Title: MetroPCS Speed Throttling After Data Used ("3G Speeds")

Question:
I've had MetroPCS phone service for a long time, along with many others I know all overthe US of A.

Their "3G Speeds" after you use all your data is actually 50-150kbit/sec, not even Google maps loads properly.

I don't see in their ToS/etc that you should expect "piss poor" speeds. They state 3G speeds, however long long ago when 3G was new....I got .5-1mbps easy.

Is there any case here? Your phone becomes data unuseable in "3g speed"- it's so bad you have to pay more to use the phone. They use T-Mobile network, I talked with T-Mobiles network engineers and they were shocked/disappointed in what MetroPCS is doing and that MetroPCS has way more then enough bandwidth all over to give people 2-3x more speed in "3g speed" mode.

Just curious, I feel like they should be telling customers they'd get dial up speeds instead of "3g speeds" LOL

[USA, Calif]

Answer:
 Except t-mobile does the exact same thing so I doubt you'd succeed in any legal dispute.

A class action is possible I suppose but that's megafirm territory.


Title: Can I plan a hypothetical micronation

Question:
So, a pet hobby of mine is planning what basically amounts to an agrarian micronation. At the moment, I think of it as existing within US borders, but being as independent as possible. Also, if the US was hypothetically to collapse, we'd be officially independent.

Someone said that if I was being serious, that this could be treason/sedition and therefore a serious crime.

I'm not plotting the downfall of the US and I have no particular desire for such a catastrophe. I imagine it will fall eventually, of course, but I doubt it'll be anytime soon.

Anyway, just by virtue of designing a micronation and trying to design it to be independent from the US, am I being criminally seditious?

If I were to actually make a "micronation" that followed US laws but was independent as much as possible from the grid and such, paid taxes, etc, would there be any major flags that could knock such a plan down, legally? Thanks!

(I'm in NC, but I think that's irrelevant.)

Answer:
 There's nothing illegal about planning a micronation. That's not even on the same continent as the ballpark that treason or anything like that is in. Have fun.

As far as actually "making" one, there isn't a way to not be subject to the laws of the jurisdictions in which you find yourself. If you were following all the laws, paying your taxes, and whatever else, in no sense have you made a micronation, but there's nothing illegal about calling a piece of private property whatever you want. Put up some signs, have a ball. The problems start coming when you do stuff like try to enforce laws you've made up on people that happen by there, or start selling products which are illegal or for which you don't have a license, or don't pay taxes, or put liens on people's houses that you determine to have violated your laws or sovereignty or what have you or any of the other stuff people who talk about "micronations" do.

Fn 1. Treason is very serious shit. Treason is like stealing and then delivering secret atomic bomb plans to the Soviet Union, or helping the British capture West Point. You likely will never even have the opportunity as long as you live to commit treason, and if you do, you'll damn sure know you're doing it. People throw that word around like water, and none of them know what they're talking about.

Edit typos


Title: As an adult adoptee, if I can get a copy of my original MA birth record (adopted in and new birth certificate from AR), what would be the legal repercussions of rebuilding my identity using it in order to completely disavow my abusive adoptive parents?

Answer:
 You can't undo an adoption as an adult. You may not even be allowed to access that information. Your birth parents gave you up for adoption for a reason. They might not want you to get in contact with them either or go around telling people they are your birth parents. All of this would be a giant time and money sink for something that doesn't make a whole lot of difference as you being an adult.

If you want to disavow your family. Then cut ties with them, move away, change your name, and write a will leaving your estate to someone else. That's much cheaper and effective than you trying to unravel an adoption. Answer #2: Well, fraud.

Just do a legal name change to whatever you want Answer #3: What do you mean, "rebuilding your identity?"

Disavowing is not really a formal legal thing.  Is there something specific you want to accomplish here?


Title: My full name and last four of SSN are on a training video.

Question:
So, I used to work for Papa John's and was lucky enough to be sent to Louisville, KY to work out bugs in their new POS system before it was released. Before the training videos were ever uploaded onto the training site I quit my job. I had people texting me once it was available, that mine and a coworker's full names with the last four of our SSNs were included as part of the training video.

I guess I'm here looking to see who I can contact about this. I don't think it's the sort of thing I can just send in some "customer feedback" for. I don't even know if I have any basis to ask for it to be removed from their video.

Any advice is appreciated!

Answer:
 I would start with your former boss and anyone you're still on decent terms with at the office and escalate from there.  You could conceivably sue if you're damaged by this in some way (your identity is stolen), but the threat of liability might be enough to get them to edit the video.  Answer #2: Strictly speaking your full name and last 4 are *by design* useless for identity theft. You don't even have to encrypt them.

That said you can try sending a firm letter, or having a lawyer do the same, and they'll probably edit it.


Title: Custody modification In Texas

Question:
My ex-husband and I got married in 2009. I had our daughter in 2010. Due to financial abuse from my ex, I had no money or resources at the time. For the most part, during our marriage, he withheld money and access to his bank account. I worked off and on, but I had to give him my entire check. We separated in 2015, and I took my daughter with me. I stayed at my mothers home for a few weeks before I was threatened by someone who had assaulted me years prior. Because I didnt have access to a car or money, I felt It necessary to send our daughter to stay with her dad while I got on my feet. It took me about 6 months to get on my feet. Nearing the end of that summer is when we first discussed school options for our daughter.  We enrolled her In the school near his parents house.  A couple months later, I discussed changing her to a different school, because the school we had enrolled her in had performed poorly on various state standardized tests. He flipped out on the phone, and the next week he had me served  with custody orders. The custody battle was long. It spanned over the course of a year. I had no money for a lawyer. I used a lawyer that was a friend of my dad's. Unfortunately, my ex husband won primary custody of our daughter.  We have a standard expanded order.  I get her every Thursday starting when school lets out and every 1st, 3rd and 5th weekend.

During the course of the last year and a half, my ex husband had been very negligent to our daughter.  He weight has skyrocketed. Her doctor has said that she is now obese and is showing early pubertal signs. She has also had numerous cavities requiring caps on 6 of her teeth.  Aside from this, he has voluntarily quit his job making $70k a year and enrolled her in the state Medicaid program. He lives with his parents and his car has since been repossessed. Our daughter has no place to sleep at his house, and is forced to sleep with her dad.

I have never had any legal matters, nor have I ever had an issue with substance abuse. I have  2 jobs with benefits, and have added her to my jobs healthcare plan. I am moving into a 2 bedroom apartment where she will have her own room. I also have a reliable car.  I have serious concerns about her health and well being while in her dad's care. Our daughter has missed several school days due to illnesses that occur during his parenting time. She is at risk for being held back in the 3rd grade because of this.

I don't have the money to hire a lawyer..I have to do this pro se. I need some advice.

Answer: I'm not a lawyer. Just familiar with filing pro se. You can file a motion to modify custody pro se, documents can be obtained online or at the court house. List these reasons as your reasons to modify, submit it and set up a hearing....and then wait. Lots of waiting. Best of luck.


Title: [EU-NL] Neighbours placed a security camera in their backyard which allows them to see our entire backyard.

Question:
Yesterday I got home only to find out that our neighbours placed a camera in their backyard, which allows them to look out over our backyard. We have not given them permission to place it, nor have it watch over our backyard.

Its on their property. It does stick out quite a bit over the fence. Is this legal and isn’t this invasion of privacy?

Picture of the camera as seen from our backyard: https://imgur.com/gallery/tGxaGWh
Topic:
Non-US

Answer: You could place a tall bush on your side of the fence.


Title: Boss Sent Threatening Texts After Firing Me for Asking for A Raise

Question:
QUESTION: My boss fired me after I asked for an increase in pay (he piled an additional job titles/responsibilities on my existing management one without any financial compensation beyond the $14.50/hour I was making as a manager) and then sent VERY unprofessional and aggressive texts when I requested a termination letter (threatened to withhold my paycheck and said he fired me because I lacked the courage to quit my job instead of asking for a raise). I live/work in Louisiana, a will to work state, but I'm curious if I should seek legal action against my employer?

I can't afford an attorney, especially if I lose the case (he's a pretty powerful guy in our small town), but I don't know where to start looking for pro-bono opportunities, thus why I am a little nervous to pursue this seeing as how I am female and he is pretty misogynistic (though that fact will not be part of this if it were to become a court case).

I'd appreciate any advice that can steer me in the right direction. This isn't the first time he has done something like this to his employees, so I hope to put a stop to this behavior if I end up pursuing this.
Topic:
Employment Law

Answer:
 I'm not sure what kind of legal action you're asking about. If he hasn't paid you what's owed, you can file a complaint with your state's Department of Labor. If you're hoping to take action against him for his behavior, I doubt that'd go much of anywhere based on what you've stated here, unless he's actually acted on threats not to pay employees.Answer #2: It doesn't sound like anyone has done anything illegal unless the threatening texts you mention are threats to harm or if he actually withholds your check.

Apply for unemployment. You're surely eligible as you haven't done anything wrong. It will probably get denied. Just appeal it and save the texts and any written communication for the appeal.

If I misunderstand, and he has threatened you, call the police.

If he actually withholds your check file a claim with the department of labor. Answer #3: Everyone has been SUPER helpful with this, thanks so much! Everything depends on the paycheck situation, but if things don't pan out with that, I know the right avenues to pursue. I was afraid I would have to get a lawyer, but from what everyone has said, going through my state's Department of Labor and unemployment agency should be all I'd need to do if he fails to provide proper wages.
I really do appreciate the help from everyone. My stress factor has diminished incredibly because of everyone's input. Reddit win.


Title: [California] Do I have to right to not allow pest control services inside of my apartment?

Question:
I received a note on my front door this afternoon informing me that all units in the apartment complex I live in will be sprayed for pests throughout the interior and exterior of all units.

I don't have any objection to them spraying the exterior but I have a parrot and because of him, I have a huge issue with the interior being sprayed.

I've been reading through the lease and nothing in it specifically mentions pest control services. It does state that, "owner and owner's agents will have the right to enter the premises to make necessary or agreed to repairs, decorations, alterations, improvements, supply necessary or agreed services..."

I do have a place for my bird to stay for a few days if I have no choice but to let them spray the interior. But, I am wondering if I have any right to object to them spraying for pests inside of the unit?

Thank you in advance!

Answer: Generally, no. Spraying everybody's apartment keeps the pests from spreading to any unsprayed apartment. I am not aware of any location where LL wouldn't have a right to keep the facility pest free (as much as reasonably possible).


Title: Had my phone taken, so I took his phone

Question:
So I was at my friend's house last night and he had another guy over. This guy posted a picture on Instagram with a sexual caption about my mom. When he wouldn't take it down I told him I'd text his mom the picture and ask for her thoughts, as he is very scared of his mom. He did not like this so he took my phone.
After about twenty minutes of him not giving me my phone back, I took his phone and went home. This guy chased me back to my house (I live a block away from my friend) and demanded a trade back. I told him to leave the property and I would not trade back unless my friend facilitated the trade. I also informed him that he is trespassing and told him to please leave the property. After not leaving for ten minutes, he went back to the friend's house so he could get him to make the trade. When he came back, I was sitting outside as my friend had told me he was coming. The guy had gotten physical, but luckily I had my brother videotape and step in when it got too far.
I am 18, my friend is 18, the guy is 17, and this happened in Illinois
What legal action do I have against this guy?
Thanks for the help. It is greatly appreciated.

Answer:
 Give everybody their phones back and stop trying to involve the legal system in this stupidity. It will only backfire and you will all wind up with some nuisance charge.Answer #2: You totally skip over every detail of the part where you say "he had gotten physical" and it's on tape, yet you give ridiculous amounts of detail to say "we stole each other's phones."

As described in your post, you have zero legal action to take.  You have described no damages, no injuries, you stole the same thing he did, and you both apparently have your stolen property back since he did what you demanded regarding the third party.Answer #3: Let me get this straight.  You want to admit to the police that you committed a crime, and the motive that you committed the crime was to get even?


Title: HELP~ Aunt traded 2010 mustang in for 2000, anyway to get it back??

Question:
My aunt traded in her 2010 Mustang for 2000 dollars while buying a 2016 ford Fusion. I talked to her and told her i would give her the 2000 dollars cash for a downpayment, downside is she said she already signed over the title and the paperwork. I heard there is a 72 hour period where you can undo any contract. This is in Mississippi. Any response would be greatly appreciated.
Topic:
Contracts

Answer:
 > I heard there is a 72 hour period where you can undo any contract.

You heard wrong.

If the papers are signed, the car is sold.


Title: Reno, NV - Fired From Job for Medical Marijuana they had already approved

Question:
So I had recently applied to a job and in the very first interview, they told me there would be a drug test. I informed them I’m a medical marijuana patient and I couldn’t pass for marijuana. They said that wouldn’t be an issue. I do the drug test, fail for marijuana, send them my paperwork, and they say I’m all good to go, have me fill out all the hiring paperwork, and tell me when and where to be for my first day.

Well I quit my old job, and was going to go to work at the new job tomorrow morning, when I got a call today saying they were no longer moving forward with me, because my drug test came back positive for Marijuana. When I asked about the previous approval they stated that they’re just the messengers of the denial.

I know that normally this would be a protected class for medical issues but it’s a little different with it being medical marijuana. Would I hold any rights in this situation given I was told it’s perfectly fine until 18 hours prior to starting?

Answer:
 This is worth talking to an employment lawyer.  You could have a case for promissory estoppel; you left your old job based on claims that they've made.

Medical marijuana though, is a nuanced enough subject that you're probably not going to get ideal advice here.  Personally, I'd probably try lining up a few consultations, and moving from there.

In the mean time, apply for unemployment.


Title: I was pulled over going 90 MPH in a 55. What can I do?

Question: I was recent pulled over for going 35 mph over the speed limit in Wisconsin. I have no prior charges besides one warning. I have a mandatory court date and have never been to court before. I need advice on what I can say to hopefully keep my license or get it revoked for as little time as possible.

Answer:
 You probably need to get a lawyer. They most likely have charged you with Reckless Driving. You need a lawyer to deal with this chargeAnswer #2: Firstly - Drive slower in the future.

Secondly.... not much on your own - *get a lawyer*.   You're likely going to wind up with a hefty fine and an insurance hike/points on your license.    Depending on your location (you forgot to provide this) there may be other penalties, etc.     , and given the serious financial and/or personal consequences this might cause, it'll be worth consulting with an attorney. Answer #3: How old are you? Last year you were posting in /r/homeworkhelp. I would suggest going to the /r/roadcam subreddit and watching videos and trying to anticipate when bad things happen. Do this everyday for fifteen minutes or so for a while. Most collisions that occur happen because of excessive speed, not paying enough attention, and following too closely (you should always leave at least 2 seconds between your car and the car in front of you).  I'd also recommend taking a [learn to bicycle in traffic](http://www.bikeleague.org/content/find-take-class) course from the League of American Bicyclists. Riding a bicycle on the streets will teach you a lot about safety and could make you a better driver.


Title: Do I have any right to find out an ingredient from a restaurant whose dish causes me a physical symptom?

Question:
I can eat hot wings, Indian food, Mexican, Thai, and any kind of spicy chicken sandwich you can think of, but the Chick Fil A spicy chicken does something to me, and it always has since they introduced it. After eating it, I have what feels like a mild blockage when I urinate. I know, really weird. I don't get this from any other food.

Obviously, I should just avoid eating that sandwich. However, if I really wanted to, could I make a legal demand to know what ingredients are used in it so I could better guard my health?  For instance, it would be medically useful to me to know if I were allergic to something so I could avoid a more severe reaction.

Answer:
 The ingredients are on their website…..

https://www.chick-fil-a.com/menu/spicy-chicken-sandwichAnswer #2: The onus is on you to find out what it is you're sensitive to, and to ask them about it, not on them to explain everything in their food that you could possibly be sensitive to.

Next time you have these symptoms, see your doctor.Answer #3: They list a lot of allergens on their website.  You can also contact their customer service and ask politely.


Title: MY EX WILL NOT LET ME OR MY FAMILY HAVE ANY VISITATION AND I LIVE OUT OF STATE NOW- COURT ORDERED VISITATION IN MASSACHUSETTS

Question:
Hi, I really need help. I have legal custody of my son. I moved to California  about a year ago. long story short; I have a court order for visitation in place in Massachusetts which stated when I could have my son. Usually few days a week and every other weekend but it was like pulling teeth every time.
Since I moved here, my sons father refuses to let me see him. Even when I'd come home to visit  and he won't  let him come see me here in California.
He won't answer my calls or texts- nothing.
No communication.
The only time I can talk to my son is when he's with my family at my sisters or my parents. He will only talk to them. Until recently...
He is now NOT letting my parents or my sister see him back home in Massachusetts. The last time I saw or spoke with my son was on thanksgiving via FaceTime. That was the last time my family saw him. All communication has ceased since then. We are all very worried.

My parents and I are worried as my ex will not communicate with us at all via texts, phone or email. My mother reached out to his wife and she said she'd have him call and talk and that was over two weeks ago.  He refuses to talk to any of us or let us see my child.

I just want to see my son and make sure my family can see him as well. My ex has always been like this since our son was born.  It's always been his way or no way.  No communication or compromise. Even mediation through  court never worked.

I am wondering how to go about this the right way and what I need to do court wise.

I pay child support and I know I have a right to see my child.

This cannot be legal and is extremely unhealthy and unfair for my him. All I want is to update the order to be able to see my child when I go home and if it's allowed I would love for him to come here and visit me.

My son has been recently acting out and I know it's because he's not able to see me or my family.
We just want him to have consistency and know that he is loved by us. I have scoured the internet but nothing really helps in my particular matter.

I know I have to go to court but where? Do I need to go home and have the order updated? Or can I do it here in California? Time keeps going by and I haven't seen my son in months.

Answer:
 >Do I need to go home and have the order updated?

Yes, with a lawyer.

Your family has no right at all to see your son.  He can visit with them when you visit, but they are not entitled to independent visitation.

I recognize this is a difficult situation and your ex is not helping, but you made the decision to move 3000 miles away from your kid.  You are simply not going to have the same kind of visits, either in quality or frequency, that you would if you lived in the same county.Answer #2: He has no obligation to allow the child to see your parents or sister. He has an obligation to allow you to see the child, but you're in another state across the country. You need to have the custody agreement modified to take your move into account.


Title: Can my dad sue me for college tuition expenses?

Question:
Throwaway for reasons

Here's some background on my situation.

I'm 21 and current 7 semesters into my degree in Computer Science and Physics. I am dropping out after this semester to work full time at my start up with two of my engineering friends. Now, before you're quick to judge, we feel like we're onto something and have $5m in startup investments from 7 angel investors.

My dad is an older, "go to school, get a job, have a family", stickler, kind of guy. Growing up, he's always said he will pay for our college and not have to pay him if we graduate. But if we drop out, we have to pay him back for everything.

I got a scholarship and that covered my first two years for free. This last semester, at the beginning of the start up, my grades started slipping and I lost my scholarship. Grades are still good, just not full ride worthy anymore.

He paid for my last semester and this semester which came to $8000 and for my housing which is $6000. I have paid for everything else myself (food, insurance, gas, etc).

My question to you guys is, can he sue me for dropping out?
I told him that if he has faith in me, I will more than make it up to him in the future, whether that be my start up taking off or going back to school and working to pay him back but he's not having it.
He's threatened legal action if I don't pay him back within a year.

Extra info: he and his wife pull in $200k a year easy so he's not strapped for cash

I'm really trying not to sound spoiled or greedy, but I feel like I shouldn't have to pay him back. I just wish he would believe in what I'm capable of. Should I be worried about a lawsuit?

Answer:
 Not legal advice, but you're only 1 semester from graduating?  Why drop out now?Answer #2: >we feel like we're onto something and have $5m in startup investments from 7 angel investors

Uhhhh oh.  Pre-revenue agreement with people who lack college education for that much money?  I really hope you had an attorney and experienced consultant on your side or else I feel like you're in a debt and equity agreement that will leave you with little after the smoke clears.

The concern here isn't really in the merit, it's in the expense associated with defense.  My guess is that you are personally broke or close to it, so yes I'd be concerned about a lawsuit.  If your deal was that he'd pay as long as you graduated but you would need to repay him if you dropped out, then you may be held to your agreement.


Title: Travelling to smoke weed?

Question: If I lived in a state where marijuana is still illegal and my employer does use drug test, would I be in the red if I smoked in a state where marijuana is legal? If not, what would I need to provide my employer, if anything at all?

Answer:
 Just because you smoke where it is legal, doesn't mean you can't be fired for failing a drug test where it isn't legal.

Your employer is free to fire you for failing a drug test.Answer #2: Yes, generally, your employer would be free to drug test you and terminate your employment for a positive test (subject to your state's laws), even if you partook in the marijuana in a legal state.


Title: Got a $160 Amazon order for free?

Question:
Colorado, Littleton, USA

So I ordered a package on Amazon. It contained a Bluetooth Device, a 2 Terrabyte external hard drive, a large box of tea, and a Switch Portable Dock, along with a card game expansion.

It was set to arrive today before 8PM. Well, at about 1:30 pm I got a push notification that it was delivered. I went and checked my mail and nothing was there. Then I went and asked my apartment management and they didn't have the package either. I rightfully called Amazon Customer Service. They told me that they would refund the package (already got the confirmation that the refund was done) as well as giving me a $40 credit on Amazon.

Well, about two hours later, I go to the managers office to get a parking pass and I'm given the package...they delivered it late. At this point I've already been given a refund as well as a $40 credit, AND I still got the items.

My net gain here is crazy. I originally paid for the items, but it's since been refunded, so I essentially got $200 for free because a package was mentioned as delivered a little early. If I didn't get off work early today, I would have never known it was delivered late.

So my question is...should I report this to Amazon? I feel like I should, but on one hand it's not traceable as far as I know, and fuck Jeff Bozos, rich beyond his mind.

On another hand, if there's a way I could be caught, I don't NEED the money...so I want to know what the best course of action would be, all things considered.

Thank you for your time.

UPDATE: So I called them. They're recharging my credit card the cost of the order and the refund will go through normally. They're letting me keep the $40 credit though (which makes sense, they did say it got delivered early when it didn't.)

Answer: Report it to Amazon. They may let you keep the "sorry about that" $40 credit for being honest.


Title: [Id] a friend was caught sexting a 17 year old who turns 18 in two weeks

Question:
A friend of mine (22) came for some help trying to figure out How the statutory rape laws would affect them since the person was 17 either way they are screwed, but when we looked in the state laws we couldn't find anything with this level of nuance.

He didn't exchange pictures but they were going to meet up and have sex but she didn't because her parents found out and saw the messages.

Answer: Sexting is not sex. Statutory rape laws do not apply. What does apply are child porn laws. Delete any pictures, have her delete any pics, and don't do anything physical or online until she's 18.Answer #2: Scam alert! Answer #3: He was sexting a 35 year old MAN with TESTICLES! This is a super-common SCAM...there never was a girl and, most importantly, he was NEVER going to get laid :)


Title: Where do I start?

Question:
Last night, in an act of extreme drunken stupidness, I took my car out for a spin around the block. I'm 21 btw living in Northern Ca, my roommate is 19 he was drunk off booze that I bought.

I crashed my car (2013 Hyundai Elantra, very safe car -it felt like I hit a pillow) going 55-60 mph. The truck I hit was a 1970s Ford Truck. I hit the truck so hard that I pushed it into another truck (2006 Toyota Tacoma)parked parallel to it. I also pushed the trucks into their garage door, which was made out of wood. I also took out part of their fence and this something that was owned by AT&T that the surrounding houses had their telephone lines connected too. I have full coverage on my car and GAP insurance, but only $25,000 of coverage for property damage.

Right after the crash, my roommate ran home and as far as I know, nobody saw him there. Around 7 police cars showed up, an ambulance and fire truck. For some reason, I told the police that instead of driving around the block, I was driving from my friends house who lived a good 20 minutes away. I told the police and my insurance that I was the only one driving too. My BAC was something like .24 or something. I'm pretty sure the police knew I was lying as they talked to my roommate. And I was informed by a friend that the insurance agency can tell if there was a passenger. But my roommate and I suffered no injuries except from a slight bruise from the seatbelt and a bruise on his hip.

I'm fucked, totally aware of that. I'm probably going to get sued, I have a DUI, (this is my first ever offense) and only about $1400-1500 saved up.

So, my questions are should I get a lawyer, tell the police I lied and should I pay my car loan payment and car insurance for this month?

If anyone is curious about the damages: http://imgur.com/gallery/2JBjN/new

And regarding my insurance, I doubled my bodily injury coverage and paid for uninsured insurance. And for property damage, well, $25,000 sounded like a lot to me when I was signing up.
And if anyone could tell me what this is: http://i.imgur.com/QYS9HRK.jpg that would cool.

Answer:
 Get a lawyer.

Follow their instructions and don't answer any questions without them present.

Call your insurance and car loan people and see what they need.  Or  just pay.Answer #2: Yes you need an attorney.

Yes you have to pay your car loan. You need to contact your insurance about that aspect. You need to contact your GAP insurance about that aspect.

You are royally fucked. ATT is going to rape you financially. Answer #3: >So, my questions are should I get a lawyer, tell the police I lied and should I pay my car loan payment and car insurance for this month?

Get a lawyer. Do not talk to the police without your lawyer present. Pay your car loan and insurance payments.  Answer #4: Yes, you need a lawyer.

I don't understand, though, why your starting point or the presence of your friend in the car is in any way relevant to the accident, though. You were driving, not him, correct?

Just because you didn't want your friend to get in trouble for underage drinking?

Anyway, I'd follow the advice of your attorney.


Title: Paralegals vs lawyers

Question: Do paralegals and lawyers do the same amount of work for a case?

Answer:
 Canadian paralegal here. It really depends on the area of law that they are working in. As someone who has experience in immigration, family law, and insurance law I can speak personally to those areas.

In the firms that I worked with I can say that family law and insurance is split almost 50/50 to 60/40 depending on how complex a case may be. The paralegal is usually very involved with the client and the organizing and filing of documents and records. The lawyer in this case is the one going to court so they will often have a bigger role than a paralegal when it comes to the examinations, mediation, and going to court for chambers or hearings.

Meanwhile, in immigration law the firm that I worked for primarily had the paralegal doing almost everything except dealing with the government agencies or potential issues that needed to go to court (which are rare).

On an interesting note, the lawyer who I worked for in the area of family law had a previous history in Criminal law. She said that in Canada they tend to not have paralegals and instead have an legal administrative assistant for organizing for court. She worked for the Crown (aka the State) so I’d be interested to hear from this in the criminal law field who work on the defence side.


Title: Had an incident with a professor, need advice.

Question:
Was told to post here.

Long story short,  on test night, my professor threw my exam across the room, unprovoked, and stomped on it. When I asked him why he did it, he remarks "because I wasn't follow directions", which is false. He has a history of demeaning/belittling students in the most disrespectful of ways, and I'm no exception. I got in his face and demanded that he pick it back up. He feigned ignorance as to what just had happened while I repeatedly told him to pick my exam back up and hand it to me. Eventually, he got a student to call security and we both wrote statements. I withdrew from the class due to anxiety attacks I was getting from being around this toxic professor and knowing deep down inside, the school isn't doing anything to curb his behavior. I have this documented.

Now, my school wants me sign a form, taking 100% blame for everything. I've refused and they threatened me with more severe disciplinary actions. I was advise by my school counselor to get a lawyer. The Dean wants to meet next week Wednesday to "sign or else".

It's a public college, never been in trouble in my life. What kind of lawyer do I need?

Answer: For what? Who did something illegal?


Title: [SD] Illegal for for-profit to take "donations" and put them in their sales?

Question:
My business does inside sales and they ask customers for donations to our foundation at the end of every phone call. They say the money goes towards supplying kids with tickets to local events.

However, they put the money into their sales account, because the tickets they say they "donate" come to them free of charge and if they go unused they are worthless...but they don't always use them. So with or without a donation they will have those tickets available unless the demand for tickets drastically raises unprecedentedly.

Is this legal or just shady and unethical?

I have a hard time asking people for donations knowing this...but I don't want to lose my job.

Edit: Yes. There is an associated 501(c)3 that exists but the foundation always has money. It doesn't need more money. If it ever ran out of money, these tickets will still be available, as you see, they were free to us.

Tickets do get donated. But the money that gets asked for doesn't actually go to the foundation.

Answer: Foundation ? As in an associated 501(c)3? Yes, this is fraud.Answer #2: IANAL, but I am an accountant. This is straight out fraud and I don't understand how they could get away with it for years. Auditors know to look for exactly this when it comes to 501(c)3 organizations. Answer #3: Illegal, unethical and shady.


Title: Family friend has child care in home, but has no insurance, license, and wants payments under the table.

Question: We trust her and think she would do a great job at a great price. What are the risks to us/our child?

Answer:
 If she harms your child, you will not be able to collect money from her for the medical bills.

If you pay her under the table, you will not be able to claim the child care tax credit, which is a pretty sweet one.


Title: Can I resell custom made toy figures based on a video game?

Question:
I want to include toys, stickers and other merchandise based on characters from video games in my subscription box. Does it have to be licensed merchandise or can I create custom mini figures and call it "Mario"? or "Not Mario" or is that illegal?

I honestly don't even need to use their name, just call it "VideoGameBox" and people will recognize the figures themselves, is that an issue?

edit: i'm in Texas.

Answer: It will be a huge issue. You're looking at both trademark and copyright violations. I remember hearing a story about Nitendo suing someone for a Pokemon themed party a few weeks ago.


Title: (Ontario, Canada) Child Support in shared access/custody case

Question:
My ex dropped this on me tonight.  We had fought in the courts last year for custody of our daughter after my ex had abducted her.  I won my access back on a 50/50 basis.  Full shared access and custody.  I even won court costs.

At the time we were both working at the exact same job with the same wage, so no support was requested.  Tonight, she informs me she plans on quitting her job to go back to school to better herself and provide a better potential earning future to support our daughter.  She is requesting I pay almost 400$ a month in support  as she states that minimum wage at 10 hours a week will net her under 10,000$ for the year, while I make just over 40,000$ a year.

Is this really something she can do?  She's voluntarily leaving a job with similar pay to go back to school.  I don't see how that's fair that I pay for her to be off work when she has a good job already.

She's offered to do this out of court to avoid court costs, but part of me thinks she's just trying to get me to agree before it sees a judge.  Would a justice laugh this out, or does she have a case?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.  I plan on using the Law Society of Upper Canada's free consult, but would like to have as much info as possible before doing so.  Last time court cost me almost 4000$, and that was even after her paying for a portion of my legal fees. I'd like to avoid that as much as possible.

Help please, I don't know what to do.

Answer: Well given that the table support amount for an income of $40,000.00 is $359.00 a month, and that doesn't account for the fact that you're 50/50 custody and access (which lowers support obligations). I would say you really need to talk to lawyer and that her offer is bullshit.


Title: What happens if I don't return a Gamefly game after canceling account?

Question:
I made a gamefly free trial and rented a game. I'm going to cancel after the free trial is done because I can't afford the service at the moment.

My debit card I used to make the account (required) expired the day after account creation. However, the checking account it was for is still active.

Would I be safe in keeping the game and just saying it was lost in the mail or something similar?

Edit: Might be worth mentioning I have already activated the new debit card for my account (which has the same numbers, but different exp. date and CVC.)

Edit2: LOCATION: Missouri

Answer:
 That would be illegal as you would be stealing the game, they same as if you walked into Target, stuffed a game under your shirt, and walked out without paying.

I imagine they would send you a bill to your address, a few times if you ignored it, before passing it on to collections. Technically they might be able to press criminal charges but I don't know if they would.


Title: Please help. Friend of mine is taking non-stop (!) ritalin pills without having a doctors inscription or ADHD (note)

Question: Im worried about a friend of mine. For the last 2 weeks he's been taking non-stop ritalin pills. however, he doesn't have ADHD. He said to me that he feels the constant need to be under influence of drugs. I talked about it with him, he said he wasn't gonna take anymore but today I found out he's got new pills. (he gets those pills from a classmate in school). Im very worried atm. The past year wasn't nice for him because of familiy issues. Lately i started to notice hes showing signs of depression. Altough he's very open about it, the last days he's lying to us about his mental wellness and drug abuse. Im thinking of calling his school and snitch his clasmate who is giving him those pills. Also can someone exactly tell me what negative effects those ritalin pills have on non-ADHD people? Thank you in advance.

Answer: You can (and probably should) tell a parent/counselor/trusted adult sooner rather than later before things get out of hand.


Title: How to deal with ex that has underage pictures of me? 18(f)

Question:
I recently found out that an abusive ex of mine has underage pictures of me still from 6+ months ago. I am 18(f) currently, but I was 17 at the time of the photos. He was 18, at the time, is currently 19. I feel disgusted knowing he still has them, but the worst part is, I didn't even know he took some of them, so they were non-consenting.  I have been playing with the idea of going to a police station and telling them the situation. I would be happy for an officer to simply go to his house and have him delete the photos and wouldn't pursue charges beyond that. Unfortunately, I don't have any "evidence" at the moment. The pictures were sent over Snapchat when he started harassing my current boyfriend, who instantly blocked him before saving anything, so there's no physical evidence currently.

Basically, I just want to know what options I have, if at all, to get rid of his possession of the photos.

Answer:
 Your testimony would be evidence.

>  I didn't even know he took some of them, so they were non-consenting.

You can't consent to produce child porn.

The only issue here is if you took some and sent them cause then you would have produce/distributed them.

>  I would be happy for an officer to simply go to his house and have him delete the photos and wouldn't pursue charges beyond that.

The after result of filing a report are out of your control. Perhaps thats all an officer does, they could also charge him for production & distribution of child porn.


Title: Apartment burglarized on Thanksgiving Day with the help of my local fire department, what are my next steps?

Question:
Edit: Orlando, FL

Let me start by saying this happened Thanksgiving evening, between 7:30-9:30pm.

Once all the members of my household had left the house at ~7pm, by 7:30pm my local fire department got a call for open flames in a dwelling. They arrived on scene within minutes ( I live 2 mins down the exact same street as the department) and then attempted to knock on the front door to see if anyone was home, which we weren’t. I have a video of me speaking with the head of the team, that forcibly entered my apartment after they didn’t get a response, that says he didn’t see any flames in any windows. They broke my front door, entered my home and found an “unattended candle”, extinguished it and “deactivated” a smoke alarm from the detector in a room of my apartment. Before I go on let me add this.. we burn candles and incense in my apartment, a lot. I make MY OWN candles, I am very well aware of fire safety standards, and not once after burning any candles and leaving them unattended on many occasions, has the alarm went off, or me come home to an open flame.

The fire department didn’t extinguish any flame, no damage was done other than my front door and another door that was locked in my apartment. Now here’s where I have questions, if the alarm was going off in the room, and the department noticed a “burning odor” why would they break down the locked master bedroom door? Anywho, after this whole ordeal they write me a note stating they were here and responsible for the damages done, with a response id and phone number to Risk Management division of my city. They leave my door, lock busted through, easily opened if pushed or nudged, leave me a note, and go along their business.

Well within the time of all this happening, and my family returning back home by 9:45pm, my apartment was burglarized lots of my electronics and jewelry were stolen, including a fire-safe that held my important paperwork (birth certificates, car titles, passports). In all over $3,500 in electronics were stolen, but so was my sense of security within my own neighborhood. I called the police, statements were made, signed the paperwork they needed, and told them I’d like to press charges if any suspects were to be found. The police took fingerprints on some things that were touched, and pictures of the doors as evidence.

Now in one of the many conversations I had with the officers present, one mentioned that in cases like this, there is a division of the city called Code Enforcement that is meant to determine if the dwelling is secure to leave alone, especially at night. Since the police report I have spoke with the fire departments chief, the team member in charge of the forced entry and I’m waiting until Monday to call the Risk Management division, because they are closed on weekends.

The question I have is who is really at fault for leaving my apartment this way? And what are some of the steps I can take legally into getting anything payed for? I’d also like to add that the landlord is obviously paying for the repairs to the front door and master bedroom door frame, but of course after the police report was filed, and of course I have to wait until Monday because of the holiday season. So now I’m forced to stay awake, with no electronics in my home in my living room, making sure no body walks into my apartment while my family is sleeping for two more nights. Thank you in advance for all that actually read this and any answers you have! Have a blessed holidays!

;tldr After the fire department forcibly entered my house and left the door open, I was robbed and want to know what I can do.

Update 9:30pm 11-25-2017: after speaking with the fire team that entered the house they have cleared their previous story. They did not find an active alarm, they only found the lit candle, no harm no dangerous outcome, but they did find a lit candle, as I already knew there was one lit.

They have cooperated with me and gave me their statements to bring to the Code Enforcement division of the city, I have proof and videos of the door and the condition it was left in. I have an attorney willing to take the case. I’ve filed a claim with my renters insurance company. My front door has been replaced by the landlord. I still do suspect this to be a malicious call to the fire department in the first place and they have turned over the information of the caller to the detective from law enforcement for my case. The ball should start rolling Monday morning for everything else

Thank you everyone for responses again, I truly do appreciate your knowledge on this situation! Happy holidays! Stay safe!
Topic:
Small Claims Procedure

Answer:
 Is it possible your candles are so heavily perfumed that your neighbors can smell it? Is it possible any of your neighbors are aware of your penchant for burning potentially strongly scented candles 24/7?

Is it also possible that perhaps your neighbors are really tired of your reckless disregard for their safety and olfactory senses?Answer #2: > I am very well of fire safety

Is this why you left a burning candle unattended?Answer #3: Nothing to add on your troubles but frankly I think you're getting a little too much of a reaction on the candle safety aspect, if I'm understanding the situation from your comments.

A single candle in the middle of an empty concrete room, on a concrete floor surrounded by a glass enclosure is about as likely to start a fire as a glass of ice water. Unless it's a candle the size of a 55 gallon drum that spontaneously combusts. I get it's popular for people who don't understand how the codes are designed to say "Fire is bad, hah you're a reckless bastard!" but seriously...when's the last time any of you examined and tested your pilot lights and the associated safety equipment? Had your outlets inspected to ensure no mediocre connections? Cleaned out all that dryer lint from your ducts?

Sounds like every reasonable precaution was taken.


Title: [NM] Is it illegal to try to cheat a pee test at a testing facility?

Question: Long story short, I smoked weed a few weeks ago, job application wants a drug test, a friend offered a device to essentially use someone else's pee. The problem is, if it's illegal and I get caught, an arrest could jeopardize my state licensing for my other job. I really don't want to have that happen. Does anyone know?

Answer:
 >The problem is, if it's illegal and I get caught, an arrest could jeopardize my state licensing for my other job. I really don't want to have that happen

Legal or not, getting caught cheating on a drug test will jeopardize your state licensing, period.

On the bright side, there is a trend of employers dropping marijuana from the list of drugs they test for... but until that trend comes to your employer, you may have to choose between your weed and your job.Answer #2: Fraud is generally illegal. Conspiracy to commit fraud is generally illegal. Would any DA or cop care? Who knows, but whenever people come up with cunning plans to deceive I like to remind them that while law can be very technical with 1st 2nd 3rd degrees of specialized terms, laws were written along time ago and in a way so that folks who couldn't read could understand what was happening.

So if your doing something that a nun could call "sin" back in 1700s assume theres a law against it.


Title: How is Elon Musk's The Boring Company able to drill tunnels under privately owned properties? I thought property ownership extended upwards and downwards indefinitely. Wouldn't digging a hole under someone's property be illegal?

Answer:
 He has permission.
Projects like this aren't just done off the cuff, there's a long planning period first, where the route is mapped out, and rights to place the tunnel are obtained.  If it's for a government, this could include the use of eminent domain to force a sale of the rights whether or not the landowner wants to sell.  If not for a government, then if the rights can't be purchased, then the project fails before Elon even gets involved.
^^^^edit: ^^^^spellingAnswer #2: Property rights most definitely do not extend up and down infinitely.  Things like mineral rights and airspace rights exist and are complicated enough for their normal use cases, nevermind anything unusual.  Mineral rights, water rights, and similar ground resource rights also vary wildly between locales (maybe air too, but I can't say for sure; I have a background in geology, now law).


Title: Can my landlord come after me for damages done to an accidental fire, i caused in my duplex?

Question: Last night I caused a grease fire in my kitchen. I got it out with a fire extinguisher relatively quickly, but the cabinets and stove and backsplash will need to be replaced. I do not have renters insurance. I am young and do not own anything that would not be hard to replace. I called my landlord, his maintenance supervisor came over and checked things out and told me I’d be responsible for the damages. If that’s the case, that’s fine it is what it is. I’m guessing I won’t be getting my deposit back, but my deposit was only 500$. That not going to cover the price of the repairs. I just find it odd that i would be responsible for the damages. If I burned down the whole building, would I then be responsible for the duplex? Or if someone accidentally burnt down  an apartment building with 50+ units. Are they then responsible for millions of dollars?

Answer:
 > I just find it odd that i would be responsible for the damages.

Why? You caused them.

> If I burned down the whole building, would I then be responsible for the duplex?

Yes.

> Or if someone accidentally burnt down an apartment building with 50+ units. Are they then responsible for millions of dollars?

Yes.


Title: [CA] Girlfriend of driver in accident asked to make police statement, what are her options?

Question:
My friend is the girlfriend of a driver who died in a car accident, along with one of his other friends.

The police asked her to make a statement as to the last 24 hours of his life.  She doesn't want to say anything that might be used against her bf's family and insurance claim.  He didn't do anything like drink or do drugs, but he did say in a text message they were going to go for a fun car ride.  She doesn't want to lie to the police or seem evasive, but she also doesn't want to contribute to any case against her bf.

What are her options?  Can she refuse to make the police statement?  Will this somehow cause more investigations on her?

Answer:
 She can always refuse to make a statement.

They might later subpoena her for testimony, in which case she'd have to testify.

Under no circumstances, ever, should she lie to anyone.  Either she doesn't talk, or she talks honestly.


Title: My best friend wants me to carry out her will, hopefully not anytime soon. Do we need a power of attorney or what? We have no idea where to start and can't afford legal counsel. We just need a guideline as to how to proceed.

Question:
So yeah she's worried about her health and we're as close to family as you can be. Uhhh I guess that's off topic but basically she wants me to be able to carry out her will as she sees fit since she is now receiving a large inheritance. How do we proceed in all this? What's our first steps? Is power of attorney ( I guess special power of attorney ) necessary?

Her adoptive parents are deceased and she has no siblings. Cousins shouldn't have a legal right to it. Any help or pointing me in the right direction is highly appreciated. I'm in Tennessee and she's in Georgia (USA) if that helps.

Answer:
 > can't afford legal counsel

...

> she is now receiving a large inheritance

Which one is it?

This is not something you should be doing on your own.  There are many estate planning firms that will do a very simple will for a couple hundred bucks.  If she is receiving a large inheritance, it is worth it to hire a lawyer to make sure this is done right.


Title: Employer deducted all my PTO right after going on FMLA leave [California]

Question:
Hello!

My first born was born on June 13th, which is the first day I took off for FMLA/PFL from my work. I already meet all the eligible FMLA leave requirements and let my employer know 60+ days in advance that I would be taking FMLA leave.

In my last paycheck I went to go log into our online payroll system (ADP) and noticed that my **PTO hours were reduced from 24 hours -> 0 hours**. I emailed HR with screenshots and got the following as a response:

> Hi MrCream
> It's because you are on a leave of absence. Any time an employee is on a leave of absence, they are required to exhaust their PTO.
>
> Thank you,
> HR

To which I replied:

> Hi HR,
> I am confused on what exactly that means - even on FMLA leave I have to "exhaust my PTO"? - And what exactly does Exhaust my PTO mean - is it being paid out to me on the next paycheck?

I have not yet been given a response but in the mean time I have drafted the following response while I wait to see their response:

> Quick followup,
>
> Since California considers PTO/Vacation **earned compensation** - I'm trying really hard to understand here how this is not **wage theft** via an **unreasonable restriction**.
> FMLA allows me to take legally protected unpaid time off of work to bond with my newborn child. The FMLA entitles eligible employees of covered employers to take unpaid, job-protected leave for specified family and medical reasons with continuation of group health insurance coverage under the same terms and conditions as if the employee had not taken leave.
>
>
> Via: https://www.dol.gov/whd/fmla/fmla-faqs.htm - I am aware that it is in the right of COMPANY_NAME (however inhumane) to utilize the following allowance:
>
> "The FMLA only requires unpaid leave. However, the law permits an employee to elect, or the employer to require the employee, to use accrued paid vacation leave, paid sick or family leave for some or all of the FMLA leave period. An employee must follow the employer’s normal leave rules in order to substitute paid leave. When paid leave is used for an FMLA-covered reason, the leave is FMLA-protected."
>
> Though this allows me (an employee) to exhaust my PTO/Vacation for 'some' or 'all' of the FMLA leave period - I fail to see where the PTO is being applied in my case. Consider the following:
>
> I am taking my FMLA leave the day my son is born (6/13).
> I have been working up until that point.
> I take FMLA and plan on returning to work on the previously agreed upon with my direct supervisor (7/2).
>
> THEREFORE,  there is no interim time for me to have used my PTO.
>
> THUS, if it is being deducted from my account via any means rather than usage - It is wage theft, plain & simple.
>
> I would like to formally request the reinstatement of my PTO. At no point was it communicated to me, or agreed on an employee/employer relationship that my PTO be exhausted during my paternity leave.
>
>
> Best,
> MrCream

Any thoughts/advice would be greatly appreciated. I have not sent that lengthy reply yet as I am waiting to see if HR will be giving me a check for my PTO/Vacation. Thanks!

Answer:
 The employer is allowed to *require* you to use your paid leave first.

That means if you take 14 days off and you have 3 days leave, 3 days are paid and 11 days are unpaid.

Do you have a paystub or other evidence showing that every day of your leave will be unpaid?

Absent clear evidence or a refusal to correct a mistake, accusing your employer of "wage theft" is not a good way to maintain a positive relationship going forward.Answer #2: It is not "inhumane" nor is it wage theft for them to pay out your paid time off when you are indeed taking time off.

If they do not pay it out (and the HR reply seems to indicate that they will), then you likely have a claim.


Title: Washington State: recourse for excessive noise from shooting range

Question:
I moved to this area on the east side of Seattle a few years ago. I specifically told the realtor I have noise sensitivity and need a quiet place in the country to live (misophonia). She showed me a nice apartment near a state park, it was very quiet so I took it. Well, what she did not tell me was there was a local shooting range next door. The day she showed me the place it was closed. I feel like I was taken advantage of, and I know part of it is on me, but of all the things to worry about when finding a new place it simply did not dawn on me I would have to check for a shooting range nearby.

I'm all for gun ownership, this is not political. The issue is the pistol, rifle, and shotgun noise is constant. And I mean so loud it literally echoes off the mountain behind my place, from dawn until sunset, all day, every day except Monday and Tuesday. It sounds like a war zone all the time. It is embarrassing bringing guests over and have to explain why it sounds like I live in a war zone. Even with all the windows closed you can hear it, and forget about the quiet enjoyment of my back porch. Every Saturday morning the local police go there to shoot their shotguns, it sounds like cannons going off and lasts for hours. I do not get a second of peace.

Now I could move, but besides the gun noise I love where I live. I have a great view of mountains, when the gun noise stops at sundown it is dead quiet there. I have misophonia so no neighbor noise is like heaven to me. Even if I can just hear someone's TV in the next apartment I break out in a cold sweat, and my thoughts immediately turn to suicide, it is a real trigger. The gun noise is not as bad as neighbor sounds for my condition, but still pretty upsetting, especially after hours and hours of it, nonstop.

Is there any recourse or do I just have to put up with it? I don't really mind the handguns or whatever but sometimes it sounds like they are firing volley after volley of 50 mm rounds. I don't want to shut the place down, they were here before I was. But to me it seems like they are really pushing the limits of what is acceptable. I did some reading on the laws and found this:

173-60-050
Exemptions.
(1) The following shall be exempt from the provisions of WAC 173-60-040 between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.:
(b) Sounds created by the discharge of firearms on authorized shooting ranges.

Where is the line drawn here? At what point do their rights infringe on my right to quiet enjoyment of my home?

Answer:
 You should've done your research. The above is legal, you really have no recourse here. Answer #2: You'd better spend your time suing the realtor than you would be trying to stop the gun range. You moved to the nuisance.Answer #3: Not sure why you think you can shut the place down, if they are operating within the given times then they are just fine.  If they do it before 7:00am or after 10:00pm - give them a call.  The situation would be different if this was going to be built after you moved in, but you even said you were aware the place existed before moving in - just wasn't aware of the popularity of the place.  Answer #4: This is not a quiet enjoyment case.

The exemption in the law appears to allow the range to operate as they are between 7am and 10:00pm. As long as they're not operating outside of those hours, you likely don't have a case against them.


Title: Car was hit and totalled in front of my home and now I could potentially be in the hole for 5 thousand.

Question:
As the title says my car was hit in front of my house in the middle of the day as I was getting ready for work. The driver of the vehicle that hit me tried to drive off but he couldn't because the neighbors were outside yelling at him and his axle was too screwed up for him to go anywhere. We both filed claims with out insurance agents and today his insurance guy came out to look at it and said it's going to be a total loss and that they can cut me a check for what the car is worth now which is about 10k. The biggest problem is I still owe about 12.5k on the vehicle. So this means I will still owe 2.5k for my loan and on top of that I will have to purchase a new vehicle. I just need some advice on what to do or what I can do. It's a really stressful scenario and I just need someone to tell me it's going to be okay. Thank you guys.

Edited  to say I live in California.

Answer:
 The purpose of insurance is to bring you back to where you were when you started.

You have a vehicle worth 10k.

You owe a total of 12.5k on it.

The insurance cuts you a check for 10k, and you pay that toward your loan.

Now you have no car, and you owe 2.5k.

You can get an identical car to the one you lost (worth 10k) by taking out a loan for that car.

So the old loan plus the new one is 12.5k, and your car is worth 10k.

Which is exactly where you are now.

Unless you paid for "gap insurance" which will cover the difference between the loan amount and the value of the car.Answer #2: You can appeal/negotiate the amount that the insurance will pay.  Do research on your make/model/year/miles/condition.  Look at blue book values (kbb.com, edumunds.com, etc.).  Look at cars for sale in your area.  Show that your car was worth more than they were offering.  Hopefully, they will come back with a better offer.

You can also talk to your bank to see if there are options for spinning the 2.5K into a new loan.


Title: [SC] Neighbor was in a drunk driving accident and is suing all involved parties. Hinted that we gave him a drink before he left and will bring that up. Anything to prepare for?

Question:
Our neighbor's kid's 24th birthday was a few of weeks ago. He came over, and we offered a celebratory drink. He took it and left.

A couple of hours later, he was in a drunk driving accident as a passenger. The driver was 18 years old, and driving drunk. All other passengers were 18 except the neighbor, and all were drunk. They had an at-fault head-on collision with another driver.

My neighbor was taken to the hospital. He's on Medicare and is not employed, so his lawyer is suggesting he sue the driver's estate (driver's dad work truck was the vehicle involved, so they're going for the dad's property?), as well as the insurance company of the driver they hit.

Our neighbor came over a few days ago and mentioned that he received a drink from us and had it with him in the car, hinting pretty heavily to expect news on this. Is there anything to be concerned about? I don't know if this is related to anything his lawyer said, or just his own volition.

Answer:
 If you’re sued or subpoenaed, retain an attorney. Your liability for having given a legal adult a single drink hours prior, and him being the *passenger in someone else’s car* is zero, or perhaps even less than that.Answer #2: So you gave a single drink to a (sober?) adult who could legally drink and a few hours later he was a passenger of a car being driven by some other random drunk guy who caused an accident? The guy's injuries are so far separated from your actions it's silly.

Also, he might sue the innocent drive that got hit by the drunk guy? WTF.

Stop talking to the guy. Don't worry about anything unless and until you are served any papers. If that happens get a lawyer. I would venture to say that any moderately competent lawyer would be able to get a suit against you dismissed. Answer #3: As a note \- if he sues, you also have an option of using your homeowner's insurance. But this is the kind of thing that not only will get quashed, but neighbor will probably have to pay attorney's fees.


Title: He Took My Laptop to NYC and broke off contact

Question: [deleted]

Answer: He stole your computer. Call the NYC police and report it stolen.


Title: Husband cut off wifi access (PA)

Question:
   So, this is a first world problem if there ever was one.  I'm going through this endless divorce, and estranged husband has cut off my wifi access.  It's certainly inconvenient, but it doesn't seem that there is anything I can do.

   My lawyer sent an email to his, asking that he appeal to his client to be reasonable.  The response boils down to, "pound sand, I'm not a marriage counselor."

   Lack of internet is causing me to stay at work late, as little things I would do at home in the evening I can no longer do.  If it snows to the point where I can't get to the office, I'm required to work from home.  Now in that situation I think he would give me the password, because he sleeps days and would have to watch the kids if I went and holed up in a neighbors house for internet.

   I'm just wondering if there's an angle I'm missing.  Any ideas guys?

Answer: Do you rent? If not who owns the house? Whose name is the account in for internet?


Title: Can my landlord keep my security deposit in this situation?

Question:
I live in Milwaukee and last month signed a lease term that would have begun September 1st for an apartment in Oconomowoc, WI. I did this in anticipation for a new job I was offered in the area. Unfortunately, the company that hired me barely gave me a shot and let me go in a week saying I "didn't fit their scheme".

Because this was several weeks prior to the start of my lease, I contacted my future landlord on the same day and explained my situation. I told him I understood that i was legally bound to the lease unless he could find a new tenant to take it over. Well,less than a week later,  he found that new tenant for Sept 1st.

Outside of a little time and effort to place the ad on craigslist and show the place, this really hasn't caused him any hardship.  There is a line in the lease that says "The security deposit shall not be used as rent and will be forfeited in the event that premises are vacated prior to the lease term."

Well, I didn't vacate prior to the lease term because I never even occupied the residence. Someone else on a different lease is living there until Sept. 1st. We never even exchanged keys.

Can he legally keep my security deposit I paid? (This is what he told me he would do after he found the new tenant. )

Answer: A judge might construe a situation like this as 'double-dipping'. He's not really entitled to benefit twice in an instance like this.


Title: [Australia] I work at a hair salon. As I was washing a woman's hair, her diamond earring fell down the drain. I'm worried about what to do next.

Question:
Just as the title says. As I do every day at work, I was washing the hair of a client. The seats lay back, and her earring must've been loose because as I was washing her hair, I saw a small shiny thing drop down the sink and into the drain, along with the noise of it. I immediately turned the water off, told her I believe her earring had come out since my thought first was that and I looked. She obviously wouldn't have been happy about it but didn't say a lot. I told her to just have a seat an that I would get my boss (as I didn't know what to do and haven't had this issue happen before.) My boss put her head down, swore a few times, walked down the back, and told the lady to sit down at the other basin, and that she'd contact someone (her partner) to come down to the salon and see if it's caught in the pipes somewhere. That's exactly what he will do sometime today. Luckily the salon closed afterwards and will over the weekend.

Here's my issue... what do I do if it's not found? My boss was talking to another client about it after and this client said her insurance may cover it. My boss made a joke about how she will take it out of my paycheck. I think it was a joke but I also think there was a level of seriousness to it, as she didn't laugh or smile for a few seconds, and then turned around to look at me and see what I was thinking I guess. She also mentioned a number of times how "pissed off" her partner will be over this; the inconvenience of having to come into the salon and find this earring.

I feel terrible about the whole thing but also do not feel it's my fault. I didn't undo her earring and throw it away. It must've been loose and the movements of my hands on her scalp were enough to get it to drop out. I believe this would've happened regardless of who was washing her hair, and that it was bound to happen very soon if it was loose. I also think that it's her own responsibility. If I owned very expensive earrings, personally I think I would take them out of my ears prior to doing something like swimming, going for a run, putting my head in a basin lol, etc if I was not okay with the idea of possibly losing them.
But I am worried that I'll be expected to pay? Should I apologise? Should I offer to pay? Should my boss perhaps have insurance to cover this? I'm from Melbourne in Australia, if that helps. Can anyone help please?

tl;dr - If the earring isn't found in the drain, should I be the one to replace the earring, or will my boss possibly have insurance to cover it, etc? Please and thanks!

Answer:
 1. Don't panic just yet. It sounds like you caught it quick enough and there's a good chance it will be in the u-bend of the pipe.

2. No your boss can't make you pay for it. Nor can the lady who lost it (although she *may* be able to sue your boss)

3. If your boss has even half decent insurance they will cover this should the worst happen

Accidents happen. I don't think there's any harm in an apology but it wasn't your fault - it could have happened to anyone. Having said that - learn a lesson and maybe suggest people take their earings out from now on.Answer #2: If you turned the water off immediately, there's actually a very good chance the earring will be found in the trap. The odds are pretty good if you acted quick!

But hell no, they can't deduct that from your pay.


Title: Coworker constantly slaps my butt

Question:
At work in front of others. I am the youngest guy in my office she is a large middle aged women and treats me like a piece of meat. This has happened in front my manager. Really makes me feel uncomfortable. Can I sue my company for allowing this to happen?

New Jersey

Answer:
 Have you reported this to HR? Answer #2: Document every interaction with this lady. Dates, times, circumstances of the slapping, etc. EDIT: also document your conversations with the manager about the issue and how it was dismissed. HR may be interested in that little tidbit.

Contact HR (even if it is in another state) and tell them it is sexual harassment (because it is). HR people are trained to take these seriously.

Then give HR a chance to correct it before you start screaming "LAWSUIT" or they may think you are making stuff up trying to get a payday.


Title: Went downtown Chicago last night and a pothole blew up my tire. Can I sue the city and have them pay for the damage?

Answer: You could.  Or you could take a breath and just fill out [the form for this](http://www.chicityclerk.com/community-affairs/claims).


Title: Suing in death row

Question:
Can a death row inmate sue someone, or can a death row inmate be sued? If so what would happen to the execution date, will it be postponed?

Country: Estonia, but im interested in US law.
We dont have death row here anyway.

Answer: Yes they can sue, no it doesn't postpone their execution. Answer #2: Related: what about accusing someone else of something criminal?  Would the defendant's right to face their accuser require a temporary stay of execution, if the execution would occur before the trial?


Title: What legal ramifications would a bar face by providing a breathalyzer service to its patrons? (OR)

Question:
Seems like it would be a nice thing to do.

Edit: thanks for the responses! This was entirely a "shower thought legal advice question".

Topic:
Alcohol Related Other than DUI

Answer: Hint: High scores.


Title: whats the process to undo a ticket you paid online?

Question: i was talking to an attorney briefly who mentioned a process where you unearth a ticket you paid online but did not know it would cause points or whatever. i got a careless driving ticket in october and just paid it off but want to go back and go to court for it

Answer:
 Generally speaking, paying a fine off is a very strong indicator of guilt.

You can contact your local courthouse and ask about the procedures for challenging a driving infraction. They should be able to direct you to the correct forms. You'll then get a court date where you'll have a chance to tell your side of the story.

But so we are clear, "I don't want points on my record" is not a valid defense to careless driving. You are going to need strong proof that paying off the ticket was a mistake and then you are going to need to have strong proof that you weren't carelessly driving. Hopefully you have dash cam footage showing you driving like a perfect angel and then showing some alternative reason for it to look like you carelessly driving.Answer #2: You can't. When you paid it you admitted guilt.  That's on you for not knowing the consequences.


Question:
A client wanted me to add this clause and I have no idea what it truly means. Can anyone help here?

"Client will not be held liable to Photographer with respect to claims arising from the Client's use of any content under this agreement or for loss of profits, indirect, punitive, special, consequential, or any other damages"

Answer:
 You can't make a claim against the Client for any loss you may suffer as a result of the Client using the content...well you could make a claim but Client is not liable for such claims.

Basically the Client can do anything they want with the content and if it affects you negatively you can't do anything.


Title: How Would One Obtain Evidence that He Was Targeted for Federal Criminal Prosecution by Government Officials for Vociferously Alleging an Unpopular Opinion?

Answer: You should contact the Bureau About Taxes, Sentencing & Homesteads in Trouble immediately.  They were *made* for people like you.Answer #2: You again? You just don't get that if you had paid your taxes this wouldn't have happened.


Title: I bought treats for my puppy on Amazon that ended up being contaminated with hair, what can I do?

Question:
Location: Michigan

Last week I bought some treats for my puppy on Amazon. They could not have been tampered with since the jar had still been sealed. After taking one one of the treats out and breaking it up into little pieces, I noticed that there was a hair inside of it and thought maybe just that one piece was bad, but I was wrong. After taking a closer look at the container, I saw so many small hairs. There were hairs at the top of the jar, the bottom, and even on the treats.

I took two more out and after splitting them into pieces they both had hairs inside. I won't name the company but it is very well known and I did not really expect this. When I looked at the product reviews on amazon, I was able to find two people with similar experiences. According to one of them the hairs are apparently from rats and the other person even found maggots coming out the treats. It's clear these were produced in a dirty factory or something.

What's the best thing I can do? Can I sue the company for trying to compromise my puppy's health?

Answer:
 >According to one of them the hairs are apparently from rats...

 They're pig hairs. Seriously. It's a thing. Answer #2: Ask for a refund. That's all you're entitled to: your dog suffered no harm, so you have no losses beyond what you paid.Answer #3: >What's the best thing I can do?

Ask for a refund.

>Can I sue the company for trying to compromise my puppy's health?

No.

Well, technically you CAN...you can sue anyone for anything, but "trying to compromise my puppy's health" is in no way actionable and assumes so many facts that you have no evidence for. So no.Answer #4: Amazon is very good about returns for these products.  Contact their customer support, and they will probably refund your money.

Unless you have actual damages (e.g. vet bills), you have nothing to sue for.Answer #5: Hair isn't the worst thing your dog ate in prepared foods this week.

It's not the worst thing you ate this week either. It's just something you happened to notice.

Fun fact, there are standards for how much rodent feces can be in food.  The limit is not zero.Answer #6: The company in no way "tried" to compromise your puppy's health. Ask for a refund and make a complaint to the company. They're probably pig hairs, anyway, which come from processing the treat ingredients. You have no damages. Answer #7: Ask for a refund and leave a review.


Title: Dog park liability question. LARGE, but very friendly dog.

Question:
USA, California.

I have a Great Dane.  She is 14 months old and 105 Lbs. We take her to a dog park where she runs and plays with other dogs.  There have been two incidents where she has bumped into people while running.  Both people implied that they had back issues and could not be "hit" by the dog.

Do I have a liability to ensure my dog does not run into them at a dog park?

If she were to bowl someone over, I can see where that might be an issue, but this is not that.  This is literally bumping into a person while playing with another dog or bumping someone as she runs by because she got a little close or was distracted.

This does not happen often (twice in 3 months of regular trips to the dog park), and no one has come even close to being hurt.

I don't feel like my dog is a menace, running around crazily without regard for her surroundings.  However both of the people that were bumped, clearly thought she was too big to be there and didn't appreciate her running around.  She does not bother dogs that don't want to be bothered, she only wants to play with dogs that come to her to play.

Is there an expectation of risk if you enter a dog park, or am I at risk if my dog inadvertently runs into someone?  I'm not talking about biting. She does not bite.

Answer:
 I agree with what /u/King_Posner said.

As an addition to this it can be highly beneficial for you to take your dog through some form of certified obedience training. In the event of an accident this can greatly help support the fact that your dog was behaving like a normal well trained dog.

It is also worthwhile looking into some pet insurance that offers liability cover


Title: Is it possible for an employee to illegally discriminate against their employer?

Question: We all know it's illegal for an employer to fire someone because of their race, religion, sex, etc. But is the opposite true? If someone quits because their boss is black or Jewish and they explicitly state that they are quitting because they don't want to work for a black man or a Jew, is this considered illegal discrimination, assuming the employer actually wanted to make an issue of it?

Answer:
 You can't claim discrimination over an employee quitting no matter what they say.

The employee has no power over you and is not denying you any opportunities.
They are free to leave your employment at any time for any reason.


Title: (Hypothetical) Can you be fired due to weight?

Question: Can you be fired due to weight and being unable to perform the tasks needed at your job such as stocking or doing rounds?

Answer:
 In general, yes you can be fired due to your weight UNLESS you are in Michigan, which has a law on the books (Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act) which prohibits it. No other states do, but I bet some cities or counties do.

However, if the employees weight qualifies as a disability under the ADA, it would be disability discrimination and therefore illegal.

Edit to add: If the person is overweight as a disability, they need 'reasonable accommodations' to allow them to do their job. If they still cannot, they can be fired. Answer #2: If they are applying to a job where they cannot perform the primary job functions even with accommodations,  it's not discrimination.

If it's only a few tasks they cant do, like say 1 or 2 things out of 20, the employer would probably need to exempt them from those tasks. Say, a retail job where they have cashiers work on setting out merchandise when it's slow, but they also employ staff who do stocking. It is easier for them to stick that person on a register and exempt them from stocking duties than worry about a lawsuit.

Now, if they apply for a job delivering packages door to door, but have trouble lifting and walking, they cant do the job hence not discrimination.


Title: Statute for grounds for grandparents custody found unconstitutional. What do I do now? (PA)

Question:
Hello,

My son's father and I are separated. He moved to Florida from Pennsylvania about two years ago.

As soon as we had been separated for six months, paternal grandmother filed for custody of my son. His father and I did not agree on her having visitation (and still do not to this day.)

When filing her petition, paternal grandmother was able to file on the grounds that my son's father and I had been separated for at least six months. I was not comfortable with paternal grandmother having her own order. Father was indifferent.

I was advised in a pre-hearing conference that paternal grandmother would be give some form of visitation, so I agreed to an order before a hearing to mitigate my losses.

Paternal grandmother has systematically used her time to alienate my son from me without checks or balances. For example, if she wants to take him somewhere the order does not allow, she will say to him, "Mommy said we can't go there." Or, she will have him call me to ask to extend the hours of her visitation, despite me having already told her no. "Mommy said you have to go home now."

My son is 4. She has a history of manipulative behavior that I feared before she filed her original petition for custody. For example, both I (a baby boy) and my son's father (a baby girl) had a baby within a month of one another.

Paternal grandmother has used her time to ask my son such inappropriate questions as, "Do you like having a brother or sister better?" "What do you like better about your little sister?" "Do you love your sister more than your brother?"

It's more clear to me now than it ever has been before that I need to do something before she irreparably damages my son's emotional well-being.

I agreed to the first order in June of 2016. I have since learned that, in September of 2016, the statute allowing for paternal grandmother to file for custody in the first place (six months of separation) was found unconstitutional by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Does this give me any flexibility moving forward? If the sole statute giving her grounds to file was since found unconstitutional, can I have the order voided?

I'm having trouble understand what my options are. Before I look for the right lawyer, I want to understand what I should be angling for and what the best course of action may be.

I appreciate any insight available.

Answer:
 You file a motion to vacate that order in Family Court, citing the fact that the statute that authorizes it was found unconstitutional as your reason for the motion.Answer #2: You need a family law attorney here.

You need to petition to amend the custody orders and cancel grandmas visitation.

Do as the other poster said, file to vacate for the stated reasons.

Also, if you have emails, text messages, voicemails, really anything written or recorded that you can use to show she is trying to manipulate your son (especially the crap about which sibling he liked more) give that to your attorney, family court judges (generally) will fry her ass on shot like that.


Title: Civilians detained by military police.

Question: Last night I got detained for domestic assault and attempted assault on a police officer. They took me to the station where they told me I was being arrested just detained. They never read me my writes. Well after that they took my fingerprints and released me but with a paper that says my charges but no date to come back for court or anything. I guess my questions is an I being charged with this or not I was never arrested and I thought if they were going to charge me they’d release me to the local police department instead of just letting me leave. Please help I don’t know what to think.

Answer:
 You were arrested. Unless they questioned you, they didn't need to read you your rights.

You should expect further communication about your charges and upcoming court dates.


Title: A man who is renting-to-own a home of ours has not yet put his payment in escrow (due by Jan 15) but purposefully burned down the house to rebuild on the plot. What are our legal options?

Question:
Hello,

We are selling our farm in Arkansas to a man who is renting and farming the land with an option to purchase its entirety next year, and has been so for a three years now. On Jan 15, he drafted up a document asking to purchase the plot with house on it, with a $40,000 payment in escrow on the same day. Both parties signed the document that day. It is now Jan 26 and still nothing in escrow. This past Sunday, we found out from a family friend that on Jan 18 he razed the house with a controlled burn to clear it off the land so he could rebuild something else. He neglected to tell us, and since we spoke to him his excuse for not paying us is that he "hasn't gotten around to it yet." What legal recourse can we take? If he reneges on the deal, we are short a house. Do we notify the police, insurance? Please HELP!

Edit 1/27:  As of 3:45p CST, he has made his payment. Whew! That happened a whole lot faster than I anticipated. Thank you everyone for all your help! This morning I made two VERY frustrated calls to the man on behalf of my mother informing him of our intention to lawyer up if it was not handled by COB today. (I also drafted up a letter to take to a lawyer tomorrow to get a second eye.) He gave me some bullshit about having to pay for the construction costs of building a wedding chapel for his daughter on the (still warm) cleared slab. Not my problem, asshole. About 4:00p, I got a brief call from him stating it was in escrow, and I called the title company to confirm. I don't know how he got the money, but I don't really care. Next time some large purchase/sale is going down in my family, I intend to steer the boat and hire a professional to help navigate. I'll be damned if I stand idly by and watch my family get swindled. Thanks again for your help!

Answer:
 The EPA does not take kindly to controlled burns of non - yard debris.   A house produces many toxic chemicals when burning. Answer #2: Op, for the love of god, please come back with an updateAnswer #3: The guy committed arson. I can't believe you haven't called the authorities. Answer #4: Please update us OP as to what happened. I am curious.
I think you should go straight to the cops. Burning down a place that isn't yours is a crime. Call cops then call insurance. This guy doesn't seem like he wants to payAnswer #5: Since you want your money, do this first: sternly write him a letter saying he has 72 hours to deposit the $40k into Escrow. DON'T mention the police in this letter, or what you will do if he doesn't comply. If he doesn't pay, then follow the others advice here about contacting the police.


Title: GF is forced to work off the clock

Question:
My GF got a new job at a local subway in town and she told me that whenever they close the subway they need to clock out by 8:30pm even if they're not finished they have to clock out and finish closing. She told me two days ago they got out at 10 so she lost an hour and a half of pay all because "the manager gets furious" she told me this has been going on for a very long time according to her co-workers and her co-worker said " that's just how we've always done things here"
Is this against the law? I mean I'm no expert obviously but I'd feel like this is wrong right? I'm sure none of the workers there have ever said anything because obviously they need the job and don't want to end up getting fired for speaking up.

Answer:
 >Is this against the law?

Hell yes, if you are in the United States. The employees might consider going to your state's labor department collectively to file a wage claim.

Alternatively, they could report to the corporate office, which has an interest in making sure employees are properly paid wages. Answer #2: Hi ! I am a 12 year manager of a Subway and this is incredibly illegal. She should report this location to headquarters and the restaurant’s field rep so that the owner/manager that has that very stupid rule is properly dealt with. Answer #3: You are *required* by federal law to be paid for the hours you work, there's no such thing as working off the clock. It's called the Fair Labor Standards Act or FLSA, google it, read it. It's absolutely illegal, it's wage theft. Report the location to Subway corporate, and report it the state https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/howtoreportviolationtobofe.htm and the federal government https://www.dol.gov/whd/howtofilecomplaint.htm


Title: California. Rental Home: Previous tenant had a manic episode and broke in and traumatized the current tenant.

Question:
Last night while current tenant was away,  previous tenant in a manic state,  broke a window screen, entered the home,  rummaged through different areas,  left the stove on,  went it the back yard, knocked abunch of stuff around, passed out.   Current tenant and his 8 year-old arrive, summon the police and firefighters arrive,  previous tenant is arrested (promplty released for mental health reasons).
The current tenant does not feel safe in the home and wants his full rent and deposit back,  he has lived there since July 1(about 3 weeks) plus he would like to take his child to counseling.

The previous tenant and current tenant do not know eachother.

Before the previous tenant broke into the home, he attempted to break into break into my business down the street.  I was alerted of that and feared that he would visit the home next and sent the current tenant a text that a mentally unwell person might arrive.  I did not get a text in response until after the police had arrived.

What are my legal liabilities/responsibilities to handling this appropriately?
Fixing the window and any doors that are damaged seems obvious.  I anticipate that he will want his deposit back so that he can move into a new place,  however I dont think I can return it until the place is vacated in good condition.
I am not the actual owner, but help my dad who is out of the country manage it.
Thanks

Answer: You have no obligation to return the rent or to let then out of their lease.


Title: Being SUED for SNAKES????

Question:
I found a snake I could not identify in my backyard and took a picture of it. I follow a phd on twitter who specializes in these particular animals and i emailed him for an identification. He, then, told me to contact another phd, which i did based on his advice.
Turned out it was an invasive species and shouldn't have been in my area.
I was then contacted by parks and wildlife of my state to speak with them based on my account. They decided to send over a representative to speak with me in person and see the area where i had found the animal. i didnt see anything wrong with it so i okayed it.

They actually did a search for the snake and -Im assuming- they did not find it because they told me I'd be contacted if it was.

Now, I was contacted by a police officer who directly works with parks and wildlife of my state saying that he wanted to verify my details based on my account and 'nail me with questions' (because im only assuming they couldnt find the animal?). He told me that they take these "situations very seriously". He wants to speak with me about my account to verify the credentials of the "record i filed to them". -- which REALLY confused me because I never directly filed any report, I only emailed someone off of twitter and then people started calling me.

I'm really starting to worry and this is stressing me out A TON because I'm thinking that THEY think I'm lying. I know I'm not but can I be sued or something along those lines (fined maybe?) if they really think that I'd lie about this??
Maybe I'm overreacting and jumping to conclusions but please let me know, it's making me anxious.

I am in Texas, USA by the way.

Answer:
 Nothing in your narrative indicates you're being SUED. More than likely they are trying to make sure you weren't mistaken about where exactly you found it or other fine details because they can't find it.

If you used your cell phone to take the picture it might saved the GPS info with the date and time in the exif data, they can easily see when and where the photo was taken with that.

The only reason you should be remotely nervous about this is if you didn't actually take the picture and pulled one off the internet, or filed a false report.Answer #2: You are overreacting and jumping to conclusions. Until anyone comes to speak to you in person, there is nothing to worry about. If/when someone from Parks and Wildlife comes to speak to you, answer their questions about what you saw. If they accuse you of a crime, or give you a ticket, or whatever, get an attorney. Likely, nothing of that sort will happen.


Title: (NC) Obstruction/resisting officer

Question: Hi I recently attended a concert in NC and I was unfortunate enough to get intoxicated and provided a false name to an officer that approached my friend and I for smoking marijuana. The court date is coming up, I’ve been fairly confident and determined that it’s a cut and dry case so I don’t think a lawyer is needed. But I do have a drug-related prior from a few years ago, so I’m stuck with this question; Should I save myself the headache of a ruthless prosecutor and get myself a representative? I’m not looking to spend some money expecting some magic and receive none!

Answer: You really need an attorney and a reduction in the usage of passive voice.


Title: Fired From Work for Online Comments

Question:
First, yes, I am a total moron.

I was fired from work for a venting post I many in a tiny subreddit with all of 10 people on it most nights. I wasn't complain about a particular individual but a general line of employment I get totally useless phone calls from 10 times a day most days. Apparently it is their job so that makes it ok but i was venting on day about the inherent pointless nature and the fact I have to answer just to give them bad news. It sucks. And really serves zero purpose.

Anyway during this venting post someone of said profession comments back with insults and how I don't know anything. Unfortunately I'm something of a massive troll to anyone who insults me first so we end up going back and forth trading insults. I think my insults were much more vicious but not for lack of this other guys trying; he was just older and not as good at shit posting even though he started it. I even deleted the whole thread within about 4 hours of posting it. Most of this was at night after work.

Anyway few days later turns out that guy when through months of my profile history to find enough details to tie my reddit account to my Linkdin. He had taken screenshots of the thread before I deleted it and sent it to dozen of people; including some that apparent know my CEO. And I was fired on the spot by my boss for damaging the companies reputation regardless of the fact it was a vent post on what was supposed to be an anonymous tiny internet reddit forum.

Anyway; do I have any legal options here? This really doesn't feel right. I didn't go looking for trouble. I was insulted first really. I was off the clock. And it seems like my privacy was breached at some point. I doubt I have any legal grounds for anything but might as well check.... It just seems insanely messed up I got fired when I was responding to insults more than anything for something that should have been private.

Answer: Assuming you're in the US in an at-will state, your employer has the right to terminate you for any reason that is not related to a protected category. Being an asshole on the internet is not a protected category.