more than one lawyer is always a good idea. It sounds to me that the first lawyer you talked to suggested some excellent idea/approaches. I can't think of anything else I would add.


Title: I called CPS on my mother and her boyfriend, I'm scared.

Question:
I'm from Canada, here we have Children Aid Society, I called it CPS to get more people in because I am genuinely scared. I'm 18 years old and live with my mom (I got taken away from them when I was 11 months and lived with my grandparents until I was 16 and decided to move here on my own, I regret this choice immensely) and her boyfriend and my two younger siblings, 11 and 7. A month ago I went into CAS and told them everything that has been going on, verbal harassment, slander against each other to make the kids favor one more than the other, slight physical abuse towards one another, Verbal harassment towards my siblings, and the list goes on.

Yesterday CAS called my mom, she talked on the phone with them and then went upstairs to tell her boyfriend who she just talked to, he freaked on her and slammed the door to there room. They argued for a while as they normally do, slandered each other (the kids weren't home.) My mom left the room and I heard him uttering open ended threats accusing the neighbors of calling. He said things like "I wish they had came and talked to me in person! I would have hit them right away!" "Man I wish I could kill these people!" and uttering other open ended threats I don't remember. Today he was saying things like "When I find out who it was, which I will because they have to tell me, we're gonna have a problem!" I did some googling and found out CAS doesn't have to keep me anonymous and most likely wont keep me anonymous.

I didn't know at the time that I talked to CAS but the boyfriend's sister is involved in hard drugs and is having a case with CAS right now, moms BF has expressed extreme discontent about this situation and how CAS is out to get her. (From what I've heard because he isn't a quiet individual, she has no plans on getting clean) Regarding this situation I heard him say and I quote "Why is it illegal to kill somebody who's hurting your family?"

He keeps saying how he hates my grandparents and thinks it was them who talked to them, it was 100% my choice and I don't regret it. In my eyes the situation Is and has gotten worse. It shows no signs of stopping either. I could leave and live with my grandparents again until this blows over but the second I leave for an extended duration they will know it was me. I don't know when CAS will show up and talk to them but when the do I don't know what I'm going to do.

On a side note my moms boyfriend has been saying things to my siblings about how CAS wants to tear the family apart and is saying things to make them scared. I might be wrong but I think I heard him say 'I think it was your brother' (I'm extremely paranoid so I may be hearing this because I'm worried.) Both my mom and her boyfriend smoke constant weed, he doesn't and won't work and my mom can't feed five of us. there's little to no food for the longer half of the week.

What do I do?

TL;DR: I called CAS on my mom and her boyfriend because of harassment and abuse and constant drug use in the home, CAS doesn't guarantee anonymity and the boyfriend has made physical threats (some as far as killing) towards whoever called. I live in the house. I can go to my grandparents who I lived with for most of my life but the second I leave they will know it was me. What do I do?

&#x200B;

Answer:
 Leave. Find a protective service. And if he does show up, call the police. Just be careful and do what you think is right Answer #2: I mean, you call them back and report that due to your report he's threatening murder. Then you leave. I mean, I get this is a case of "the devil you don't know vs. the devil you do", but shit, don't get murdered.Answer #3: Even when anonymity is guaranteed from CPS, it's generally just a process of elimination to figure out who made the report.  There are very few people, possibly only you, who would have the knowledge to make the report you did.  At best, it's a very short list. Eventually, they will likely put the pieces together and figure out it was you, and if you stay, you may be in danger when they do.

This is not a knock on you, this is the case for many CPS reports.

Please leave and get yourself to safety ASAP.  If the boyfriend makes additional physical threats directed at you, report those to the authorities.  Answer #4: Can you go back to your grandparents?  If so, I would do that ASAP and contact child services and inform them of what is going on once you are safe.


Title: If I could psychicly stop someone's heart and kill them could the law do anything?

Question: Like cam the law do anything about super humans? Like if a dudewith laser eyes mowed down abunch of people could they do anything?

Answer:
 There are three branches of government, and the law is slow to catch up to developing circumstances.

So eventually, a law would be passed detailing how to deal with super humans.  And then there would be a series of court challenges to those laws and a series of judicial opinions written over the course of years that would solidify and confirm or limit aspects of that law.

And only then would it be considered "settled law" where everyone is pretty comfortable with the state of the legal system as it relates to that issue.

But if you are a super human, and you're regularly using your powers to stop the heartbeats of people who annoy you, and the law hasn't caught up yet...

...then it would not be unreasonable to expect some sort of executive action to prevent further harm to society.

Say, a covert ops sniper takes a shot at you from 800 yards away.  You never see it coming, you don't have a chance to stop his heart.  You just collapse with a bullet in your head and your murder goes unsolved.Answer #2: Sure. They could be charged with the crimes they commit.

Using your psychic powers or laser eyes to kill someone is really no different than beating them to death with your fists.

Actually capturing and imprisoning someone with super powers may be difficult, but that's not really a legal concern.


Title: (TN) - Can a minor legally give consent to search his cell phone?

Question: [deleted]

Answer: Yes they can search his phone.  If he had child pornography you should seriously consider getting him a lawyer.


Title: Girlfriends job deducts pay from paycheck for absence [texas]

Question: In the event of calling into work they deduct $20 from her paycheck as a type of punishment, is this standard practice in Texas? She is paid hourly plus commission on sales.

Answer: NAL but I am pretty sure this is illegal. File a wage claim with [https://twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/how-submit-wage-claim-under-texas-payday-law](https://twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/how-submit-wage-claim-under-texas-payday-law)


Title: Online mattress company refusing to honor 90 day trial

Question:
I ordered a mattress from an online mattress company based out of Florida (I'm in NY) ~6 months ago. They have a 90 day free return policy. After 45 days, I determined the mattress was too firm, so I exchanged it for a softer mattress. ~2 months later I'm unhappy with the new mattress and decide to just buy a mattress from Sleepy's. Upon contacting the online mattress store to return their mattress, I get an email stating they will not accept the return because it's past the 90 day trial period of the *original* purchase. So basically they're implying that the new mattress didn't come with a 90 day trial. This caveat was never communicated to me by the sales rep, nor is it mentioned anywhere in their trial policy online.

I've tried calling and emailing this company dozens of times but have not gotten any further responses (they almost never answer the phone).

I've called Chase to see if I can open a dispute, but was told that I'm well past the 90 day cutoff. I've looked a little into Small Claims, but am confused on which jurisdiction I'd need to sue in, and whether it'd even be enforceable.

I've had this giant mattress boxed up ready to go in my tiny living room for the past 3 weeks and might be out $1600. Help?

** UPDATE **
Adding their 90 day trial policy:

>Introducing the Industry’s strongest Satisfaction Guarantee! Worried about having an expensive hassle on your plate if you don’t like your mattress? Don’t Be!! We are so confident that you are going to love your mattress that we are offering a 90 Night Trial Period.

>In the event that you are unsatisfied with your purchase, we will pick up the mattress and refund your applicable order total. Shipping to you is already Free, but now we are adding the return shipping free of charge as well. Best of all, we arrange everything with the Shipping companies. All that we ask is that you sleep on the mattress for at least 30 days; long enough for your body to fully adjust to a new sleep surface.

>This free trial period is not applicable to pillows, bed frames, foundations, or massage features as these are smaller, more personal items. A return may be made for any reason, and a full refund will be given unless the mattress is damaged or stained beyond normal use expectations, minus the promotional pricing. Non-returnable items will be deducted from the refund total at their retail price if a return is made. The Mattress must be opened and used for at least 30 days, as this is a trial period. The trial start time is from the date of order placement. You must give us sufficient notice to coordinate shipping (5 business days is a good measure) and receive the mattress back within the 90 day free trial period. The mattress must be properly bagged and boxed for the pickup by the customer. Refund will be given within ten business days of Select Foam receiving the product back. Adjustable beds that are returned will incur a 10-15% restocking fee, depending on size. Your refund will be given in the same manner that the payment was made in. Any order refused at delivery will incur a restocking fee to cover the shipping expenses.

Answer: Why would you assume you could rotate mattresses forever every couple months, on someone else's dime? Are you daft?


Title: How would this be handled in court if it was taken to court? Basically I want to know if she could possibly be charged with murder / manslaughter by attempted suicide.

Answer:
 They thought of this more than a thousand years ago. It's basic [manslaughter.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manslaughter)

> "I didn't mean to, but it happened and I did it."

Unless and until you can prove they *did* mean to, and they did it to do that, you just have to say they caused a death and that sucks.Answer #2: [Snopes says nopes](https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/fallen-angel/):

> Origins: Although likely nothing more than a wish fulfillment fantasy, this legend has appeared as a real news story from time to time...Answer #3: God that was hard to read.Answer #4: I assume murder, or manslaughter at least. Didn't some guy park his car on railroad tracks to kill himself and cause a huge accident? He lived but a ten of people died, he got life in prison.


Title: Update, USA, MO, is my sister responsible for her deceased husband's debts?

Question:
[Original post](https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/4f7c8b/usamissouri_wife_responsible_for_deceased/)

My sister, J, saw a lawyer today and my other sister went along. This is what they were told:

Sister is not liable for deceased husband's debts - she just sends those bills back to sender with DECEASED written on it. She can negotiate with her creditors to pay 10-20%. If anyone hassles her she's to refer them to the lawyer.

There are bills in just deceased husband's name - $16,000, sister is not responsible for that. Her debt is in her name and hers and deceased husband's names - about $19000, that deceased husband ran up and sister turned a blind eye to.

(Sister had foolishly turned their finances over to now-deceased husband and he was illegally gambling.)

Answer: Well the question now is: will she follow that advice? You and your other sister may need to keep on her case.


Title: [WA] Landlord is claiming I violated the "pet residency" addendum by allowing my girlfriend's and parent's dog to visit. Trying to keep my security deposit.

Question:
My landlord is pretty clueless and Ive had to educate her on a lot of WA laws regarding rentals.  This is the last I will hopefully have to deal with her.

There is a $500 pet fee in addition to pet rent for pets at my place.  I do not have any pets, but did allow my girlfriend to bring her small dog over.  My parents would also bring their dogs over when they visited.

Max duration of stay would be 3-4 days every 6 months for my parents who were staying in a spare bedroom.  My girlfriend would stay over several nights a week, but this was only for the last two months of my lease.

Id like to know how to address the pet-rent and security deposit issue.  No damage was done by any of the dogs.  No accidents in the house.  This is only an issue because the busy-body neighbor narced on me after move out.  Is there a legal definition of "residency" for pets?
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer: I feel like "no pets' means they can't stay for any duration of time let alone days and weeks.


Title: Hotel Price Gouging Water Bottles

Question:
I recently stayed at the Hilton Lake Las Vegas, and got kicked out for asking about the the water bottle policy. You may remember the post that got down voted to shit. Lets forget about me getting kicked out, that isn't my concern. My concern is this:

1. They do not allow outside drinks onto the hotel property (I don't know if that is just alcoholic or all drinks. I assume its just alcoholic but anyone of you can verify that easily, and I will update if I find out the info first hand)

2. That as the weather get hotter, the price of the water bottles increase. This I don't know how to prove. And trust me, I hope I'm wrong on this for many reasons.

3. If you google map the hotel, you will see that the hotel is not exactly walking distance to a grocery store. Its about a 10 minute drive.

The reason I have this concern was because they were defensive when I started inquiring into their water bottle policy.

Would this practice be illegal?

This is merely an exercise in thought and logic. I have no skin in the game any more, and do not plan on pursuing legal action in anyway. Thank you for your perspective and opinions.

I found the last post very educational and exciting.

Answer:
 "price gouging" is not illegal, just questionably moral.  Nobody has any legal obligation to provide you bottled water.   The hotel (probably) has a legal obligation to provide you water from the faucet in your room that is safe to drink, if you paid them for a room.  The water has no chlorine in it, I promise.

Some products, like gasoline, might have restrictions on how often you can change the price.


Title: Should I divorce my wife to offset student loan payments?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 So sorry to hear you will actually be expected to repay all that money you borrowed.Answer #2: Why don't you use her increased pay to do something crazy like actually pay off your student loan debt?

Keep in mind that if you divorce you're both giving up medical and financial decision making rights for each other in case of an accident or something, not to mention the property division when she's making significantly more money and all of it will be hers.  Answer #3: > I'm just waiting on that shitty bubble to burst in this country.

Whatever happens won't cause your debt to disappear. Someone gave you money and you'll be expected to pay it back.

> Is this a viable option?

Depends on the exact conditions of your loan. It also means that everything you buy as a couple will be in her name. If she leaves you, you'll be left with nothing.


Title: Accidentally told other side's insurance how many miles I have on my car

Question:
So State Farm called me and told me my car was a total loss, front end is gone, and asked how many miles were on my car. I am a 3rd shift worker and kind of answered my phone and talked to them with out thinking.

Is this going to hurt my case if the other insurance finds out? Plus I am not even sure I gave them the right mileage. Also there Is a chance it was State Farm through my lawyers because that's who they use too for their car assessments.

Answer: Did you think you'd ever get a payout for your car without either insurer knowing the mileage? Relax. Answer #2: Mileage is used to determine the value of a car. The higher the miles, the lower the value. Since your car was deemed a total loss, they were probably asking so they can gauge the value to make you an offer based on the FMV


Title: Racial Comments from employer. Can I take action?

Question: So I just want to know if I can do anthing about comments me employer made. I work for walmart doing remodeling inside the store. When we first showed up our managers split employees into teams to start tasks I was singles out when the manager said "well you are a Mexican so you can paint, mexicans are good painters. " I'm not from Mexico the store was in Burlington  NC

Answer: [EEOC page](http://www.eeoc.gov/laws/types/race_color.cfm) on racial discrimination in the workplace.  A single, off-hand comment like that is not actionable.  What you can do is talk to your employer and say that you did not appreciate that comment.


Title: My soon to be ex husband broke into my residence while I wasn't home and took a ton of things need advice Kentucky.

Question:
My husband took his kids and left Monday night. Tuesday he came back and got his boat. He agreed to come back Wednesday and get the rest of his things so we could agree on what was his.   Tuesday night while I was at an appointment he came back and took a ton of items.  I spoke with a deputy and can't charge him with breaking and entering as it is a shared martial residence.

The thing here is,  he took a lot of things that were mine from before we married and he took a lot of things that belonged to my daughter (her clothes,  her tv, her matress). Do I have legal recourse on these items now? Some of this stuff are things we desperately need.  Also items like the stove,  dryer,  other major purchases he took,  they were martial aquisitions, but he's claiming they are his because we've accrued 5k in credit card debt (some in his name some in mine) since being married.  I've also accrued 8k in student loans since marrying. How are debts settled in divorce court  (kentucky, no fault equal property, no prenup.) As opposed to physical items?

I guess the most pressing question though, is how do I get my daughter's things back?

Answer:
 Wow - you need a divorce lawyer fast!!!  All of this relates to your divorce and should be discussed with a divorce lawyer.Answer #2: >and he took a lot of things that belonged to my daughter (her clothes, her tv, her matress).

Does he have a daughter of his own? Because if not, I'd be very worried that he might be wanting to take your daughter too...


Title: Potential issues for me (TX) donating sperm to a friend (NY)

Question:
[deleted]
Topic:
Custody Divorce and Family

Answer:
 1.  You are fully liable for child support for any children that are conceived from your sperm, unless you go through a sperm bank.  No one can waive child support.  That is a right that belongs to the children, and no contract between the adults will waive it.

2.  Giving up parental rights is rather difficult unless someone else adopts the kids & takes over that responsibility.

3.  Once you give up parental rights, you don't get a "gimme" where you can get back into these kids' lives if their welfare is in jeopardy.

4.  Having unknown or barely known half-siblings is not a "gift" in any way shape or form.

5.  You will have to address these kids in your will (and if you die intestate they will have a right to part of your estate).

This sounds like a cluster fuck of the first magnitude.  Read some posts here about former friends, and how difficult it can get because people change, and sometimes not for the better.

If your friend wants this, work with a proper doctor, and use procedures that treat you as a sperm donor rather than a friend.


Title: Do I have the right to see my dad?

Question:
First of all, sorry if this is the wrong sub to post this.

Location: SC, USA

Anyways, I'm a senior in high school and my parents have been divorced since 2014, my freshman year. I think my mom has sole custody of me and my brothers. We're supposed to spend the weekend with my dad every other weekend but when they first got divorced my mom made us tell him we didn't want to go so eventually he stopped showing up at the meeting place.

Fast forward to now, I graduate from high school in June. I'm a first generation American and going to be the first in my family to pursue education post high school, this includes parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins. I think this is a really big deal, I know my mom is proud of me and I think my dad is too which is why I want to see him before, after or at graduation.

My parents got divorced for reasons unknown to me, my mom says its because he was a deadbeat dad which I find semi-true. He did spend time with me and my brothers and I cherished those times. But when I was in 6th/7th grade I guess this is when they decided to get divorced. I noticed my mom came home late and my dad did too and now my mom is with a guy who apparently she knew before she got divorced so my inference is that they got divorced because they both cheated on each other. If that has anything to do with anything idk.

tl;dr
I want  to see my dad when I graduate highschool, I'll still be 17 so I'm wondering if I'm legally allowed to see him. Parents divorced, mom says because he was a deadbeat and wants nothing to do with me and my brothers, I think it's because they both cheated on each other.

Edit: Location
Topic:
Custody Divorce and Family

Answer:
 Unless you're leaving out something huge (e.g. your dad is in prison for sexually assaulting you), you are legally allowed to see him.

However, if he doesn't want to have anything to do with you, you do not have the legal right to *force* him to see you.


Title: Dog died about 6-8 hours after spay due to cardiac arrest (CA)

Question:
I dropped off my dog to have her spay this morning about 8 am.  She was an extremely healthy 13-month-old Labrador.  I dropped her off and signed off for the mini blood panel, as she'd had another surgery in September where she had the full panel.  They told me she'd probably be coming home about 3 pm.

Around 2:30, they called and told me she had a larger uterus than expected, and so she lost a little more blood than they usually planned on.  They were not sure whether she'd be released by clinic closing at 6 or stay the night.  At this point, I was still not worried.

I was told they'd call around 5 to let me know (clinic closed at 6).  Over the next few hours, I began to worry.  When I heard nothing by 5, I sat on my fingers to give them a chance to call.  Finally, around 5:30, I called and the doctor said they'd decided to keep her for the night so she could be sedated and hydrated as her red blood count was lower than when she came in but within normal range.

At 6:51 PM I got a call from the lead doctor at the clinic.  I already knew that her underling performed the surgery from previous calls.  She started with "I have bad news."  It took me under 3 minutes to ask if my dog was dead.  She is.  I was at the clinic about 10-15 minutes after she called.

I have a necropsy scheduled for tomorrow.  I will be picking up my dog's carcass and delivering it to the other vet.

My big questions:  To what extent can I sue if findings are that they screwed up in some way?  They offered off the bat to not charge me for surgery, to do a private cremation, and (to my mind) palliate me.  Is this suspicious?  If the necropsy finds that they were in any way negligent, can I sue for all costs for the dog (a purebred I paid a good chunk for, plus classes and toys, boarding, food, etc)?  What type of lawyer is best, though I think I can meet CA small claims limits?

Many thanks.

Answer:
 Any surgery on any type of animal -- humans, dogs included -- carries a nonzero possibility of death.  When it happens, cardiac arrest is a common cause of it.  So the fact that your dog died does not automatically mean they did something wrong.

Don't assume that they're being callous in offering to waive their fees and pay for cremation.  Vets love animals, and animal owners, and understand that you're upset.  This could be just good customer service -- I know I wouldn't want to pay for a procedure my pet didn't survive.

If they were at fault, the cost of a puppy of similar breeding to yours, plus the followup cost with the other vet.  I'd be less likely to count on training costs, toys, etc.  In the end, the law treats pets as property.  A parking valet who wrecked your car wouldn't be responsible for the fancy new paint job you got last week.


Title: Not sure how to answer "have I ever been convicted of a felony" in an interview.

Question: Hey so thank you to anyone who can give me any advice on this.  When I was 17 I was arrested for grand larceny, it was stupid and I wish I could go back and change that but I can't. I accepted a guilty plea in exchange for the judge allowing me to finish one year of probation which would in the end drop the charges down to a violation and would seal my record.  I am now 24 and applying for law enforcement jobs.  Does anyone know how to answer the questions "have you ever been arrested" or have you ever been charged with a felony"?  I'm afraid that answering yes will severely hurt my chances of landing a career.

Answer:
 So those are three questions, counting the title:

>Have you ever been arrested?

Any answer other than "Yes" would be a lie.

>Have you ever been charged with a felony?

Any answer other than "Yes" would be a lie.

>Have you ever been convicted of a felony?

From your description, you were convicted of a violation, not a felony. So, no, you haven't been convicted of a felony.

While answering "yes" may hurt your chances of landing a career, lying on the application will *guarantee* that you don't have a career.


Title: Letter to a guy from my sister's highschool, thoughts?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 1) This is extortion, therefore a bad idea.

2) Contracts/agreements based on illegal activities cannot be enforced, so she has no legal remedy to the money.

3) This is a life lesson for your sister. No handing over fake IDs without cash up front. At only $80, she learned it cheaply.

You seem like a half decent lad, so let us talk you off the cliff here. ;)Answer #2: >thoughts?

It sounds like a veiled threat from a crazy person.


Title: [NJ/PA] does Venmo work as good as a check?

Question: I have some dues to pay and was going to send money by the money app Venmo. However in case the other side says they never got it or something, does Venmo count as a clarified payment just like a check would be?

Answer: No. In fact it seems from the 7 Venmo posts we get a day that Venmo is designed to be used to send money to friends/family and that's it and they say so in their TOS and they will drop you like you're hot if you are victimized in the course of violating it.


Title: Need help, advocacy, or advice to fight ''City'' trying to make me get rid of my three pet emotional support hens.

Question:
Hi, can anyone please give me any kind of advice, I have c-ptsd, complex post traumatic stress disorder and a host of other disabilities, and the ''city'' here is trying to make me get rid of my three pet emotional support hens, which are also food security for my family.

They are saying chickens are illegal here, but what about my constitutional rights to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness?

Does anyone know of any advocacy groups, or legal advocacy group where I can get help to fight this? I feel like this should be a federal law that local ordinances can't do this to people on their own property. They are overstepping the Constitution. Why are people allowed to have other animals but not chickens? They are just a bird like any other bird only they give you back something for your trouble in the form of an egg.

I can't keep a dog for emotional support, I've been bitten by dogs and am afraid of them. Their barking makes me jump and shake. I am not afraid of chickens. They are just soft little quiet balls of fluff. I have raised these three from chicks and they mean so much to me.

I'm absolutely broken hearted that they want me to get rid of my hens that are so much comfort to me and so good for me and my family.

Does anyone have any advice at all for me please as to how I can fight this?

Thank you.

Answer:
 >They are saying chickens are illegal here, but what about my constitutional rights to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness?

Knock it off.  The Constitution guarantees no one the right to own chickens. And in general, the Constitution allows local governments to impose those laws that they see as necessary, so long as they do not infringe upon the essential liberties reserved to citizens, of which owning farm animals is not one.  If you do not like them, the remedy is to move to an area with laws you find more acceptable.  In this case, that is especially true as you have the LEGAL REMEDY of moving to a rural area where chickens are permitted.

If you want to live in your current location, however, you must obey local ordinances.  That may mean no chickens.  The Constitution does NOT give you the right to do whatever you want wherever you want.

ESA protections allow you a REASONABLE accommodation from a LANDLORD (generally).  They do not allow you to own animals that are otherwise illegal for you to own, because that is not considered a reasonable accommodation.   A reasonable accommodation is making it easier for you to own a legal animal for your mental health.

That's all assuming you even have the requisite documentation for them to be considered ESAs, which you do not mention.

>They are just a bird like any other bird only they give you back something for your trouble in the form of an egg

I have some news for you about birds: they ALL lay eggs.


Title: Need help about naked pictures of minors, as a minor.

Question:
17 year old male here, living in Ohio. I have a 16 year old almost girlfriend (haven't asked her out yet but she'd say yes if I did).

Basically, she asked me for naked pictures (i have no proof), and I provided them (we both have the pictures but I don't have proof of sending them).

I want to tell her I'm no longer interested, but theres a problem. I have an intuition that she will spread my naked pictures, and I'm both willing and wanting to sue if she does. However, I have naked pictures of minors on my phone (one is of her), as well as I've distributed naked pictures of minors (myself) to her. Will this end up getting me into more trouble than I'd hoped for?

Thank you to everyone that reads.

Answer:
 >I have a 16 year old almost girlfriend (haven't asked her out yet but she'd say yes if I did).

Um.

>tell her I'm no longer interested, but theres a problem. I have an intuition that she will spread my naked pictures, and I'm both willing and wanting to sue if she does.

Just stop. Don't sen naked pictured of yourself to someone else. (legal age or not) and you won't have a problem.

Don't sue he for anything. Calm down. You are way over reacting to something that hasn't happened.


Title: 67 Hours with no overtime?

Question:
I work in the health care field as a per diem. I just got my first paycheck and I received no overtime from this organization. I was told per diems do not receive overtime, however, doesn't the law state that any employer that has an employee work more than 40 hours must be paid overtime? Is this not the case for per diems?  It is a volunteer organization that hires PD to fill vacant openings. Thank you, and sorry if Im breaking any rules.
Topic:
Labor Law (Unions)

Answer: Your location is not optional in this question.  Also, are you a doctor, nurse, something else?  Many jobs are overtime exempt.  Answer #2: It depends in large part on what you do in the "health care field". Many healthcare workers are exempt from overtime laws as they are considered learned professionals.


Title: Hospital charged 60k for 2 days

Question:
I went into the hospital for easily bruising skin and to treat injured liver or pancreas alcoholism.

First thing they do is CAT scan didn't tell me cost \- $$16500 then a bunch of other tests and added fluid bags ECT.

My insurance covers only $2500. I was mislead and bullshit was done.

There is no way I can afford this. What are my options?

Not pay it? Flee the country? I'm so so sick to my stomach.

Answer: What kind of insurance do you have that only pays $2500?Answer #2: Hospitals highball their “services” like freaking crazy. You’ll (likely) be able to talk them down to a much reduced number, but are your sure you don’t mean your insurance deductible is $2500? I’m hoping that’s the case for you


Title: What can happen if i'm caught with a Nembutal bottle? I live in Boston.

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Someone needs to get this person into help ASAP. Please consider calling the suicide hotline, whatever you're going through, death isn't the answer.Answer #2: Reading through your history all I can say is please don't kill anyone, not even yourself

Please call  The suicide prevention hotline,  therapist, a friend, anyone please

 I know this doesn't have any weight coming from a stranger on the Internet but your life is worth something Answer #3: Before you do anything that can't be undone, please talk to someone. Try [this site](http://www.suicide.org/hotlines/massachusetts-suicide-hotlines.html) for some numbers you can call to talk about your problems and hopefully get some help.

As to your legal question, unless you have a legal prescription, you can be arrested for possession.


Title: [Germany/Netherlands] Our Holiday Home changed its owner, now they want to decline our order but we already paid a deposit.

Question:
Me and a group of friends (from Germany) paid a deposit for a holiday home in the netherlands but the owner sold the house and now the new owner wants to decline our reservation, mostly because we are teenagers (one of us is a minor the rest is of age). We already got a rental agreement and had to apply for vacation in our jobs. Do we have any legal right to proceed against them?

I got E-Mails which I could provide if thats helpful.
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer: It seems to me the relevant provision here is art. 7:226 BW, which specifies that rental contracts transfer to the new owner when the place being rented out is sold. Hence, if the rental agreement was finalized before the sale happened the new owner is bound by its terms.


Title: Renters that are confused as hell

Question:
My fiancé and I are renting our first apartment! Hurray! Except, we've been here four months and are experiencing a myriad of problems already.  There have been issues of the upstairs neighbors being noisy and no one responds to our complaints, they called the cops on us for doing nothing. Not the biggest problem. Water has damaged by anime figmas that were stored in the closet. There is mold in all of our vents, the shower (despite scrubbing it), and the closet walls. It is causing health problems. My fiancé is allergic so it hit him first with a rash and sinus problems. We at first figured it was his seasonal allergies acting up, but now I also have a rash, and we both have headaches, frequent nausea, sinus problems, lethargy, and a dry cough. All of which are early signs of mold poisoning. (We have not been to the doctor yet because of insurance reasons) There are MANY damages through out, including damaged walls and ceilings and a missing baseboard. They showed us a sample unit at move in but the sample was fully renovated and remodeled and we were told our unit was too. It was not. We turned in a list of about 36 or 37 items to fixed but not a single one was ever fixed. Tonight we discovered a leak. I have emailed corporate and they allowed us to sudden death our lease, but more and more and more problems have shown up since. We are in North Carolina and need to know if we should pursue legal action against them, and if so, what should we even ask for. Links to pictures of all the problems are below.

https://imgur.com/gallery/1y6qA

Answer: Legal action for what? You're unhappy with the apartment, and it sounds like they're fine with letting you out of your lease early with no penalties. Your options are to stay and deal with it, or move somewhere else.


Title: [USA-KY] Is it illegal for a witness to turn against the party who summoned them to the stand?

Question: Say if i got called as a character witness by a defendant, am i required to answer solely in favor of him? Is it illegal to go against the conditioning i received from his counsel?

Answer: You have a right to say anything you want that is truthful on the stand. Answer #2: Just the opposite.  If you're called to testify, you're required to tell the truth.  If the truth is the opposite of what the people calling you to testify want to hear, they should have considered that before calling you as a witnessAnswer #3: You are required to answer questions honestly. You have no obligation to answer in either party's favor.


Title: How long can a judge hold you in jail for contempt?

Question: I was just reading a story of a guy sitting in jail until he "complies with a court order to decrypt his hard drives." The guy says he can't remember his password and has been sitting in jail for at least seven months. How long can he be there? Could he really be in jail for the rest of his life if he can't, or won't, decrypt his drives?

Answer:
 There's no formal upper limit.

He could, as long as the evidence sought is still relevant and as long as the court believes that he's voluntarily withholding it, be held in jail. At some point the proceeding for which the evidence is sought will continue without it, but if both sides are sufficiently patient that could be years.

The guy you're thinking of, Francis Rawls, [has been in jail for 19 months and counting](https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/mar/23/francis-rawls-philadelphia-police-child-abuse-encryption) - 17 at the time that article was published, two months ago. Note that the court has at least some basis to believe that he's withholding that information voluntarily: his sister testified that she had seen him unlock the drive from memory, but now he claims he doesn't remember the passphrase for it.

It's entirely possible that, for strategic reasons, he's decided that "possibly life, depending on what the courts ultimately decide to do, in prison" is a better outcome than what he'd be convicted of if the contents of that drive were entered into evidence.


Title: Law firm demanding I pay photographer a fee for using his picture by accident! [MA/TX]

Question:
Hi there, I just received an email from a law firm representing a photographer who's work I used on my website advertising classes in Detroit, MI. I can't say that it was an ACCIDENT because I certainly used the photo (a skyline picture) as a placeholder until I could get a proper photo - all other photos on my website have proper license - I obviously never followed through, and that's clearly my B. The law firm stated in the email that they are following up a letter sent by mail (which I did not receive) and that if I don't settle out of court by...

"(1) Immediately after receipt of this email, remove all occurrences of the image from your website(s), cease using it in any way, and confirm in writing that you have done so.

(2) Immediately after receipt of this email, return to our firm the attached Release License, along with your payment in the form of a valid cashier’s check or money order for $1000 payable to ''Lawfirm name''."

....

 "If forced to go to court, my client will ask for the maximum relief possible, which may include statutory damages under 17 U.S.C. §504 for up to $150,000 for intentional infringement or $30,000 for unintentional infringement. My client would also ask the court to have you pay court costs and attorneys fees. "

I am aware I have done wrong and certainly would have removed the image immediately had I realized the mistake I made, but this sounds suspiciously like a scam. Would one not be required to deliver some sort of cease and desist? How should I proceed. I'm not properly incorporated and my "business" isn't really a "business".

I was considering emailing the photographer and saying "oh shit, hey man, super sorry! Didn't mean to do that and would be glad to buy the license or work out something that would satisfy you, but what's up with going to court?", though, I don't know if that would be a wise move/admitting fault/who knows.

Throwaway, obviously, because I'm not sure what I can post online regarding the incident, but any help would be appreciated! I'm in Massachusetts, but live in Texas, the law firm is in California, and the photographer operates out of Michigan.

Thank you!

**Edit: If it matters at all, it seems this lawfirm is notorious for 'copyright infringement extortion'. I am finding all manner of things online about them.**

Answer:
 > but this sounds suspiciously like a scam.

This doesn't sound like a scam to me. This sounds like they noticed your copyright infringement and sent you a settlement letter. So pay it or risk getting sued.

> I'm not properly incorporated and my "business" isn't really a "business".

irrelevant

>  Didn't mean to do that and would be glad to buy the license or work out something that would satisfy you, but what's up with going to court?

What's up with court is that they are threatening to sue you, which they have every right to do. The time to buy a license is prior to using the image. Once you get caught using the image they get a lot more money suing you. If all you had to do was buy the license once you got caught there would be no incentive to buy the license in the first place.


Title: [NYC] Hosted a party and my guests were caught on the elevator camera buying and using cocaine

Question: I live in a co-op in NYC and I invited quite a few people to my apartment for a party. I provided alcohol and food. At one point during the party my doorman called to let me know he saw on his recorded building camera that three of my guests met someone in the elevator. They clearly exchange money for something and then they all put the something to their noses. I’m concerned the doorman will give the video to my building management and board and eventually the police. What responsibility do I have as host?

Answer:
 You don't have any criminal responsibility since the guests weren't using your home to do the cocaine, though you might want to thoroughly clean in case they did without you knowing.

If the events were against your HOA or lease, then you could face punishment from your HOA/landlords.


Title: [Ontario/Canada] My employer put in my contract that i will have to repay the salary I received during my initial training period if i quit before my first 12 months (Max $1500). Is this legal?

Answer: They can't ask you to repay wages, if it would put you below minimum wage. They CAN ask you to repay training costs and repay any other reasonable fee. Its not illegal to ask, and once you sign the agreement you are agreeing to the terms.


Title: Injured ankle because flip flops broke while I was walking down my steps.

Question:
(Pa) I was walking down my basement steps in a pair of flip flops made by a very well known company. At the time they were only purchased 5 weeks ago. Anyway, the thong part that goes between your toes broke and it made me fall down my steps and badly injure my ankle. I was reading reviews for these shoes and saw that there are many that say they broke and are poorly made. Do I have an legal recourse? I'm not a "sue happy" type person but my ankle is seriously messed up and it sucks.
Topic:
Personal Injury

Answer: Just out of curiosity -- how much did you pay for these flip flops?


Title: My classic car was rear ended on a trailer. Not going to be paid for the car or have the damages repaired.

Question: I recently purchased a classic car, it was a 1976 Chevy Camaro. It was on a trailer being towed by a truck that was fully insured and was rear ended. The lady who rear ended me had insurance as well so I’ve been on and off the phone with state farm for the last few weeks. The incident took place on December 29th 2017. The person I purchased the car from said it was just sold with a bill of sale and in my state a car that old the bill of sale acts as a title.  State Farm called me and told me that in order to receive a settlement for the car I will have to register it but they informed me that there are two liens on the car and the person I purchased the car from did not inform me of this. I was able to contact the previous owner of the person I bought it from and he did not have any liens on it either and bought it and sold it with a bill of sale. State Farm wants me to get the liens payed off but I can’t find the companies that have the liens on the car. I also don’t have money to pay off the liens. What should I do from here? I’m in Georgia as well which explains the car not requiring at title due to its age

Answer:
 > State Farm called me and told me that in order to receive a settlement for the car I will have to register it

That's their rule, not a law.  If your property was damaged, it doesn't matter whether it's a car or not.  They're responsible for paying out the liability.  But you may have to sue them to get their bureaucracy to work right.

> they informed me that there are two liens on the car

That's a problem, but not related to the fact that your property was damaged.  It **might** invalidate the sale though (which I'm guessing is what State Farm is getting at), which means the car wasn't yours to begin with.  In that case, your recourse is to sue the seller to get your money back and let him deal with the wreck.Answer #2: Be prepared for them to not value the car highly.  Classic cars usually require specialized coverage.  They’re going to look at it as you had a forty year old piece of scrap metal on that trailer.Answer #3: If they are going to give you the run around then just take them to court.  First you need to find a way to properly value the car since they will look for the cheapest method possible.


Title: Third degree felony assault in Texas

Question: My much younger brother was in Texas for the new year (we are from another state) and he was arrested and charged with third degree felony assault. What is the likelihood that he will end up with jail time? He's 22, a model college student, and the only trouble he's been in before is a minor in possession when he was 19 (in our home state, not Texas). Super worried that he just screwed his life up big time.

Answer:
 > Super worried that he just screwed his life up big time.

He very well might have. That's a very serious criminal charge and carries years in prison. He needs to STFU and talk **only** to his attorney.Answer #2: Third-degree felony assault in TX can carry maximum charges of $10,000 in fines and between two and 10 years imprisonment.

He needs to hire a lawyer. Then he needs to do exactly what his lawyer tells him.


Title: I'm 29, and my wife of 11 years is leaving me, what do I do now?

Question: Located in Kansas. We have two children, six and three, and my wife is leaving me. We've talked all last night and this is most definitely happening. What do I do next? We own our house, what about custody, what are my rights? There so many things racing through my head...

Answer: You need to hire a divorce lawyer.   That is the best way to protect your rights.   They will walk you through the whole process.


Title: Should I pay this fine?

Question:
Hi all,

I rented a house for my bachelor party. Everything went fine and got my security deposit back. A month later the property owner requests $270 from me via VRBO for a fine for shooting paintballs at neighbors property. Paintballs were indeed shot but only at the tree on the property close range to test the gun.

Property owner is threatening to file a case with small claims court in PA.  He says it will end of costing me 10x as much as I will have to cover his representative in PA based on the agreement I’ve signed. Should I pay the fine? Does he have any real case?

Answer: You’ve already acknowledged paintballs were being shot, so there could be an argument made that one of them hit the neighbors property.  I would just pay it.  Just message the other guys, and ask everyone to chip in and put this behind you.  I might ask them for a copy of the invoice, and see if there were any other competing bids. $270 seems steep for some paint.


Title: Friend's family under investigation by CPS

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 If CPS removes the kid, an attorney will be appointed at the shelter care hearing (held on the next business day).  Some courts have attorneys there everyday waiting for the appointment, others will have to continue the case.

CPS usually has locations where a person can go for supervised visits.

Your friend should get an attorney ASAP


Title: Neighbor threatening to report me to health department for not mowing my lawn

Question:
Washington state. I live in a small logging town, and my house is on an easement road (ie not visible from the main road). My neighbor (the next, and last, house on the easement road) has threatened to report me to the health department for not mowing my lawn. Nope, i don't mow the tiny bit of lawn that i have--I live in a remote area, and mowing my lawn is not a priority, plus there is no point to "curb appeal" because my house is not visible from the road. My neighbor is having mice problems and claims that the mice must be coming from my yard (instead of the forest that is on the other side of her property).

I plan to mow this weekend, but out of curiosity (and because i hate feeling like I'm being bullied), does my neighbor have a leg to stand on here? We have no HOA.

Answer: Many cities have requirements to mow lawns.  If you don't, you may be fined by the city or they may mow it and charge you.  You should check your town bylaws.


Title: [Texas]Questions about statutory rape.

Question:
I am 18/M and I have a 16/F girlfriend (2.75yr difference, dating 6-9 months). I am wondering two things. First, what qualifies as sexual intercourse in my state? I can't find anything online that outlines it. Second, are stat rape cases his word vs hers? Or does the incident need to have witnesses/bragging texts/rape kit as solid evidence? (also, I know the age of consent is 17, but Google gets confusing with the exceptions)

Nothing has happened, I just don't want to ruin my future by doing something I didn't know was wrong and not being able to defend myself in court, should bitter parents find out or the relationship end on a very bad note.

Thanks for your help guys.

Answer: Texas applies a "Romeo and Juliet" exception to statutory rape. That means that someone from 14-17 can have sexual intercourse with someone that is up to 3 years older than them. Your age gap would be acceptable in that case


Title: Appropriate place to ask?

Question: Before I explain in detail, would it be okay to seek advice in here regarding a situation involving my work place? Without too much info, I recently discovered the security company I work is receiving a substantial amount more than I am being paid from the community I work for, essentially I think that the security company is charging a certain amount and may be potentially paying its employees less than the received amount. I know for a fact the amount being transferred and marked as the "per hour for security officers is nearly 40 % more than what we receive, and I know this because I was handed the paperwork with the pay transcripts.  I could be completely wrong and that's why im reaching out before I decide to look into this. The fact that I work in a super rich community with high standards and barely receive above minimum always struck me as strange but now that I have seen evidence that may be proof is kind of put me in a weird spot

Answer:
 >essentially I think that the security company is charging a certain amount and may be potentially paying its employees less than the received amount.

That's how jobs work. If the company didn't profit from you, it would go out of business. Answer #2: >I recently discovered the security company I work is receiving a substantial amount more than I am being paid from the community I work for

Right. Because they have more costs than just paying you and need to also make a profit. That is how every company works.


Title: When I die I want my body to be composted on my family’s land [NH]

Question: My family owns 10 acres of wooded land in rural New Hampshire. After I die I really want my body to be composted on this land (i.e. not buried). Is it legal for them to abide by my wishes?

Answer: Doing it on you own land might be problematic, and leaving you body above ground will be illegal, however what you are suggesting is an eco, or green burial. No embalming, and a compostable coffin/shroud. Found this website that might help you. http://www.nhfuneral.org/green_burial.html


Title: [MA] Was involved in a fender bender - Driver's husband is now suing me for medical bills

Question:
I was in an extremely minor fender bender over a year ago. We were at a yield sign when the lady infront of me all of a sudden hits the breaks and I tapped her. My vehicle had no damage, her bumper may have had a tiny dent. Cops came and took our insurance information. The other driver was complaining that her neck hurt, so the cops called an ambulance and they said I was all set to go. (My hasband - who is also a cop- was with me at the time, so the cops didn't really ask me any questions and mostly just talked to him) My insurance company took care of paying her and that was it.

So now I get a letter in the mail saying that someone (I assume her husband? It was a female driver, but it had a male's name on it) is suing me for 14k in medical bills.

My car is in my grandfather's name for various reasons, but I am listed on the insurance and therefore we are actually both getting sued. Grandfather talked to the insurance company with the help of a paralegal in the family. Apparently the insurance company is pissed, because they have already paid this guy.. twice.. for this incident, and now he is going after me (us) personally. According to my grandfather I don't have to do anything for this, and the insurance company is going to handle this for me. My husband is skeptical about all of this.

My question is, do I have anything to be worried about? How likely is it that I will be liable to pay this guy? Can he get a payout from my insurance company and then go after me personally? Apparently they also heard from the insurance company that this guy is on his second or third lawyer for this.

Answer: Give all the information to your insurance company. They will handle it. That is what you pay them forAnswer #2: Your insurance company should be handling this, yes - if they've paid them they presumably waived their right to further lawsuits.


Title: Neighbor keeps stealing my front porch mat.

Question: [deleted]

Answer: Buying a new doormat is significantly less annoying that feuding with your neighbors.


Title: Just won a replevin to return my dog. Now what?

Question: Long story short, dog was obviously mine. Judge says she has 3 days to return my dog. My ex, who stole the dog, is a bit of a psycho and I’m concerned she isn’t going to just hand him over. What happens if she doesn’t and what should I be concerned about?

Answer:
 Did the order say anything about enforcement?

If not, you’ll likely have to file paperwork for the sheriff to enforce it.


Title: Can I sue my (prestigious entertainment) company for discrimination?

Question: [deleted]

Answer: So where's the discrimination? Is he leaving you out of these meetings because of a protected class characteristic? For example, are you the only asian person and he's inviting all the white people to these meetings? Or are you the only woman, being left behind while he includes all of the men?


Title: My job at an Indirect Verizon store wants to take $630 from my check.

Question:
Background info: There had been some gaps in my training bc my manager at the Petoskey store had just had a child and he was out a lot for paternity leave. My assistant manager was brand new. Then a few months later I transferred to another store in Charlevoix.

I processed a transaction for a loaner jetpack (mobile hot spot device) when my manager was away from the store. This was the second time I had ever done that in my 9 months of being with the company. The manager was out of the store and I cannot refuse a sale bc the manager isn't there and I haven't been walked thru it.nso I read the jetpack portion of the agreement and had the guest sign it and doau the deposit.

[This is the first page of the compiled loaner agreement.](https://imgur.com/gallery/eE7Mp)

 Well apparently there was a 2GB limit I was not made aware of that is located on the following page after the Wireless Home Phone section. Yeah that makes a whole lot of sense.

[This is the second page of the Loaner Agreement.](https://imgur.com/gallery/FwxXQ)

When the guest brought the jetpack back before the 7 days which was disclosed to her, there was something like 72GB used. The manager was in the store at that time and I told her I had never been educated on that and she admitted that there were things that fell thru the cracks in my training with me switching stores. She reached out to higher ups and was told to have me process the refund of the deposit and sell her a new jetpack like normal.

Apparently the Jetpacks we loan out have a 10GB plan instead of the available unlimited and another thing that was never covered with me is we are supposed even decommission Jetpacks for the remainder of the month if there is less than 2GB of that 10GB. Not pertinent, bc the one I gave her was at 0GB, just adding bc of the precarious nature of the Loaner Jetpack plans themselves.

So now a month later, I am handed this sheet to sign.

[Deduction Authorization](https://imgur.com/gallery/rv20S)

Of course I refused to sign it. And I issued this email to pertaining parties.

"I refuse to surrender $630 from my paycheck for an issue that was caused due to gaps in my training. My original manager was out for most of the beginning of my job due to having a baby. My Assistant Manager was brand new. I switched stores. I was never told about the 2 GB Limit. That disclosure is even located on another page under wireless home phones. Where it has no pertinence to the subject matter of the page. This was the second Jetpack I have lent in my entire career with the company and the manager was not in the store at the time the transaction was processed for me to speak with regarding to how to process it.

I refuse to allow $630 to be taken from me and my unborn child due to a gap in my training. I will not sign anything authorizing it and I will seek any resources necessary if it is forcibly removed from check without my consent."

This is rediculous. I am 6 months pregnant and I cannot afford these shenanigans. What are my rights? Can they do this to me without my consent? I live in Michigan by the way.

Tl;Dr

My job had gaps in my training, including a limit to use age on laoaner jetpacks. A guest racked up $630 in overage charges on a loaner jetpack. The company wants to take the money from of my paycheck. Help!

Answer:
 They cannot take the money from your paycheck without your consent.

They _can_ terminate you, though.


Title: Hello! There is an intersection right next to my school and it only has a one way stop sign. Everyday people speed by like it’s nothing while there are students walking. How do I complain and who do I complain it to? Florida/Miami

Question:
Thanks!
Topic:
Traffic and Parking

Answer: OP- I had a similar situation in my neighborhood where people would sometimes blow through a poorly installed stoplight. My mother (this is when I was a kid) contacted the police's non-emergency line about it a few times, and eventually they put a patrol car just out of sight of the intersection to watch it. My understanding is that the police offer in the car wrote several dozen tickets for blowing the red light throughout the day, and that it was then sent to the city planner's office to correct the issue with the lights.


Title: My company rejected my child support papers because it wasn't the right form and the clerk is saying its the form they always use.

Question:
I owe my wife a weekly child support payment. In indiana these have to be wage garnishments, and when we signed our divorce papers i filled out a child support garnishment paper.

Its been 3 months now and my child support payments have yet to begin so I called the court and after being transferred several times I was told my papers were rejected and I would have to be transferred again to figure out why. When I finally got to the superior court clerk she informed me that my papers were in fact rejected and I would have to call my company to figure out why.

So I did this, and my company informed me it was because the court did not send a federal 0970-0154... they sent a form they had never seen... and i would have to call the court to figure out why.

So... I called the court back and they informed me that they have never heard of this form and instructed me to do a google search for this form.

I did that and found the form instantly on the federal US Department of Human of Health and Human Resources website.

I've called the court 3 times within the two days to figure out what I need to do since there is a lot of information asked on here that I do not know, but I have yet to get a call back.

What do I need to do?

Answer:
 Does your state have a department of child support enforcement? Or a website with state forms? Mine has both, and they're both very useful.
Answer #2: Chances are, your company is wrong. Garnishments for child support are handled by state agencies. I can't see any reason that a federal form would be part of the process.


Title: Being the only 21 yr old in college house (WA)

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 IANAL, but your best bet is to:

1. *NEVER* buy any alcohol for anyone underage, and...

2. *NEVER* be present when alcohol is being consumed by underaged drinkers.

If you can avoid these scenarios -- *unlikely* -- you should be okay if/when police come to your house to investigate your parties filled with underage drinkers.Answer #2: That's very smart of you to consider this.


Title: Letting Underage Friend Borrow Old ID

Question:
Hi,

Quick question. A friend of mine wants to go to some bars in Illinois and was asking to borrow my old expired ID. Nevermind that my old one has a hole punched into it, but hypothetically, if he were caught using my ID, what are the legal implications for me? I like him, but definitely not enough to get into trouble.

Thanks

Answer:
 > I like him, but not enough to get into trouble.

You've answered your own question, without need of considering the specifics of the situation. You've already determined that it's a bad idea all the way around.

A holepunched ID has no value to anyone, aside from sentimental value to your future self. (I have several old and expired IDs in with my important papers, and since I'm usually the one taking the photos when I'm out, the oldest is the only photo I have of 20-year-old-me...)

Anyone your friend presents it to is just gonna confiscate it, in the best case. It all goes downhill depending on location, local law, and who he presented it to.


Title: Canadian Crown misplaced our trial information, we appeared but no information was present. We weren't even on the docket.

Question:
My partner and I were caught shoplifting under 5000 at Whole Foods. When we tried to leave, we were caught and held until police arrived. It is worth noting that while my partner is Canadian, I am American. Not wanting to be banned from the country, I complied as much as possible. We asked that our court date take place during my stay, moving it to roughly 2 weeks later. This was okay, and so we appeared on that date. As I mentioned in the title, after we arrived there, we found that no paperwork had been filed, and that every person we asked could find nothing on us. It seemed that the paperwork had not yet been filed. Still, scared of  being banned from the country, we asked to appear before the judge and have it noted that we did, in fact, do everything asked of us within our power, to show that we were 100% compliant (after the fact) with what was asked. The court defender got us on the docket, then filled the judge in, and made sure it was recorded we appeared. Now, just this morning, on a Sunday no less, my partner in Canada has her phone blown up by the police. 8 consecutive calls by the minute and a message from Constable Whatever "regarding your court date on June 20th." We are concerned that we will penalized for the law's negligence in organizing their information. It's not unlike them to blame the little guys for their mistakes. Please, I am afraid that what may have been a minor shoplifting charge will have grown into a warrant or ban from the country where my fiance lives.

PS We stole nectarines and clif bars.

Answer:
 Call your lawyer. He can figure out what was going on.

For the record if you are American you will probably be inadmissible to Canada in the future regardless of how cooperative you are at this point.


Title: [GA] Roommate hit a guy, I am a witness, am now not allowed contact with roommate.

Question:
It was at our apartment, he hit a guy who was a stranger and acting like a jackass.
I am named on the bond papers for my roommate and considered a state witness. I've been informed I'm not allowed within 1000 ft of my roommate (and best friend, just saying) for the next 12-14 months (until the final court date).
Is this legal, since we have a binding contract where we live together? Are they allowed to force someone to move, since it isn't a domestic violence dispute?
We just spoke to a cop who pulled up the case file, and he told us that as long as we are in the apartment together, we are allowed contact. We just aren't allowed to go out in public together, I guess.
Can anyone confirm the validity / expand upon this situation? Will provide more details if needed.

Answer:
 > I'm not allowed within 1000 ft of my roommate

Actually, he's not allowed within 1000 ft of you. You're not the one with the restrictions. As to whether you can't be in the same apartment together, he should ask his lawyer.  Don't take legal advice from the police.  Answer #2: >I've been informed

By whom?Answer #3: I have to give a brief chuckle here at the responses.  The reason I laugh is because you came asking for advice but the lawyer in them responds as if you are their client and don't actually answer the question, except by saying tldr "It's your roommates problem."

I would kindly ask the lawyers in here to answer further as to what the roommate is supposed to do with this no contact order, as if the OP is asking for their roommate.


Title: Travel permission and child support issues

Question:
I am a single mother who lives in Africa. I and my ex-husband were graduate students who loved each other and got married. But after some details I left, filled for divorce and I got the full custody of the kid.

My ex-husband got angry, stopped paying any money for the kid and disappeared. He forgot about this story and even about his son and he started over ignoring our excitance. He continued his future peacefully as a PhD student in USA. Good for him!

But he also tried to hurt my future by blocking my son from traveling abroad. And because I have the full custody I can not travel inturn without a legal permission from the court allowing my son to travel with me.

Now, I need to travel abroad to continue my education and to offer my son a good quality of life to grow in and good education especially I am raising my son totally on my own and, here in Africa, I can not offer him this .

To achieve this, I am in need to get an official paper from his University saying that he is enrolled in a PhD program and another official paper explaining some details about his average stipend for legal reasons.

First, the court needs to know about his average income for child support issues. Second, I can not get a permission to travel with my kid before I prove to the court that my ex-husband is abroad for a long period of time.

I don't know what to do or how to start. Also, I am concerned about the amount of money needed to achieve this. I started thinking about some women support organizations or cheap counseling that may offer help on this. Plz, advise me!

Answer: Well, there is no "African law" - you'll have to be more specific you which country you're in to get a relevant answer. But to be honest, it's highly unlikely that anyone here is well-versed in laws of any country in Africa, so you're probably not going to get very good advice.


Title: I drive a company vehicle, 1 of ~100. Got pulled over with expired tags/plate, vehicle not registered. I get the ticket?

Question:
As the title said, there was an oversight in the company and I was driving a car with expired tags and the vehicle was not registered. I was given the ticket, a misdemeanor, and have been told I need to show up at court. Kansas.
I called my HR department and they went down to the court house and got me a new tag/plate in about 30 minutes. Is this on me? On my record? Or when I show up on the court date something can be worked out?

EDIT:  Thanks guys/gals.
Topic:
Traffic and Parking

Answer:
 Yeah. Doesn't matter if you are not the title owner. Whenever you enter a vehicle you're going to drive, it is your sole responsibility to ensure that the vehicle is in driving condition.

Driving condition meaning it has tags/plates that are not expired and it is actually physically drivable.


Title: Another adverse possession question.

Question:
Takes place in Arizona.

I bought a house a few years ago and always was kind of confused with part of my land boundaries.  It seemed my neighbors fence kind of cut into my property, but I never really looked into it.  Anyway, after reading a post today it got me thinking.

I don't know how accurate Google Earth Pro's parcel viewer is, but I figured it was an okay starting point.  I punched in my address and sure enough you can see that, if these are accurate (any input there?) my neighbor's fence extends pretty substantially into my property line.

Now, this has become a rental property and so I am not super bothered (or have any development plans) with her having a bit of my land at the moment, but if I ever do change my mind or something comes up I want to be certain that my neighbor cannot claim my land by adverse possession.  So to be clear I am cool with her BORROWING that land for now, but if I ever wanted to expand the house or make any changes I want it to be clear that that is my land.

From a quick google it looks like Arizona's law is 10 years?  I'm not sure if she has had the fence for 10 years but it's possible, although unlikely since it seemed very new when I bought the house.

I guess my next question would be, what should my next step be from here?

Picture related.

http://imgur.com/GaflvIq

Answer: First step is to get an actual survey done.


Title: My roommate is making accusations and the police called me to ask about it.

Question:
I hope I don't look stupid for posting this but I want to make sure I won't get into deep trouble and get blindsided by this incident. So I have a roommate who I will call "Annie". I've been living with Annie for a year and four months now as we both try to get through university. I'm a guy.

Things went very well with Annie until a few months ago. She's begun to act strangely. At one point she informed me that she was beginning to feel uncomfortable living with a man due to the rise in cases involving harassment and rape being showcased in the media. I assured her she was safe with me and I would not hurt her.

I usually only wear a towel when I walk from the bathroom to the bedroom which is across the hall. There have been no problems with this until then. Just as I was coming out, Annie happened to be in the hall and bumped right into me and my towel fell. Annie screamed and began to have a literal mental breakdown. I tried to explain that it was an accident but she refused to listen. She yelled that she was going to report me as having exposed myself and it was sexual assault and obscene.

Days later a sheriff called my phone and told me that Annie wanted to file charges against me. I told him that it was a misunderstanding and that nothing sexual or obscene happened. He thanked me for my time and hung up. I figured that would be the end of that.

I told my girlfriend what happened and she flipped out. She warned me that speaking to the police without a lawyer was dangerous and that now they knew something happened. I told her I denied that anything sexual or obscene happened, she says it doesn't matter. When I asked what I should do, she says she didn't know and to post here to ask.

I have no idea what to do. I've never been in any legal trouble before not even a speeding ticket. I swear I never meant to hurt or otherwise insult Annie. Since we live together things feel awkward now and I am avoiding her. I know people might ask me to move but I have nowhere to go as I fled my abusive family's home and have been disowned by them. I am also on a lease for eight more months or so and there's a clause that I'd need to pay termination fees for leaving including missed rent until the apartment is re-rented. Not sure what to do. I would also like to repair the damage to my friendship with Annie though I don't know how and I think that isn't appropriate to ask here either. ANyway thanks for reading this.

Answer:
 >repair the damage to my friendship with Annie

Sounds like Annie herself is too damaged for you to be able to do anything to repair the damage to whatever friendship you think you had.

From now on, wear clothing when not behind locked doors.

Don't talk to Annie about this, don't talk to the police about it. Get the name and number of a criminal defense attorney that you can afford, put it in your phone, and call them if you're ever in a situation where anyone is forcing you to answer questions about this.

If you can crash at your GF's house or have her be at and crash at your house whenever you're home, all the better. Answer #2: Annie is crazy. Limit contact as much as you can.

I will take a guess that the cops are not going to spend any more time on this. If they call again say something like "I will not answer any questions without a lawyer present". Same goes for if they show up in person.Answer #3: Limit your contact with Annie, don't try to repair your relationship with her, dress in the bathroom after showering.

Leave when your lease is up.


Title: Tested positive but stopped smoking

Question:
So on  9/21/17 I was caught smoking by the cops and issued an arraignment date(10/11/17). I stopped smoking the next day and have been clean since. I tested on the date of my arraignment and I just got the call that it came back positive.

My bail conditions were that if I tested negative I wouldn’t have to test again and if I tested positive I would have to test 2x month. Is there anyway I can fight this? I really tried to get clean and I don’t really have the money to be testing.

Is there anyway I can say or try to prove I haven’t smoked since I was caught? Is that what they were looking for? To see if I was still smoking after I got the ticket? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

(Btw this in Michigan)
Topic:
Drug Possession

Answer:
 You tested positive because there was still THC in your system.

It's likely that the judge said you'll test 2x per month if you tested positive because they were going to treat your first test as your "baseline" - they can determine how much THC is in your system and thereafter if you test positive, as long as you are testing positive for less than you initially were, they can determine if you're discontinuing use or if you're actively using.

> Is there anyway I can fight this? I really tried to get clean and I don’t really have the money to be testing.

Unlikely. That's pretty reasonable testing schedule.

Testing shouldn't be extremely cost prohibitive - if it is, you can have your lawyer (or yourself, if you don't have a lawyer) ask the judge to either suspend your testing or order it set at a certain cost per test, but you've already got a pretty lax testing schedule as is. Answer #2: >Is there anyway I can fight this?

No.

>Is there anyway I can say or try to prove I haven’t smoked since I was caught?

No.

>Is that what they were looking for?

There's no way to prove it. They are just looking for drugs in your system given the only currently viable method.


Title: My Brother is committing caregiver fraud

Question:
(California) In February my grandfather returned home from a nursing facility after recovering from a stroke. He's 83, mostly alert, but he doesn't do much talking. He needs full support because he is a paraplegic and has many chronic conditions, such as severe pressure wounds and a feeding tube.

For the past two months I've been caring for him and while I am aware that caregivers can receive in-home support funds, I'm being intimidated not to apply, and honestly I do not want to make money off a dying relative. But other people don't have such scruples. You see, my younger brother is the official caretaker for my gramps and currently receives thousands in IHS funds every month. But he does absolutely nothing, while I have done everything I can to ensure that my grandfather is living his days comfortably and with dignity. I try to ignore my brother, but I can't anymore.  Sometimes, while I'm performing  care taking duties he'll bring out wads of cash or something he bought and taunt me, saying how I must love changing diapers. While I am fine taking care of my grandfather, what I am not fine with is my younger brother enriching himself off my dying grandfather.

I just don't know what to do. My brother strikes me if I so much as make a sound or if I'm outside my room when I'm not performing "my functions." If I go to the bathroom, he waits outside, flexing or punching his fists. My brother is twice my size. And he says all I need to do is say the wrong thing and I'm dead. I've though about buying a gun because I'm in such a desperate situation, but I think I finally found a to put this sociopath behind bars.

I can't leave home because I care about my grandfather.

I see nurses every day and spend several hours helping them perform functions that my brother is being paid to do. Is this proof that my brother is committing fraud? They have never seen my brother once and they are at my house everyday and have detailed reports of their visits. If I report my brother, what kind of consequences can I expect? APS has been called on my brother before, by I'm not sure who, but he ended up receiving more IHS money for some reason because he somehow implicated a past nurse.

I need to know my options. Will there be a chance of retaliation?

Answer:
 You can use resources findable online to report your brother to the relevant entity. If IHS is Indian Health Services, you can file a complaint online here: https://www.ihs.gov/ReportFraud/, the same link contains the phone number for their hotline. You don't have to have proof your brother is doing anything at all to lodge a complaint. **Edit**: If IHS*S* is In Home Supportive Services (thank you g_f_g), you can follow this link for information on how to leave an anonymous  tip: http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/individuals/Pages/StopIHSSFraud.aspx.

 If you are fearful that your brother will physically harm you, you can call the police.

 Edited for a new link


Title: Help! I think my accountant is screwing me (update)

Question:
I found out what happened with my money and everyone money that he is dealing with. He told me in late 2014 one if his employees stole a large amount of his clients money. He did not have insurance to cover it and the employee spent all the money then ran away to somewhere. So what has been happening is when his other clients needed a big sum of money or they decided to leave his services he would pay them with his other clients money. He was going to sue but didn't because that person didn't have any money left. I started with him in early 2015 so my money shouldn't be stolen but he used it to pay other people. he told me i can get a lawyer, but he doesn't have the money anyway so all i would be doing is sending him to jail. What should be my next step? should i find a lawyer? if so does anyone have any recommendation for one in northern Illinois?

link to first post https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/42z4xz/help_i_think_my_accountant_is_screwing_me/

Answer:
 >should i find a lawyer?

Absolutely.Answer #2: >What should be my next step?

Find a lawyer and discuss your options with him. (especially about going to the FBI because the shit he pulled is no better than an ordinary ponzi/pyramid scheme).

Answer #3: "ut he doesn't have the money anyway so all i would be doing is sending him to jail."

Uh, good. He belongs there.Answer #4: I am not a lawyer.  What you are describing (him using your money to pay other clients) is a Pyramid Scheme and illegal.  Go to your local police station and report the theft of your money.  If you have anything in writing from him, show that proof to the police.Answer #5: Find a lawyer.  In the future only use designated accountants.  In the US and Canada they have CPA after their name.


Title: Rights as a 19yr old

Question:
So my parents are coming to do a “wellness check” on me as I like to call it. I’m in college and I’ve been smoking sometimes and I had to tell them. Then recently I told them I hadn’t smoked in 2 weeks which is a lie so my question is can they legally make me take a drug test?

Also they considered pulling me out of college, would they legally be able to do this? Like just take me out of school?

In addition one of my parents said they were going to try and get my psychologist to break dr/patient confidentiality and tell them what was going on. I understand dr’s are allowed to break it if you’re going to harm yourself or someone else but I’m not going to. So my question is if they did end up getting my dr to break confidentiality what legal steps would I be able to take? I’m 19 and I live in the US btw

Answer:
 in most states you are a legal adult by the age of 19.

your parents can't force you to take a drug test, but they can make paying your tuition, insurance, etc. dependent on you taking it.

if your psychologist breaks confidentiality you can file a HIPAA complaint.


Title: Can past child support owed be erased?

Question:
I'm getting lead in circles here, so I'd thought id ask y'all. Baby daddy wants to terminate parental rights and he thinks by doing that, child support previously owed will also go away. Can this happen? (Florida) his main goal is to get rid of child support and all that is over due.
Topic:
Custody Divorce and Family

Answer: No. Arrears will not vanish because residual parental rights are terminated.Answer #2: No. He'll still owe what he owes.


Title: (WI) My parents sold their house and had a verbal agreement that they could store items in the outbuildings. When they went to get items, many were missing and others the new owners wouldn't let them get to. Is there any way my parents can get their stuff?

Question:
My parents decided they wanted to move closer to their youngest grandkids. Before getting a realtor they asked their neighbors if anyone wanted to buy. One of their neighbors (let's call them the Smith's) was very interested. Due to some financing issues on the Smith's part, the moving dates were agreed upon fairly suddenly. Since my parents were building a house, they had to rent until the house will be done. They asked the Smith's if they could store some tools and other things in the outbuildings. The Smith's said it was fine. There was no length of time discussed, but the Smith's knew my parents were building, and that the house would likely not be finished until the end of summer.

My parents discussed storage with my sister, and found they were able to store some stuff in my sister's outbuildings. They made arrangements with the Smith's to get some of their items. When they got there, there were some areas blocked off that my parents had items stored in. They also found some big items missing (lumber, copper wire, etc). The Smith's claimed to know nothing. My parents packed up bins that were stored there that had tools and other items, along with the last of the machinery and brought it to my sister's house. When going through the bins, my dad found almost all of the more expensive tools he had stored in them were now gone (routers, heat  guns, etc). Again, the neighbors claim no knowledge. The latest, that had my mom in tears, when they tried to pick up my mom's garden art and planters, they're also missing. Many of these items were given by family over the years, and are irreplaceable.

A few points...
-the house my parents sold is in the middle of nowhere. They lived there 20 years and never had anything stolen.
-we've known the neighbors for many years. There have been a few issues here and there, but nothing to suggest they'd behave like this.

Is there anything we can do to get my parents stuff back (or replacement value)? Many of the items my parents were planning on using to work on their house. Any suggestions are welcome.

Answer:
 Try filing a stolen items police report. You don't know for a fact the smiths stole the items so I'm pretty sure they won't be on the hook for it. If police find some items are can trace a sale or something back to the smiths then maybe. Answer #2: >verbal agreement.

Were there realtors involved? If so they never should have allowed any kind of verbal agreement.

This is the kind of situation you want every detail clearly spelled out.

*  How long could your parents use the storage?
* what if your parents over stay?
* what happens if the smith's suddenly can't meet the agreement?
* who's responsible to secure the building against weather or rodents?
* what happens if they don't?
* Who's liable, who's insurance covers the building?
* who's insurance covers the contents?
* How will the building be locked?
* who all is allowed access to the building, and be extension the property?
* what hours of the day are the smith's obligated to allow access?
* are the smith's obligated to maintain access to the building (e.g. snow removal, muddy roads)?

I know it's to late for your parents, so I guess this is warning to everyone else. The smith's basically agreed to become a storage rental site, but neither side had any legal protection.

I have a friend going through a similar situation with a property he tried to "lease to own." He skimped on $200 to have a lawyer draw up the contact. He's now in a lawsuit that will cost him a minimum of $10,000 to resolve.
Answer #3: assuming Smith's relatives or kids took them; so unless you know specifically who took them you won't know who to get them back from.


Title: Can an employer do an internet search and use previous posts on social media as a reason not to hire you? What if the posts were made before you were 18?

Answer:
 Your first mistake was putting your name on social mediaAnswer #2: I know a guy who, when he was just 18 had his FB profile pic set from HS when he was seriously into Airsoft paintball, so had some pix with the guns & gear.

He got turned down for a high paying private maths & physics tutoring job for 'glorifying violence' & 'gun culture', and the mom was very vocal about it, which was the wake up call  he needed, so props to her.

I had been warning him since he was 16 that those photos were gonna be held against him.  He FINALLY changed that profile pic, thank goodness, and threw me a 'you were right'.


Title: Manager trying to threaten tips at my restaurant

Question:
I am currently working at a pizza place waitressing to make ends meet. However, the manager really bothers me when he threatens to take tips away for minor infractions (not completing an asinine task every month, or front of house getting punished for the cooks leaving something out).  He tells us that he is going to donate them to charity so no one will feel bad for us. Today, they came to all the servers and told us that some of the till totals have come out wrong and if they come out wrong again, they will take the money out of whoever’s till it is. Mind you, 2 or 3 people have access to that till, so even if I count correctly, someone else could mess it up.

Is this legal or not? I’ve searched online and the answers seem all over the boards. I’m from Washington state if that helps. Secondly, is there a formal way to let my manager know that threatening tips (if it is illegal) is not acceptable?

Answer: Nope.  This is illegal.  He can run his mouth all he wants to.  But he can’t touch tips.  Those tips are yours and your alone.  But if he does carry out any of these threats.  The state DOL will be the place to go if he deducts them.


Title: Misdemeanor- flipping someone off a dvice

Question:
Tldr: Guy almost hit me, flipped him off, he followed me 2 miles and parked me into a parking spot, exchanged words went to walk away he got out of car, got back in and hit someone else: police called I got a ticket.

The long:

I was driving my vehicle and was almost sideswiped by someone driving a truck who passed the stop sign and entered my lane. I smashed my brakes and swerved to avoid an accident. As I drove off, I gave him the middle finger. He proceeded to sit at the spot for about 15 seconds, then turned and followed me about 2 miles to the grocery store. As we arrived I told my significant other to go inside. As I got out of the car he pulls up and blocks my vehicle in, winds down his window and asks me "If I have a fucking problem." I replied "Yeah, learn how to fucking drive." And continued to attempt to walk off. He proceeded to edge me on "If you have a problem we can handle it right now." And followed me with his truck about 20 feet. I mocked him and said it back with a sarcastic tone. He parked and got out and kept saying "What are you going to do about it." I laughed, but refused to turn and walk away at this point for my safety and turning my back. I said "Learn how to drive, I'm not going to do anything." (For reference I'm a 5'10" 250lb male who is more than capable of protecting himself)

He proceeded to get into his car, backed directly into someone else's car who was attempting to park. The guy parked his truck and switched tones "I'm so sorry" and started to walk towards the 3rd party. The 3rd party told him to "Get back in your fucking car, you were being aggressive, stay away from me." And he proceeded to call the police.

I was given a ticket for a misdemeanor: disorderly-creating disturbance. This can hurt my job or even cost me my job/my potential job (interview in 2 hours) due to the nature of what I currently do for work. Is there anything I can do to have anything against me thrown out? What are the steps I should take? This is my first time dealing with a ticket. I have no accidents, speeding, traffic violations, nothing.

I appreciate anything you can offer me.

Also this happened in Gladwin County in Michigan (If that helps).

Answer: Get a lawyer, and take an anger management class.