Title: Online predator’s pedophilia being condoned by application creators

Question:
I used to use an app for social media, in which communities would discuss pop-culture subjects. As I joined the first community, I gradually rose through the ranks and eventually became a moderator. Through my time, I had witnessed a fellow moderator form an online relationship with someone who is younger than them. She was 24 and he was 15. Some of my fellow moderators and I attempted to out her for this, and since she has close ties with the actual creators of the application, she had all of us banned, claiming we harassed her. Various attempts to reach out to the creators of the app had been made to warn them of the online predator, which all were ignored. A few months later I had learned that the two have come out with their illegal pedophilloic relationship, and nothing has been done. I would just leave the situation alone, but my new account was banned simply for it being me. I did not take action against the predator, she simply banned me due to my past attempts to expose her. I now want to see if I can stop the application’s creators from turning away from the predator and ignoring her relationship with the underage minor. There is *a lot* of evidence proving the relationship, but there is nothing that shows any action between the two. I’m almost certain nude pictures have been sent, but as stated, no evidence. What can I do to stop her?

Everyone involved in this situation is located in the United States. Specifically, the predator lives in Florida.
Topic:
Computer and Internet

Answer:
 It doesn't sound like anything illegal is happening, here. While a close personal relationship with a teenager is quite possibly inappropriate, only sexual contact, distribution of obscene materials, and possession or production of child pornography would actually be illegal.

If you're concerned, talk to the child's parents.Answer #2: >What can I do to stop her?

Absolutely nothing.

Your personal misgivings about their relationship aside, you have absolutely no evidence of any actual unlawful conduct. Your "near certainty" that nude pictures have been sent is nothing more than rank speculation.

What you need to do is back off before you get charged with harassment.


Title: CA. Occasional marijuana user with medical card. Work related injury drug screen.

Question: I need to take a drug screen due to a work related injury that is not major.  A coworker saw, asked me if I was OK.  I told him I was but felt kinda woozy and I should be fine.   He told the boss, boss told me to go get it looked at.   I am a mechanic and hit my head pretty hard on a rack.   I'm worried I'll loose my job.  I smoke a hit, maybe two about two-three times a week.   I have my medical marijuana card.   Any advice as to how I should handle this.   I'm in the waiting room of the clinic.  I'm also on very friendly terms with my boss.

Answer: Your employer can terminate you for testing positive for marijuana. It's up to you whether or not you want to disclose your use to him before he finds out from the drug test.


Title: [MO/IL] I (kinda) accidentally stole a cat. And I don't know what to do now.

Question:
I'm trying not to give too many details because I have no idea what's going to happen, but I'm freaking out. Please don't judge me, I just really need help.

So we went on a family trip and it was a disaster. It was poorly planned, we went to a shitty cabin on a farm in the middle of nowhere Missouri and all of us are used to Chicago amenities. They had a bunch of cats just running around, covered in ticks and fleas, it looked like they fed them and that was it.

There was one kitten that was following me around the whole time. Long story short, he jumped into the car when we went to leave, I saw it as fate and just left with my new buddy, not foreseeing the consequences because I'm stupid. I thought of him as a wild cat that I was going to be helping by bringing him home to the vet clinic I work at, and as the silver lining to the shittiest weekend ever.

The lady that rents out the cabin on her farm started calling our family friend that "planned" the whole thing and screaming about how we're all going to go to jail for stealing her cat. She didn't see us take him, and has no proof. We already got our deposit back, and she doesn't even name her cats! I thought they were feral! I shouldn't have done it. I'm a horrible person.

What are my options here? Can she even do anything? Am I going to jail? I just want to die right now.

I really appreciate any and all advice, thank you guys for reading my complete fuck up.

Answer:
 She can attempt to sue you for the value of the kitten. You can rebut that you were unaware that the kitten belonged to her and that the kitten was in need of medical care. Either way, do not contact her until you come to a decision about returning the cat, and in the unlikely circumstance that you're served with legal papers, respond promptly.

Some practical advice: people who leave their cats to become flea and tick-infested and only make sure they have barely enough food are generally more concerned with money than animal welfare. Consider offering her whatever you think is a fair monetary value for the kitten, if you want to keep it.


Title: Is it legal for a debt collector to call 87 times in one day? IL

Question:
Hi there,

My husband and I ended up in dire financial circumstances and had a car repo.  The car was sold by the lender at auction, so obviously we had to make payments based on the amount which was not recovered by the lender.  My husband and I have since filed for bankruptcy.

My question is this - is it at all legal for a debt collector to call every 30 seconds to two minutes from 8 30 to 11 30?  Prior to this, this man would call my husbands cell very frequently, usually 150 -200 a week if my husband was not able to answer the phone.  He would immediately fill up all of the available voice mail spots until his mailbox was full.  My husband would speak to the man about our situation, and he would stop calling for the day but pick it back up again the very next day with threats of legal action if things didn't change.

This debt collector also got my husbands fathers cell phone and revealed the nature of the debt to him, knowing that it was NOT my husband he was speaking to.

My husband and I no longer interact with this person, but I am wondering if we have any legal recourse for this behavior as I recently became aware of some laws regarding debt collectors and phone calls.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

EDIT: The caller was from one man from the bank our loan was from.
Topic:
Credit Debt Bankruptcy

Answer:
 No.  They are violating the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act.  You should do some research on the FDCPA and send the proper cease and desist letter.  You may also find an attorney who is interested in this because the penalties for violations can be significant when the misconduct is severe.

Also, you say you declared bankruptcy.  Was this debt discharged in the bankruptcy?  If so, they have no basis to contact you whatsoever because the debt is no longer valid.Answer #2: if your bankruptcy is on-going, your lawyer needs to know about this because collection efforts like this are probably a violation of the automatic stay. judges get pissed at creditors who violate the stay.Answer #3: that number of calls is overly excessive. the [Consumer Finance Protection Bureau](http://www.consumerfinance.gov/askcfpb/1397/there-limit-how-many-times-debt-collector-can-call-me.html) has resources that can help you.Answer #4: Send a cease and desist and block their numbers.


Title: A film producer [CA] wants to renew the option period for an article I [WA] wrote. Do I have to renew if I don't want to?

Question:
I wrote an article several years ago. A producer contacted me in 2015 and I signed an 18-month literary option / purchase agreement so they could turn my article into a film or TV series. This included the possibility of a single 18-month extension. In 2016, they contacted me to extend the option period and I signed the extension.

&#x200B;

Producer recently contacted me to say they are still working on the project. But the option period expires at the end of this month.  I don't want to sign another extension. Can I just say, "No thanks?" If I say no, can they come after me for any costs incurred by them over the last three years?
Topic:
Intellectual Property

Answer:
 What does the contract say about the option to renew?  Did it require mutual agreement to execute, or could it be done one-sided?Answer #2: You can say no.

>  If I say no, can they come after me for any costs incurred by them over the last three years?

Only if there is something in the contract saying they can. It's really tough to say. You could run it by an attorney.

&#x200B;


Title: After two years terminated with no notice, despite begging USPS to hold package delivery they delivered to former client address. (MN, USA)

Question:
Its actually worse than it sounds.

I was a contractor who was hired temp to perm and instead of it going perm one of the client bosses relentlessly asked me out for social meetup so he could introduce me to 'rich powerful attorneys and doctors".

I didn't tell the consultancy agency about the ongoing relentless pressure to see one of the client's outside of work because it wouldn't do me any good anyways.  First job after being laid off for 3 years during the recession and there has been studies that show most women and men who file harassment complaints their careers suffer afterwards.  Besides the clients are more in debt than they could earn in several years, they are looking to sell their one profitable company.

Worse the clients had a consultancy agency of their own which is never going to do well again and they won't disolve the agency out of hopeless pride.  They fired a disabled veteran and then accused the vet of theft.  So now they are basically scum to most of their clients who had used them as as recruiter vendor before.

Now the problem is I tried to call the legal department of the  consultancy agency I worked for and the admin assistant wouldn't let me leave a voicemail and laughed at me when I explained I was asked out socially continuously by the client.  I have this recorded.  Actually I have everything recorded over 2 years, even the boasting the client did about terminating the veteran and accusing him of theft.

Now the consultancy agency branch manager is having a huge go at me over the package I ordered 10 days before I was terminated (its an international package and it was delivered by USPS).

This is my best attempt at a transcript:

  Hi Branch Manager,

            I already called the mail carrier and pleaded with the guy to ask for the shipment to bring back to the postal office downtown, but obviously there is a different protocol.

            What I request is that (consultant colleague) label the package "return to postal supervisor" and hand it back to the postal carrier; please.  I can later go to the postal office downtown to pick it up, I will have an appointment/interview downtown later this week or early next week.  I am sorry I could not get the postal carriers to change the delivery en route, but they can be very stubborn. Its a costly package and I don't want to have to pay for it again.

            If you would help relay this request to Archana I'd appreciate the effort greatly.

            Signed,

             consultant

Hi Consultant,

            Since you are coming downtown anyway, can you pick it up from the security desk of the office building (in debt client) is in?  That way you can grab it from the desk, you don’t have to interact with anyone from (in debt client) & they don’t have to be troubled with returning it to the sender since they’ve already accepted the package.

            Thanks,
           Branch manager

            Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2017 3:38 PM

  From: consultant
            Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2017 3:48 PM
            To: branch manager
            Subject: EXT:_Re: EXT:_A request to have a shipment returned to mail carrier at (in debt client) client site.

            I can pick it up after 5.30pm since its an evening appointment if anyone is still there.

  On Wednesday, June 14, 2017 3:44 PM, branch manager wrote:

            Hi Consultant,

            Since you are coming downtown anyway, can you pick it up from the security desk of the office building (in debt client) is in?  That way you can grab it from the desk, you don’t have to interact with anyone from (in debt client) & they don’t have to be troubled with returning it to the sender since they’ve already accepted the package.

            Thanks,
           Branch manager

        From: consultant
        Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2017 3:57 PM
        To: branch manager
        Subject: Re: EXT:_Re: EXT:_A request to have a shipment returned to mail carrier at (IN DEBT CLIENT) client site.

        I will try, I know the security guard for the building too. He's around later on.

        I don't want this to become a power struggle and end up missing appointments. I spent a couple hours begging the post office already to hold the package.

        On Wednesday, June 14, 2017, 3:55 PM, BRANCH MANAGER wrote:

            Can you make it in a little earlier so that you can be sure to catch someone?

    On Wednesday, June 14, 2017, 4:07 PM, BRANCH MANAGER wrote:

        Ok – not a problem.  As long as you know someone is there to get the package from.  I’ll ask (HARASSING CLIENT) to bring it to the security desk.

     BRANCH MANAGER

    From: CONSULTANT
    Sent: Wednesday, June 14, 2017 4:08 PM
    To: BRANCH MANAGER
    Subject: Re: EXT:_Re: EXT:_A request to have a shipment returned to mail carrier at (IN DEBT CLIENT) client site.

    I'd rather avoid the building altogether.

On Wednesday, June 14, 2017, 4:27 PM, BRANCH MANAGER wrote:

    Hi CONSULTANT,

    I understand but I think this is the most efficient way for you to get your package.  I’ll have Vineet bring it to the front desk & you can stop by when you are downtown to pick it up.

    Thanks,
   bRANCH MANAGER

coNSULTANT:

As I stated I didn't want a power struggle.

**********************************************

The in debt client is in and out of the building all day, the normal day desk receptioinist for the building is an old hag that when I went in for the interview assumed I was there to see someone down the hall from the in debt client.  That office was a coin/gold exchange business that embelzzed from people and had prostitutes in their office overnight for parties.  Mind you there is no single women working in that building, any office under the age of 65 years.  No women working in that building under the age of 40 years at all.  So when I learned weeks later what this receptionist/lobby woman said to me was an enormous insult.

THe receptionist'/lobby woman has also asked me every couple months over 2 years when my contract would be terminated.  She has been hellishly rude.

I also don't want this receptionist/lobby woman to call the in debt client to tell them I am in the lobby, I don't want to see either of the clients ever again.

THe harassing client would borderline sexually harass me then go up a few floors to an attorney's office which the attorneys' are his friends and brag about how close he was to sexually harassing me but not enough to qualify in his mind of sexual harassment.

So I think the consultancy agency I was contracted out of, the admin assistant of the legal department called the branch manager and the told the branch manager I was sexually harassed by the client.

Now the branchmanager is trying to create an opportunity for the in debt client to "in advertingly run into me" so he can sexually harass me again.

I will never work as a contractor or consultant again.\

How do I get the branch manager to stop pushing this agenda?

Answer:
 Go get your package. Take it. Leave. Get on with your life. By the time the receptionist tells someone you're there, you'll be gone again, but feel free to bring a scary-looking friend if it'll help.

Or send them a shipping label and have them drop it in the post.

Your preference not to see them again is understandable, but you might have to hold your nose on this one.


Title: Contracted cryptosporidium (water parasite) from my Gym’s pool. Just received a unexpected $800 dollar bill from the doctor from when I was sick. Can my gym be held accountable?

Question:
Alright, so back in the summer I got crypto, a water parasite that is found in swimming pools and lakes. I was sick for a month and eventually went to the doctor. The doctor thought it was crypto but wanted to confirm with a lab stool test. Well the test was sent off to a medical emergency lab and now they are billing me $800 bucks for this test.

I did talk to the lady at the gym who is in charge of the pool, and she told me through email (got it in writing) that city officials came out the week after my initial symptoms and tested the pool and it came back positive for crypto. So that is for sure where I got it.

Do I have any chance of holding my gym responsible for this bill? I don’t really have the $800 to shell out at this time. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Edit: Forgot to include location..Located in Texas.

Answer:
 >So that is for sure where I got it.

"So that is likely, on a balance of probabilities, where you got it" :)

I wouldn't be optimistic. The gym may well have told you that you use their facilities at your own risk. Civil litigation rules are location specific of course, but generally you'd have to establish that they owed you a duty of care and then show they failed to meet it through remarkable negligence.

In your position, I'd just ask them first. They might agree to help.


Title: Can someone sue someone who made rape allegations for slander?

Question:
The Jian Ghomeshi case in Canada concluded and he was found not guilty.

His life has been pretty ruined over allegations that the criminal courts ruled 'not guilty'

Can someone sue them for slander? why/why not?

Answer:
 Anyone can sue for anything. Whether they'd win is another story.

"Not Guilty" is not the same thing as innocent. The reason for this is the standard of proof for criminal conviction is very high. Someone can be not guilty in a criminal setting, even if the court thinks they probably did it. The person can still be successfully sued civilly for the same events. It happens all the time  in fact.


Title: Searched by 12

Question:
Started out as a pull for expired registration, admitted to paraphernalia (male bowl attachment for rig) as it was out in open; ended up having to sign consent to search and admit to everything I had in house, or wait for a search warrant. Consented, they took my .3g of DMT, paraphernalia for it, and my bong; offered me to roll on my weed plug in exchange for just a citation, but it is not in writing at the moment, was given his card and told to contact him in 48hrs or less or they’ll come arrest me. What are my options :( .

As it is important, obviously a throwaway account.

Citation has the following offenses:

Knowingly possess with intent to use drug paraphernalia to store a controlled substance other than Marijuana which it would be unlawful to possess (GS 90-113.22(A))

Being less than 19y.o.; possess a spirituous liquor (GS 18B-302(B)(2))

Operation of a motor vehicle on a highway while displaying expired registration plate on the vehicle knowing the same to be expired. (GS 20-111(2))
Topic:
Drug Possession

Answer:
 > ended up having to sign consent to search

Stop right there. You never "have to" give consent. You screwed up by not simply saying you accept the paraphernalia citation but do not consent to any searches. One might say "well the paraphernalia gave them probable cause anyway," which is a reasonable argument. However, in my experience, an officer asking for consent and then moving on to probable cause if he doesn't get it (in the absence of any new inculpatory information) introduces a solid line of argument for suppression. You may have shot yourself in the foot here.

> What are my options :(

You are, as you've probably ascertained, somewhat fucked at the moment. You've been cited for multiple misdemeanors, one of which is apparently connected to a non-marijuana CS. Are they saying it was a crack pipe or something? That would be unfortunate!

It seems that you perhaps have a window of opportunity with this arrangement you've made with the officer. However, you are in a VERY PRECARIOUS SITUATION right now. What you really need to do is FIRST THING IN THE MORNING contact a defense attorney to get their assistance navigating this process. That's the only responsible advice anyone on here can give you in this situation.


Title: Grandfather's patent

Question:
My grandfather recently passed away, which sparked a curiosity about his life. I knew he was an inventor and worked in oil gas industry. He lived in Baku, Azerbaijan. I am currently living in Toronto (just fyi).

I was a doing a quick search on google and his name came up in several patents: https://www.google.com/search?tbo=p&tbm=pts&hl=en&q=ininventor:%22Enver+Ahmed+Abdullayev%22

He came with a contraption that allows for gas to be separated from water, but his contraption takes up less space. You can read more about it in the abstract. My grandfather was sent to several trips to Scotland and he also lectured at the University of Edinburgh. From what I am told by my grandmother, during of these trips he might have sold his invention to a company called Merpro Products Limited. This probably took place around early 90's. They are currently listed as an applicant of his invention.  In citation section, this invention is still being referred to nowadays, so it is still relevant. In addition, this invention is being used all over the world, as per the link above.

My mom said that my grandfather got around $300 for this patent (I am not sure if that's true). But I can see my grandfather accepting it, as $300 is a lot of money in post-USSR time, when currency was at all time low and economy was pretty much at a stand still.

I am pretty sure that my grandmother still has all the original documents that my grandfather drafted. I recognize one of the drawings. I remember seeing it as a kid, when grandfather was working on it.

Obviously, this patent would be worth much more than that. Is there is anything I can do this matter? Is there a point contacting a patent attorney or seek a legal advise?
Topic:
Intellectual Property

Answer:
 If your grandfather sold the patent outright for $300 to a company, then it was sold outright, and it doesn't matter how much money the company subsequently made from the patent, or how much money the patent becomes worth afterwards - unless, of course, the sale included provisions like "the company agrees to pay the grandfather 1% of revenues deriving from the use of this patent".

The only claims that your grandfather's estate would possibly be able to bring would be if you could somehow prove that your grandfather was not of sound mind when he signed the contract, or if the contract's terms were *unconscionable*.


Title: (Ohio) Former manager claims products were stolen and will be taken out of my final pay but has no evidence.

Question:
Apologies I’m on mobile. I worked at a gym that also sells supplements and due to a lot of disagreements and being called names by my manager and a lot more drama I decided to quit half way through my shift and left the gym unattended. My former manager emails me today telling me that there was $106 worth of product missing after I left and will be deducted from my final pay.

Now my manager is well known among everyone that works there for being very petty about employees that have quit. I have one former coworker who told me the day I quit that he wouldn’t be surprised if the manager tried to get back at me. My coworker says he counted the product that day when he came in after I quit and said nothing was stolen. There are cameras all over the front desk and which is where the products sit.

I replied to the email asking for the video evidence or any proof that something was stolen during the hour and half the gym was unattended. Turns out he has none and says I can’t see the video. How do I go about this?

Edit: The products that we’re supposedly stolen were taken by a member of the gym.

Answer: Tell him that you do not authorize any deductions from your pay. If he deducts anyway, make a complaint with the labor board. He has no evidence. No police report. Nothing to justify making a deduction. That's not going to go over well.


Title: Credit card services

Question: South Dakota, US. "Legal advice" is a bit extreme for this post, just curious if there is anything to be done. I get a call at least once a day from various states from "credit card services" either offering to help pay back my credit card debt (I have none) or to tell me I'm qualified for low interest loans (I'm not looking to take out any loans.) I followed the instructions to speak to a live operator and told him to put my number on a 'do not call' list and he immediately hung up. Now, I'm not looking to hire OJ's lawyers and take this anywhere, but it is a bit of a nuisance. Is there anyway to get them to quit calling? Thanks for any help.

Answer:
 In theory you could likely sue them for violating one of a couple laws regulating marketing phone calls.  You could also file a complaint with the FTC.

In practice, neither you or the FTC are likely to be successful in finding them to either stop them or enforce a penalty.


Title: Can I be canned in CA for calling in because my sitter called in?

Question: Howdy...my sitter texted me in the middle of the night to let me know she has a flu bug. It was WAY too short notice to find anyone else to watch  my son, as I start work at 6am. Are there any laws protecting me from being penalized over this?

Answer: Unless you are union or have an employment contract, no. There is no protection. They can fire you for any non-discriminatory (race, sex) reason. Or for no reason.


Title: Roommate refuses to pay rent (Mississippi)

Question: I live in southern Mississippi and my roommate is refusing to pay rent. My name is on the water, electric and power bill, but both of our names are on the lease. Unfortunately, I don't have anything in writing about how rent would be split. Aside from talking to my landlord, **how can I avoid being forced to pay his part of the rent? What options may I have**? I know I may have put myself in a bad situation but I thoroughly would appreciate *any* advice you may have. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.

Answer: Don't bother the landlord with this, it's not his problem. You need to pay the rent in full. You can then later sue the roommate for his share.


Title: Legal advice about a narc. PLEASE READ. Possible Gold if I get a good answer!

Question:
(Spartanburg, SC)

I need some serious answers.

Ok so a friend of mine met this guy online from a specific subreddit where everyone does the same drug and there's a rollcall sub where you can see who's in you area.. A guy in the same area PMed him and said he needed something and asked if he had anything. They exchanged numbers and eventually met up and my friend took the guy to a dealer where he bought a few pills. However my friend never touched the drugs or the money, just took him to the dealer.

If this guy was a narc could my friend get in trouble even though technically he didn't touch anything (money or drugs) and just provided a ride and I guess a dealer to the guy who wanted the drugs? And if so what kind of trouble? What sort of defensive actions should he take?

Also the guy my friend met was acting a little sketchy so this is why he's concerned. Please, please, pleaseeee help. Thank you!

EDIT: The "narc" is also from Greenville, SC and my friend is from Spartanburg, SC. Not sure if jurisdiction comes into play in cases like this.

EDIT2: The "narc" also doesn't know my friends full name or where he lives. He did ride in his car but I don't think he knows the license plate, although it wouldn't be completely safe to assume he didn't get a picture. Assuming he didn't, is there anyway they could track him down? They did exchange phone numbers.

Best answer gets gold!

Answer:
 Yes, your friend can get in trouble as he facilitated the deal. As for defense, get a lawyer and hope he can plead it down to something less serious due to the fact that your friend wasn't directly involved in the deal. Possibly go with the ignorance route.

Jurisdiction most likely isn't an issue in this case based on your narrative.

If the *narc* rode in his car it's not far fetched to believe that he remembered the license plate and already knows who your friend is. Not to mention he has his phone number. One call to ATT and his identity is discovered.

Hope that helps.


Title: What happens if a contract states that disputes will be resolved under the rules of an organization that doesn't exist?

Question:
A third party vendor proposed a contract that states something along the lines of "all disputes will be governed by the rules of the "American Organization for Arbitration (California)." I asked him who drafted the contract and he said his "notarizer." Clearly he doesn't know what he's talking about, but the question I have is - if the contract is signed and there would be an actual dispute, would the dispute effective be governed by the laws of the state that both parties reside in? We are both in California.

(San Francisco, CA)

Answer: That is also unauthorized practice of law by the notary.


Title: Landlord isn't charging me rent

Question:
I live in a student house with 5 other people. We signed our contracts in December 2017 and the lease (1 year) started in May 1st.  I submitted all the appropriate documentation for payments on time. My roommates have gotten charged rent the last two months but I haven't.

Basically I'm wondering if my landlord can charge me a large sum of rent all at once even though the contract stipulates monthly payments of a certain amount and I've done everything I was supposed to in terms of documentation.
Topic:
Real Estate law

Answer: So you moved in and your roommate got his bill for $500 for rent and you never got your bill? If so you are late on your rent and owe it all plus any potential fees spelled out in your lease. It is not your landlords job to send you an invoice every month. You owe the money as per your lease regardless of if your landlord sends you a monthly invoice.


Title: Hypothetically, if I knew Trump’s Twitter username and password, would it be illegal for me to tweet “i peed”? Why or why not?

Question: Why or why not?

Answer:
 Someone did hack it recently, the password was MAGA2020.

It's incredibly unlikely that and investigation into a prank would result in serious criminal charges and there are plenty of countries were no charges could be brought at all.


Title: Contract with local University- Want to terminate

Question:
[removed]
Topic:
Removed - PII

Answer:
 1. You consult with an attorney and do what they tell you to do.
2. Delete this post
3. Your situation is too situational, nuanced and complex for online advice.
4. That university will have an attorney


Title: My mother is being mistreated at work

Question:
My mother works in the deli at a grocery store in the state of TN. About a month ago she went in for her review from her manager and her manager told her that she was obese and slow. Her manager then told her that she needed to lose weight and that she could start by drinking more water.

My mother then told some of her co-workers what was said and her manager called her back in and said something along the lines of, “I apologize for what I said the other day. If I had known it would hurt your feelings I never would have said what was said.” In the month since then my mother's manager has constantly asked how much water my mother has consumed and checks to make sure she is “on track.” Her manager also asks if she's lost weight yet constantly and in one instance praised her because her manager said her stomach looked flatter that day.

Also within this time, her manager asked her to sign a form stating that my mother had been late to work six times in the past twelve months and that she would be terminated or suspended. My mother refused to sign and told her manager to look into it further because there was no possible way she had been late that many times. She gets to work 30 minutes early every day.

My mother said she had been late twice because her schedule would change without notice. This is another issue. Her schedule changes without warning and then she gets punished for it. She has called me after leaving work and told me her schedule for the next day only to call me the next day upset because they changed her schedule and no one called her until she was already late. She has also shown up to work only to find out she was taken off of the schedule for that day. She lives at least 45 minutes away from the store she works at so this is a major inconvenience.

She checks her schedule daily and often calls or texts me to let me know what her shift is so I know she is checking. Management has also admitted to changing it before but does not explain how she should know schedule changes that occur the day of her shift.

I told her that she needs to contact corporate HR and report what is happening and request a transfer to another location. I was wondering if this is the correct advice and also if there is any other action she should be taking.
Topic:
Labor Law

Answer:
 A transfer or quitting is really all that you can hope for. Being told "you're obese, you need to lose weight and speed up your work" is dickish and not a great way to run a business, but obesity is not a protected class.

If I were your mother, I would start immediately looking for a new job. No one deserves to be treated that way.


Title: M[18] and i fucked up bad, possibly facing a year in jail..

Question:
i got caught with weed in someone else car, dude in back seat had a stolen gun. but that had nothing to do with the drive and us so those charges will get thrown out. i’ll be left with weed possession first offense and trespassing. but it got deeper, a couple days later before my 1st court date i got pulled over. my car this time, with 3 other minors, one of them had weed on him, little less than a gram. i got another weed possession and contribute to delinquency charge.. i have court next monday and august 30th, i feel dreadful, and anxious. i feel like they’re actually going to throw me in jail ... can y’all tell how bad my punishment could possibly be?
Topic:
Drug Possession

Answer: You need a lawyer.Answer #2: Not sure why you think the gun charge is gonna get thrown out.  In any event we have no idea what will happen, depending on the state potentially really bad things.  You need an attorney and you shouldn’t be talking to anyone but that attorney.  If you cannot afford an attorney the first thing you should do the next time you are in court is ask the court to appoint you one.  If you qualify financially that will be done.


Title: Boss only paid half of commission due to me

Question:
Thanks in advance reddit!

Please help. I'm in ohio and my former boss owes me commission in full but has decided to spread out the payments due to new "fiscal policy". They sent an email last week telling me they will only be paying me half. I responded by forwarding an email from my former boss and the business manager that showed documentation that I would get paid exact amounts on 4 separate occasions from them.

My response to them was that the terms of our agreement were non-negotiable and that I expect full payment on the agreed upon by these dates. They never responded.

Today I checked my account and they paid only half. The thing I'm afraid of is that no new dates were given for when the rest will be paid, and I think they will arbitrarily pay me out over time whenever they want out of spite.

Do I have any recourse, or am I screwed?

Answer: Check your employment contract for the non-negotiable clause.  Then call a lawyer.


Title: [Florida] My ex is trying to kick me out because I "trapped" him in a room?

Question:
I recently broke up with my ex about a week ago. So far, it's been decently civil... until tonight.

I was doing my laundry and I could hear him loudly talking to his friends about the fat chicks they've dated (me) in the other room. I admit I eaves dropped a little which was not a good decision. Well, I had to go in to get my laundry and when I went in, I couldn't help myself and we ended up getting into an argument.

It started to escalate, so I closed the door behind me because I knew he would just shove past me and try to ignore me. So then, he started getting in my face and yelling at me about letting him out. And I kept telling him, "we need to talk and resolve this".

And finally when he really got in me face, I moved out of the way. So we went into the kitchen and I was about to start talking again when he ran out of the apartment barefoot down the street with nothing but his keys and his phone in the middle of the night. And I was like oh shit so I went after him because I was honestly concerned he was about to do something crazy or get hit by a car.

I ended up losing sight of him and when I came back, he had gotten in his car and left (still with no shoes mind you). Well, ten minutes later, he calls me saying he doesn't feel safe and that he's kicking me out and is trying to say that I have no rights because I was "detaining him illegally" in a room. ????? Is this true? I did not raise my voice, threaten him, or insinuate that I was holding him prisoner. I literally just stood in front of a door for like 15 seconds and said "can we talk about this please?" and "let's resolve this".

I have nowhere else to go and I've tried to find rooms, but nothing is available that I can afford.

Answer:
 Cop here. The crime that you may have committed is sometimes called "criminal restraint." He would have to articulate that he felt like he could not leave. Unless you locked the door, had some sort of weapon, or there is a large size disparity in your favor--I doubt he could convince law enforcement that you met the elements of this crime.

I'd recommend letting him cool off next time and making sure that you don't restrict his movement around the house when you are arguing. Answer #2: He cannot kick you out for this.  He may call the police but, based on what you have stated here,  I doubt that they would do anything.

EDIT:  the legal term for 'kick you out' is eviction.

https://www.floridabar.org/tfb/TFBConsum.nsf/0a92a6dc28e76ae58525700a005d0d53/e21a25a8c288bed98525740800537588!OpenDocument


Title: California - Sideswipe while driving, neither of us pulled over, claim filed against me.

Question: [deleted]

Answer: You are legally required to stop. Not slow down. Stop.  Then exchange information with the other driver. You may face criminal penalties for hit and run.


Title: [US] If a woman signs a contract saying she will have sex with someone at a certain time, and then when the time arrives, she says she doesn't consent, is it rape?

Question: Like if a bank signs a contract with you that says they will reposes your stuff if you don't pay. It would be illegal not to give your stuff to them. Does the same thing apply to sex?

Answer: If you went ahead and had sex with her, yes it would be rape. Sheesh. You have to ask this?Answer #2: That's a terrible analogy. It would be rape because it would be non consensual sex.


Title: I'[25M] trying to see if it's possible for me to legally adopt my soon to be wi[24F]es son since his birth certificate states no father.

Question:
I am trying to find out if I can adopt my soon to be wife's son.

My SO has an 18 month old boy who I am very much interested in adopting. But she was told he could not be adopted. In the interest of keeping the child absolutely safe, his fathers name was not put on the birth certificate. (He got addicted to heroine, became very much a flight risk. She split with him when she found out about the drugs, because SO is a drug free individual.) So to ensure he has no rights, she gave the baby her last name and only put her name on the birth certificate. The bio father died of overdose only a couple months after baby was born. She has been my best friend since college, so I have been around the baby his whole life. We stuck up a romantic relationship and the best friend turned lovers thing worked for us. She and I both feel that we want to get married. I've developed into the only father he has known. We want to get married but we want to all have the same last name so he doesn't feel left out when he gets older.

So to the point, she was told that because there was no fathers name on the birth certificate, essentially no father could sign over their rights to me, since legally he doesn't have a father. That the only way for him to ever be adopted was to prove who the father was, which in this case, he's dead. Is this true? And if so, is there any way around it? Or would it just be a simple straight up adoption?

TL;DR Want to adopt child who legally has no father (not on birth certificate), can it be done?

Answer:
 After you getting married you can adopt the child.  Speak to a local adoption attorney to see what all needs to be done.Answer #2: >no father could sign over their rights to me,

So... orphans can't be adopted?

Your SO was lied to, or misunderstood. You'll have to get a family law attorney, who will know the procedures for your jurisdiction.


Title: 17 year old girlfriend in North Carolina

Question: I am 22 and dating a 17 year old in North Carolina. I am familiar with the age of consent laws and to be careful if we travel out of state. What other potential pitfalls are there? Her parents are not on board with the relationship, so there is a lot of sneaking around and hotel rooms.

Answer:
 Her parents can bar her from seeing you as she is a minor. You're over the age of consent, but it's still not a good idea to be sneaking around with a senior in high school when you're the age of a college graduate.

Other pitfalls, any naked pictures you have of her are illegal and you could be charged with possessing child pornography. Federal law dictates that, and that age is 18. Answer #2: Leave it alone until she is 18. I know hormones != smart but it won't be that damned long.


Title: Mandatory Drug Testing for students (7th to 12th grade) just passed in my city (Auburn, AL). Help creating letter from lawyer to attach to consent form limiting reach?

Question:
They are forcing parents to sign a consent form to the drug test in order for children to participate in extracurriculars (even chess club and honor choir).  I want to have a lawyer write up a letter that I can send in as well offering some protection for my daughter.  My thoughts so far are along the lines of a parent must be informed of the testing (maybe even a parent must be present), no collection of DNA (saliva, hair, etc) without a court order.  Does anyone have thoughts on what that letter should say and how best to go about it?

I have a lawyer willing to write up the letter for me, but student drug testing and rights of minorities/parents isn't his specialty. Thought you guys might have some insight into what the best way to handle such a thing might be.

note:  This lawyer letter will hopefully become a letter anyone in the school district could use to combat this policy.

Answer:
 How is a letter going to combat the policy?

About 1 in 5 public high schools in the U.S. have mandatory drug testing policies like this. SCOTUS [upheld the constitutionality of such programs](http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/law-jan-june02-scotuswrap_06-27-02/) in 2002.

Personally, from what I've read at least, I think these policies waste money and probably don't help anyone. And if you want to fight them more power to you. But the Supreme Court has ruled already, and fighting this is going to take more than a letter.


Title: Roommate assaulted girl in my room [MS]

Question:
Hello guys.

I’m a firefighter of 2 years and my roommate(landlord) is my Lieutenant at work and he has 12 years.

We were out at a club and brought 3 girls back to our house. Everyone was a little tipsy but me and Amanda- we were okay to drive. Amanda took Richard back, and I brought Katie and Haley back in my car.

Once we got back, Haley told us about her ex harassing her over text and was having a small panic attack. We were all in the kitchen and Katie was trying to comfort her, but Haley kept saying she wanted to go home. Richard started getting aggravated and said that she was free to stay or she could leave. He was raising his voice and getting in both of their personal spaces. He bumped into Katie firmly and she pushed back and Amanda told him to quit and that Haley was having a hard time. I told Haley and Katie I would take them back to their car and told Richard we would leave. Richard NEVER told them to leave, he only said they were free to stay or leave but had to choose.

Me and the two girls went back to my room to grab their stuff and they started talking again and Haley was crying. We were in there for maybe a minute and Richard comes into my room without knocking and starts instigating again. I told him we were leaving but he said we were taking too long.

I was comforting Haley when Richard started yelling at Katie  and getting in her face. She pushed him back and he grabbed her wrists and slammed her against my patio door. At this point I start to walk over to de-escalate and he let’s go of one hand and slams her again by her throat. He let’s go and I get in between them trying to calm them down and he tells me to “Back the fuck up bro, do you want some of this too?”

We finally get outside and leave. I wish I would have called the police but we were just worried about our safety at that point. I bring Haley back to her car and Katie back to her house. I end up staying at my dads for the night.

The next morning he knocks on my outside door and gets in my face about how I made “a bunch of career and personal mistakes last night” and says how he was just protecting himself and his property. I told him he had no right to go that far and he starts Gaslighting me saying she was scratching him (she did when he had her by the throat) and he never grabbed her throat (she has marks.) He threatens my career saying he has connections and I’ll never work at another fire department again because I’m not taking his side on this. I agree, and try to de-escalate again so I could get a shower and go to my second job.

I gave Katie his ex’s info and she will ask her if he ever abused her or got violent with her.

My question is what are my options?? I don’t feel safe at work or at home now and I fear he will retaliate in someway because I won’t take his side. He’s a violent egomaniac and I don’t want to get hurt or have my career destroyed because of his seniority.
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer:
 You need a police report and to speak to the higher command immediately. This guy hit a woman. He’s not your bro, he’s not a leader.

If he gets away with this now, who says he doesn’t hurt the next girl worse?Answer #2: This is probably something you want to bring to your chain of command, regardless.Answer #3: r/askleo night understand the gravity of your situation as far as your superior being the abuser


Title: my friend sent me child pornography of him and his girlfriend and I’m scared to file a report with the police (warning)

Question:
hey r/legaladvice; my name will remain anonymous because I feel uncomfortable posting this on my main account. I want to know what I should do because I’m unaware as to if I should bring it to the police or to my school. This is my recount of the events I know so far. I live in Rhode Island.

In March of 2019, I received videos from a boy whom I was friends with (let’s call him mark) Mark sends me videos of his girlfriend and him having sexual intercourse on school grounds. He kept rolling me his girlfriend was pregnant as well. immediately block him and tell my friends about what just happened. I have not told any adults or school officials about this; they’re both 15.  The girlfriend got mad at me for talking about the videos; saying that Mark sent them to me in good faith that I wouldn’t tell anyone.

Fast forward to October 2019. I’m talking to my friend about it because he brought up how mark has been sending him pictures of his girlfriend nude; sex videos included. My friend has told mark numerous times he doesn’t want to see them and feels uncomfortable. The girlfriend says she likes Mark sending her nudes to other boys because it makes her feel “sexy” with him showing off her body.

November 2nd, 2019. Their one year anniversary was yesterday. Mark posts his girlfriends nudes on his public Snapchat story. Yes- his public. He deletes it an hour later but the whole year has seen the pictures. Mark’s excuse was that he meant to put them on his private story... as if that’s any better.

I don’t know if I should report this to the police or to my school principal. I do not want my name associated with this at all. I want to make an anonymous tip but my school does not have an outlet for that and I am not sure how I would make an anonymous tip to the police. Also I am not sure what would even happen and if anything were to be done. I am repulsed and disgusted by the whole scenario. Not sure if this will be taken down or not but I just need to be told what to do.. and how to avoid having my name mentioned anywhere.
Topic:
Computer and Internet

Answer: Can you talk to your parents or an adult you can trust? What most teenagers don't realize is that this can haunt them for the rest of their lives. Your friend can also get put on  the sex offenders list for making and distributing child pornography even if he is also a minor. This can affect finding a place to live, applying for jobs, and going to college. You need to speak to an adult ASAP and NEVER share anything yourself.Answer #2: If your whole year has seen the nude photos of Mark and his girlfriend it's only a matter of time of before someone tells their parents, a school official or police.  Mark is creating and distributing child pornography and could be criminally charged.  This situation is made all the worse by the fact that you and your friend have been made unwilling recipients.  You and him should each have a chat with your parents.Answer #3: Maybe an anonymous message to his and her parents in what has been going on and that he could end up being charged with child pornography and being labelled a sex offender for life.


Title: How badly am I screwed

Question: So basically I’m a minor and unlawfully beat the shit out some kid at school for talking shit he doesn’t have any serous injuries I think just a black eye and the parents are threatening to charge me if they do would it be assault and battery? Or what and and if they proceed with charging me am I for sure going to juvy thanks for anyone who helps

Answer: Location matters; but if the kid's parents elect to file a police report, you're absolutely screwed, and will need to shut up and lawyer up.


Title: Ex has a vehicle that is in my name.

Question:
My ex gf and I broke up in March of 2016. At that time we lived in West Texas and when we broke up I moved to Michigan. We had a verbal agreement that she would continue to pay for the vehicle and I would let her keep it. She has missed a payment here and there and it is effecting my credit. I contacted the loan provider to see if the loan could get put into her name since she is the co signer of the vehicle. I was told that was not an option but that she could refinance the vehicle in her name with a different company. I contacted her a couple weeks ago and she refuses to refinance the vehicle and I am worried that she will just stop paying on the vehicle.

My question is what options do I have at this point? Can I legally go to Texas and take the vehicle since it is in my name? I am concerned that since I have let her keep it for 2 years she may have legal claim to the vehicle so I don't just want to up and take the vehicle without figuring out what to do. I honestly don't even know what kind of lawyer that I would contact for this type of situation so any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

Answer:
 When you say the vehicle is "in your name", what *exactly* do you mean? Just the loan? Or the registration too? How about the title?

Are any or all of those things also in your *ex's* name?


Title: What happens if police are called, and two roommates both claim the same item belongs to them?

Question: If you live with a person, and the cops are called about a stolen item. The roommate claims that the item belongs to them, but it is actually yours, what would happen? If a location is needed Michigan.

Answer: And the cop is named Solomon and carries a sword.


Title: (AZ) Closing on our home on Tuesday but seller is refusing to leave till Wednesday. What are our options?

Question:
Hi there, looking for some guidance. My girlfriend and I are first time home buyers and just closed on an amazing home. We are scheduled to get keys this Tuesday afternoon. The issue is that the current seller will most likely be planning to stay till Wednesday afternoon or evening. She is also closing on a property but won't get the keys till Wednesday and says she can't leave till then. She's saying she won't have anywhere to put her things if she moves out on Tuesday and doesn't have money to hire movers or storage till our sale goes through. She had requested an extension with us about 5 days ago which we declined due to her not compromising once on this sale with us. We've compromised numerous time just to make this sale go through and I do not want to give an extension. Also we've given her 45 days to close and nothing of hers has been moved yet, which we saw today on our walk through. We also have painters and cleaners scheduled for Wednesday and we will need to have the keys by then. Please let me know if you have any knowledge or experience with this. Our realtor is discussing this wth her agent and his broker but I want to know what I am able to do if that falls through. The seller has made this process as difficult as she could have and we need a little help.

TL;DR: seller is refusing to leave our property till a day after close. What are our options?

Answer:
 Usually these "extra days" are covered in the buyers' agreement.

From a legal standpoint, one day is hardly worth messing with.

From a moral standpoint, one day is hardly worth messing with.


Title: Son's girlfriends dad is threatening to call cops for them having sex, but my son is gay

Question:
sorry for typos but I'm on my phone.

I'm in Florida.

My son and his "girlfriend" are both 15 years old.  I put girlfriend in quotation marks because well... I think my son is gay.

He has always been a quiet kid who spent more time on the internet (esp this website) than outside and he is into very girly things (his background on his phone usually has rainbows and horses).  Also his uncle on his mom's side is gay. Also I discovered a gay sex toy in his room but more on that in a second

I am completely ok with him being gay and am completely accepting of his orientation.  However recently he has had a girlfriend for the past 3 months.  I have let them go into his bedroom alone when normally i wouldn't but I doubt theyre having sex so I don't worry too much about it.

Anyways his girlfriend's father has recently called and is very angry that we are letting them be unsupervised in his room... He said they are having sex ...

Anyways the sex toy (it looks like something gay men would put in their butts to have a blue tail of sorts) makes me think that his girlfriend knows he's gay and bought it for him (bc he has no way of getting it other wiz). So I am 100% sure they're not having sex!

So I told her fathet that we respect our son's privacy and that I don't think they're having sex  but he said that he will have my son arrested for statutory rape... Can this happen? In this situation how is it handled? Who is questioned and would it go to a trial? I don't want my son to have to come out of the closet before he is ready just to deal with a ridiculous and cLose minded parent.

Thanks

Answer:
 You've gotten some interesting advice here on the sexual aspect of things so I won't go into that.

But, from a legal aspect, if two 15-year-olds are having sex with each other, that's not statutory rape.  Or, even if it were, his daughter would be equally guilty, since they're the same age.

Edit: and let me say, would some podunk states try to prosecute teens for having sex? Yes, but they would be equally guilty if they're the same age.Answer #2: I just don't understand all these posts that just seem so obviously trollish.  But if this isn't a troll post, then my only comment is that 15 year olds often experiment sexually, and just because you think that your son is gay doesn't mean that he hasn't had sex with this girl.

BTW, you could have left out all the but-plug references and simply said that you think your son is gay.Answer #3: You're terribly naive. Have you never heard of bisexuality? Answer #4: you shouldn't make presumptions about your son's sexuality: he could be gay, he could not be. it doesn't matter. without evidence they are having sex, nothing will happen anyway


Title: HIPAA vs hospital policy

Question: I \(a direct patient care provider\) am currently in an argument over a question of scope of practice as require by law.  According to HIPAA I am excused from liability but not specifically required to report certain patient chief complaints to the police.  My hospital policy requires me to report certain incidents to the police but will not provide any legislation that requires me to do so.  Without legal requirement I feel that it is in the patient's hands to make this decision yet my employer is trying to force my hand.  I feel that my employer is assuming the right to make this legal decision when it may not be their right.  Can anyone provide legislation \(Michigan\) that would clarify mandated reporter law or direct me to an organization in Michigan that may be able to answer this question for me?  Thank you.

Answer:
 >My hospital policy requires me to report certain incidents to the police but will not provide any legislation that requires me to do so.

There's no requirement that they provide any legislation. If they want to require you to do something (that isn't otherwise illegal), you are required to do it.


Title: My girlfriend was taken advantage of at a tire shop in Pennsylvania and charged 1300 for a 300 dollar part. Looking for some advice.

Question:
Absolutely worst experience imaginable. My girlfriend went to get a simple exhaust leak fixed by herself. They told her she'd need an entire new exhaust. Which is fine. It looked rotted. The guy tells her it will cost 1300! She doesnt realize at first whats going on. Evidently her father had an account specifically setup there for his daughters to go get their cars serviced since he didn't live in the area. This manager literally decides to pull a fast one. Calls and instantly orders the part and Jacks her car up. My girlfriend calls me troubled about the price. I instantly tell her to cancel it and get the car out of there. The part was a 300 dollar part. He goes ahead to tell her ,after no more then 30 seconds ago from placing the order. That its to late and if she wants her car back they will have to charge a 25% restocking fee and refused to lower her car unless it was payed. At this point i head down there and walk in to talk to this guy and demand to see how much the part was after this ignorant human being procedes to admit that he only charged 100 bucks for the labor and the other 1200 for a car thats only worth 2 grand on kelly blue book. After demanding to see how much he paid for the part. He refused. And then threatened to call the police even though he was the criminal. In hind site wish we did call the police. Needless to say my gf is extremely upset and after i looked up their google reviews i come to find out they are notorious for scamming people. Is there anything i could do? I just dont want to see the same thing happen to someone else.

Edit. : the guy fessed up charged 900. Thanks all

Answer:
 There is markup for parts. Shops make their money off of labour and parts markup. The parts are cheaper for them, than if you buy them. If you buy them hardly any shop will warranty the work or the parts. Most shops have a minimum fee of at least one hour of labor. This is normal. Most shops charge about $100 an hour for labor. Restocking fees are normal as well. The store I work in doesn't charge them, but others do.

The shop, AFAIK, does not have to tell you how much they paid for a part, though you can get an idea if you know where they got it from and get a price check. Subtract 15%-50% depending on the shop they buy from and how much they buy. If a repair shop buys a lot we give them a bigger discount. Parts have a sell price and a list price, many shops use the list price which can be double the sell price. For example, a brake caliper for a Dodge Ram SRT 10, the one with the Viper motor, sells for around $500 the shop doing the job got it for just under $400. It lists for around $1200. This shop sold it to the customer for $900.

A complete exhaust job can easily break 1k. Just because repairs are expensive does not mean they a ripping you off or taking advantage of you. Vehicle repair is expensive, parts are expensive, mechanics are expensive just their tools alone can cost them 10k, also have to add in upkeep of the building. Repairs are not in comparison with the value of the car, they are in line with cost to perform the repair.


Title: Mortgage sold to shady company.

Question:
My wife and I recently bought a house. Just before we made our first payment, we got a letter letting us know that our mortgage had been sold to another company. We researched the company and found nothing but horror stories about how they misapplied payments, screwed up people's escrow, and all manner of potentially catastrophic mistakes.

My question is what can we do to protect ourselves from any mistakes made by this company?
Topic:
Real Estate law

Answer:
 Pay attention.
You will get an escrow letter every year telling you what was collected, what was paid out, what is being held.
Read it and understand it and then file it somewhere you can find it.
Pay several days early or stay a month ahead.

Mortgages are very often sold like this- it's not unusual.
Don't anticipate problems- most people do just fine, they just aren't the ones posting online about it.Answer #2: Realize that the vast majority of reviews ARE going to be negative. No one ever takes tge time to go online and rave about how good their mortgage company is or the insurance company or any other company. As an insurance agent had to deal with mortgage companies often and even for the big names, it was common for them to not pay the insurance from the escrow and I would have to call and get it over nighted so that it wouldn't cancel. As other said just keep track of everything pay attention, (which you should do anyway) and you should be OK


Title: My nonprofit's executive board seized my bank account registered in my name. [OH]

Question:
I created a political social club, 503(c)7. There is an executive board, with a treasurer who is an authorized signer on the account. Over the weekend, she phoned the credit union and changed all of the banking information (log-ins, debit card pins etc) and refuses to give me the information.

This bank account is registered under my social security number which is linked to my EIN. Why did the bank allow changes to the account without me being present? Did the treasurer break the law? She's essentially hijacked the account.

Topic:
Criminal Law

Answer:
 Was this your personal account or does it belong to the non profit?Answer #2: > This bank account is registered under my social security number which is linked to my EIN.

This doesn't quite make sense. Is it your personal account under your SSN or a business account under the EIN of the corporation? If it's a business account under the corporation, then the treasurer/CFO is typically given the authority over banking matters.

Are there bylaws stipulating how banking is to be conducted? If so, what do the bylaws say about who is to be authorized? Are you on the executive board? Was there a board decision approving this? Answer #3: not a lawyer but formerly in consulting so fwiw here goes:

If you want access back, all you have to do is call the bank. Both you and the treasurer are signers on the account and the bank has not done anything wrong. They can give you access back, unless you've somehow been removed from that privilege, and the only way that would have happened is if you authorized the treasure to do this when you added them yourself. Once again the bank won't have done anything wrong.

My suggestion for you (aside from biting the bullet and spending the money on a lawyer to avoid unforeseen pitfalls - 'you don't know what you don't know') is to add some safeguards, like not automatically giving check writers the ability to change passwords (although the treasurer theoretically is more than just a second check writer). Another thing you should consider doing is requiring any checks over a certain amount to be signed by at least two people. This will prevent someone from emptying the balance of the account and running off with it.


Title: Accidentally shoplifted in Richmond, VA

Question:
I accidentally shoplifted at Target in Richmond VA.  I know that they have a really scary strict LP program.   It was tissue paper for a gift, I was at the self checkout.  I just looked at my receipt and it isn't on there, I must have somehow missed it.

Will anything happen to me? I'm already back home and everything. Is there anything I should do?

Answer: The FBI is enhancing the CCTV feed and using facial recognition on you now. You are about to have special forces bust down your door for those tissues.Answer #2: Accidents happen, I truly wouldn't worry.Answer #3: Realistically, you're fine. Don't try to return it, we've seen some stories.Answer #4: Nothing should happen. As someone else mentioned don't try to go back and pay for it, that could cause some trouble.


Title: Did I commit a crime, then confess? (Texas)

Question:
DISCLAIMER: Yes, I understand I need to pay my bills, and I reacted like a child. Not the info Im looking for. Beating myself up enough for that. Just looking for legal outlooks.

So this morning I had my power cut off.

Long Story short - The City worker did not ID himself and would not leave until I could call his company to verify his ID, so I threatened to "get a gun". I came home this afternoon to a cop escorting the city worker for a reconnect, so I sent the company an email stating I felt it wrong that they now feel the need to bring an escort.

**My question:**

**Did I commit a crime by stating I would "get a gun" to a City Worker that refused to ID Them self or leave my backyard?
Do I have anything to fear as a result of this interaction?**

Below is the email sent to the Energy Company
>
I woke up this morning to my daughter almost in tears, saying she was hearing loud banging and noises against the house and she doesn't know what it is. As any parent would, I jump up and begin to look into whats going on. I look out front, I don't see anyone in view, so I head out back to see whats going on. I find a man, who appears to be working, on the side of my house. He says he is here to disconnect due to non payment. Being security minded, I asses he appears to be with <Energy Company> by him wearing a white hard hat, and a long sleeve shirt that says <Energy Company>, but do not see a badge or any identification. He has yet to mention who he is with, and I did not see a marked vehicle out front. I tell the man, He needs to stop what hes doing and go out front so I can speak with him and call <Energy Company> to see whats going on.
>
Unfortunately, I have been in this situation before and had previously been given a days notice from <Energy Company> that I was nearing disconnect. I have also been disconnected before, and that tech. had the common courtesy to knock and let me know he was going into my yard. I had not received a days notice, and this man had not knocked or rang the door bell. This is confirmed by my daughter and by the agent I spoke with at the <Energy Company> center that stated they sometimes will not knock.
>
The man refused to leave my yard, and went on to say "Ive got to disconnect it before I go anywhere, its policy" to which I respond "Then I need to go grab a gun cause I don't know who you are and now you are refusing to step out front so I can confirm who you are with and why you are here." I did not threaten this man with bodily harm, and was my intention simply get an upper hand on the situation. I would not have someone who refused to ID themselves, refused to leave my yard, and has a bag full of tools stay without some sort of protection. The man at that time stated he was closing up and leaving. He mentioned he would be calling this into the office and getting the police involved to which I agreed and wanted at that time also.
>
I escorted the tech. out of my backyard and watched which vehicle he entered. It was at this time I noticed he had not parked in front of my house or out of a window I would have seen him from, but rather at my neighbors house, out of my view. The tech. got in his truck and sped off.
>
I stepped inside and attempted to contact <Energy Company> to assure this situation was legitimate but was given a recording that all phone techs were busy and I could not be helped. The recording offered to call me back, to which I signed up for. Unfortunately, the earliest time was roughly an hour and fifteen minutes later, so I waited for the policeman.
>
The policeman arrived a few minutes later, the services were disconnected, and situation ended with no issue.
>
However, once I was able to have the services restored a policeman arrived at my door to escort the next tech. When I asked if this was to be the norm, I was given the response "Well someone was threatened out here this morning so now there needs to be an escort."
>
I find it quite appalling that it is the norm for a company to take it upon themselves to enter private property, not feel the need to identify themselves with something other than a hard hat and Long sleeve shirt, then when asked to step out front so the situation can be assessed and handled civilly, it is refused. Once a homeowner feels their personal space is being invaded and cannot concretely determine a situation to be safe for the people inside they are entitled to react accordingly. I am not sure why there was a change in protocol and I was not given the normal "Pink slip" and 24hour notice, or why this man felt he did not need to inform the homeowner they would be entering their yard, but I do not feel I should be marked as a "risk" in your records. This paints me as the aggressive customer rather than your employee as overstepping personal boundaries. As I mentioned, I been here before and there were no issues. I accept my inability to pay the bill and the consequences that followed. I do not accept the title of "Threatening" when I was merely getting a handle on a situation that was taking place in my space, without my consent or knowledge. I felt unsafe and responded accordingly.
>
I intend to also contact the police dept. and put in a report. If nothing else, for my own records.
>
Thanks for not listening and most likely deleting this email.

Topic:
Douche

Answer: Regardless of anything the first worker did or failed to do, you absolutely threatened the first worker.  If you were worried the worker was not legitimate, the proper thing to say would be "I'm going to call the police."  A police officer accompanying the second worker as an escort was totally appropriate.Answer #2: You knew you were not paying your bills. Are you really telling us that you were confused that this person who says he's there to disconnect the electricity and looked like a tech could instead possibly be a trained assassin and a threat to you? You can piously pretend that's the case but anyone who is not an idiot will not believe you. You threatened this person with bodily harm. What do you think will come of that?


Title: "Marking my territory" to prevent cats entering my backyard.

Question:
Houston Texas

My home has a pretty basic fence around the backyard, but there are a few cats that sometimes climb over and defecate in the yard. Is it ok to disperse by own urine about the yard, maybe a foot or two from the fence, to prevent them from coming by? Obviously not just walk out and urinate, that seems like I'd run afoul of an indecency law, but if I went in a bottle and dumped it there, is that legal? Would that be something prohibited as improper disposal of waste, biohazard, or medical waste law? There seem to be a lot of regs but I have no idea if they apply to me and my yard. I figure if I can use manure and food compost to fertilize my lawn, and urine is a decent fertilizer, it should be ok? But it's human urine, so maybe not?

I do have neighbors, being in a suburban development, and the fence in question is the only thing dividing my land from theirs.

I wouldn't do this in the front yard, the cats don't seem to defecate there. Too much traffic I guess.

Answer:
 Why not just scatter orange peel or coffee grounds? Cats harte the scent and I don't think human urine will have much effect. My bloody cat loves to walk into my bathroom and stare at me. Answer #2: Your pee is not cat repellant, your plan will not work so the legal question is moot.Answer #3: Perhaps you could try arranging a series of cucumbers around the parameter of the fence.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sc0mi0Ei1CQAnswer #4: Get a motion-activated sprinkler (this is one brand of many): http://www.treehelp.com/scarecrow-animal-deterrent/

We used these in rose gardens to repel deer and other varmints who have an obsession with eating the flowers, and make a mockery of a 6' fence.
Answer #5: There's a lot of other ways to keep cats out.  To answer your question it would depend on local law but there is probably no law against it.

http://www.rd.com/home/5-ways-to-keep-cats-and-dogs-away-from-your-garden/Answer #6: I have had success with planting lavender, but I don't know how well that does in Houston.Answer #7: We noticed the neighbor cats would jump up and down the fence at the corners, it was probably easier to climb there.   It only took a little chicken wire to block the corners and they stopped coming to our yard. It wasn't cat proof, but it made our yard less desirable than the neighbors. The advantage to chicken wire is that it doesn't have to be reapplied after rain.


Title: what should we do with a guests package after having it for close to two years?

Question:
We had a guest that stayed in the hotel with us around 2ish years ago (if the specific dates are important I can look up the exact dates and edit) and he was using our hotel as a base for shipping and handling (was doing that to get around shipping to Canada charges) and the GM and I made a decision to inform the guest that they can not do that and we informed the guest. long story short he got pissed cursed us out and wrote a very aggressive review on tripadvisor attacking me and the GM. AT THE CURRENT TIME HE WAS AT THE HOTEL and the day he was at the hotel and we informed him of this we did not have any packages for him. about a few weeks later we received a package from him and for the past two years we have been trying to get in touch with him and tell him he has a package here but we have yet to get in touch with him

the question being: What should we do with the package? it has no return label on it so we cant return to sender (there is no address we can read that would be enough info to send it back to someone) and in our reservations with him we have no address on file for the guest.

Answer:
 After 2 years and several contact attempts, I'm pretty sure you're free to dispose of it. He's clearly not intending to come back and pick it up and you've done everything you can within reason. Answer #2: Take it to the post office or shipping company and tell them that this person isn't at this address and let them deal with it.Answer #3: My hotel throws out/donates stuff after 60 days. I don't think there's a written law about this (at least not that I've ever found). At the very least you've been way more than reasonable to hold it for 2 years. If he were to pop up and say "hey whatever happened to my mail" your hotel can show that they tried to reach him and show how lenient they've been with keeping it safe for him, his failure to collect his property in a reasonable timeframe is on him.

Like others said, I would give it to the post office and let them throw it out. Less than legal advice is open it, see if it's something cool, then throw it out if not (though LA has taught me that the postal inspection service will rappel out of helicopters and siege your hotel).Answer #4: What state are you in?Answer #5: Are you sure he didn't mail the package? I'd be careful with the contents until you know for sure.


Title: My ex is using my parents history to fight for custody in court. How do I fight this?

Question:
So it's been about 3 months since I broke up with my ex. She's currently attacking me from any and every angle. She's getting $500 worth of child support stating that I don't spend time with my daughter. I visit my daughter about 2 times a week after my ex got her request for a domestic violence restraining order dropped for not being able to provide proof (aka lying). Now she's telling the court that my parents constantly violently fight and drink, so she doesn't feel it's safe for my daughter to be at my home. My parents are divorced and live in separate homes. I currently live with my dad. When I have my daughter, I have her with me and not around them anyways. To top it off my ex is in school from Monday through Thursday for half the day. She works part time and she also spends her free time with friends. All I want is an equal opportunity to have and raise my daughter, but she seems to be fighting with me on everything. We broke up because she cheated. She lives with her mom who would date drug addicts and at one point had a bf of her mom molest my ex and her sister when they were younger yet she thinks my home is unsafe. I feel like I'm ranting. She's been a nightmare relationship to be in and worst trying to separate. We are still legally married. She filed for divorce first, but I had to file for the custody and visitation.

How can I go about fighting for my fair share with my daughter?

Edit for location: Riverside Co. CA

Answer:
 > How can I go about fighting for my fair share with my daughter?

Hire an attorney, provide your evidence.  If your parents actually do fight and drink, then you should arrange not to be living with them or around them.


Title: Was This Cop Doing Something Wrong?

Question: So my friend got pulled over last night at a DUI checkpoint, and when the officer took his license and insurance, the officer came back saying that my friend was driving on a suspended license and said he would have to take him to jail. My friend was absolutely baffled because he has never been in any sort of trouble like that. But, the officer said that his license has been suspended since October. However, my friend has been pulled over since October, and if that were the case then the issue would have come up then, even if somehow he had miraculously had his license suspended without him knowing. Then, the officer took his license and basically said that he was under arrest (without reading him his rights or putting him in cuffs or anything). Later, the officer also said that his insurance wasn't up to date, which my friend swears it has to be because he pays it himself, but that is at least more believable, and he got a ticket for that. The whole time, the officer was saying that he was going to have to take my friend into the county jail unless he could pay $150 to get let go, and gave him an hour to make the calls he needed in order to do that. This is where it gets really sketchy. The officer said that the only way he wouldn't be going to jail was if he paid $150 cash to the cops there and didn't drive away himself (because the cop had his license). So, after making tons of phone calls (because it was like 2am) my friend finally had someone come get him and bring $150 cash which he paid to the police at the checkpoint. None of this makes sense to me. Never have I ever heard of a cop taking cash at the time of "arrest" to bail someone out, and so many of the details just don't add up. This was in a small midwestern town and the town's tiny police department was doing the checkpoint. Is there any way to get this incident investigated or something? I guess I'm just asking if something wrong really did happen and if so, where to go from here. This is in Illinois, by the way.

Answer: I believe Illinois still allows cops to collect a cash bond on the spot in lieu of arrest for certain traffic offenses. It used to be they could take your license away if you couldn't pay, but it seems that has changed, but I'm quite sure they can still require the cash bond and arrest you if you can't pay it (again, for certain offenses).


Title: Member of church scammed congregation out of 20K...

Question:
So a member of my church works in the local music industry.  Recently at service he was discussing his personal moral conflict about a major star coming through town he’d be working with who has some legal/#MeToo issues in his past.  A few days later he puts up a post on his Facebook asking for donations for his “spiritual journey” towards a new career.  Jist of it being that he prayed on his conflict and the Lord told him to find a new career path, the donations would be to support him to pay his bills while he found a place that God wanted him to be.  He met his goal which is not surprising, our congregation doesn’t have much but we’re generous with what we do

Fast forward now a few months later, a friend of my was telling me that this individual was boasting about some new audio/visual equipment he purchased and how his career has been taking off with this new gear.  Obviously he hasn’t looked for a new career path.  When I confronted him gently he said “aw as I prayed on it the Lord told me I needed to mentor from within”. I think he’s full of it as he didn’t give the money back just spent it on expensive equipment.

Do I have any legal recourse in a situation like this which is clearly fraud?  personally I only had $10 to give but others gave far more.  I want to look out for those who spent what they didn’t have on this phony.
Topic:
Douche

Answer: He asked for donations to pay his bills. He paid his bills with the donations. What is the problem?Answer #2: They were donations. These people gave willingly, you can't just take it back because he's not using it how you want him to use them. Next time be smarter where you give your money


Title: [UPDATE] (TX) My ex-mistress is seeking to subpoena my wife's mental health records

Question:
Here is the original post:
https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/42n51x/my_exmistress_is_seeking_to_subpoena_my_wifes/

*tl;dr;. My ex-mistress is trying to subpoena my wife's and children's mental health records because she claims my wife is dangerous.*

---

The court has set a hearing to discuss my wife's Motion to Quash, as well as to hear my motion for a parent-child evaluation. My question is, since my wife is the one who filed the motion, is she the one who has to speak to it?

I am now working pro se and I believe I have more than enough information in order to get it quashed, or at the very least, get it inspected "in camera" and redact all irrelevant information. However, I'm the one who has done all the research and taken notes and what not. Since she is a third-party to this case (I am the actual Respondent), can I speak on her behalf during this portion of the hearing? Is this up to the discretion of the judge? If so, would it be possible to request it from the judge now instead of at the trial?

Answer:
 > I am now working pro se

Your next update will be describing how badly the hearing went (especially since your ex-mistress has her own legal counsel). Get an attorney.Answer #2: As a general rule, whoever files the motion must argue the motion in court. You have no standing to argue the privacy of someone else's medical records, unless you are their guardian.


Title: Old apartment complex refusing to hand over package, sounding like they weren't going to return the package to sender.

Question:
Hello!
I live in Las Vegas, Nevada
A few days ago I ordered clothes online and was not paying attention to the address because I've lived in my current house for so long. I completely understand how that's my fault. I was in autopilot. It was delivered and signed by a man at the front desk of my old apartments. (more like a sketchy motel). So I call there to ask if i can pick it up. They say yes. I get there and the guy who signed for the package, tells me I can't have it because I'm not in their system anymore as it's been an extremely long time since i've lived there.  I asked him why he signed for it then and he told me that if it's delivered there, it stays there. I showed him my I.D and all but to no avail. I asked if he would be sending it back to the post office and he told me "we'll have to see about that". So now I'm sketched out after speaking to both the sender and ups who says they can't do anything about them not giving me my package and or if the tracking number will show it being returned. I want to know if there's any legal actions I can take if the package is not sent back to it's origins? There is proof of signature and all, but I used to live there for 15 years and they always stole mail. It's stressful knowing a stupid mistake might make me hundreds of dollars out if this guy does not send it back.

Answer:
 Was it through USPS? Might want to give the local post office a call. They don't take kindly to people stealing mail Answer #2: Send the apartment complex a certified letter stating that they have acknowledged possession of your property and that their failure to turn it over to you upon your request constitutes conversion, for which you will seek all legal remedies. Further, tell them that as a courtesy you will give them three days from the date of receipt to contact you and arrange for you to collect your property.

Make sure you send the letter certified and do not lose the green card when it comes in the mail. You should also fax a copy of the same letter to them and keep a copy of the fax return sheet. Doing these things will serve as evidence that you made the apartment complex aware of the situation and gave them an opportunity to rectify the situation.

If they still won't give you your stuff back you can sue them in small claims court for conversion, which is kind of like the civil version of theft. They will either have to pay you for the value of the property or give you the property back, make sure when you sue them you also sue them for court cost, the cost of the certified letter (even though it's like $3 bucks), the mileage cost associated with your first trip over there when they refused to give you your property, and any other cost you have incurred.

Good luck!


Title: [Arkansas]Family member is landlord, no lease, she demands things and if my wife and I don't adhere she threatens eviction.

Question: [deleted]

Answer: She could terminate your tenancy with ten days notice at pretty much any time, if she wants to. Your best bet is to work with her and place nice.


Title: CA: Landlord asking all tenants to buy renter's insurance with apartment company name listed as "additionally insured". Also wants us to sign addendum to lease

Question:
Edited: Thanks for the info everyone! I bought the renter's insurance already, in any case. Just wanted to make sure this was on the up and up!

A couple months ago my apartment complex sent out notices that their own insurance company was now requiring all their tenants to carry their own renter's insurance. I didn't think much of it, bought a policy. When I went to show the office my proof of insurance, they said it was no good--that it had to specifically list "BlahBlahBlah Apartments" as "Additionally Insured". I'll also be required to sign an addendum to my current lease saying I agree to carry renter's insurance that lists the apartment complex as additionally insured.

Is this legal? Maybe I'm just being paranoid but I'm getting the feeling the tenants are being forced to pick up the tab for the complex's insurance. Can my landlord ask me to sign something new added to my lease?
I googled this but couldn't find any straight info about tenants in a large apartment complex being required to carry renter's insurance.
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer:
 All that means is they can file a claim on your policy for damages to the building. You can refuse and they can not renew your lease when it's up.

Having renters insurance is a no brainer and you should have it even if you're not required to.Answer #2: They can't do anything mid-lease, but as /u/swalsh411 said, they can choose not to renew.

My apartment is the same way, renters policy for everyone, except they wish to be listed as "Additional Interest"

This [site](https://www.effectivecoverage.com/800/additional-interest-vs-additional-insured/) has a brief summary of the difference between "Interest" and "Insured"

edit: a wordAnswer #3: I'm an agent. That's normal. Had to do the same for my daughter.


Title: Is cancer a reason to cancel a contract to purchase a house and get your deposit back?

Question:
My grandmother signed a contract to purchase a house and two months before closing she was diagnosed with cancer. She now has a really aggressive breast cancer and is about to go through chemo. She isn’t in condition to be able to move into a new house and sell her current house. Is cancer a possible out? The closest thing I can find in the contract is an act of god which it seems cancer doesn’t fall under. Does she just have to bite the bullet and lose the deposit?
Topic:
Contracts

Answer: No, but there is no reason why she shouldn't explain this to the seller and ask to be released. If she won't get released, she can waive her earnest money deposit.


Title: Insuring a House That is in an LLC

Question:
So I am in a rather weird legal situation regarding a house I just purchased and would like some advice on the legality of things.

Background: My father, brother and I purchased a house, 123 Fake Street in New Jersey, about 5 years ago as a rental property and formed 123 Fake Street LLC to hold the title as a way of both protecting ourselves and simplifying income by percentage (let's say it was 50&#37; dad, 25&#37; brother, 25&#37; me). We bought a dwelling insurance policy on the house registered to the LLC to protect the house and the tenants got their own renters insurance to cover their personal belongings/liability.

Fast forward to now: I saved enough money to purchase 123 Fake Street to use as my first primary residence (previously lived at home). I decided to essentially buy out my father and brother's portion of the LLC so that I now own 100&#37; of the LLC which still holds the title. I was told this was a good way to avoid paying hefty closing costs, title change fees, and potentially capital gains tax.

This approach, however, comes with legality issues with the insurance policy. I was told I may need to open a commercial insurance policy rather than homeowners insurance because an LLC holds the title. My other option may be to keep the current dwelling policy and then get a standalone renter's insurance plan to cover my belongings since I am essentially renting from myself.

Does anyone hear know the legality of this situation? I just want to make sure I get proper liability insurance in the event that someone gets hurt in my house or the place burns down. I could see the insurance company finding a loop hole to deny coverage.

Answer: I would call around and ask. You shouldn't really have any problems maintaining your dwelling insurance (as well as the umbrella insurance that any landlord should have) and then covering your personal possessions with a renter's policy. Basically you are your own landlord. Just ask the insurance companies how they would handle it. Living in a property owned by an LLC isn't that uncommon.


Title: [Ontario, Canada] Can I give away an unborn child as the biological father to another parent?

Question:
I was involved in an open relationship with a married woman and we found out last month she is pregnant. We took precautions that this wouldn't happen but obviously not enough. We discussed an abortion but it seems that its off the table for now.

I am not too interested in raising a child right now, and if I were to raise one with this woman it would likely cause a lot of complications with their stay in Canada. He is sponsoring her to live here.

They are OK with raising a child together as their own.

The three of us spoke about what we can do about this, luckily we are talking and on good terms about what happened. Am I able to "gift" this child to them? Do we need to sign any kind of agreement with a judge or is having the husband put his name on the birth certificate enough?

Does this put me in the clear of any future parental responsibilities?

Thanks

PS. no paternity test was done but I can say with confidence it is mine.

Answer:
 Give them any relevant family medical information and then walk away  FOREVER. Forget you ever knew her. Do not try to find her, do not try to find her kid, don't be friends on facebook, do not send cards, nothing.   You can never fuck up this innocent kid's life by spilling the beans that you are his bio dad. There will be days when you are tempted to drop them a line, don't do it.Answer #2: Honestly just have the husband sign his name. He would be presumed the father anyways. You all are adults and made the agreement.

Biologically you are the father and one day could be sought after for child support and what not Answer #3: Legally, he’s presumed to be the father.

“Under s. 8 of the Children’s Law Reform Act, factors that establish a presumption of paternity are:

The person is married to the mother of the child at the time the child was born;”

You don’t have to do anything.


Title: Business harassing female customers

Question:
Hopefully this is the right subreddit

Last night we stopped by a local gas station to pick some stuff up (read beer) on our way home. My girlfriend went in to pick stuff out while I waited in the car. A few minutes later she came back out and we were on our way.

As soon as we got on the freeway she erupted into tears. When I asked what was wrong she told me that the cashier called her fat. Paraphrasing, the cashier said something along the lines of "your ID photo is much prettier than you are now. Now you are too fat. Why aren't you buying the fried chicken?".

I'm glad she waited to tell me as I needed to think about my response and not act in anger.

Anyone who knows my girlfriend knows that she is one of the nicest, most sensitive people you will ever meet. She did not deserve to be spoken to this way. I can't believe that this business would condone speaking to customers (especially women) this way.

I have since spoken to several of my female employees and customers (I work nearby) and they have all experienced similar things including being grabbed, offered sex, and other aggressive behaviors.

I feel a little powerless in this situation, however I have heard enough of this to take action. If anyone has any advice I would be most appreciative.

This is in Seattle, WA, USA

TL;DR:
Girlfriend got called fat by the cashier for no reason. Other female customers have experienced similar harassment.

Answer: Calling people fat isn't illegal. Answer #2: There is no legal issue here. You can do what /u/Hollowpoint38 suggested. You can also stop using this store--if so many people have had unpleasant experienced there, don't keep going there. Vote with your feet.


Title: Selling porn and underage kids

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Man, I'm not sure what I was expecting, but that sub is more NSFW than /r/gonewild, which is saying something.

Anyway; just because *reddit* may be safe because of a safe harbor provision, it doesn't mean you're safe from prosecution for selling to a minor. It'll put a crimp in your sales, but there are age verification services or techniques you can do to minimize your risk. Or you can remain a small enough fish where it isn't worth the time it would take for a LEO to actually take action.


Title: Ugly Child Custody Battle Getting Worse [AB, Canada]

Question: Ok so here's the breakdown, I'm a 30 year old with no children. A little over a year ago I began a relationship with my now common law, prior to our relationship she had left an abusive 11 year relationship with her three children, shortly after moving to my province from NB. They had an existing custody order from an earlier breakup. She abided by the custody order until he apparently got advised that the previous order was null and void. He refused to return the children. In January she got into court and won one weekend a month with the kids and video chat twice a week. Every single visit the kids have described abuse in the past, tonight her daughter told us of horrible abuse. We go to court for full custody in October, what do we do? Please help!

Answer:
 Call CPS on the dad?Answer #2: >A little over a year ago I began a relationship with my now common law

You need to cohabitate for two years to be common law in AB

Are the kids and father in NB or AB? Prior to the current agreement who had primary custody and access to the children?

If there is abuse going on you should call CPS, has that not been done?