Title: Serious question: what legal rights do non-ADA employees have when dealing with an ADA employee with significant hygiene issues (foul smell; likely incontinence)

Question:
I'm curious if there are any lawyers in NYC that are familiar with labor law who could be able to answer this question; but I've been assigned to work in a space that I share with several others, one of whom is a paraplegic that has some serious hygiene issues. And I'm curious what the legal rights are for those that have to share the space with him.

As a longer explanation of the situation, I was warned before being placed in the room about his hygiene issues, but I didn't really grasp the extent of them until I experienced it first hand. I'm not sure what the issue is, but it is definitely NOT body odor. Rather, he smells of urine and feces - and quite powerfully, i.e. you can smell him from around the corner.

I'm not sure if this will complicate the situation, but this is at a research university in  NYC, so other than myself and one other individual in that room, both he (the individual with the hygiene issues) and the others in the room are students. Further complicating the situation, I'm a volunteer, technically. It's a complicated set-up, but I'm being co-mentored by 2 faculty members, one at my home institution, and another at the institution where this situation is taking place.

From what I understand, while people are aware of the problem, no one has really addressed the problem with him for fear of a potential ADA lawsuit. Certainly none of the people I've talked to has addressed the issue with him, nor do they even know what the problem is. And I think that that is really unfortunate for both the other people working in that room, as well as the individual with the hygiene issues. I simply don't see how he's employable given these hygiene issues, and in theory, he's going to be graduating w/in the next 12 months.

If need be, I can work at my home institution - and likely will if the the problem isn't resolved - but for the others in that room, it really is a terrible situation, and I'm just curious what their legal rights are - because while he has a right to full access to the institutions facilities, I don't think that that means that they should have to work in the truly horrid environment that he creates with his hygiene issues.

Answer: Your employer is going to have to tread very carefully, but you should bring your concerns to HR to see what they can do. It may be possible to accommodate the disabled coworker by moving him or her to a private office, etc. Answer #2: If he is a student, even a PhD student, he should have a file in the Student Affairs office, particularly if he is receiving accommodations from the school. His advisor or someone from the department should contact that office and ask them how to handle this situation. His accommodations probably do not include allowing him to do something that makes the work/school environment difficult for others. Whoever he might be working with in the Student Affairs office can speak with him to see what the problem is and if there is something the school can do to assist him.


Title: [TX] My ex-wife is not going to comply with one of the agreements in our divorce

Question:
My ex-wife and I were divorced in early July of this year. Our family home closed and was funded in early August. According to the final decree, we both had 60 days from that funding to move to Denton County. I have moved. She hasn’t. She has three days to comply.

I believe that she fully intends to comply as soon as she can. She and her new husband are buying land out in the county and having a house built. But it hasn’t happened yet and there is no clear date for when she’ll move- let alone close on the home and property.

We have joint managing custodianship of our two small children, who split time between us according to a 2-2-5 schedule. My ex-wife’s residence determines where they go to school, so on the days that I have them, the kids and I are commuting an hour each way to go to and/or from school. It is hard on them and unpleasant (and expensive) for me.

I am concerned that (despite her intentions) she isn’t going to make good on the terms of the final divorce decree. My former lawyer warned me that it was essentially a toothless requirement. He said that if she backs out, there will be very little I could do.

I don’t want to punish her. I don’t want to provoke her. I don’t want to take the kids from her. I can live with it if it takes her another several months (which I assume it will), but if she never complies it will be a disaster for us.

What can I do to protect myself and my children?

Answer: You'd need to file a motion for contempt of court if she does not comply with the divorce decree. That is really the only legal recourse you have.


Title: College billed me for classes I didn't register for

Question:
My Location: Peachtree City, GA
Georgia Military College - Location: Fairburn, GA

I was attending GMC when I got into a vehicular collision and wasn't able to attend school anymore. The quarter I was attending, at the time, I had paid for before I began attending.

After the car accident, the Dean helped me by removing the classes for me. That was better than withdrawing because withdrawing would diminish my school record, including grades / GPA. He said he took me out of those classes completely, as if I had never attended them in the first place.

After November (The car accident was in Nov 2014), I never attended classes again. I also never registered for classes ever again. However, I began receiving bills in the mail saying I had to pay nearly $2,000.00 for the new quarter (the quarter after the one I was attending when the crash happened). I knew that I never registered for the following quarter because I was incapacitated (undergoing treatment, not able to drive, not able to handle stress or pressure because of PTSD, etc...). So, I ignored the bills. I thought the financial aid office would realize they made a mistake by charging me for classes I didn't register for. After a few months of continued harassment to pay this bill that I wasn't responsible for, I spoke several times on the phone, via email, and in person to GMC employees, as well as the Dean again. They kept saying there was nothing they (personally) could do and try to shirt the problem to another person. The Dean said I had to speak with financial aid, financial aid said I had to speak with someone else. No one took responsibility for the mistake, nor would anyone help me to fix it. Now the bill has been sent to a collections agency and I'm getting harassed by them. Can I sue them for billing me for classes I never registered for and never attended? I'm not talking about the quarter I did attend. I'm talking about the following quarter. Can I, at least, get the bill cleared off of my name / credit report because it doesn't make sense. I never registered for that quarter.

Thank you so much, in advance, for your advice.

In Gratitude,
Reddit User

Answer: Take your communication with the dean to the bursar's office and show that you had a full medical withdrawal with 100% tuition reimbursement.  They should waive the mistaken charges.


Title: I've let my step-fathers daughter have a line on my mobile phone account with the condition that she pay her share on a prescribed date. She hasn't made payments on-time, last month I told her she could just pay half of her payment until she gets on her feet. I don't want to pay her bills anymore.

Question:
I'm in Florida and as the title says she's been extremely late if at all paying for her part of the phone bill. She's telling me she just got a new job, when in fact she quit her old job just because she wanted to move in with her boyfriend who recently got out of prison. Well after two months she tells me that he hasn't gotten paid he needs the money cause he's getting on his feet, you know the whole "I can't pay now" run around meanwhile she hasn't been looking for a job and her boyfriend just proposed to her with a ring he told my mom cost over $1000. The problem isn't that she isn't on her feet the problem is she has no sense of accountability she has never been responsible for herself and I know I made the mistake of trusting her. The only thing that I want to do now is just get the phone back so that I'm not paying her bill anymore. I told her it's not a big deal and if she couldn't pay the bill to just give the phone back and she wouldn't have to worry about it anymore. But now she won't return my phone calls or my texts. How do I get MY phone back without causing too much trouble?

Edit: I'm in Florida.

Edit 2: I would owe the phone company about $635 if I were to cancel it.
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer:
 Turn off the line, and sue her for the value of the phone.

I can't judge what too much trouble is.  But, I can't think of any other options.Answer #2: I assume this is a smart phone? Most major carriers have a parental lock feature where you can shut off the phone from using data. You should be able to do this since it's your account. Also, she might be willing to pay to regain access to her phone. You'd still be paying for her phone, but might see a reduced phone bill. Answer #3: Ask her out to lunch, wait for her to set the phone on the table, and then take the phone. Problem solved.


Title: How to prove I was at work with coworkers at a certain date/time? Got a summons for a violation I did not commit.

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Get written statements from your boss/coworkers and bring them to court on the court date.Answer #2: Technology-based solution: If you have an Android phone (don't know if this works for iPhones), check out [Google Maps Timeline](https://www.google.com/maps/timeline), which basically traces your phone's GPS data and logs it by date. If you had your phone on you at the time, that might be a reasonable way to prove where you were.Answer #3: >This whole thing is so bizarre and honestly a little frightening. Did someone steal my identity?? How on earth did the inspector get my name/address? Please help. Thank you.

It is quite possible that someone stole your identity and is using it to get work as a driver.  I would suggest that you at least get a free credit report to see if there is anything unusual, accounts you didn't open, address at which you never lived, etc.  Go to http://www.annualcreditreport.com and select one of the three bureaus.  It is not a bad idea to use one bureau every 4 months just to keep track.

You might also want to check around the office to see if anyone is a notary.  They are not all that uncommon so you might be able to get it done easily at the office for free (or very cheap).


Title: Can I Remove His Money from Our Joint Account? (California)

Question:
Long story short, I ended my engagement to an abusive man. I added him to my bank account, thereby making it a joint account. Once we broke up I got my own account, but we did not close the joint one. I am able to transfer money back and forth between the two accounts in which I am linked.

He owes me a substantial amount of money. During a period in which he was cheating on me I paid for car repair and a new wardrobe. Since breaking up he has set my shed on fire, broken a door, broken a futon frame, and attempted to sexually assault me.

I have already had law enforcement involved and I do not need advice on this piece. Thank you.

He is refusing to give me what I am owed. I have offered to lower it, which he declined. I offered a payment plan, which he declined. He told me I could take him to court, which I don’t believe he thinks I will do. He may be right as I don’t want to deal with that.

My question is: since his money is in our account, am I legally able to transfer money from that account into my private account? Would he be able to come after me for theft.

Answer:
 The bank isn't going to stop you from doing so, because the bank is uninvolved in whose money is whose.  So basing the *legality* of this on your *ability* to actually do it is improper.

If there is co-mingled money that definitively belongs to him in that account, then he could sue you if you took that money.

If he owes you money, generally, the correct course of action would be to sue him for that money and secure a legally-binding judgement that he owes you that money, then follow your state's procedure on collecting on that judgement, as opposed to just going and taking money that you know doesn't belong to you.


Title: Friends shipped drugs internationally and the police intercepted the package..

Question:
Hi all,
So, some of my friends are down in Playa Del Carmen for the BPM festival. They left on Thursday morning and my one friend overnighted a package filled with drugs to the house they are all staying at (10 g's of Ketamine, 5 g's of coke I think, some molly, ect). We all live in Texas. Well, when they called the post office, they said that the package was turned over to Mexican authorities because there were illegal substances in the package. My question is, when they try to come back to the United States, will they be stopped by Mexican Authorities / American Authorities when going through customs? He used a fake name on the package but can't they find him through the tracking number?

Answer:
 No one knows what WILL happen.

They certainly could be arrested and charged- they broke numerous laws both in Mexico and the United States.


Title: [AR] My 93yo Grandmother and her estate may be in danger

Question:
(tl;dr - her son may be taking advantage of her vulnerable position to sell her house and move her 2000+ miles away to a place she's never visited while also pocketing the proceeds. the move alone may impose a significant health risk and the manner in which it is being done risks alienating/disinheriting part of her family)

My grandmother is 93 and has been retired and living in her house on the lake in NW Arkansas for nearly 40 years. She and my grandfather had the house built for them to spend their golden years in and those were actually the best years of their lives. He passed away about 5 years ago and she has been living there alone ever since. For many years, she insisted she would never leave the house.

She's a strong-willed child of the depression who is having trouble facing that she can't really take care of herself anymore. My wife and I make frequent weekend trips up there to be with her, help her out, and also enjoy her beautiful home on the lake.

My grandmother has two children and the will that is in place grants the house and its contents to her younger daughter (late 50s, TX resident) and all remaining cash to her older son (mid-60s, NM resident). At the time this was put in place, the cash reserves were greater than the value of the house; at this point they are probably roughly equal. The value of the property is almost entirely derived from the value of the lot; the house is now 40 years old and in need of repair, and a new buyer would likely demolish the house and rebuild as many others in her community have.

Since this arrangement was formalized, her son has been receiving significant financial support in the neighborhood of $50k per year, a down payment on his house in NM, and startup money for his wife's beauty shop. This has raised concern among my grandmother's family and friends that she is not going to have sufficient funds to care for herself because of the ongoing financial support for her son.

Last week, she had a minor coronary event which caused her to fall out of bed and not be able to get up. As a result she was hospitalized and is still currently admitted to a senior rehabilitation facility.

With some coaching from her son, she has in the last 5 days decided to sell her house and all its contents and move to NM before Christmas. While still hospitalized, her son has begun fielding offers and engaging an attorney for the sale of the house. The intention is to finalize a sale before Wednesday. She has informed her daughter that all of the money from the house will be used for her move and care and that she shouldn't expect there to be any inheritance for her.

I, and many other family members, worry that this is too much large scale change for a 93yo woman, and the prospect of quick-selling a house in winter and hurriedly moving her out of the state looks like shady dealing at best. We are also concerned that she may not be able to live in high altitude (the town in NM where they will live is more than 9000 ft above sea level) given her health concerns and that elderly people who are uprooted in this way often do not live long. In addition to her physical well-being, there is concern that her son is making a move to control her entire inheritance by liquidating her assets into cash, using the proceeds of the sale for her care, and insuring that the remaining cash comes to him at her death.

I have put in calls to attorneys that deal with Guardianship and also filed a claim of potential elder abuse (exploitation) pursuant to [AR Code 5-28-103](https://law.justia.com/codes/arkansas/2015/title-5/subtitle-3/chapter-28/subchapter-1/section-5-28-103/). Can you give me any advice on how I can help protect my grandmother and her estate?

Answer: Call the senior rehab facility and ask for a social worker to visit and talk with her about what's going on.  If you're worried she's being railroaded/bamboozled, ask Adult Protective Services for help.  Answer #2: You should contact Arkansas' Adult Protective Services. If her son is not acting in her best interests or otherwise exploiting her they'll correct it: https://humanservices.arkansas.gov/daas/Pages/aps.aspxAnswer #3: What basis do you have for believing your Grandmother is mentally impaired and incapable of making this decisions for herself?


Title: Ny .... Got stopped with felony drug possession and was let go

Question: Yesterday my two friends and I went to get some heroin all was well until we hit the highway we got pulled over the cop said we were speeding and then called in backup they arrived separated all of us to get out "info" at this time they found 30 bags of dope on my friend when I seen this Ik we were going to jail I had a needle in my jacket I didn't want them gettin stuck with in the car I also had 20 bags of dope with it  so at this time they also found one on the driver ... We all were told not to come to the city to get dope and that we were going to be let go they never even searched my body for anything they didn't get any form of I.d from me they asked my name and address which I gave got their names and let us go they told us that it would take 2-3 months to process and that we would receive something then ...... I didn't sign anything or get a ticket nothing I'm very confused bc this is not something I'm new too I should have received felony possession did these cops just give us a free pass as a wake up call ?

Answer:
 They will have until the statute of limitations for that particular crime runs out to file charges. In NY it appears to be [five years](http://www.criminaldefenselawyer.com/criminal-case-statute-of-limitations/NY-felonies-misdemeanors.htm).  If they don't file charges within that time you'll get lucky.

Whether you were charged or not, **THIS WAS YOUR WAKE UP CALL**.  Most likely they will charge you.  Get in rehab NOW, that way if and when you are charged you can show that you've already started to take care of your business.  The possible sentence for so much heroin is possibly decades if they think you were dealing.  You may be watched going forward - if they are trying to get your supplier.

Act like you're already on probation.  Get clean, and get away from your friends who still use.


Title: I know I'm a terrible person for this, but is it illegal?

Question: a few years ago, my friend and I decided to make an rpg-style domestic terrorism game. I realize that this is extremely insensitive and was probably a poor judgement, but we were trying to make the most offensive game possible. The levels include Columbine, 9/11, The Oklahoma City Bombing of '95 and several others. We put in a secret bonus level in which the target of the terrorist mission is none other than our own high school. Obviously I would never actually condone any type of violent behavior, nor would I ever dream of doing such a thing myself, it was made to be as stupid and offensive as possible. Looking back, it was a bad call, but is there anything potentially illegal about making such a game? My friends are convinced that I'm going to get in a lot of trouble if anyone finds a copy of it. *and yes I have since deleted the game but we made several copies and they aren't all accounted for*

Answer:
 Hideous. Not illegal. Answer #2: Nope, not illegal. Answer #3: OKC bombing was 95 not 93. Plus there's already a game like this called Ethnic Cleansing.Answer #4: There is potential that someone could interpret your game a as threat to attack your high school. It depends on exactly what you put in the game, but I think a few years out it would be a bit of a stretch.

Illegality aside it is almost guaranteed to result in severe school disciplinary action. So I hope you're clear of the public school system before anyone finds that game.


Title: CA - Contempt of Court - What if the answer to a direct question is insulting?

Question:
So this situation happened about 6 months ago and was resolved, but I'm curious now about how it could have gone down.

I was summoned for jury duty and got called up for the jury selection process. The defense attorney was respectful and reasonable, asking informative questions. The prosecutor, on the other hand, rubbed me the wrong way immediately. He was very loud, aggrandizing, showboating. He'd say things like "You can think of me as the quarterback of this trial! Go Niners, am I right?!". He made the potential jury chant 'Guilty' (like, a call-and-response as in "What would you say if I got enough evidence?"), which felt wildly inappropriate. At one point, he turned a question to a juror into a lecture about the horrors of drunk driving (the case was a DUI case; the defense attorney objected to this, and the judge scolded the prosecutor). The point is, I really was just not liking this guy at all, but I was fine keeping the interaction reasonable.

Then he went around asking jurors questions, and asked me a hypothetical (would I fire an employee I knew was stealing, even if they were a friend). I said that I couldn't answer because there wasn't enough information for a firm conclusion; how much money, how close a friend, why'd he steal, etc. The prosecutor pressed for an answer, and I repeated I couldn't, because his hypothetical lacked nuance. This got a couple laughs out of the other jurors, mostly of the nervous variety because the situation was weirdly tense, but that seemed to piss him off. He demanded to know if I had a problem with how he was asking questions.

This was where I felt trapped: the honest answer would be yes, I found him to be grating and showboating and manipulative. But I felt like if I said that, I'd be in contempt of court, so I lied and said no, there was no problem with him, I just didn't have a good answer to the question.

I was, unsurprisingly, dismissed by the prosecution, but I did feel weird about having to answer somewhat dishonestly in court. Could I have told the truth, or would that have been risking a contempt charge?

Answer:
 There's a huge difference between:

> Yes, I do.

And

> yes, I (find you) to be grating and showboating and manipulative.

One is an honest, safe answer.  The other is less safe but still probably not enough to be considered contempt, especially if the judge had already admonished the prosecutor.

But there is some lacking nuance here and not enough information for a firm conclusion.Answer #2: The call and response chant of "guilty" is weird.  I could see that as a basis for a retrial/release of all the jurors.

Everyone else already answered your question  Generally being honest doesn't count.  And generally being rude to the attorneys doesn't count, only rude to the judge, bailiff, or other court employee.Answer #3: You can't be held in contempt if you answer a direct question honestly. The lawyer asked the question, you would have been allowed to say "Yes, I do have a problem with how you are asking questions."

His act was likely, in part, a tactic. He is coming in bombastic and seeing who is grated the wrong way, gives him more information in his jury picks.


Title: My 17 year old son lives with his father but his living situation may not last until 18th birthday. Would I be legally required to take him in, and if so for how long, and is there anything I could do about it? GA

Question: [removed]

Answer:
 It's so inconvenient when being a parent conflicts with your home decor choices, isn't it? Yes, you will be responsible for your child.Answer #2: Am I understanding you correctly that you are looking for a legal way to avoid taking care of your own child should he become homeless before he turns 18 through no fault of his own?  Wow. I  sincerely hope this poor kid never has to see you again. Answer #3: >Do I need to (and can I?) file a restraining order to prevent that from happening?

A restraining order against your son?  How fucked up are you?

Are you still the legal parent of your child or have you been removed?Answer #4: Who are you trying to file a restraining order against? Your son? His father? I can't see how you'd have grounds for a restraining order against either of them.

And also, your "he can't stay here because I redecorated his room" excuse is more than a little flimsy.


Title: how are these charges going to affect me for the rest of my life?

Question:
>michigan

>operating while intoxicated (owi) misdemeanor

>resisting & obstructing & assaulting (r&o) misdemeanor

>license was suspended for a hard 30 days

>now i have restricted license

>$1000 (x2) category 2 driver's responsibility fee

i want to know how this is going to affect my job search for the rest of my career

am i going to be able to get a job that requires me to operate a motor vehicle on the job?
Topic:
DUI

Answer:
 >am i going to be able to get a job that requires me to operate a motor vehicle on the job?

From an HR perspective? Nope. Not for a long long time.


Title: Pretty sure this is a scam, but just asking to be sure

Question:
I received a voicemail from a "no caller id" call last Friday that stated:

"This information is intended for (marsist), my name is (not naming her), I work here in the offices of Anderson, Wellen and Associates (I think that's what she said) , we have some documentation here in our office that has been waiting on your response in regards to some civil allegations that were filed, ah, we did notify you on this case by sending out several notifications over to your residence. We do let you know that if you are going to be objecting to any written statements that you will need to get in contact with us immediately. Unfortunately we have not received a response so we are requesting your phone call today before 7pm so we will be able to review the specifics and details, and also object to any of the statements that have been made if you feel that they are false.

If we do not receive a response we will be presenting a court (unintelligible) on this case and finalize the documentation and have it issued to your place of employment. Our office number is (phone number) , your case number is (probably made up)  Thank You"

I googled the phone number and the lawyer office and nothing comes up. I received a similar phone call from the same person today that states I have until 6pm to contact them, obviously the 7pm Friday deadline was flexible. She also called my brother looking for me today.

She doesn't have an accent, and is well spoken.

I have no collections, I've had good credit for a long while now, it was bad after my divorce over 8 years ago, I'm not a criminal.  This smells fishy to me.  I have received nothing in the mail like they claim they've sent.

I'm naturally paranoid to a fault, just want to make sure this is BS and can ignore it.

Thanks
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer:
 Sounds like a scam, I would actually call back though and ask. Just don't give them your sensitive information. If they ask for payment, they're probably scammers. Don't confirm or deny any debts, you're just calling to know the reason they called. Update pleaseAnswer #2: If it's a debt collector, and they aren't actual lawyers, then they have broken the law in a couple ways. Mainly, by impersonating a lawyer. They also cannot threaten anything they don't intend to do.

If you call them, as others have stated, DO NOT say anything that could verify a debt. I don't see a location, but you should record the call (check if you are a 1- or 2-party state, and it's always safest to tell them "I'm recording this call".)

Get the company name and then repeat it to them, and then say, "And I'm calling you at (phone number), right?"

Of course do not give any personal info or bank numbers, etc. Don't even verify anything. If they say, "and are you still at (address)?" just answer, "you guys are the lawyers here, shouldn't you know that?"

When you answer questions, do NOT answer with "yes" or "no" or similar, as some scammers have been known to edit the call recordings. Answer in clear sentences that won't allow for editing, and try to not even say the words "yes" or "uh huh".

For example, "is this Joe smith", your answer would be "this is Joe", not "yes, this is Joe".

The purpose of the call is to find out what the company name is and whether they are actually lawyers, and what it's pertaining to.


Title: [MA] Landlord has had cameras installed on premises, after a theft, I find out they were never plugged in.

Question:
I signed my lease a year ago with the expectation the cameras over the door were working. I never considered the fact that they might not be plugged in. My bike was stolen last night and, when I asked about the cameras, I was informed they were just for show. There is nothing in the lease that guarantees cameras, but there is obviously a reasonable expectation of their functionality as I saw them over the door the day I signed the lease. It was part of the reason I signed it.

Is there anything I can do about this legally? Possibly get a small settlement due to the theft and lack of evidence I thought I'd have, get out of my lease, or even just force them to make the cameras operational?

Thanks!

--Update: I went around to look again, the light around the bikes prevents you from seeing the camera at night, so it was no deterrent. They did; however, just put a sign that says "this premises is under recorded surveillance" under the camera. I guess they mobilized to put up the sign as soon as we alerted them to the theft. Doubt this has any bearing on this issue now.

Answer:
 > There is nothing in the lease that guarantees cameras

Then it will be very difficult for you to take action.  Did anyone, at all, ever tell you they worked?


Title: (GA) Possibly being charged with assault by (ex)boyfriend. What do I need to do from here?

Question:
 My ex has a history of getting a temper out of nowhere, but usually cools down and apologizes so I let a lot of things slide. Last night after we'd been drinking all evening he decided he changed his mind on me and decided he wanted me out of the house (I was living there til Sunday). I thought he was just being ridiculous so I laugh and tell him no. He starts getting all crazy and starts videoing him repeatedly telling me and me looking at him and just ignoring him and telling him to calm down and talk it out later like usual. He gets near me and starts yelling at me about space, I'm getting weirded out at this point and I'm trying to get him to calm down by asking him to calm down and reaching out to him. He stops recording, and he throws me into the door. He starts recording again, I just sit down, yes I was still in front of the door, in shock and starting to cry and begging him to please calm down. He starts ranting that I'm holding him hostage and I love him and I'm crazy and he's yelling at me to move but I'm too upset to do it. He finally picks me up again and for probably 20 more minutes it's just him yelling at me we are done and trying to accuse me of trying to hurt him and being in his way. I'm just reaching out to him trying to make him calm down because I don't know what else to do. While recording he starts getting the phone in my face and I snap and try to knock it out of my face (the phone and not him). He kept trying to get me to hit him, which I didn't. He stops recording after I do this and hits me 2 more times, grabbing me and throwing me into the door. I have marks on my chest and back. He calls the police after this and is claiming it's a hostage situation. 5-8 cops show up and 5 take the report. They treated me like dirt and believe him over me despite the marks on me because he has a video of me 1. Sitting In front of the door after throw 1 2. Close to him when he's yelling at me 3. Knocking the phone. They start threatening me with assault charges and took pics of my marks but said nothing they could do because there's only proof of his side not mine. They tried to make me feel greatful by saying he wasn't going to press charges, but I don't know what's going to happen Monday. What are the outcomes here? I wanted to go file my own charges on Monday but the cops kept acting like if I do that I'm going to be charged 100% with some degree of assault. I'm trying to figure out my outcomes and I need help. I have bruises this morning and my body hurts.

I don't know if it's relevant, but he hit me on the 4th of July. I made a police report but dropped the case because he said he was sorry. The cops told me that meant nothing.

Thanks in advance.

Edit: I guess this is somewhat relevant, I'm starting a new job in September and going through the background check piece right now. I'm scared of this ruining my new job, it's a major corporate office. I feel like he is going to hang this over my head or use this to get revenge for me calling police on the 4th of July.

Answer: The cops are supposed to stay neutral, which is probably what you meant by treated you like dirt.  He doesn't press charges, the state does, and it sounds like the state has not at this time.  Is that your legal question?


Title: SFO TSA Prevented Me from Carrying Medication on Plane and lied to United Airlines

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 You don't have a legal question.

Yes, TSA can use it's best judgment.  Yes you can file a complaint.  No it's probably not going to lead to any real changes.  Yes, this means traveling is going continue to be a bitch.

I assume it's not possible for you to only carry 3.4 oz. bottles of this stuff?

Also keep in mind that there is a non-zero chance you've been flagged int the TSA database as a result of this interaction, so make sure you give extra time next time you travel.


Title: What do I do? TX

Question:
Looking story short, I inherited a home. I found a safety deposit box key. I have no knowledge or experience with this. Are they for life? My Grandfather has been dead 6 years. Do I need to know anything? Do I just go to the bank? It has the box number with it.

Update: The contents have been turned in as unclaimed property😕 the value was listed as 0.00, which only makes me more curious.

Answer:
 Your grandfather had an estate.  That estate was split among various people, including you(the house).

You'll need to review the estate to see what it says about things like safety deposit boxes.  You may still need to go open the box to see what's in it, in order to figure this out, but start with the estate to see if you can figure this out without doing that.


Title: Man breaks into our house and is threatening to report me for assault

Question:
TL;DR at bottom

So at around 10 pm, I was awake and sitting in my room playing on my computer and talking with my brother. I was startled by the sound of our door being busted open so I was kinda freaking out bc my mom was asleep, my dad was out of town for some work and won’t be coming back for another month, and my sister was already downstairs working on some homework. I did the first think I could think of, i told my brother to grab a metal baseball bat from my dad’s room and be quiet. I went for a “gun bag” in my room, but it doesn’t carry a real firearm. One of my hobbies is airsofting and I had a pistol without an orange tip so it was somewhat convincing as an actual gun.

Me and my brother went downstairs and a random dude in a hoodie had a knife and was threatening my sister. I start yelling and I think he was freaking out bc I was also strobing my underbarrel light in his eyes, so I did the thing that came to mind when I’m thinking of situations like this from movies, I tell him to slide the knife to me and lay face down. My man actually listened prolly bc he thought he was gonna get shot. My sister was crying, my brother was still freaking out and I had adrenaline running through my veins. In retrospect I think I was overreacting, but I was really really scared. It kind of looked like he was making moves for the knife bc I hadn’t picked it up so I took the bat and just kept swinging at him, sorta surprised he isn’t dead. lol. Well I was running to my room to get my phone to call the police, and when I came downstairs he ran for the door which was still open. I didn’t even think about chasing him bc my head was really clouded with other thoughts.

Well this was a week ago (haven’t opened a police report or anything like that). Flash forward to yesterday, we got a letter on our doorstep which said something along the lines of, “I’m gonna report you to the police for assault unless you pay me $2000 at [address] before next Wednesday” and some random info about how he had evidence and whatever. He is probably still really beat up I’m shocked he could run after I hit him. Well I’m starting to get really scared bc that’s a lot of money, and I’m only a freshman in high school and I don’t want anything on my permanent record. I would think I’m fine but I never opened a report and we’ve had our door fixed since then and I don’t think we have any proof that he broke in. Idk what to do

This is in California and this is a burner accountant I will prolly delete this post in a while
after I get relevant information, I might post multiple times so it is seen and gets good responses

Btw idk which flair is relevant so I just checked the one that is closest

TL;DR
Man comes in, man gets hurt, leaves, week later, get blackmailed
Topic:
Criminal Law

Answer:
 You should have filed a police report immediately. Do it now.

Show them the black mail letter as well. Black mailing is illegal to begin with.Answer #2: So what else do you have going on that you don't want the police to know about? Some random dude breaks down your door, threatens your family with a knife, and it's all "oh no harm, no foul, no need to call police" once he bolts? That makes absolutely no sense.

I mean, if you still don't want to call the police for whatever reason I would just ignore the letter. What's the guy gonna do, say he broke into your house with a knife and got beat up?Answer #3: File a police report ASAP!Answer #4: This is highly unlikely to be real.


Title: What should I do? I'm scared for my safety.

Question:
This is my first post and I don't have great grammar and I'm on my phone. I live in the USA specifically Florida.

I (15) am living with my mother since my father isn't in the picture and I have 2 siblings. My younger brother (13) lives with my Nana since my mom couldn't handle him and my baby sister (1) is with us. I love my siblings a lot, especially my sister.

I'm in a complicated situation. My mom does make me happy and she doesn't hit me often, but its when she's angry things go bad. She will constantly say that she's going to commit suicide and that she hopes I'm happy or if she goes to prison she hopes that I'm happy. But there are times where she does slap me or throw things at me.

Maybe in Novemberish my mom had a fit. I don't exactly remember how it started, but it was because of me fucking up something that was little. She started yelling and screaming and because I wasn't giving her a reaction and was just standing there she started throwing stuff like huge glasses, chairs, metal containers, just basically everything on the counter... my sister was in the same room playing. My mom threw a chair and it almost hit my sister who at the time wasn't even one. I couldn't say anything because she would've hit me with something while I was picking up glass. After her yelling about how worthless, stupid, ungrateful I was she left for hours with her friend. I was left to clean up her mess and take care of my sister at the same time.

She's on medication, but she doesn't take them regularly like she's supposed and she drinks too. I feel so torn because I know I fuck up and she gets me a lot of stuff, but an argument arose yesterday.

Her and her boyfriend (ex now) where arguing and my mom was being irrational. I tried calming her down, but she wasn't listening. After some time he was getting his stuff to leave and she locked the door when he was outside. He opened the door and opened it. My mom was right behind the door trying to close it on him. Her toe got a cut because of her trying to be petty and difficult. I know I messed up with the last part, but she constantly brings men into our lives and gets so mad and difficult when they leave. She's put me through so much because of it. I've almost been molested because of this. I was done, tired, and mad when she threatened to call the cops. She's already irrational and completely insane at this point. She already acts like a damn spoiled child in front of the police and gets so upset even if she's the one to call them. I have to be the adult when cops are involved.

I told her, "You know that's a bad decision, right?" She got mad and told me something about how I didn't know what I was talking about and I snapped. I yelled, "Why do you put us through this shit?!" I knew I messed up. I was holding my sister and she threw her phone at me. It hit my jaw and there's a bruise now. She took my phone and spat in my face.

About a few hours after that with my phone taken away and everything thats connected to the internet. I was giving my sister a bath.

A little context for what happens next is that my mom and the rest of my family had a lot of issues. Because of that I wasn't supposed to talk to any of my family. But I lost them a week before my birthday which was in March. I miss them a lot and I never got to say goodbye. I get that I should've respected my moms wishes, but it not their fault she got arrested. She spat in my nanas face and arrived there out of no where. She was the aggressor.

She went through my phone and saw that I had texted them weeks ago. For every text she read she slapped me as hard as she could in the back of the head. I was sitting on the toilet and she only stopped when I yelled and covered my head. My mom isn't weak. She started yelling how she should've killed herself when she was 20 because it was my fault. She grabbed my hair and pulled me to the side. She said I was a betrayer, a stupid brat, and that I was useless child who did nothing, but take advantage of her and belittle her and how she'll never see me the same. She slammed the door and the shower curtain fell. She came back in and grabbed it from me. She told me the only reason she wouldn't beat me with it was because my sister was there in front of me. I refused to look at her.

And yet I had to take care of her at around 7 because she was on the ground in the shower throwing up. I was left to take care of my sister the entire day.

My head hurts and my jaws hurts. I would've left, but I can't leave my sister. I don't feel safe, but I feel so guilty. I got my phone back last night and I talked to my boyfriend. Him and his dad are trying to figure something out to get me and my sister out of the house, but I want to be able to see my sister again. I can't bear losing my only family.

What should I do? How do I leave? I'm not safe and I don't want to leave my sister. I'm afraid that there's not enough to make anything and I'll be stuck here. I'm afraid that if she does get angry that it won't be just directed at my head.

What do I do?

Answer:
 Take your sister 'for a walk'. Call the police when you are out of sight. Insist they call CPS.

Tell them the truth. Don't be tactful, don't be polite. Word vomit it, bluntly.

Tell your teachers. (Even if your school is 'distance learning', tell anyway.) They are mandated reporters.

Given that you are in an active state of danger, you should be removed promptly.

NAL. Am a teacher who's had to call CPS before. (Heck, if I had your location, just based on what you've posted here, I'd have to make the call.)

Don't wait. Go now. Be safe.Answer #2: > What do I do?

Call the police. Do it right now. Tell them what's happening. They can help you and your sister.Answer #3: Please take your sister to give mom 'quiet time' and go straight to the police. This is not your responsibility, at no point have you ever been at fault for ANY of your mother's outbursts. Please get your sister and get away.


Title: My apartment was broken into this morning - is my landlord liable?

Question:
This morning I left to school and just returned to find my front door slightly cracked open. The frame was broken because the perpetrators had pushed the door and broken the frame.

About a month ago the apartment manager had told me that the previous tenants had their door broken in by the cops and that the landlord didn't replace the frame, he fixed it the cheap way, just putting spackle over it.

Is the landlord liable because he never fixed the door correctly and that led to someone breaking through our door this morning?

In California.

Answer: No, your landlord is not liable for your home being broken into. A bad repair did not cause the break-in. Do you have renter's insurance?


Title: My Sister is fleeing NC to escape abusive husband. Needs to get her son out of the situation. Wisconsin and North Carolina

Question: My Sister just got on a plane from NC to WI to escape her abusive husband (he beat her up last night and is emotionally abusive). She had to leave her son behind for fear that she would be charged with kidnapping for leaving the state. He is a registered sex offender and is capable of ANYTHING. No paperwork or divorce or custody stuff has been started. Need advise on how to get her son out of the situation.

Answer:
 Ugh.

Did she call the police regarding the DV incident? Or just leave the kid with an abuser?

She can file for custody in NC. She can call CPS and make a report. At this point she is complicit in the abuse by leaving her son in his care. But those are her options at this point.


Title: [MN]girlfriends family trying to force a choice between me and kids by making allegations to cps.

Question: Some members of my girlfriends family are making allegations against me of domestic abuse and alcoholism to cps in an effort to force my girlfriend to choose between me and seeing the children...i would like to know what i can do to protect myself and still be able for us to see the children. note i have never harmed the children and they have not seen me drink in over a year. Also i would like to sue for harassment and defamation if possible.

Answer:
 CPS is not happy to have their very limited time and budget used as a blunt instrument in interpersonal squabbles. They have a duty to investigate complaints, but if you have not been abusing your children or depriving them of essentials, odds are pretty good they'll close your case quickly and without further hassle for you.

If your girlfriend's family continue to file false reports, you can probably sue them to recover damages (such as lost wages due to time spent dealing with CPS): Minnesota gives blanket immunity to civil action when someone makes a good faith report to CPS, but not when they make a report they reasonably know is false.

I would call [the Department of Human Services](http://www.dhs.state.mn.us/main/idcplg?IdcService=GET_DYNAMIC_CONVERSION&RevisionSelectionMethod=LatestReleased&dDocName=id_000152) directly and ask them how to deal with a family member who is making false reports. You won't be the first person this has happened to.


Title: Other driver lied to insurance - now what?

Question:
Edit: Location - Maryland

My husband was stopped in a right turn lane at a red light when a commercial truck turned into his lane and struck his car from behind. There was a traffic camera at the light that may have captured footage of the accident. My husband called the police and waited for 30 minutes for them to arrive, until he was told by fire and rescue that the police couldn't be bothered to show up if no one was injured, and that he had to move his car. It will cost about $2000 to repair the car, and my husband will not be able to work while his car is in the shop.

We have been getting the runaround from the other driver's insurance company for about a week and a half,and today they told us that they were finally able to contact the other driver. He lied and said he was not at fault, and my husband hit him instead (damage is to the back of the car, so that is self-evidently implausible). The insurance company is refusing to pay for repairs.

Our insurance told us not to go through them, since our deductible is the same as the cost of repairs.

My husband has spoken to two lawyers about pursuing this in sms claims court; they have told him that their fees would cost more than just fixing the car, and that the other party would not be forced to pay for our legal fees.

Where do we go from here? It seems totally illogical that we would have to pay for repairs ourselves and this guy gets away with it.

Answer: Just do small claims court yourself. It's easy and fun.  Your husband took pictures at the scene, right?


Title: $200k+ Loans/Credit Cards... How fucked am I?

Question:
So I was seeking job opportunities like any other person in financial trouble. I met a guy that told me he owns an auto and credit repair business. He told me to be able to work there, I had to have good credit, and which I did. So him knowing this, he said he would get me the car of my dreams, but I would need to invest money into the company. This seemed way better than being homeless, so I complied. He showed me how to take out personal loans, auto loans, and credit cards. He told me he would be personally responsible for paying it all back. So I ended up pulling $70k in loans, $80k in credit cards, and 2 cars at $100k (under misrepresented numbers, if ya know what I mean). All because I was grateful for being showed this type of money. And worst of all, all on a handshake.

So fast forward 5 months and he still has not paid me back yet.

So, how fucked am I and is there anything I can do to not go to prison for fraud?

Edit: TX, Harris County

Answer: You can sue him


Title: Bit into Wrigleys gum and cut my mouth open

Question:
(Pennsylvania)
Like title says bit into a stick of wrigleys gum and cut the top of my mouth

Can I pursue  legal maters for my sustained damage to the top of my mouth? Chewing gum should not be able to do that.

Answer: You can ask them to pay 100% of your non-existent medical bills. You didn't strike gold.Answer #2: Is the top of your mouth going to sustain damage or did a stale piece of gum scrape it? Was something in the gum?Answer #3: Are you able to prove this is a direct cause if the gum?Answer #4: In the meantime, maybe visit a dentist and discuss proper oral hygiene?


Title: [UK] I'm currently renting a room in a HMO but the landlord wants me to play council tax for the whole building, is this right?

Question: I'm currently renting in a house of multiple occupancy, the other 5 tenants are students and are exempt from paying council tax but I am not. My landlord has asked me to pay the council tax for the whole building (£1400) and if I fail to pay he will take  the money from everyones deposit. I have already signed the tenancy agreement, what can I do? How much should I be paying? It doesn't seem fair to pay  council tax for the whole building especially as I didn't agree to in the contract I signed

Answer:
 You may want to post this to r/LegalAdviceUK but since I'm here anyway:

&#x200B;

At the worst, you would be liable for it but get a 25% discount as a single occupant (or the only non-exempt occupant). HMO rules around Council Tax are complicated and depend on a lot of factors, sometimes the tenants are liable and sometimes the landlord is.

If you were liable, the Council would be sending a bill addressed to you and it wouldn't affect the Landlord at all. Based on what he's saying, I think he's liable for it but he's trying to fob the costs off on you. Does he want you to pay HIM or the Council?

Your next steps should be:

1. Make sure everybody's deposits are with a Deposit Protection Scheme.
2. Call the local Council and ask if they can clarify the situation.
3. If problem persists, get in touch with Shelter ([England](https://england.shelter.org.uk/) / [Scotland](https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/))


Title: Working in America with a social security number

Question: My friend is going to New York on a holiday visa and is thinking about working while he's over there because he has a social security number from a few years ago. If he does this and works with his SSN will the US government know? And if so what will happen whenever he attempts to go home? Will he be banned?

Answer:
 What do you mean he "has one from a few years ago"?  Is it an SSN assigned to him?  Is he authorized to work in the US currently?  I'm assuming he's not and his SS Card says "NOT VALID FOR EMPLOYMENT" on the front.

If he works under a number like that, it's illegal.  He'll be violating the terms of his visa and banned from returning to the US for 10 years or more if he's caught.  Most employers won't hire him if he provides that card as ID because they'll get in trouble for employing someone without work authorization.


Title: As a Video editor that got laid off from a studio, can I use the videos I created while unemployed on my website and resume?

Question: I recently worked as a video editor for a studio and recently got laid off. I created a web site that includes videos I made while employed there and this morning the owner of the studio called and demanded I remove them. I signed a non\-compete contract although I don't remember it stating anything about usage rights. Also when I asked others to look over the contract they thought It was void because the contract never states when the terms and conditions take effect.

Answer:
 > videos I made while employed there

If you made them as part of your job, for which you were paid, the rights very likely belong to the company, not you.  They are "works for hire" within the meaning of copyright law.

If you want to show them privately, at an interview, that's not likely to cause you problems.  Leaving them on the internet very well might.


Title: (Missouri) Creepy Neighbor; questions about what i can do

Question:
Sorry if this is the wrong place to post this but it was the first place i thought of to post.

Ok so I moved into my house in August. I am renting the house, and the previous people who lived here actually owned the house. 9 years ago they were busted for distributing and manufacturing meth. The house was foreclosed on and the real estate company bought the house.

So last night as I am making dinner my wife is outside with our son. My drunken neighbor who has never said one word to me decided to come over and just start staring at my wife and son. Eventually he decides to just walk over and sit on our front steps with his dog. Not paying attention, my wife didn't even notice him walk over from his house. He gets up and starts rambling about how his "partner" died a year ago blah blah blah and then starts talking shit on every single one of our neighbors. He eventually even starts talking about us.
This is where the story starts to get under my skin. I work doing roadside assistance. If you pop a tire on the highway and call your insurance company to come change it...i show up. I also run a small business building websites so when i have nothing going on I come home to get work done. He begins telling my wife how suspicious my job is and that he watches me leave and come back multiple times per day. Every time I leave, i''m wearing a neon green shirt, a vest, and my car clearly states that I do roadside assistance. He also tells her that because we have black people who are friends (we are white) that we are even more suspicious, especially because our friends may come over at night. He informed her that he was the one who called the cops on the last people who lived here and that we should watch out for any unmarked cars parked near the house because they will be filming everyone who comes to and leaves our house. I dont think its right to decide to badger us because we are young and have friends, and that he should be watching us all day every day. It makes us feel unsafe and insecure about the house that we are living in.

So to get to the point, Im just wondering if there is anything I can say to this man to make him leave us alone? I already plan on calling the cops if i see him out drunk again, but I really need this to stop. I can't have my wife being scared to even open the blinds.

Answer: Tell him to leave your property.  If he refuses, call the police and report him for trespassing.


Title: US, New Jersey. Is it illegal to pay someone their full paycheck when they aren't working those hours?

Question:
I work under an HR manager at our company and we have a person in our team who has not come in for a full 40 hour work week for the past 8 months. They constantly call out or come in at 2pm and just work until 6pm and leave like everyone else. In a typical work week they will miss at least 2 full days and come in late on the rest of the days. The HR manager knows this is happening and seems to be covering for them a lot as it seems that they have some sort of depression. They took off for 1 month for short term disability (paid by state) and we all thought that would fix it but they consistently don’t show up for work.

The HR manager and I are the only people in the entire company that can see payroll and I notice that this person is only claiming about 8 hours of sick time every 2 weeks or sometimes not inputting any time off at all. We are paid as an exempt employee, semi-monthly so every paycheck is automatically 86.67 hours. This sounds an alarm in my head. How can someone still get paid like a normal employee if they do not come to work? There is no work from home at this company so I know they are not working from home either since they leave their laptop at their desk. I am worried as it seems that the HR manager pays no attention to this fact and gives them their full paycheck every payday. Is this not illegal? Should I speak to the legal team in our company or keep out of it? Something doesn’t seem right and I don’t want to be a part of any illegal activities at work.

Answer: If this person is salaried exempt and working at least some every week it would be illegal not to pay them their full salary. Mind your own business.


Title: Call recording: Illegal without consent or just inadmissible?

Question:
I'm in Florida (a 2-party consent state) and the other party is in New Jersey (1-party consent).

The NJ lady caused a car accident (in Virginia) while drifting into my lane and hitting my car.  We both agreed at the time that it was her fault but I couldn't wait for the police to get there because I was on my way to my brother's funeral.  Later, I filed a claim with her insurance company and they told me they'd be denying it because she changed her story and they would be siding with their customer.

I want to call her and try to catch her in the lie.  I plan to record the call and present it to her insurer so they'll hopefully reverse their decision.  I know since FL has 2-party consent that it overrides the 1-party consent of NJ but my question is is it actually illegal to not get the other party's consent or would it just make it inadmissible in court?  Obviously I'm worried she'll keep up the lie if she knows she's being recorded.

Answer: The more pertinent question is why you didn't file through your insurance and let them deal with the lying woman. If you're not at fault you typically don't have to worry about rates going up.


Title: eBay is forcing sellers, via their TOS, to support their competitors.

Question:
I make most of my living selling on eBay, for past 6 years. I am in a category that does have moderate amount of competition, mostly from sellers smaller than myself. I take great pride in taking excellent photos for my listings. There are maybe 2 sellers in my category that take better pictures than myself.

&#x200B;

I have spent several thousand dollars on equipment, small studio, software and classes to be able to have high quality images of items I sell. eBay has now changed their TOS where "*when you create a listing or product page you give eBay and it's members permission, through our* [*user agreement*](https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/member-behaviour-policies/user-agreement?id=4259#9.%20Content)*, to use your images and product details.*" Now my competition is using my images to directly compete with me. I cannot get the listings pulled, nor I can watermark them due to TOS policies.

&#x200B;

So, essentially I spent thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours per year editing images to support my own competition. Besides closing my eBay business, which is already in planning stages, is there anything I can do about this?

&#x200B;

 [https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/listing-policies/images-text-policy?id=4240](https://www.ebay.com/help/policies/listing-policies/images-text-policy?id=4240)

Answer:
 Your link says that the images can only be copied if they are in the product catalog. Can you opt out of the product catalog?

You can't watermark, but if you take your photos with your logo set in front of them, that's not a watermark. Just print out your logo and include that in all future photos taken.Answer #2: Sure: you can pull your listings and take your business to a competitor whose policies you prefer, or you can reach out directly to potential customers yourself.

eBay's policy is likely to cause them some business losses. This is clearly not in your interests to accept. However, it's not _illegal_ as such, and your recourse is through the marketplace, not the courts.


Title: Are fake diplomas illegal?

Question:
I am a high school graduate from Washington State but I lost my l diploma recently. Would it be legal if I bought a fake one and used it to apply for colleges?

edit: adding location

Answer:
 It would be fraud if you represented yourself as having a diploma that you do not have.

Just call the school and get a copy.Answer #2: No one ever asked for a copy of my high school diploma when I applied for a job.

Get a certified copy of your transcripts showing that you completed the coursework and graduated.

But in general, unless you are lying about something, having a reproduction of the certificate should not be illegal.

How do you intend to reproduce the signatures of the principal/superintendent of the school?


Title: (North Carolina) Housekeeper stole furniture from my house. What can I do?

Question:
I rent house in Raleigh that I use when I fly in for business. My lease was coming to an end and I was looking to get rid of the furniture as I no longer wanted to keep the house. I mostly stay on the other side of the country and due to my busy schedule I asked my housekeeper to sell the furniture on my behalf and he agreed.

The house was supposed to be vacated and empty a few weeks back. My housekeeper told me many times that everything was sold and out of the house other than a couch, a bed and a chair. He told me it was completely empty outside of those and that he had buyers coming to pick them up.

The landlord did a walk of the house today and discovered that there were refrigerators, an office desk and a cabinet stored in the garage. I asked my housekeeper about this and about the funds he collected from the sale of the furniture and he collected and now he's telling me he donated it to a family in need because it was 'the right thing to do'. I never told him he could do that. We had agreed I would give him a cut of what he collected as a fee for handling the sales.

Now he's dodging my calls and won't return my texts. The furniture lost I estimate to be worth around $5,500. I also believe he is lying about donating it and that he actually either stole it or sold it and kept the money and is lying to cover it up.

What are my options? If he indeed stole the furniture or the money associated with selling it, is it criminal and can I pursue damages?

Thank you

Answer: File a Police report for theft. You did not give him permission to donate/give it away. He may have sold it and keep they money.


Title: A situation beyond my comprehension. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Question:
Hey reddit, you helped me with my last predicament, here's hoping you do it again.

**My friend found out her fiancee has been cheating on her and wants to break things off, but he won't let her.**

**My friend's background:** Pakistani, no parents or relatives in the picture, boyfriend/fiancee of 8 years, a 3 year old kid, and lives with her fiancee.

My friend **moved away (MA)** to the other side of the country **two years ago**. Ever since they moved, her fiancee and her have been working their ass off just to survive. Recently, she discovered that her **fiancee has been cheating** on her for almost the **entirety of their relationship**. **She confronts him**, he denies all of it. He either ignores the proof/facts she puts forward, or makes RIDICULOUS excuses like friends pranking him or a case of mistaken identity. She tried to have an honest conversation with for the sake of her kid but **he lies, lies, and just lies**.

**She** finally gave up on the relationship and **wanted to break things off**. He went nuts. He told her **he wouldn't let her go** because he loves her too much and couldn't bear to see his family fall apart. When they have this conversation and she tries to bring up everything mentioned above, he doesn't really acknowledge it. On top of that, **he is emotionally blackmailing her** by telling her that she is going to be responsible for ruining their kids life and tearing their family apart. Yesterday, she told him that **she wants some space** and wants to move out and **he told her he would do something bad to himself**. She was obviously worried, called him, his work, his friends to make sure he was ok and backed off from the conversation but he won't leave her alone. Today, **he broke her phone and took the car keys away**. He **hasn't made any threats towards her** but she's scared. I offered to fly her out of there but for reasons unbeknownst to me, she won't leave.

**The Problem:** ***Everything is under his name (Car, Apartment, etc.). She doesn't have any savings. He told her that if she does move out, he would give her nothing. If she stays there, he won't leave her alone. She doesn't want to leave her kid there since he is unhinged. If she does leave with her kid, she can't work since she can't afford to pay for daycare, and if she can't work, she has no source of income. She doesn't really have anyone else to turn to besides me.***

The things I've tried so far: I've already offered to help her with the move financially, but I guess it's not enough. I spoke to the fiancee and tried to reason with him, but he's dead set on keeping his family together. I didn't argue too much but I did convince him to give her the phone and the car keys, and for the time being, he has. I've told her to check in with me via phone calls as often as she can. I've also advised her to call the cops if she feels like she's in danger.

**Questions:** ***What are her options? What is her best possible move here? At what point, does she get the law involved? What else can I do to help or even make her situation remotely better? Any advice you have in general would be greatly appreciated!!***

THANK YOU ALL IN ADVANCE!!

Answer: This is less of a legal problem (outside the potential child support) and more of a relationship issue. As the poster wrote earlier, she has to be willing to leave, find work to support herself or rely on gov't support services. If she is being abused, detained or anything like that, she should file a police report and get help from women's support organizations/shelters.Answer #2: Taking her car keys etc and breaking her phone is unlawful detainment or kidnapping in some states. But it sounds like your friend doesnt want to be helped. You can call a welfare check on her but i doubt it will do much. She has to want to leave. He cannot leave her with nothing though. If this is the US, she will be getting child support and if she is honest during the welfare check and shows the police the broken phone and tells them how hes imprisoning her, her custody case with her child will fare much better for her side of things.  She has to file a police report and make a paper trail though. Answer #3: Some of what you describe borders on or is outright emotional abuse. Your friend could contact a women's support organization or shelter, but at the end of the day she has to be willing to walk out the door. There's not a magic legal trick to make one of the cars hers or to make him pay her rent or make the government give her money to be able to leave. She could investigate medicaid and SNAP and government housing options wherever she is, but that is very local and dependent on the state and city where she's located.


Title: [MA] Car Dented in Parking Lot

Question:
Hi everyone,

Tuesday my friend and I had tickets to a baseball game about two hours from where we live. Before getting on the highway, we stopped for coffees. When we came back outside, I noticed a large dent my (brand new) car door. My friend insisted we leave so we weren't late for the game, but now I am wondering what I can do about it. I would hate to pay my deductible to get it fixed. Friends have suggested calling the coffee shop and asking about cameras in the parking lot, but I'm not sure they would be able to help. Is there any way to go about this? Thanks.

Answer:
 File an insurance claim.

Move on with your life.

Nobody will give you the camera footage, and legal action to compel them to provide it will be much more expensive than whatever your deductible is.

Let the insurance company figure out if they want to investigate it or just pay your claim.


Title: ELI5: Why do states have to recognize other states' felonies when they're legal in their own state? (ELI5 shot it down and told me to post here)

Question:
So I've been reading a lot of those horror story articles about bullshit state laws and the like. Like in Virginia, it's legit a felony to wear too much makeup. In New Jersey, it's a felony to own an airsoft gun. These are felonies, not misdemeanors, meaning once you're convicted, your life is fucked. So that raises the question: Why is it that someone convicted under a bullshit charge in one state has their rights revoked in all 50? Like most states don't ban airsoft guns or too much makeup, so why is it that if one is convicted in one of the states they do, they lose their rights in states that don't?

It seems beyond absurd.

Answer:
 Because the US Constitution says that the states must recognize the official acts and records of other states in nearly all cases.  That means that if you're a felon in NY, NJ treats you as having been convicted of a felony, too.

Each state applies their own laws as to the results of the felony. In some states, felons can vote after completing their sentence; in others they cant.  If a felon moves from one state to the other, the state of residence's rules apply.


Title: California: Defamation And Libel On Yelp

Answer: Assuming US, part of defamation is proving it actually caused damages. You can also message Yelp and ask them to remove and block the user.


Title: Are tinted window laws really enforced much?

Question: I live in the state of New York and want to tint my windows to around 40/50 %  I know legally it is 70%  Would I get hassled much for it ?

Answer:
 Dark tints smell like marijuana.Answer #2: No one has a crystal ball.

You *can* get "hassled" for breaking the law on purpose.

The most basic legal advice there is:

"Don't break the law."Answer #3: "enforced" is subjective.  Are lots tickets generally written for this violation? Probably not.  Do cops use this violation to pull people over in hopes of find other crimes? Yes, especially drug-related crimes.


Title: US/Colorado - I work for a corporate salon, my district manager is implying/accusing me of illegal/suspicious behavior. I'm innocent.

Question:
Saturday November 1st a client and personal friend of mine stopped by my work. My district manager and manager were up at the front of the shop when my friend walked in. My DM asked him if he needed a haircut to which he politely responded no and motioned to me. He simply asked me for a bag. He then restated a store bag from the store in which my salon is located. I had had one in the back of salon where I had purchased tea earlier in the day, I went back to look for one and came back and told him no, I didn't. He then left and I went back to cleaning up my station and doing a couple of other things. My DM then called me into our back room and asked what "that was about". I was confused at first because I didn't know what she was talking about as I had gone back to doing my job. After I realized what she was talking about she then decided to accuse me of it being very suspicious and that she never wanted to see it again. I denied any wrong doing and tried to defend myself and even offered to dump out my belongings to prove that I had nothing illegal on me. She denied me being able to do so.
Monday November 3 she came in later that day, waited until my coworker had gotten off work and waited until the salon was completely empty before confronting me again and asking if I had anything else to say about the incident. I told her I was offended anyone would think I would do something like that and that I wasn't stupid enough to do something like that to which she rolled her eyes.   She then told basically accused me of marring the image of her salon. She also made a pretty insensitive comment of "I don't know what he came in here for, but it wasn't for a bag of tamales." My friend is Mexican and gay to boot. She also made me give her his full name and phone number and said she "highly suggested that I never speak to him again".  My manager is now not allowed to speak to me about any of it either. I spoke with HR and they are siding with my district manager agreeing that my behavior is somehow suspicious and they cannot do anything since so far no disciplinary actions have been taken. They also breached my vote of confidentiality and went directly to her first when they said they would contact me first. I have now lost shift lead computer privileges without my knowledge

On a personal note, this woman is a horrible boss and should not be in a position of power over anyone. She has forced several people to quit or resign their jobs because her managerial techniques border on bullying. I feel that my character and honesty is being completely overruled and tossed out of the window for unfounded and unjust personal opinions. I am in legitimate fear for my job even though I have done nothing wrong.

Answer: I'm confused. Was the gay guy buying tea or pot?


Title: (FL) Is there anything we can do about a man that protests outside our church every Sunday?

Question:
We've called the cops multiple times they usually just shoo him away but there isn't much that can do since he isn't standing on our property.

He stands out there with signs and screams at people as they go to their cars. He calls the women stupid whores, he tells the men they're pieces of shit that should commit suicide and yells at the children that he hopes they get molested.

None of us know him or have even seen him before, we heard that someone did something similar at a near by Catholic Church last year so that might have been him.

Is there anyway we could get a restraining order against him? Or at least something that would stop him?

Answer:
 You're having the same problem that many others have with the Westboro Baptist people. It'll fall under free speech unless he makes a threat and it isn't trespassing if he stays on public property.

You can look up news articles to see how different groups have tried to deal with them in the past.Answer #2: There's a few things you can legally do.

You can join him in protest, you can move your church to an undisclosed location, you can have your children wear adorable earmuffs to block out the hate speech.

You can do nothing to stop him from standing on public property and stating his opinion, however.


Title: [Washington DC] Red light violation ticket for a totally different car, while friend is in CA

Question:
So my friend got a red light violation ticket in CA. He owns a Nissan while the ticket is for a toyota. The license number matches (I dont know how).

He has been contesting the tickets by sending proof of registration from DMV that he owns a Nissan. But they are not ready to accept it. the due date has passed and now they are saying that he cant even contest it and he has to pay otherwise they will send it to collections and/or request hold on his registration.

What can he do?

Answer:
 Is it an out of state plate?  It could be the same number but a different state.Answer #2: If it's truly the same plate number and state then they were stolen or fraudulently duplicated. You file a police report with your local police precinct and call and file a report with the DC Metro police. Then get a copy of the reports and send that in. The only reasons for getting a ticket voided is because it was a funeral procession or your plates were stolen.

Then go to your local MVC/DMV and request a new set of plates otherwise you risk dealing with this issue again in the future. Make sure you maintain records of date and time of when you got new plates. Copies of receipts of fees paid etc.

Or just pay the fine, the time and effort to sort this out is going to far exceed $150 quickly especially if lawyers get involved. If you don't pay the fine DC will send it to collections and it could
impact your credit score.

You can continue to call the MPD but I doubt it will go anywhere.


Title: [WA] Got a failure to yield ticket, was advised to pay it, now there is a NEW WEBSITE with MY name and public court records

Question:
Hi Guys,

I made [this post](http://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/36komb/wa_thought_it_was_a_4_way_stop_but_it_was_a_2_way/) regarding a stupid failure to yield ticket I got due to a dumb mistake on a new road.

I was advised by the majority of folks I talked to just pay it. I listened and paid.

Literally 2 days after I did so, a new search results for my name shoes up on google. It's a new page made on http://www.checkcourts.com/, saying I have a court record, etc.

This looks very bad for me. I have a highly unique name (only person I know of with it) and when you put it in google this is literally this first thing that comes up. Right below my professional profile :(

This is beyond fucked up as people that search me can't see that this was NOT for a criminal arrest, but for a traffic ticket! This could potentially have some very negative effects in the future. It gives me a very uneasy feeling that my full name, State, age is advertised for everyone in the world to see.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can get this taken down? This is really wrecking with my head.

Answer: You can hire a reputation management firm to try to knock it down lower in the search results.


Title: [NJ] live-in girlfriend cheated on me; how to proceed with the breakup

Question:
Her name is on the lease. I can afford the place by myself, but she has given me money to split rent.

I want her to leave, but she is pretty stubborn, and I have the feeling this might be difficult.

How do I best protect myself legally and handle getting her to leave, especially if she doesn't want to? If she refuses to leave, can I talk to the landlord and have my name removed from the lease, and then move?

Thank you.

Answer:
 >How do I best protect myself legally and handle getting her to leave, especially if she doesn't want to?

You don't she is on the lease and you cannot evict her.
Answer #2: You can't unilaterally kick her or remove her name.  On the plus side, neither of you will want to live together.  So, uh, hopefully it's a 2-bedroom and you can sublease.  Cause then you sit down together, flip a coin to decide who stays, and find a subleaser to replace the other one.  Or you both move out and find a subleaser, or look into buyouts or breaking lease.


Title: (Alabama) Accidentally left my wallet in my co-workers car today,he has used my credit car twice. What's my play here? What if he denies he ever stole it?

Question:
[deleted]
Topic:
Criminal Law

Answer: You cancel the card, tell your credit card company that you did not authorize these charges and, and I can't believe I have to say this, contact the police.


Title: I got a letter in the mail from a police department saying they have some property of mine for safekeeping. [CA]

Question: [deleted]

Answer: Have you committed any crimes from which you're worried you would be arrested? If not, just call the station and ask them about it.


Title: Missouri, Kansas City - landlord hasn't fixed heat for 2 months it's snowed two times and I tried not paying rent to get heat fixed but was threatened with eviction

Question: [deleted]

Answer: Space heaters and put the rent into an escrow account to prove to a judge deciding on eviction that you are indeed paying, but its not going to be released to the landlord until he has performed his legally required duties. Answer #2: In a Kansas winter I hire someone to fix it and send landlord the bill. Answer #3: I'm surprised the landlord doesn't want to fix this as no heat leads to broken water pipes that froze and burst. Either way you need to set aside the money to prove you had the ability to pay but he is not keeping your place hospitable as per what others have said.


Title: Got charged $250 in the mail for a doctors consultation they told me at the office was $0

Question: [GA] I just a letter from a neurologist I visited for a consultation a few weeks back. When I asked about the cost I was told my insurance would cover all over it and the fee was $0. Now I've gotten an invoice in the mail for $250. This fee was not communicated anywhere, including when I asked for it. What are my options?

Answer: Don't take your the doctor's office's word on what the insurance will or will not cover. It is your responsibility to check with your insurance before hand


Title: (AZ) Can I place a lien on my ex-wife's home to collect money owed from a divorce decree?

Question: Was divorced in California in 1980.  In the final decree my ex agreed to pay me money she owed me.  She never paid me and now owns a home in Arizona.  Can I place a lien on the home to encourage her to pay me?

Answer: I have no legal advice just a question, why did you wait 36 years to collect the money? Answer #2: Probably not. You have no claim on her property, and unless you had a judgment that you executed and then renewed every 10 years, you have nothing to file in her new state.  If you have a valid judgment in CA, you'd need to file it in AZ as  foreign judgment.


Title: (Ontario, Canada) Posting on behalf of fiance who is wondering how she should approach unfair treatment at her office.

Question:
I am posting this on my fiance's behalf cause she doesn't have a Reddit account (yet). I'm just going to copying some chat messages that she had sent to me about this issue. She is having an issue at work about what she feels is unfair treatment at her office. We are looking for any advice about what she can do. I've already explained that the best thing would be to try to find work at a different firm, but we are looking for a solution until that point. Chat messages are as follows:

1. I keep to myself at work because I don't mix personal life and work life together.
2. I'm also naturally a quiet person.
3. It started just before my first year review.
4. He doesn't speak the same to me he does with everyone else.
5. The first thing I can remember which is small but still... if he knows my food is in the microwave and its done, he will take it out and put it on the counter and put his in. With everyone else he asks them if their food is done and if he should put it in longer. Doesn't offer me that
6. He's chums with everyone in the office but me.
7. Like he says “Hey girl, how’s it going” to the girls but not me. I remember my first Christmas party he singled me out the day before and said " okay guys obviously no drinking and driving, (my fiancé) are you planning on driving".
8. I just said yes I'm driving.
9. He said make sure you manage your alcohol properly.
10. I just said I don't drink. Him assuming I drink for some reason.
11. Then at the Christmas party remember he and his wife didn't even talk to us?
12. Then last year my annual review came along and usually we go to the coffee shop and have a drink and some sweets and chat for about an hour or so going over how the year went and how we are in general. But not for me. It was a month late and we just sat in his office for 10 minutes. Did a little review. No conversations. That’s it. It’s almost like he wants no interaction with me. This was also the same time that my dad was in the hospital for 6 months and he knew about that. And my mom had breast cancer, which he also knew.
13. Then when nana passed away last month, he didn't send flowers, which he does for everyone else when a family member passes. Also (I know it’s not expected but still) the administrator didn't send a condolences email, I had to email her why I lost days. She knew what happened but didn't say anything.
14. Now with my second annual review coming up the same thing is happening as my first.
15. And I always have to remind him that the date is coming up.
16. And the big thing is the way I'm treated, with very little respect. I'm talked down to and singled out even when we’re having an office meeting. I feel like a disobedient 8 year old who's always causing trouble in class.
17. I'm honestly thinking it’s because I don't have a university degree (although I attended 2 years) and only a college degree.
18. It’s even at the point where he doesn’t give me work anymore, I almost exclusively work with (Coworker #1), (Coworker #2) and (Coworker #3).
19. It’s like he's treating me as though I'm not worthy to be working here and he's giving me the minimum he has to give.
20. There was also one time he dropped my fork off the kitchen counter onto the floor and stuck it back into my food. I heard it and I knew because I left my fork beside my food on a napkin and when I turned around it was in my food.

If you need any clarification on things, please ask. I'll answer and then update the actual post.

Thanks all.

TLDR: Basically her boss is discriminating against her because she only has a college diploma not a uni degree and its to the point where he is making it personal.

She says she feels she is talked down to and singled out from everyone else. Her boss doesn't give her work instead forcing her to get work from her co workers. He treats her belongings as garbage. And when it comes to annual reviews, he treats her differently compared to everyone else in her office. She gets a short 10 minute in the office, while the boss takes everyone else out for a coffee and makes it more of a casual setting. It's a small office setting. He also won't talk to her at work gatherings outside of the office.

edit: TLDR
Topic:
Douche

Answer:
 This looks more like he doesn't like your fiance rather than harassment. We don't require workers to treat each other 100% equally, but we don't allow harassment or discrimination based on a protected class.

If your fiance feels like this is harassment, they should speak to their direct manager, HR or a Director that they feel comfortable with. The conversation should start with "I feel like <person> may be harassing me. What can I do to stop this". By Canada law, your employer is required to have an anti-harassment policy in effect.

IMHO, I still don't think this is harassment but if your fiance does they are free to ask and the employer is legally obligated to conduct an investigation.

[more information](https://www.labour.gov.on.ca/english/hs/pubs/wpvh/harassment.php)


Title: Female-to-Male Accusation with Excellent Work History - Fired - Sexual joking as well. Do I have legal recourse?

Question:
Have worked at a bank for 3 solid years. My annual performance reviews are in the "top two" (according to my  manager) of a team of 18 department staff. 250 employees total.

I have stellar 5-star reviews from all of our customers. Never a written warning, a PIP, or any kind of discipline whatsoever. I have a strong reputation at this company and a deep network, without a single incident of any kind in my entire 2 yrs and 11 months at this company.

3 weeks ago a company Director made a sexual joke about me in a meeting with 30 people present. He said "I suppose you're trying to get syphilis?" The company backed me up. His manager (the HR Director) apologized to me personally in an email, and a company-wide email was sent out as well.

Last week, I was yelled at by a contractor. An employee heard what happened and reported on my behalf. My manager apologized to me privately and told me "we are looking at replacing that individual soon." I never reported him; my coworker did.

These are the only two times that I have ever been harassed at work. 3 weeks ago, and last week.

Side note -- Coinciding with these incidents, I was placed under a new manager within the last few months and she and I have not gotten along well. She reports to my previous manager, and has developed a strong relationship with him.

When my new manager antagonizes me, I have sometimes gone to my old manager and discussed the situation with me. He has always been warm and friendly, told me stories about difficult managers he dealt with, tells me it's not my fault, to hang in there, and that No, my job is not in jeopardy. That brings us to what happened yesterday when I was fired.

Yesterday when I showed up for work, I discovered that someone had removed my five-foot tall shelf from my office and all of my personal items that were onit (books, photos, etc.) were missing as well. To make a long story short, my new manager had removed it and put it in her office, and put her own things on it. She moved my things off of the shelf and stuffed them in a storage unit in a remote location that I discovered later. No note or mention was made to me. When I found it in her office, I said "this is wrong. I'm fucking pissed." My coworkers heard me, and they also expressed verbal sympathy. One of them said, "Oh I'm sorry, I asked if you needed it and I told her you probably didn't need it." (Strange!) I looked at my coworker and said in calm voice (in front of the group), "Don't ever move my things again. I am smiling right now, but listen - don't ever move my things." I then moved the shelf back to my office.

When my new manager came back a few minutes later, she apologized to me in front of the office. She then walked over to my coworker's office and they talked privately for a few minutes. Then they went down to HR, and my coworker reported that my telling her "Don't move my things" had made her feel unsafe and scared of me. I was pulled in to meet with the HR director, my new manager AND my old manager were pulled in, and they all expressed serious concern that I had made this coworker feel unsafe by my words. I spoke with them in an even tone, but they wouldn't believe me that I had not yelled. They believed I had yelled it at her. I asked them to bring in witnesses from the office, and they said they didn't feel the need to do this. They also would not talk about the shelf that had been taken. They told me that I could remain on employment if I would apologize for my actions with a "heartfelt" apology to the entire team. I said that I couldn't do this in good conscience because I had not raised my voice and had not yelled. They sent me home.

I felt things were grim, so an hour later I wrote them an email wondering if we could look at a month or so of employment wherein I could continue to provide them service but find another job in the mean time, and I stated a resignation date in the email. Three minutes later I received a phone call-- they were all still meeting together, and one of them (the HR Director) informed me that I would be terminated immediately. I'm fired.

This is in New Mexico. At Will state. I am a 44 yr old white male.

Do I have any legal defense, in your opinion?

Answer: Honestly, that sounds like you made what was reasonably interpreted as a threat. The fact that there may have been some other sexual harassment issues that came before it doesn’t mean the company has to excuse your conduct in that situation. You would be hard pressed to argue that termination for your conduct is unreasonable or is retaliation for you complaining about sexual harassment.


Title: my friend was arrested for an oui and has a trial coming up very soon, since then the arresting officer also got himself an oui and is currently suspended without pay...any guesses on what might happen on trial day?

Question:
a few months ago my friend had 3 beers at restaurant (a grown man, definately not hammered, assumed he was perfectly fine to drive..he got rear ended driving home, not a major accident, but he did bang his leg up pretty good and was limping a bit)

but police came, and officers asked if he had been drinking, he  told the truth (assuming he had not drank enough to be considered drunk by any means) and said yes, told them that slightly over an hour ago he had 3 beers over the course of 90 minutes or so with dinner at a restaurant)..they gave him a field test and decided to charge him..friend did  not take breathalyzer (as he thought he was probably under .08, but wasn't 100% sure, and might have been hovering right around .08, thought he would be best to decline based on what he had heard from others over the years..thought it would be best not to take his chances

 arresting office who administered the field tests and wrote the report got an oui himself a little over a month ago.(a week or two ago he addiitted sufficient facts and was given continuance without a finding and 90 day licence loss)...he is in the middle of a pending internal investigation as of now and suspended without pay until it's completed (and 99% most likely the investigation will still be pending on the trial date coming up)

friend's lawyer said based on the police report he did fairly well on the field tests .all things consisered (as it was written pretty subjectively and the banged up knee from the accident could have played a factor in the heel toe he failed) and passed at least two of them...report also says that while he "appeared intoxicated" (bloodshot eyes, mumbled speech but not slurring...he is a naturally quiet guy though in my opinion)  he was otherwise coherent and polite. (officer went out of his way to write that)

any guesses how this will play out? will the arresting officer show up? (he does have a lawyer obviously, who said he may or may not... but he's incredibly nervous as this could affect the rest of his life, i thought might ask some other experts here for your input/guesses based on similar experiences maybe?

Answer:
 Cop here, based off of the information you gave I see no reason he wouldn't still be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The officer's testimony may or may not be brought up in court and your friends lawyer would probably be the best one to ask about his chances. These lawyers do this everyday and are intimately familiar with the judges, police officers, and court processes involved.


Title: Can a landlord legally charge me rent for not turning in my keys?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Until you surrender the keys, you haven't surrendered the property and they can continue to charge you rent.

You pay rent until you fully surrender the property.


Title: Any advice for a defendant possibly sitting trial?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 > Does anyone have any advice for a defendant about to sit trial?

Listen to your attorney. Listen ONLY to your attorney. Talk about your case ONLY to your attorney. Address all questions ONLY to your attorney. Take advice ONLY from your attorney.