Title: [NC]Girlfriend and her family at risk of being charged with a felony because of a package containing marijuana.

Question:
Like the title says, my girlfriend and her family are all at risk of being charged with felonies because the police intercepted a package containing two pounds of marijuana addressed to her sister, despite everyone in her family having no knowledge of the package, who ordered it, where it even came from, or even having the money for that much marijuana. The police disguised as FedEx delivery men, delivered the package they already searched and identified containing marijuana, then came back minutes later with a search warrant, and searched the house.

Please help reddit. We have no clue what to do.

Answer: You need a criminal defense attorney. This attorney should be separate from the one your GF and her family get.


Title: Offered a very low compensation, what do I do now?

Question: Due to an error, my belongings have been thrown away by the student house I used to live in by the letting agency and its contractors. They have admitted liability and told me to write a list of the items thrown away and that they'd compensate me, I wrote a list of the items and the prices, the total cost of my items were 4.5k, the first compensation offer they made was 2k, which I refused. They have emailed me today offering 2.2k, I dont know what to do now as this won't cover the costs but I'm scared if I refuse it again, I won't get any money at all.

Answer:
 Location matters, assuming somewhere in the US.

How did you calculate your 4.5k figure? Is that the actual replacement cost taking the age of the items into account, or the new purchase price?

If you're certain of you can justify the price and you can prove their responsibility, you could file a suit in small claims court. But whether it's worth it depends on the strength of your claim. If you're sure that your stuff was work 4.5k even used then I'd hold out and sue. Otherwise I'd take the money and be done with it.


Title: Double Jeopardy

Question:
A different kind of question -

(Do I really have to state SPOILER ALERT for a 22-year-old movie??)

My wife and I watched Double Jeopardy last night where Ashley Judd is convicted of murdering her husband who **shocker!** faked his death, framed her and is still alive.

After serving her sentence she then goes on to try to murder him for real after being introduced to the concept of double jeopardy: a person cannot be convicted for the same crime twice.

So my question, obviously - would this fly? Would she not be tried or arrested for killing her husband after she got out?

Answer:
 This is far from the first time the question has been asked, and no, it wouldn't fly. You can't be tried for the SAME crime twice. Literally the same crime. Doing the same thing on two separate occasions is NOT the same crime.

So you can't argue double jeopardy if you break into your ex's girlfriend's house, get caught, sent to jail, and five years later break into her same house again. So if your creepy ass husband frames you for his murder and you do time in jail, and after you get out, you find out he's still alive and murder the fuck out of him, that's a separate crime, at a separate time,  in no way related to the first.

Double jeopardy is literally 'the government can't keep trying you over and over again for the same crime if they didn't nail you the first time.' Different crimes at different times don't count.

Note that Ashley Judd got the advice while from a rando inmate bud while waiting on the phone, so it didn't exactly come from a legal eagle mastermind.


Title: (MA) I work for the state and my facility has A LOT of mold/asbestos. My patients are all dying from respiratory related infections and staff are dying from them as well.

Question:
I work for the state in a residential facility. We have many different buildings where patients live and patients have been dying and so have staff, ALL, 100% have been dying from respiratory related infections. Some of the staff are 35 years old to 50 and some have even dropped dead at work. These buildings were all built in the 1800’s and we’ve been told have asbestos. I have been keeping a collection of photos on my phone and computer as backup of my facility and reported dates when I report to the facility director of the thick growing black mold in the vents, windows, and patients ceilings. Nothing has been done except for painting OVER the black mold when some of the patients’ family will come to visit but rarely do they come to visit. It is disgusting and sad. I recently was diagnosed with a serious neurological disease and my neurologist asked if I was exposed to mold recently for prolonged periods and I told him this and he said I should report to board of health and get a lawyer, is this true? I’m worried I will loose my job. I also have been getting many different inhalers due to shortness of breath and blacking out/passing out (related to my neurological disorder) and when I see my pulmonologist she said my lungs have a lot of scarring and nodules and could be due to the exposure to mold. Should I seek a lawyer? I have been really sick and every building is like this.

**TLDR: Buildings at my facility built in 1800’s, well known to be filled with thick black mold and    asbestos. My patients have been dying from respiratory diseases and young staff have been dying as well (5 in the last year) I have reported this to the facility director and documented it. Nothing has been done except painting over the mold when the patients family comes to visit and then the mold regrows over it soon after. I was recently diagnosed with a serious neurological disorder my neurologist believes is related to prolonged exposure to mold and my asthma is exacerbated and I have scarring and nodules in my lungs my pulmonologist thinks is related to the mold/asbestos. Should I seek a lawyer like they are saying?

Answer:
 Having asbestos in a building is fine as long as it isn't disturbed. The mold may be problematic.

I would suggest you contact the state government entity that regulates the type of facility you work for and discussing your concerns with them.Answer #2: Jesus you need to report this to a relevant state, and maybe federal, agency


Title: I believe I've been recruited to take part in a scam and I want to rat the company out.

Question:
I'm a 20something in the USA who desperately needed a job. I responded to a listing for a telephone sales job, went to a professional seeming interview, and was hired for a week of training which started on Monday and turned into a full-time offer by mid-week. The boss and coworkers actually ended up liking me a lot. I think they see me as a "yes man" at the moment and believe I will fit in well just because I was eager to get to work and learn about the job at first. Also I have shown some ability to be a "devious salesman" (which I wouldn't be opposed to if there was some at least some degree of legitimacy to the product or business instead of it being an outright sham).

I thought it was a legitimate business for the first few days and actually proved to be pretty decent at picking up the ins and outs of the job, but by the end of the week I realized something was way off. Although the company has a professional looking website that I checked out before being hired, upon further investigation, I've concluded that I have almost definitely been recruited for a scam of sorts. A very professional looking and well organized one though. Even just in casual conversation within the workplace, everyone seems to keep up an act that as if the service is helpful and legitimate. Although the business is shady, it does appear that they are a registered LLC, but from what I can tell through online research, they don't have that impressive of a profit margin (probably just enough for the organizers to reach low 6 figures each) for a company claiming to be so expansive.

The pitch that I've been instructed to read includes wildly fabricated statistics and outright lies about the company, including how long it's been around, how many clients they serve, and claimed affiliations with other companies when I don't think any official affiliation exists. I believed this information to be true at first and also thought it was possible that this was just a regional office for a larger service. After the clients make the purchase with their credit card, we also are supposed to read a verification script for the purchase, which includes giving them a verification number and claiming that the call is recorded for the customers' security but I believe the number is just a meaningless randomly made up number and the call isn't actually recorded (not positive, but my gut tells me that is the case). We are also instructed to speak as though we are a big company with multiple departments, professionals within the field, and a large reputation (especially when transferring the phone to “another department”), although it's just a room with less than 10 workers. I believe a couple of the workers are fully in on the scheme, a couple are just down on their luck people who aren't ultimately bad but got dragged into doing the boss' bidding due to financial need, and I think one guy who is fairly new is still oblivious that it's a scam. From my observations, It also appears that the workers had their commission reduced recently, which was actually the first ominous sign I picked up on.

This brings me to my final point, which is that the workers are given contracts to sign (as independent contractors) which include an overly extensive non-compete clause (including to agree to not sign on with a competing company for several years after the contract's termination), and a rundown of the tasks and business hours. I believe that those criteria would be cause for the workers to be labeled as employees instead of independent contractors and could probably get the company into some sort of trouble/liability if challenged in court. Additionally, the contract includes a secrecy clause, which could be reasonable for many legitimate businesses, but it's probably a means of intimidation here in case one of the workers pisses off the boss or threatens to blow the whistle.

I have a bunch of paperwork at my desk which includes the script, some company info, lists of numbers to call, and a copy of my contract. I'm thinking of going in on Monday morning, sitting at my desk for 10-15 minutes pretending to go over paperwork, and then nonchalantly walking out with all of the paperwork I've been given so that it can be used as evidence against the company. I want to check to see if this risks legal trouble on my part. These are all documents that I was actually given, not ones I would be taking from other desks or drawers. I don't believe anything in the contract explicitly says that documents need to be returned at any point (though I may be mistaken), but I don't know the law perfectly. At the very least I don't see how it can be illegal to take the copy of the contract (although it is just a blank copy of the one I signed, it does not include the signatures themselves). I think I can get away with pulling this off because right now the boss takes me for either a fool or someone who is already a willing participant, or some combination of the two. Ideally I would love to go through one more full work day and tape record it, but I live in an “all party consent” state so that's not feasible. I really want to report them somehow, but I also don't know what law enforcement agency I should be reporting them to.

In summation, this company is definitely unethical, but I also wouldn't be shocked if there are numerous legal loopholes that they can use to their advantage if challenged that actually makes their practice legal and the boss is definitely smart and charismatic, so I'm sure he has all of the nuances within his scheme planned out. Some information in the script is definitely a provable outright lie though. Workers seem to go to great lengths to keep up a good image/act, even just in interoffice conversation, although I suspect that a couple workers are only doing so because of intimidation and financial dependence on the job, and I suspect that one person still hasn't even caught on to its true nature. I really want to expose this company for the sham that they are. To aid in this, I would like to show up on Monday, take all of the documents I've been given, and walk out, but want to assess impending legal situations over the weekend before actually doing it. Additionally, I need some guidance on what government agency to report them to.

Thanks in advance for any responses, and I would be willing to answer further questions. However, I don't want to be too specific in any public posts (such as company name and exact service) since I don't want to be too easily identifiable just yet.

Answer: I'm sorry, what is the scam here?  As is, if they are a legal entity, even if they're using "loopholes", as you put it, then there's, by definition, no legal issue.Answer #2: Ok so I read through that entire post, and I fail to see what the scam is. What exactly do you think is illegal here?


Title: 18 year old kicked out of house Massachusetts, not out of high school.

Question:
My friend just got kicked out of his house. Mom cut up his passport because he was talking with a guy in Canada and she freaked out not wanting him to go see him. So she cuts the internet, cuts the passport, takes his wallet and his phone then kicks him out of the house. From what I'm hearing from my friend this happened an hour ago and we are not sure what to do.
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer:
 Your friend is an adult. They can be kicked out *with proper notice*. The mother actually committed a few crimes, including theft, destruction of property, and an illegal eviction.

Did your friend call the police?


Title: Am I obligated to make car payments on my totaled vehicle?

Question: I was involved in an accident on November 20th that resulted in minor injuries to myself, but more severe injuries to the other passengers at no fault to any of us. From day one I was being told by my claims adjuster from USAA that it was a total loss, I only received confirmation of this eleven days later. The vehicle is valued at just under $16,000 and I currently owe over $19,000 but did purchase gap coverage at the dealership. I was told by my insurance that they will contact my lienholder to pay off the ACV, however I have automatic car payments in place and the monthly payment was withdrawn yesterday. Am I entitled to get that payment back if the vehicle was deemed a total loss and the loan is in the process of being paid off anyway? Also I have family members that swear to me that the at fault driver, who is fully insured, will have to replace my vehicle. I have yet to find any proof that anyone owes me anything other than the ACV, which I won’t see a dime of, and compensation for the injuries. The vehicle was registered in Virginia and I currently reside there as well, however the accident occurred in Ohio. I have never been involved in an accident and just wanted some clarification before my appointment with the legal office at the base I’m stationed at. Any clarification is appreciated, thank you for your time.

Answer:
 > Am I obligated to make car payments on my totaled vehicle?

You are obligated to make car payments on your auto loan, yes.

> Also I have family members that swear to me that the at fault driver, who is fully insured, will have to replace my vehicle.

If they are at fault, they way it should work is that their insurance company pays you whatever your car is worth, not what they loan amount is.

You may want to try /r/insurance if you don't get enough answers here. But your insane company should be able to answer these questions as well, and better, since they have the specifics of your situation.Answer #2: You don’t get to receive the value of your car plus a new car. Your loan will be paid off on the totaled car, so you are free to go get another car. If you finance it then you are back to making payments on a car, which puts you in the same position you were in before the accident.Answer #3: >  I have family members that swear to me that the at fault driver, who is fully insured, will have to replace my vehicle

Wait, they think that you are owed the cost of two vehicles? Lol.


Title: Fyre Festival class action lawsuit

Question:
(FL, USA) I was not an attendee, but I hope this topic will be approved because of the public intrigue. Hopefully, an actual attendee will hijack this post.
Because the event occurred in the Bahamas, are the patrons going to be able to sue in US courts? Is the remarkably poor judgment of the co-founders grounds for fraud cases (ie. fraud by unbelievable incompetence), or does that require clear intent to commit fraud? Separately, were the unmarked promotional statements by the Instagram promoters truly against FTC policy?

Answer:
 > Because the event occurred in the Bahamas, are the patrons going to be able to sue in US courts?

I'm sure there are grounds for at least some US court to claim jurisdiction. Tour companies based in the US get sued over tours outside of the US on a fairly regular basis, and the Fyre Festival isn't obviously different.

> Is the remarkably poor judgment of the co-founders grounds for fraud

There's considerably more going on than "poor judgement," really. It's been fairly obvious, even from the outside, for _months_ that the festival was never going to be able to deliver. Continuing to collect payment and sell admissions to the event, when reasonably aware that the festival could never happen, may well shade into fraud. What the actual causes of action ultimately are (and, relatedly, what, if any, criminal charges are eventually laid) will be sorted out by lawyers, but you can expect that there _will_ be lawsuits.

> Separately, were the unmarked promotional statements by the Instagram promoters truly against FTC policy?

[Maybe](https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/public_statements/896923/151222deceptiveenforcement.pdf).


Title: How to properly/legally inform partner about HPV

Question:
So I recently contracted HPV and will be planning to tell future partners.  However, what is there to prevent these future partners later turning around and trying to sue that I did not inform them?  Is a verbal discussion sufficient?  Are we talking about contract signing?

I am in CA, but would like to know any input from across the USA if possible, much thanks.

Answer:
 "Hey dawg, before we hop on the express train to the Bone Zone, I wanna let you know I have HPV."

Done. Nobody is going to sue you.Answer #2: Sure, you can make a contract, and get notarized and witnessed by both of your mothers. You can even [record it publicly on the blockchain](http://infocoin.net/en/2016/12/13/blockchain-creates-smart-contract-for-sexual-encounters/).

But if you prefer to look like a sane human being, just tell them verbally before things happen.


Title: [VA] Circuit Court -- Party Name "$1004.00 United States Currency"?

Question:
Forgive me as I'm in (low ball) criminal and traffic defense - and, IANAL.

Occasionally we'll have an appeal in the local Circuit Court. When we do, I'll check the daily docket for courtroom assignment. I've stumbled across "US Currency" twice now, listed under "party name." There's a slew of lines, all different CL case numbers, but they all show a dollar amount and "United States Currency" at the end.

What is that about?
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer: It's a [civil asset forfeiture](https://m.fbi.gov/#https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/white_collar/asset-forfeiture) case; typically called an *in rem* action. The defendant is the objet being seized, not who possessed it. Answer #2: Also odd are the names of cases where a ship is the defendant, or more specific pieces of property, like *[American Insurance Co. v. 356 Bales of Cotton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Insurance_Co._v._356_Bales_of_Cotton)*.Answer #3: Wikipedia doesn't give me a very clear picture of why an *in rem* action against the *property* as defendent is considered valid when the owner is actually known to the court. For my own interest, can anyone explain?


Title: I forgot a half smoked joint at a hotel room - Can I get in legal trouble?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 You will be fine. Don't worry about it. Cleaning staff don't care about half a joint. They are just glad you didn't shit the bed or do the other horrible stuff people do in hotel rooms. Source: read an askredit thread once. Answer #2: >is there a possibility they sent the joint to test for drugs or for some sort of saliva test?

You watch too many crime shows on TV. lol. I think it's safe to say you're fine at this point. Answer #3: Don't worry about it.  Just a word of advice next time you are high don't watch Midnight Express.


Title: PA shared password from a previous relationship

Question:
My ex fiancée (we were never married) and I have been battling over custody of our 3.5 year old for the last year or so. The ex is an admitted and diagnosed alcoholic. She claims she is "in remission" and now drinks only moderately and never around our daughter.

I have primary physical custody about 60% of the time based on a private agreement we signed in October of 2014. It essentially gives me the power to dictate visitation terms. I have been generous thus far because I have been trying to give her the benefit of the doubt as much as possible; I don't want my daughter to not have a mother. I just want her to have a stable one.

However, in the last few months I have been trying to lower her visitation as much as possible because she continues to drink and abuse prescription medication. I am positive she does it around our daughter and am trying to proactively protect her from harm.

When we were together she had shared her banking, email, and other online account passwords with me so that I could help her manage her finances and such. She changed them shortly after we broke up but I recently discovered she changed her bank password back to her old default and I can access the account.

The account shows frequent purchases of alcohol and trips to bars. How much of this would be admissible in a family court? My lawyer has been unclear and never given me a straight answer because she has never dealt with a  situation like this before.

TL;DR: Ex gave me her password while together, changed it post breakup, change it back recently. What, if anything, can I use in custody court to win custody?

Answer:
 You just admitted to a felony. Congratulations.Answer #2: do not access your ex wife's online accounts without permission. and no, guessing her password isn't permission. Answer #3: >The account shows frequent purchases of alcohol and trips to bars. How much of this would be admissible in a family court?

None of it, but it would be admissible as evidence in the soon to following criminal trial against you.Answer #4: Your lawyer probably never gave you a straight answer because your lawyer doesn't want to be responsible for knowing you violated the law in accessing her records.

If she's that much of an admitted alcoholic, and your lawyer can prove that in court, that should be more than sufficient.Answer #5: Since nobody mentioned it: you can acquire these records legally via subpoena


Title: I may be facing discrimination, please advise. (Florida)

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 They are allowed to discriminate based on lack of driving experience.  They don't need to have any sort of requirements about this in their company manual; they can use any criteria they want.  In fact, they could refuse to hire people that wear green socks to the interview without any warning and that's 100% legal.

Now the fact that you have had your license for less than a year, and have caused an accident in that time, definitely does speak to you objectively having less driving experience than likely any other candidate.

So without any other facts pointing towards them discriminating based on race, I think it would be highly unlikely that you have a case here.

Obviously though, your attorney might say something different.


Title: [WA State] Employee selling our company stolen goods

Question:
I work for a construction company, and our owner recently brought on an employee who is supposedly very well connected to equipment suppliers.  So well connected the he can get us things like steel sheets, trench boxes, dozers, etc.. for pennies on the dollar.

&#x200B;

He strikes a deal between our owner and this third party company for some equipment, and a check is sent, and we take possession of it.

&#x200B;

Our field foreman is very impressed with the quality of what we receive.  Too impressed, and he notices that there is fresh paint covering labels from a rental agency.

&#x200B;

We've contacted the rental agency to verify serial numbers, and they've confirmed that this is their equipment, and that it is most certainly not for sale.  However, they show it is still on an active rental agreement with the third party company (who's address is the house behind this employee's according to their tax id.

&#x200B;

There is no bill of sale, just an email listing what equipment we would get.  None of which matches the dimensions of what we did receive.    What's the best way to extricate ourselves from this situation?   Is this a police matter at this point, even if there's no claim of theft yet?

Answer:
 There's is so much stupidity going on here I'm having a hard time wrapping my brain around it.  The employee is going to run off before the rental agreement is over, your company is going to hand back all the stolen goods and be out every penny they spent, and suffer reputational damage for accepting the stolen goods in the first place.

Yes, please go to the police.


Title: [Utah] My employee handbook states that if 2 weeks notice isn't given, pay for remaining wages will be paid out at minimum wage. Legal?

Question:
So my understanding is that generally the contents of employee handbooks/ employment agreements are legally binding BUT I want to make sure that I'm not giving up too easily.

I had something unexpected occur in my life and gave only one week of notice to my retail job. The owner of the store promptly told me never to return and that because I didn't give two weeks of notice, my remaining owed wages (two checks) would be at minimum wage, per the employer agreement.

Answer:
 They cannot retroactively reduce your pay.  They can reduce it for any hours going forward if they tell you ahead of time.  If they don't pay your full wages for work you've already done, file an unpaid wage claimAnswer #2: File an unpaid wage complaint and see where that goes.

http://laborcommission.utah.gov/divisions/AntidiscriminationAndLabor/wage_claim_unit.html


Title: I [M34] was threatened with a gun by my fiancée [F33]. I tackled her and struck her to get the gun away. Do I file a report? Florida

Question:
[deleted]
Topic:
Custody Divorce and Family

Answer:
 Yes please file a report as there is clear evidence of domestic abuse and the abuser needs to be arrested and entered into the criminal justice system.

Granted that's you ... but the advice is a solid.  If I'm you I also move out and begin therapy for my anger and violence issues.  Answer #2: > I can understand how she may have felt threatened

Yes, a violent crime had just been committed against her. Answer #3: /u/locationbot recallAnswer #4: Yeah, you committed domestic assault. Feel free to make a police report, but you literally just admitted to it. Answer #5: You can file a report if you want to.

She may have committed domestic assault, but you *definitely* did.


Title: What stops people from admitting they did the crime if they were found innocent.

Question: I’m probably just being stupid but if double jeopardy keeps you from being tried for the same thing twice what stops people who actually killed someone and got away with it from just admitting that they did it afterwards.

Answer: Social stigma, civil liability, the possibility of other criminal charges stemming from admission.


Title: I relapsed on probation, how should I handle talking to my PO about this?

Question: I’m meeting with my PO in a week, I relapsed and went to rehab for a week because my insurance didn’t cover it all and felt like I needed a lower care of help. She knows I went to rehab and I was feeling extremely suicidal so I used I took klomopin and GHB. I also took weed but I have my med card. This is my first offense it was endangerment I drove away from the cops because I was in psychosis but I really want to be clean . How should I tell her this and will I be jailed on my first violation? I’m on mental health probation too

Answer:
 > How should I tell her this

"I need to be up front with you. I'm trying really hard to keep things under control, but I relapsed this week. Here's what happened."

Most of the time, being honest from the beginning is going to be better for you. When you tell her what you used, be completely honest, because she's almost certainly going to piss you. It looks like courts have said that you're OK with the pot, so there's that. But tell her about it anyway.

Good luck.


Title: [Hypothetical] I was attacked and I shot some people. (MN)

Question:
2 part hypothetical.  If there's any meaningful legal distinction I'd like it if they were addressed as separate questions.

For reference, [this is the actual event](http://www.startribune.com/police-searching-for-suspects-who-fired-into-crowd-at-blm-protest-outside-4th-precinct/353154811/) that I've attempted to distill down into just the facts.

---
So, there's been a racially charged protest going on in down town Minneapolis.  Me and a couple of my friends have been going to counter-protest a few times over the weekend.  We *may* have said some things that a reasonable person might construe as racist remarks directed towards the protesters.

Well, last night we were confronted by the protesters and this led to a physical altercation, in which I maintain that I was hit first.  I was carrying a concealed weapon, for which I had a permit.  As we attempted to flee I turned around and fired into a group of  pursuers, injuring, but not killing, 5 of them.  Afterwards we fled the scene entirely and did not contact the authorities.

Am I protected under *self-defense*?

---
**Bonus hypothetical**  Same as above with the following addendum:

&nbsp;

What if me and my friends had communicated online in which I admitted in writing the following:

- Rather than counter protesting, our express purpose was to provoke the protesters.

- That provoking the protesters was likely to lead to a physical altercation.

- That I had armed myself in case such a physical altercation were to happen.

- That our motivations for all of this were based on our own racial prejudices.

And what if the police were to get their hands on records of these communications?

---

*Edit: To be clear, the purpose of this post is just clarification;  I am not from Minnesota or related to these events in any way.  This is not to make a political point but to answer some questions that apparently a lot of people have (or have answers to) regarding the Mondays Minneapolis protest shooting.  I came into this 99% sure that this was not covered by self-defense, but I've been 99% sure and been wrong before.
Topic:
Criminal Law

Answer:
 > Am I protected under self-defense?

No.

Firing a gun is lethal force.  You would have to show that you were *reasonably* in fear for your life when you shot the people you shot.  There was no deadly threat when you pulled the trigger- it was a fist fight that you were running away from.


Title: Ex - Girlfriends Slandering My Name and Using Personal Connections with Police to Threaten Me

Question:
So as the title says. My ex girlfriend who I was with for two years (I broke up with her a little over a year ago now) has been going around telling all her friends that I "beat the shit out of her and put her in the hospital" which is 100% a lie, I had never put my hands on her in any fashion.

Luckily I actually know one of these friends and she told me about it.

We are in a small town where things spread like wildfire. After habing yet another person confirm that she is in fact saying these things, I texted her and her mother and told them that this needs to stop or ill be pursuing legal action. I literally only sent 2 text messages and they weren't long rants or anything, just said that she knows this isn't true and it is slander, and the text to her mother only said that she needs to talk to her daughter (she still lives at home) about this as it's not acceptable.

Unfortunately her father knows the cops in town and two officers just came to my house teing me that sending those two messages is considered criminal harassment and if I ever messaged them again I would be arrested for crimal harassment.

Now I have no intentions of messaging them again as what needed to be said has been said, but with the officers being friends with her father they're acting like thugs (unfortunately another problem with our small town, the police basically do whatever they want, cover up their kids duis, harass and intimidate people like this and will do whatever they want if it's for someone they know/are friends with).

At this point I am almost wanting to pursue legal action against her just to cover my ass and get my side of this on some record before she says some other lie (it's not exactly hard to send /make fake texts and I'd be sitting in jail until I could prove them false).

For 1- what can I do about her spreading such harmful things, like I said this is a small town and I wouldn't be surprised if these things are making it to employers (since her father owns on of the small businesses in town)

2- what can I do to protect myself from these cops acting like thugs, as I've never heard of two text messages warrenting a person visit and threats from the police for crimal harassment, especially when the texts were literally just to tell her she needs to stop or ID pursue legal action.

This honestly has me legit scared because these cops have 0 issue arresting someone and throwing on 10 different charges just to hope something sticks.
Topic:
Criminal Law

Answer:
 IANAL, but I would get a few lawyers on speed dial/consult with them for free.

Also, if you have the badge numbers of the police who showed up, file a complaint with their department.
This way if you continue to get harassed you have a paper trail stating the issue and showing the police  are retaliating, which any decent lawyer should be able to turn into a successful suit.
Be aware, however, that if you pursue this any further, youd risk blowing the issue up even more due to the Barbara Streisand  effect.


Title: Feel Unsafe at Home

Question:
Hello, i’m 16 (state of Oregon) and I currently live with my parents at home. I don’t have the best relationship with them to say the very least. I feel unsafe being at home, especially now. I started smoking as a coping mechanism for dealing with them but i was recently caught. This ended with me being threatened by my dad to be kicked out as he would physically attempt to make me flinch away by getting in my space as he yelled and lunging towards me but never actually touch me. This isn’t the first time it’s happened something like this, just in different situations and not something as big as being caught smoking. For years i’ve been dealing with stuff like this, and it’s gone as far in the past to him choking me against a wall as he spit in my face, he’s slapped me once. But he doesn’t hold back with things like spanking me either. Even when he’s not angry he picks at me about the tiniest things and my mother will do the same. They constantly remind me of how big a disappointment I am. My dad specifically likes to ‘jokingly’ touch me, try to slap my ass, rub my shoulder, grab my legs, etc. and i’ve told him not to as it makes me uncomfortable but he always says “i’m your dad you have to let me touch you sometimes it’s only a joke”.

I don’t know what to do thought. I don’t feel safe at home, I feel like I’m constantly being attacked by those around me. They make me feel guilty for everything I do and I’m in constant fear of being hurt or yelled at. I want to get out of here, but I don’t know what legal action to take. What do I do?

I’ve had child protective services been called by my school on them once before after having told them whats going on. However, my parents lied saying it was just a ‘hormones thing teenager have and she’s going through a phase and will get over it’.

Is there actually any legal action I can take that can get me away from them? Because I can’t live like this anymore. I realize I haven’t been the perfect chilf but it still doesn’t excuse what they’ve done. I’ve been trying to deal with them for years and I just can’t anymore.

Thank you in advance for any response

Answer:
 You need to keep calling the police and child protective services as long as this keeps happening. These things youre describing are by legal defintion abuse: and not mild. This sounds like moderate to severe abuse. The law can protect you in this situation. At the very least you need to tell a friend or family member of a friend who you trust and ask if you can live with them for a while. There's nothing you can do but physically leave that place and keep telling people you trust that you need help until someone takes you seriously. You don't deserve this and this is not normal.Answer #2: NAL so this might get deleted, but tell an adult you trust ASAP. This is not an okay environment for you to be in and you are so brave for acknowledging this and reaching out. Just in case you don't get answers here, tell a teacher at school, the guidance counselor, a friend's parent you know and trust, anyone to help you figure out further steps and getting to a safe space. In my town there is a place called cocoon house for "at risk youth" you definitely qualify there. Maybe something like this exists in your town? Give Google a search.

Maybe try calling a hotline, and on a legal note, if you are able to support yourself fully and financially, emancipation is a thing you could look into?

Sending love and good vibes. You deserve better. Keep standing tall for yourself<3


Title: Neighbor Troubles [TX - Leander and Williamson County]

Question:
TL;DR

Moved into house, neighbors behind on 3 acres mad about new residential area. Throw beer cans in our yard, purposefully rev diesel truck engines and make noise late into evening, shoot pistols close to fence line, believe no laws apply to them. Have been documenting incidents with video from back yard camera. Wondering what we can do.

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Background:

My family lives in Leander, TX within the city limit boundaries. We moved in to our current home last October and have been attempting to cordially deal with / understand our neighbors behind us on \~3 acres of land. Our fence line IS the city/county boundary. County is Williamson. The community neighbors live in came out against annexation aggressively a couple of years back. They've owned their property for many years, have three adults (20-25ish) that still live in their house, and have a small time diesel repair shop. Area we live in is growing rapidly with residential being built every day. There is an elementary school within 250 yds of our property as well.

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Specifics:

We moved in October, late night noise (see after midnight up to 3am) began shortly after. Noise is non-existent in 5-10pm time frame and is very well timed to lights out around us in our neighborhood (10-11pm). We don't care about noise during business hours and into early evening, everyone needs to make a living and it's perfectly legal. However, they conveniently love to work into the early morning. It is obvious it's purposeful.

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Thanksgiving morning for instance they rented a tractor and were moving brush and refuse right up to our fence line from another area of their property. This was at 3am. We found beer cans tossed over the fence in our backyard, one of their kids who we will call the primary troublemaker backed his truck up to ours and our neighbors' fence line and blasted music at 1:30 am. Camera has audibly caught said person telling a friend that he wants to "go for a ride and make some noise." Other neighbors have called county police for noise violations. Troublesome neighbors have responded aggressively if called directly and asked to quiet down, to the point of harassing other neighbors by spamming their phones and yelling profanities.

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One time in particular, after two months of noise and inability to get into contact with them to try to work things out, we called county PD to have them quiet down at 2AM. Neighbors were blasting music on our fence line and racing trucks around their property, conveniently close to our residential area. Neighbors' response was to drive up and down fence line in diesel trucks, revving engines even more loudly. They also threw an additional four beer cans into yards. They've also lined trucks up along our fence line to kick dirt and rocks into our backyard and up against our house.

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After the parents of the primary troublemaker found out what he was doing, we were finally contacted. Troublemaker's (who is 23) mom made him apologize since he has forced our entire home to sleep with noise makers and has scared my five year old on numerous occasions.

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Noise calmed down for a couple of months late in the evenings with some anomalies we didn't much care about. We contacted them when noise got out of hand a few times, and tried being overly polite. Eventually we were ignored and activity has picked up again as new neighbors have moved in. The nuisance is almost on a schedule. They're able to see when lights go out and noise seems almost timed. They also fire pistols on their property. They have 3 acres of land and I have been told it is illegal to fire center fire weapons, rifles, etc. on < 10 acres of land. This is within 250 yds of an elementary school.

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Helping Ourselves:

I got in contact with our city PD Chief and he had his legal team research options. Apparently, Texas has a law against firing weapons based on property sizes, which our neighbors do not meet. Additionally, there is a cross-jurisdiction noise ordinance (law? I'm ignorant legally, my apologies) preventing excessive noise from crossing up to 5000 ft from their property (county) to ours (city).

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Wife thinks the play here is to report, report, report. Obviously, care needs to be taken given the propensity for retaliation from these guys. I'm wondering if reporting them is our only option, or if there is more we can do. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you a bunch.

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Answer:
 Reporting them is the way to go. Sooner or later the cops will likely get them to stop, if only to put a stop to the complaints. Beyond that, your legal options are limited.

My advice: document, document, document. Make note of every interaction you can. Set up a spreadsheet, word doc, etc. Get some sort of camera set up along the property boundary. Something they can't access, but which records their shenanigans. If it comes down to it, having documentation never hurts. Especially when it comes to the firearms issues.


Title: [michigan] girlfriend being abused by family

Question: I need help my girlfriend who is 16 is being constantly emotionally and sometimes physically abused by her family. I'm 17. She keeps threatening to run away and come home so when she gets beat she can go to the police and they'll believe her. Is there anything to do in this situation I'm scared she scared and no one has any idea what to do.

Answer: She should contact the Department of Human Services to report the abuse. Their number is 855-444-3911


Title: What legal justification does Hooters stand on only hiring female servers? On that same logic, could someone open a gay themed restaurant similar to Hooters that hired only good looking men?

Question:
I've always wondered how Hooters is allowed to get away with this.  Under discrimination in the workplace laws, sex/gender (et. al), cannot be used as a basis to hire someone unless there is a bona fide occupational qualification.

From my readings, the airlines lost their case when they tried to claim that guest preferred female flight attendants, it was ruled that mere customer preference and satisfaction is insufficient.

So what is Hooters doing that allows them to claim either bona fide  occupational qualifications, or, how are they getting away with customer preference when it was ruled that's not legal?

So, on that side note, could someone, using Hooter's legal logic, open a gay themed restaurant and hire only good looking men as servers?

Answer:
 IIRC Hooters girls are considered "entertainers" and not wait staff and that is how the company justifies it. The role just requires the "entertainers" to be attractive women.

> using Hooter's legal logic, open a gay themed restaurant and hire only good looking men as servers?

This already happens in gay bars... and in strip clubs... and in casinos... and in resorts. It is "shocking" how every employee and bartender of a nudie bar is a strikingly attractive woman.Answer #2: > I've always wondered how Hooters is allowed to get away with this. Under discrimination in the workplace laws, sex/gender (et. al), cannot be used as a basis to hire someone unless there is a bona fide occupational qualification.

That's their argument. They have gender neutral positions (management, behind the scenes, etc.) and argue that the female-only status of servers is a BFOQ. The few times they've been sued, they settle, so it really hasn't been tested under the full scrutiny of the law.

> So what is Hooters doing that allows them to claim either bona fide occupational qualifications, or, how are they getting away with customer preference when it was ruled that's not legal?

$$$$

I guess the guys willing to take a job as a server for a mediocre restaurant can be easily paid off. Who knew?

> So, on that side note, could someone, using Hooter's legal logic, open a gay themed restaurant and hire only good looking men as servers?

If you've got the coffers to pay off the dissidents, sure.


Title: (US) Shoplifting

Question: We live in Texas. My wife went to the grocery store a few weeks ago, she put a makeup item in her cart ($13 was the amount of the item). When she was finished shopping she placed her purse on her cart unknowingly on top of said make up product. Paid for her items and was walking out when she was stopped by loss prevention who took her to the store office, contacted the local police department. She was given a citation and told if she didn't sign it they would take her to jail. Aside from a traffic ticket here and there, she's never been in any trouble so she signed it out of fear. She has to appear in court in a few weeks and she's scared she's going to be labeled a thief the rest of her life. Should she obtain an attorney or talk to the judge? Neither of us have been in any trouble like this.

Answer: A lawyer is a good idea.  If you qualify you may be assigned a public defender.


Title: Employees locked in building during weather emergency (VA)

Question: There were tornado warnings last week for our area. My husbands work apparently decided the best course of action would be to lock employees in the building and prevent them from exiting. Is this legal?

Answer:
 What the?  Not even close to legal.  You cannot lock occupants *inside* of a building.  You can secure it from outside threat by locking, but that's about it.

He likely has no damages except possible time damages, which are exceedingly difficult to recover absent other damages.

However, inform the FD so this *never* happens again.Answer #2: This sounds like something the fire marshal needs to know about. Locking entrances from the outside to prevent intruders from entering a facility is fine, but occupants cannot be prevented from exiting in an emergency. Answer #3: Do you mean physically locking or setting the alarms so that they'd go off if people left? I've heard people use the term for both, and the latter wouldn't be a breach.


Title: Boise, ID: Rental company says they don’t owe me my security deposit back and my roommates must pay me.

Question:
Location: Boise, Idaho

I signed a single lease electronically with three girls in June 2017 to June 2018. I gave the rental company my notice (in accordance with their rules) that I would not be signing the lease for June 2018 on.

The rental company told me that they would be keeping my deposit ($750), not because of damages or anything. But they explained it as my roommates need to pay me back the deposit, or if a new person moves in then the new person should pay me back the deposit. Once the three girls do not continue their lease, the company would send me my check and I would need to disperse it.

Is this legal? All I can find about deposit returns in Idaho is that it must be done within 21-days, but nothing about how my lease situation ended.

Answer: Did you each put in $750 deposit?


Title: What were the consequences of child abuse and pedophilia in the 1950's to 1970's, before it was socially acceptable to discuss such matters publicly?

Question:
I posted a question on r/AskSocialScience about a month ago, asking about why it took until the 1980's to even publicly acknowledge abuse, stop blaming the victims, and it was socially unacceptable to even discuss these issues until then.
I appreciate the answers I got, and I have a legal follow up question. I tried at r/AskSocialSciences and r/AskHistorians, but both without luck. I hope here is a good forum for quality answers on some of the legal aspects.

I want to post my original question here, but the bot won't let me. If you want to see it, go to my history, submitted, and you'll see this question was posted on March 25.

But, as I said in my previous post, I know victims of such abuse in the 1950's to 70's, generations older than me, who were victims of abuse, and they are adamant that such things were never discussed in public, and it was virtually impossible to prosecute such perpetrators.

Regrettably, while it may have been true for them, I reject that notion out of hand that simply no one was even prosecuted/brought to account. I understand then there were a lot of hurdles to cross, and it was scandalous to even mention such actions openly, but surely there were people who were morally outraged by such actions, and dared defied then social norms and did try to pursue it.

How often did such prosecutions occur, and then what were the consequences for the perpetrators? I do understand the victims may have been ostracized, but those who were brave enough to overcome that, testify against their abuser, and defy social norms at the time, what would they have expected to occur?

Thank you for indulging me in this long post, and I do appreciate the answers given. Again, this is a touchy subject, but I am curious as to how people could be just so out of touch for the most part, and fearful to speak out then, but I'm interested in those brave ones who were the catalyst to overcome such social norms of the day. Thank you.

Answer:
 Ok, first: most of my research was on the 1980s stuff.

The prosecution was mostly around the violence involved and injuries/deaths. So punishment was whatever those felony offences incurred.

They were out if touch because at that time things were family matters. Dad breaks his kids arm: not a criminal matter, a family matter. Parents suck ass at parenting: family matter (extended family took care of the kids).

It wasn't that it was indulged, it was left to the family's to handle. Big gov was very much into letting families do their thing without gov interference


Title: Got my first parking ticket ever. It is only $5. Is there any way I can pay under protest or something?

Question:
Long and short of it is that I went to a friends house (Bellevue, Nebraska) while we had a snow storm tonight. I ended up parking on the wrong side of the road (what kind of bullshit law is that anyways). I ended the night and came out to my first ever parking ticket in >15 years of driving.

It says it is $5 because I was parking in a "no parking zone". All the signs that said "no parking this side of street" were covered in snow. So I had no fucking clue I couldn't park on that side.

The ticket is only $5 (plus my time to get my ass to city hall, miss work, and wait in line). So not really worth getting a lawyer. Is there something I can type up and give to the city clerk letting them know I am paying it but they should reconsider their policy or something?

I have pictures of the signs showing them snow covered when I was leaving (4hrs after the time on the ticket).

Also, will a parking ticket like this cause my car insurance prices to go up?

At least when I get caught speeding I know I did something wrong. This just came out of fucking nowhere.

Answer:
 Sure.  You can write whatever kind of letter you want as long as it isn't threatening.

Be grateful you live somewhere where a parking ticket is 5 bucks.


Title: I need to cancel my hotel room in Dublin for May 2018 but they want to charge me a cancellation fee around the same price as the room and say there's nothing else I can do. What are my options?

Question:
So I'll try and keep this brief...Based in Belfast....basically I booked a hotel room in Dublin for my gf and I for her birthday. On booking.com it said Free Cancellation; an option I wanted as I was trying to get tickets to concert in another City but thought Dublin would work as back-up. I booked the room but hadn't realised there was a specific option for free cancellation rooms so when i tried to cancel I was told it would be 150EUR, 25EUR more than the price of the room and they are refusing to cancel it.  If I hadn't given enough notice to cancel the room I would've understood, but the booking is 10 months away.  They are taking the payment next week but I've just noticed that my recorded credit card details are incorrect (I try to memorize my card numbers and I mixed up the numbers on the front and back of 2 different cards)..when they try to charge can I just refuse to pay or from a legal stand point can they demand the money?
Topic:
Consumer Law

Answer:
 >  I booked the room but hadn't realised there was a specific option for free cancellation rooms

From what I am reading, this is your fault and not something the hotel would be liable for.

> They are taking the payment next week but I've just noticed that my recorded credit card details are incorrect

Normally when booking a room, a pre-emptive check is done to verify card details, etc. This may show as a $1 charge, or even a hold on the account for the cost of the room. Was this not done?Answer #2: They can sue and demand you pay. You have no recourse here. You booked the wrong type of room.


Title: [Pgh, PA] Landlord extends our move-in date on the day we are supposed to move; any recourse?

Question:
In May, my boyfriend and I signed a lease on an apartment. We were told the previous tenant would be moving out the first week of June and that they would be doing a month of renovations, culminating in a July 15th move-in (listed on the lease). On June 27th, I checked with him again that all was ready for our July 15th move-in and he assured us that we should be fine on the renovation date and that worse case scenario, move in would be pushed back to the July 22nd. Fast forward to last Friday - I emailed the landlord to check on move in and received no answer. I emailed him again this week and finally received a response, *two days* before we were to move, telling us that the tenant had yet to move out. He further stated that she expected to be able to move within the week and then there would be another week of renovations. given that he would have known that the timeline was already off on June 27th and yet said everything was fine. There was also the concern that we had to be out of our current place by July 31st and we weren't sure where we could go otherwise. I told him that we needed a hard timeline (no expected or probably) by the end of the next day.

The landlord told me that we could force our current landlord to let us stay in our place until the new place was ready and that he would have to go through the legal process to force us out. Basically, encouraging us to squat until our this place was ready. He told us that he would tell her that she would have two weeks (not the one week he mentioned in the original email) to vacate and then they would take a week to renovate. He finally said  that he would provide us with a hard timeline as agreed. He takes two days to give us a timeline while we scramble to find a new place. We finally get a response a day late (on the day our lease was to start), informing us that the tenant now had three weeks to move (on top of the month and a half she already had!) and that they would take a week to renovate. We would then be able to walk through the apartment on August 9th, nearly a month after our original move-in.

Thankfully, our current landlords responded to us and agreed to another year long lease and we have decided that there is no way in hell that we are taking this new apartment after this debacle, but are we entitled to our security deposit back? My boyfriend would like some recompense on top of that but I doubt we are legally entitled. I’m concerned we aren’t even entitled to our security deposit back, due to a line in the lease: “Landlord is not responsible if landlord is unable to give tenant possession of the apartment on the day landlord promised…if landlord is unable to give possession of the apartment, landlord will tell tenant immediately. If the day is 45 days or less, tenant must wait to take possession.”
Now, a lot of this isn’t in our favor – I’m beginning to have a feeling that this is purposeful. It will be less than 45 days and they also relinquish responsibility in the text. The sticking point for me, however, is notifying immediately – we weren’t notified until two days before we were to move and only upon my repeated inquiry. We were actually lied to about the timeline of our apartment, since the landlord would have known the timeline was heavily skewed by June 27th when he claimed we were on schedule.

Tl;dr: landlord lies about timeline, nearly screws us out of somewhere to live, but has an ironclad lease with a potential loophole. Can we get our deposit back or is this an expensive lesson?

Topic:
Real Estate law

Answer:
 Okay. After some cursory research, I suspect my gut was correct: the landlord cannot waive his responsibility to give possession on the date agreed upon in the original lease agreement. How nice that he tried to, but a judge would likely declare that clause invalid. By failing to grant possession on the original agreed-upon date, the landlord breached the lease.

Since you already signed a new lease and secured a new place to live, I'm guessing you don't want to force him to act under the original lease, but that you want to terminate the agreement and restore both sides to their original positions before the lease was signed?


Title: [AR] New landlord 'lost' our lease after buying property

Question:
My roommate and I have lived at the same apartment in Arkansas for six years. I'm not sure about the details, but a few years back a bank acquired the property, and after maybe 6-9 months or so (I don't remember) it was bought by a new owner. The new management company has run the place for the past couple years, and by and large the quality of the apartment complex has been in decline. Every interaction we've had with the current management has been very unpleasant.

We were recently asked to sign a new lease or leave. We've been on a month-to-month lease pretty much since our original lease expired, only signing 'extensions' to that lease that maintained the previous lease's terms. I went in to look at the lease today, and the terms are extremely unfavorable. Along with a rent hike, It includes clauses to extend the amount of move out notice required from 30 days to 60, and shortens the rent payment grace period from 5 days to 3 days. It's my understanding that these numbers are part of AR law.

To top it off, he claims not to have any of our original paperwork from when we moved in, including our original lease, our walk through, or information about the pet deposit we paid. I've got a copy of our lease, but can't find our copy of the walk through. I also can't find our copy of the pet deposit addendum to the lease, but I do have a copy of the receipt for payment of the pet deposit. I know AR law doesn't specify whether or not pet deposits are refundable, but the addendum specified that it was.

So here are my questions.

1. Can he actually make the changes mentioned above, or would AR law trump the lease agreement?
2. Since our property changed hands so many times and he's lost our original paperwork, are the terms of our original lease still binding? Do the new landlord and owner have to abide by the agreement we made 6 years ago?
3. What are our options regarding documents neither of us have a copy of? Do we just have to kiss our pet deposit goodbye? Can we be held accountable for minor pre-existing damage to the apartment? I know it's super sketch, but I haven't disclosed that I'm missing any paperwork. Could I recreate the walk through papers?

Thanks for any help you can give me! This whole situation has me really stressed out.
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer:
 Your original lease is still in effect, but since it's month to month, they can evict you with 30 days notice if you don't choose to sign the new lease.

If they won't come to an agreement with you about the original terms, then it becomes a case where a judge decides. I think the fact that you kept a copy of the lease and they didn't will make you more credible. Since you have the receipt for the pet deposit that should help your case. By definition, deposits are refundable in the absence of damage. (If it's non-refundable then it's a fee, not a deposit.) Your original landlord may have a copy of the paperwork, or may be willing to clarify from his memory, and it was his responsibility to transfer all deposits with an accounting to the buyers.

 If you've been there 6 years, any minor repairs should be classed as normal wear and tear and not allowed to be deducted from the deposit.  I think you should fight to get it back as long as there's no actual damage that you caused. Be firm with the new landlord and make it clear you aren't afraid to take him to small claims court, and he may be more willing to work with you.


Title: ADA protection.

Question: Can a company (restuarant) deny me a promotion due to the fact I  had a DUI four years ago and have since been to treatment, identify as an alcoholic and have remained sober and a part of AA for nearly two years now?

Answer: They're denying you because of your criminal record, not for having a disability.


Title: Update: GF's landlord changed the locks before my gf can get back into town. Need advice please!

Question:
As highlighted here in [this thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/40z6oc/visited_girlfriend_in_louisiana_for_three_weeks/)

This crazy landlord lady didn't like me visiting my girlfriend during the holidays and she just changed the locks on her. We are freaking out right now on what to do. The landlord normally rents out to students and never bothers with leases. So are we screwed in this manner? My girlfriend already paid rent 3 months in advance. What can we do in this scenario?

This is in the state of Louisiana.

Answer: call the police. this is an illegal eviction.


Title: [CA] Employer falsely fired me "with cause" and left texts saying they can't afford for the EDD to come after him for employment.

Question:
Hey Reddit, looking for some advice here as the situation is a bit complicated.

First important detail I suppose is that I am in California.

My employer, a small, but very successful small business with a lot of money in the bank, had hired me to work for a large tech company in the Bay Area as a W2 employee for almost a year.

After the contract that the company had with the big tech company ended, I didn't get any new work assigned. I didn't receive any paperwork saying that I was let go and there was no communication on that front.

I assumed that I was being let go and began to prepare to search for a new job.

Shortly later my boss texted me demanding me that I quit, and when I guided the discussion that I didn't quit and was looking to file for unemployment he got hostile and said on text record, "I can't afford the EDD to come after me", along with various other vague threats like lowering my wage to minimum wage and requiring me to do the same work.

I offered to continue to do work at a lower rate as long as it was fair to the work I did (not minimum wage), and to get the same benefits has his other employees did such as remote work. There was an ensuing semi-violent, verbal confrontation on his part, but I have no documented proof of this so I'm leaving it out as I don't think it's something you can anything about.

When I later emailed to check in a week later after still no future communication and notifications that I was being removed from the various services to communicate. They send a single response stating that I was terminated "due to breach of employment contract" dated the day before I sent the email. I understand that employment is at will, but they didn't give any formal notices, any termination packet, or any sort of info.

In addition to all of this, I wasn't paid overtime hours (I'm technically hourly, not salaried) and I was told by someone that worked in HR that in California that overtime is always paid no matter what. My vacation was paid out weirdly, and they didn't pay out all of my vacation when I left (only last month, Sept, they paid out the remainder of my vacation and I hadn't worked since June).

Worst of all, they contested my case with the EDD and now my claim was denied and then brought into appeals after I sent them the texts. However, the EDD has been silent and refusing to speak on the appeals process saying that a different department handles them, and that they will contact you when they are ready. I've been stuck here for 2 weeks with no answer wondering who I am supposed to contact and what I am supposed to do. All I got was the registered mail confirmation back from the appeals department and nothing else.

As rent in California is expensive, I'm running low on time and this stress is making finding a job difficult (I'm doing over 3 phone screens a day avg. rushing to find any job. I applied to Starbucks and In-N-Out, but I was denied for being overqualified and they wanted someone more "permanent"... go figure).

Everything about this stinks of being illegal, but I'm not sure what it's called. This isn't racism, so I'm not sure if it falls under "Wrongful Termination", and I didn't quit so it's not "Constructive Discharge".

Google hasn't been super helpful on this and most of it has been very vague or doesn't actually seem to apply (I can't tell cause I'm not a lawyer). I'm hoping to reach a settlement out of court instead of going completely broke through the legal system which is what I think my employer is trying to do to get me to drop it entirely.

Were any laws broken here? Do you get paid overtime in California or does it not apply if you earn over a specific hourly wage? How prompt does accrued vacation have to be paid out?

How do I explain to a lawyer my situation?
Topic:
Employment Law

Answer:
 EDD appeal is going to take a lot longer than 2 weeks.  You're looking at about 2 months.

The wage claim is a separate matter.  If the employer doesn't want to pay the overtime, then you need to file a wage claim with the DLSE.  You can do so over email.  You can also request waiting time penalties up to 30 days.  PTO had to be paid out immediately as do the other wages.  The wage claim process will take about 3-4 months to get to conference and then a hearing.

The DLSE claim is of no cost to you so you won't "go broke through the court system."

You can hire an attorney if you wish, but you cannot request legal fees to be paid on an initial wage claim action.  So your attorney will want a percentage of your award, which could range from 40% - 60%.  It is typically best to do the wage claim alone as you'll get the full award, but it's your choice.


Title: [CA] Landlord requested we vacate condo so they could move back in by “early November”. We found a place and want to move earlier, landlord now saying we are in violation of lease for not giving 30 days notice. Do we have a case?

Question:
Okay - so our landlord of 4 1/2 years just informed us a couple weeks back that they need to move back into our condo unit. This was communicated by text and a specific date was not given, only “early November”. Well, we are getting married on Nov 3rd so that is not exactly optimal for us. We asked landlord for more time and they said no later than Nov 9th. We immediately started looking for a place and have secured (but not yet signed) a lease nearby with a start date of Oct 20.

Upon informing landlord that we would like to end lease on Oct 20 (and pay one week’s less rent) the landlord texted that this was unacceptable and a violation of our lease as we were not providing 30 days notice.

As the landlord asked us to vacate, do we have a leg to stand on for leaving early and paying less?

Should also mention that we do not have a “current” lease. It expired some time ago and we have essentially been month to month since.

Any advice? We do not want to lose the new place and would ideally prefer to move before the wedding, not after. Thank you!

Answer:
 > As the landlord asked us to vacate, do we have a leg to stand on for leaving early and paying less?

No.  Your tenancy terminates November 9.  That's what you agreed on.  To leave earlier, you would need to give 30 days notice.  Answer #2: Have you lived there a year or more?

If so, The landlord was supposed to give you 60 day written notice to terminate.

If he didn't give written notice by September 10th, you don't legally have to be out by Nov 9.

You can approach him and say "well, you can either allow us put by Oct 20 without any fees, or we won't surrender the property until 60 days after we receive written notice. Which as of tomorrow, is december 6th.

Now, the only problem with this plan is that it sounds like you may have agreed to move out by nov 9th, which would be a legally binding bilateral agreement to change the lease. But it depends on what you said and how you said it.


Title: Intimidation for insurance claim

Question:
I was driving my Corolla on the freeway going straight in my lane and feel someone hit me on the drivers rear side as a large pickup truck decides he wants in my lane.  When we get out he says I was in his blind spot and apologizes.  I take pics of both cars his license and insurance.  A witness stopped but they left before we got his name and number.

&#x200B;

Later that day I get this email:

&#x200B;

"Good morning,

My name is XXX, I'm the general manager of XXX Auto.  I understand you were involved in a bit of a collision with one of my drivers.  I would like to repair your vehicle or offer you a settlement to avoid going through our insurance company and lowering the resell value of both of our vehicles by having accidents reported on their histories.

Please reach out to me by text or voice at 425-478-2062 so we could discuss a fair way forward.

I look forward to hearing from you!"

&#x200B;

During the phone call he offers to have it fixed as he has connections.  I let him know I got an estimate.  After the phone call I send him the estimate and picture of the damage.

&#x200B;

I then send him this message:

"I'd like to get this work done by \[a local body shop close to my home\].  If I can pick this check up for their estimate of $2,400 tomorrow afternoon we can call it good.

Please let me know by noon tomorrow.  Thanks."

&#x200B;

Their response:

" I've been doing this for quite some time and there is no possible way that is $2,400 worth of damage - that sounds borderline predatory by that body shop.  I have numerous connections with body shops in our area and

if it would be more convenient for you, I can arrange to pick up your vehicle and get it repaired and then return it to your location when we have finished the repairs, I will even include a full exterior and interior detail&wax for the trouble.

I cant imagine a repair of that sort would take longer than a few days to fix and we would have it back to you asap.

Please let me know if you would like to have it picked up and from where, or if you would prefer to drop it at our location yourself.

I have copied in our Office Manager so that she can run point on this repair while I am out of the office, but we will make sure you are taken care of.

Thanks!"

&#x200B;

I then respond:

" XXX, Thank you for the offer.  I however feel more comfortable working with the insurance company you provided. "

His response

" Not a problem, thank you for the consideration. As I understand it you were the one who ran into our vehicle and caused the damage with an illegal lane change. Do not misunderstand me, my offer to repair your vehicle was a matter of courtesy and not an indication of fault. Please provide your insurance information so we can contact them to fully repair our vehicle. We have witnesses who note that you fled the scene before giving your information to my driver. I look forward to getting this resolved quickly.  "

&#x200B;

So he is lying this guy that was not involved in the accident is lying and intimidating.  What would be a good response.  Should I try to de-escalate and get less money than the autobody said they would do it for?  Should I risk him making a claim against my insurance.  Can I go after him for the intimidation?  Help need good advice.

Answer: This isn't intimidation. Just report it to your insurance and let them handle it. Stop talking to this guy.Answer #2: Contact your insurance company and let them know the situation. Also be sure to get the witness statement to your ins co


Title: Collections told me I owe $6000 on a phone that I had to give back when I quit my job.

Question: Back in 2003 I got a company phone.  I did sign the paperwork for the phone so I'm thinking I might be screwed.  Anyway, I quit that job and was told I needed to return the cell,  which I did.  Now I'm being told the phone bill has been sent to collections and is up to $6000 . The company I was working for at the time went bankrupt, the owners were ripping off employees and investors.  Do I have any options besides sucking it up and trying to pay off a debt I didn't create? I live in British Columbia, Canada.

Answer:
 used to work for rogers.

Ask them to send you a copy of the contract you signed. If they don't have it, the debt is void. Say it was a company phone and you don't think it's your contract. Ask to see it.


Title: I'm 17 and got a speeding ticket for 75 in a 55

Question:
Yes, that's right. It was 6:30 on a Sunday morning and there were no cars around. It's a part of the road where it goes 3-4 minutes without any intersections, so I kind of get risky when I go through that area. I was dumb and not thinking cause of my lack of sleep.

I also have no insurance. The only reference to payment on the ticket says under comments "$25 fee added & court may enter judgement and suspend license after due date. for cost & pymt: website listed"

I live in Indiana, porter county.

It was yesterday and I still haven't told my parents. I don't know what to do. I don't know what happens when I get pulled over for 20 mph over with no insurance. Should I call the court myself before I tell my parents? I have the ability to pay the ticket and no insurance fee myself, but I really don't know if I'm forced to get insurance now so they don't take my license. And i'm guessing that to get insurance it will now be a lot more costly. Please, what's your advice?

Note: Sorry, I'm not that good at explaining.

**TL;DR: I have no insurance and got a speeding ticket for 75 in a 55 in Indiana. Do i need to get insurance to avoid getting my license taken away, or do I pay the ticket first? Any advice?**

Answer:
 > I was dumb and not thinking cause of my lack of sleep.

Next time, stay off the road and get some sleep. This is enough to see you charged with impaired driving.

> I kind of get risky when I go through that area.

Well, stop. The law doesn't stop applying just because you think it's safe.

Tell your parents. Get a traffic lawyer. Hope to god they don't charge you for driving without insurance. If you're lucky, your lawyer will be able to negotiate traffic school in lieu of a license suspension. Your rates will go up when you do get insurance because of this, as they should: you're a bad risk. In a few years, with a good driving record, they'll come down again.


Title: [Rental Property] Previous Tenant owes us money

Question:
Hello Legal Advice,
As stated our previous tenant owes us a sum of money and the sum was sent to a collections agency. The collections agency learned the individual was arrested and sentenced to jail for 10 years.

I am being told the statute of limitations for suing him is 4 years so we are out of luck. Is there anything I can do?

edit - Rental house is in the US - State of Georgia.

Answer:
 You can sue someone in jail before the statute is over.  Debts incurred from the judgement aren't subject to the same statute of limitations.  But if they don't have the assets to pay that debt, that status isn't likely to change until they are released.

Realistically it's not worth your time.


Title: because double jeopardy is a thing, if you are tried for a crime and found not guilty, can you admit to the crime after the ruling and still go free?

Answer:
 Lot of bad answers here.

First, the answer is generally "yes," with lots of caveats. You can't be retried for the same crime once acquitted. That's simple. You can't be tried for similar offenses that use the same elements under the *Blockburger* test either.

You could be tried by a different sovereign, if the crime is both state and federal, like bank robbery or selling drugs (although some states disallow this if you've been tried federally first).

You could be tried for related crimes, although there are some limitations on this as well based on issue preclusion (this gets fairly complicated).

Now, on to the big one: perjury. This is only if you've testified at trial, which most defendants don't. Pleading not guilty isn't testimony, so there's no issue there. If you do testify at trial, you open yourself up to perjury charges. As a practical matter, this is rare, but could happen.Answer #2: Yes, in theory, although in admitting one crime you are often opening yourself up to being charged with other uncharged ancillary crimes.


Title: [Manhattan] Left my car in a garage... for a few months

Question: I left my car in a Manhattan garage since late may due to me not being able to drive it for the time being. The car has the VIN thing on it with previous registration, but I had to turn the plates in to the DMV so it has no plates. I completely forgot about it being there. I'm getting new plates in october. Turns out this garage charges an absurd monthly price, $900/month. Anyway, I haven't been there since. Would they have had it towed? Am I going to be on the hook for 4 months of rent? Is there anyway I could work out a payment plan with them? I'm asking here because the last time I visited the garage (june) I tried to speak to the attendant and he did not speak a lick of English aside from "come back another day." I know I dug this grave for myself, I take full responsibility for being irresponsible. I had a little too much going on in my life and this was a minor thing to worry about compared to everything else. I've sorted the other things out, now I'm realizing how deep I'm in with this car. I really don't want to lose my car. Please help.

Answer: The car has almost certainly been towed. Contact the garage, find out where it’s been towed to, and then pay the tow company. You’re likely going to owe far more than four month’s parking rent.Answer #2: $900 a month is a great deal for a garage in NYC.


Title: Cell Phone Lockers at Work

Question:
So I work in a day care in New Jersey, US and we have lockers to put our cellphones. In our first work meeting they said that we can keep our phones in our cars but then after an employee put pictures on Snapchat of two kids they said because of liability issues, our phones HAVE to be in the lockers. They sent out a policy form for us to sign which I never did.

Now anytime my phone is in my car they tell me to go get it and put it in my locker. I wanna know if that's allowed or legal as it is my personal property. It's not on me nor am I using it.

Edit: I just checked my new policy form (the one I haven't signed yet) and it doesn't say anything about cell phones. In the previous one it just says that if we are caught with our cell phones on us while on the clock we will be terminated immediately. So I never signed anything that said it has to be in the lockers and not in the cars. Also I am trying to leave but I wanna know what I can say to my boss if she tried to make me get my phone again so they can't fire me.

Answer:
 They can't make you put your phone in the locker.

You can't make them keep employing you.

So you have a decision to make.


Title: Renter - HOA is demanding I now make rental payments directly to them. Landlord is claiming it’s a scam and to ignore them. FL.

Question:
I am a renter in Florida and I have received a letter today from the HOA of the community I live in stating the following:

“Pursuant to Section 720.3085(8), Florida Statutes HOA *XYZ* hereby demands that you make your rentals payments directly to the homeowners association until otherwise noticed by the homeowners association”

I spoke with my landlord who said it was a scam and to ignore it and he also stated that if I don’t pay him the rent he will evict me. I have also called the HOA and confirmed that this is not a scam and the notice was sent from them. I verified the HOAs phone number through my neighbors and the HOA webpage to ensure I wasn’t just calling the potential scammers.

I’m at a bit of a loss for what to do. I assume I should just keep paying my landlord and let him deal with the HOA consequences but it feels like we are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Answer:
 Florida state law allows HOAs to redirect rent from tenants in units covered by the HOA. [The cited section][1] of the Florida Statutes covers it. If you do so, you are protected from eviction for nonpayment - from your landlord's perspective, legally you have paid your rent even though they did not receive the funds.

As you have already confirmed the letter came from the HOA, pay rent to them, but get receipts. Provide your landlord with copies of the receipts, and if your landlord pressures you over the rent, tell them to take it up with the HOA. If your landlord attempts to evict, the letter plus your receipts for payment will be a good legal defence.

The HOA can sue to evict you if you do not comply, under 2(d).

[1]: http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0720/Sections/0720.3085.html


Title: No promotion because might have children

Question: My wife's boss told her she can't get a promotion because she might have kids in the future and quit work. She told him she plans to keep working even if we have kids but he didn't believe her. I told her this is blatantly illegal but I need some proof to back this up. We're in Georgia. Can anyone point me to the right law?

Answer:
 Its sex discrimination. Seek labor law attorney. Just google "Sex Discrimination"Answer #2: Oh, yeah. You want this in writing.

Good news: Georgia's wiretapping law is a "one-party consent" law for purposes of making audio recordings of conversations.  So get him on tape saying this.


Title: Can you pay multiple surrogates to give birth to multiple children for the sole purpose of putting them up for adoption?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 I have no legal information for you. But I do offer a bit of ideological advice.

No one cares who your father was, just the father you will be. If you want to leave your impact on future generations then genetic information means jack shit. You could be the creme of the crop and your kids could still come out with anomalies and problems. What really matters is whats in their heads. Humility, Respect, Understanding, Compassion, Bravery.
Those are the things that help society grow. So if you want to spend a lot of money to pass something positive off to the next generation adopt a few kids and teach them those things. Show them the world and beyond, give them a love of cultures, teach them how to build our world up man. It's a billion times more rewarding. Answer #2: No it's not legal anywhere on the planet. Not even Somalia

Besides, if you're the sort of person who thinks asking a question like this is funny then nobody is going to want to pay for your genetically inferior offspring.


Title: Workplace Sexual Harassment Question

Question:
Hey guys sorry for the anonymous, this is something I would rather not be tied too. That being said, here it goes.

I have worked for a city agency for 3 years now and for 2 or so of those years almost everyday people make sexual jokes about me or my sexual orientation, this ranges from my coworkers to my boss and even his boss, the second in command. The top dog does not know anything about it.

This all stemmed from a conversation about sexual experiences in the beginning of my employment.

Day in and day out jokes are made. For example: I got to work this morning and not even an hour later a joke about me being gay came up. This happens on average 3-6 times a day.

I know the second I say anything to them it will just make work suck even more.

I would rather not do anything since this is my only form income. I used to love doing what I do and I still do it just sucks being around the people that constantly make these jokes.

Do I have any recourse other than to just quit my job?

Is it my fault for letting it go on so long?

Edit:
This is in CA

Answer:
 Have you asked them to stop at all? That's the first step, then if it continues you can file an EEOC complaint.

Considering you took part in the sexual conversation, they likely think it doesn't bother you.


Title: (FL) Is it legal to make myself look different for jury duty?

Question:
I'm very well known locally. I don't want to be on a jury and have the person on trial recognize me.

Would it be legal to wear a wig/dye my hair and glasses?

Answer: Sure, you can. If the defendant knows you though, or you know him, you cannot serve on the jury.


Title: [OR] An ex friend found out that I was selling the gift she gave me for Christmas. When she asked for them back I told her no and shes saying she will come over to my house and take it back.

Question:
I'll try to keep this short and sweet. So basically I had a friend and she gave me 2 dresses and a wallet for Christmas. The dresses wernt flattering on my body type, I've never worn them so I decided to sell them to raise money for a chior trip I'm going on next spring. While we were still friends I technically gave her a jacket for 3 skirts. I like 2 of the skirts she gave me and I donated the other.

Someone told her I was selling her gifts and now shes telling me that shes coming over to my house and take back "her" (including the wallet which is already sold) I told her if she came over I would call the police and she said she would tell them I stole her stuff from her house (I dont even know where she lives) and she came to get them back. I have everything she says on Instagram DM. What should I do?

Answer:
 Don't let her in the house, and if she tries to force her way in, call the police.Answer #2: Don't give her the dresses, they are yours to dispose of as you please. Gift-giving transfers ownership

If she comes to your place, contact the police. Tell the police they were gifted to youAnswer #3: Dont even answer the door, thats no friend. Take photos of the outside of the house in case she decides to vandalize anything so you have proof new damage was done after her appearanceAnswer #4: Screen shot those Instagram messages asap, you can remove messages you have sent on Insta dms. If she does come over they will be helpful evidenceAnswer #5: A gift is a gift. No take backs. Upon delivery and acceptance, you were vested with legal ownership of the dresses.Answer #6: What she gave you is yours to do with as you please. She has no right to your belongings. Call the police if she shows up. Keep all your texts/emails in case she wants to play that stupid game with the police.


Title: Malicious call to CPS

Question: Writing for friends...  they have a mentally ill brother in law. There's a lot of backstory of domestic violence, alcoholism etc. Today, in response to my friends calling the police on him, he called CPS and told them my friends are neglecting their kids, selling Molly and weed. None of it is true and there's nothing in the house beyond a small quantity of personal cannabis. How should they proceed to protect themelves from this sociopath and what is they right way to handle a CPS visit?

Answer: First, get rid of the weed and stop smoking until this blows over.   Other than that, just cooperate with CPS.


Title: [Texas] HR says I'm not owed severance pay due to time employed but my (male) coworkers I was hired on with received the promised severance pay.

Question:
Hey LA,

&#x200B;

I will try to make this as concise as possible but it feels incredibly confusing to explain. I worked for a large company here in Texas on the sales floor. On Feb 1, 2019, the company reduced staff and eliminated the entire sales floor for one product. We were called into a floor wide meeting to announce our being let go and what was supposed to happen:

\- According to the WARN Act, we would be paid our base pay + commissions (based off an average of our past 3 years commissions) for the next 60 days.

\- Additionally, all staff affected by the reduction would be paid a minimum of 2 weeks severance pay consisting of just base pay minus applicable taxes

&#x200B;

Additional details:

\- We were informed we would receive our severance agreement by mail. I never received mine. HR then reached out to confirm whether I had or had not received it. When informed I had not received it, they emailed it to me on March 19. I then printed, signed, and mailed it. I did not mail it certified and have no proof it was mailed or received by the company.

\- April 19 I did not receive my severance paycheck.

\- Apr 26, still no severance. Other reps confirm they DID receive severance pay. I reach out to HR inquiring about the status of mine. I am informed that due to only being employed for 7 months, I do not meet the minimum of 1 year to receive severance pay. She also informs me that they have not received my signed severance agreement and tells me to reprint, sign, scan, and email her the signed page. I do.

\- May 1, I learn that 2 of my coworkers who were hired at the same time as myself (so employed for only 7 months) received severance pay that I was denied.

&#x200B;

Is an employment lawyer worth the $1000 or so I am owed? Do I even have a case from the information provided? If so, what sort of evidence do I need to put together?

&#x200B;

Thank you in advance for any insight y'all can provide.
Topic:
Employment Law

Answer: Odds are it's not enough to warrant a lawyer but perhaps small claims.  Did you make sure to read whatever forms you signed?  Hopefully there was nothing in them to keep you from getting unemployment.  A lot of times the documents you sign to get a severance package makes it so you technically quit vs getting fired and then you can't get unemployment.Answer #2: Get an employment lawyer. If the WARN act is in play, they will go to bat for you.


Title: Apartment complex kicking me out while I still pay full rent and under lease. North Carolina

Question: My apartment complex is kicking me out for 16 days while they do renovations and not providing any lodging. My current lease expires July 31st and my new one begins August 1st, however I am told that I will not be allowed to move in until August 16th. The reason they will not provide lodging (even though it is in my lease contract) is because I am changing apartments in the same complex. However, the entire rent for the month is still due. Do I have any legal options moving forward?

Answer:
 If you have a lease that starts on August 1st, then they either need to let you move-in on that date or return a pro-rated amount of your rent. I'd speak to the apartment manager or corporate office about the issue.Answer #2: > Do I have any legal options moving forward?

Inform your landlord that [they are obligated to provide you an apartment](http://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_42/GS_42-42.pdf) while you pay rent. (Honestly, this is not the kind of thing you should have to tell a landlord, but sheesh some people can be dumb)

If they don't, [you can sue them](http://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/PDF/BySection/Chapter_42/GS_42-44.pdf) for damages, which would be any costs associated with going to a hotel and storing your stuff. Answer #3: If your lease says that the lease starts August the 1st and you paid for the full lease, you have the right to move in then.Answer #4: Please double-check the terms of your new lease to confirm that it begins when you think it begins.  Check to see if you paid the full monthly amount for August.

If these things are true, you likely have legal recourse, especially if they did not tell you about the renovations before you signed the lease.


Title: Animal Droppings from Baby Formula

Question:
I am posting this from a throwaway.

We have a 14 month old baby. We use one of the well know baby formula brands in the U.S. Last night, I prepared one bottle of formula and as soon as I added the water, something was floating at the top. I immediately opened a new formula box and prepared the formula from the new one. However, as soon as I was done feeding the baby, I fished the floating piece from the other bottle and put it on a paper napkin. Upon inspecting this morning closely, it looks like a mice or an animal dropping. It is almost 1/2 inches long and round. I cannot be sure what exactly it is, but it is definitely not formula. Now, what do you think I should do? I was going to email to the company who makes this formula and explain them what happens, but a friend of mind told me not to do that right away and talk to a lawyer first. This never happened to me before so I am not sure what to do? I do not want to do nothing either because I could have fed this thing to my baby. Any advice for me?

Answer:
 > but a friend of mind told me not to do that right away and talk to a lawyer first.

A lawyer isn't needed here. You nor your baby have been harmed. You can ask the manufacturer for a refund or a replacement, but that's about all you stand to gain.


Title: [New York] Is my roommate having her boyfriend eat/sleep/shower here most nights of the week breaking the lease?

Question:
There's a clause in my lease stating that "occupancy by guests for more than ten days in any six month period is prohibited without landlord's written consent and shall be considered a breach in this agreement."

My roommate has her boyfriend over most days and nights. He sleeps here, showers here (we pay our own utilities) and just generally stays here almost as much as I do. I'm not sure if the lease means consecutive or what separates an occupant from a guest but it feels like I have another roommate, which I didn't agree too.

Is there anything I can do in this situation?

Answer:
 Sure, you can complain to the landlord. That's clearly more than ten days in a six-month period.

Do be aware that you are (most likely) jointly liable, so your landlord could terminate your lease while having no obligation to re-let to you, and if your roommate refuses to pay rent or some other fee provided for in the lease, you could be liable for it. Then it'd be up to you to recover any such costs incurred from your roommate.Answer #2: This is super common.  Do not involve your landlord, that can only lead to trouble.

The way to deal with it is to ask your roommate for additional rent in a delicate fashion.  Your common spaces, including the bathroom, are no longer split two ways; they are now split 3 ways.  Even if you like the significant other, you can't poop or shower as conveniently as before.  So you should ask the roommate to contribute additional rent due to your loss of the use of the common spaces.  Usually asking for a couple hundred bucks extra a month sends a clear message. Answer #3: Talk to your roommate first and work it out. Maybe she can spend more time at his place etc. Go from there.


Title: (Mn) Turned onto two unmarked one way streets. What's going to happen to me?

Question:
I was driving near the Mayo Clinic and my GPS told me to turn onto a street that I later realized was one way, and I was going the wrong way.

I panicked and turned right at a traffic light onto another one way street ( the wrong way), turned on my warning lights, and turned around.

There was no other traffic in sight, but the sensor on the traffic light might have picked it up. Am I going to get put in jail or lose my license when the police review the footage from that sensor?

As a note, I found my way back to the street I originally turned from, and the only way to tell it is one way is by seeing other traffic move in the correct direction. There is no "no right turn" sign or anything.

Answer:
 >Am I going to get put in jail or lose my license when the police review the footage from that sensor?

There are no police monitoring traffic sensors.  If you weren't pulled over in the midst of your improper maneuver, then nothing will ever come of it.  Take a breath, you're going to be fine.