Title: How would paying in penny’s for a parking ticket stand up in court? Are they allowed to refuse it?

Question:
As you may or may not know there is a YouTube trend of paying for parking tickets with penny’s,coins or other small amounts of currency. And almost all of the time they refuse to accept it, but how would this stand up in court? From a normal persons point of view (me) it sounds like it would if you walked into the station and they didn’t have any sign saying that you couldn’t and a penny is still legal currency. There is no particular location here other than somewhere in the USA, pick what ever state it would stand up better in.

WARNING THIS IS NOT SERIOUS AND IS MORE OR LESS A THOUGH EXPERIMENT TO GET PEOPLE THINKING, DONT TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY!

Answer:
 >And almost all of the time they refuse to accept it, but how would this stand up in court?

First off, how would it get to court? Are you suing them for refusing to take pennies? Or are they suing you for nonpayment?


Title: I am a twitch streamer dealing with pay-pal charge back fees [Florida]

Question:
I am not a streamer with a large following. Recently a follower of mine who has donated a decent amount to me before sent me 8 different 5$ donations and now put out a claim saying his card was stolen.

I received an email from PayPal saying that the "buyer" did not authorize the transaction and that they did not authorize the purchase. They said if I had any additional information to help resolve the case I could submit it before a deadline or it would automatically be refunded. I was scared and did not know what to do so I just issues a refund. PayPal refunded the money but issued me a charge back fee of $20 per transaction deducting a total of $160 from my account. I understand that while submitting and refunding the money, then taking the charge back fees may have been a mistake on my part. I am wondering what I can do in the future to stop people from doing this to me in the future? If let's say 10 people who don't like me all decide to do this over a small period of time I could end up in debt. Thank you for any advice.

Answer:
 >I am wondering what I can do in the future to stop people from doing this to me in the future?

Don't allow Paypal as a donation venue?

Try something like Patreon instead.


Title: Is saying fuck you trump and fuck anyone who voted form him on a bumper sticker protected by the first amendment?

Question: Any precedent?

Answer: See for example the arrest and exoneration of Dillon Webb, in Florida.


Title: Question about police reaction to an incarcerated individual with a mental disorder expressing a want to commit suicide

Question: I have an incarcerated 19 y/o female individual with a history of bipolar disorder and possible anti-social personality disorder. She committed larceny and will be released in a few days on bail, however she is repeatedly telling her family that she will kill herself in jail. Upon being warned, the police proceeded to berate her and refuse a psychiatric evaluation. They then yelled at her for telling her family that and took away her phone, further isolating her and driving her into a deeper sense of aloneness. She then later left her brother a voicemail saying, “tell my two little siblings I love them.” To me, this sounded like a situation for an immediate psych evaluation. Since one wasn’t taken, what are the rules in regards to an incarcerated person expressing a desire to commit suicide? Shouldn’t police have her evaluated?

Answer:
 The  rules will be totally location dependent, but assuming you are in a developed  country they will exist and be quite clear.

Best way to start is to send this up the food chain wherever she is in custody.

As an aside, I am not aware of any custody environments where people are allowed their mobiles.


Title: I want to be a criminal defense attorney, where do I get started?

Question: Other than college, what are some good resources I can take advantage of to get ahead for when I do start college. Thanks for any help!

Answer:
 I would say first of all don't worry about being a criminal defense attorney yet. Go to college, do well, then take it from there. *Do not* major in criminal justice or pre law something like that in college. For one thing, law schools prefer students with well-rounded educations, usually in something in the liberal arts, although science is helpful, too. So major in whatever you want, although political science, history, and English are popular "pre-law" majors to have.

For another thing, if you go through four years of college and then decide you don't really want to be a criminal defense attorney—or even a lawyer at all—you don't want to be stuck with a criminal justice degree, which basically lets you do only a couple of things. (No offense to the criminal justice degree-holders out there; OP seems young and may decide later he wants to do something completely different.)

Also, see if you can intern in your local public defender's office or with a private criminal defense attorney. I don't know why you want to be a criminal defense attorney, but if you've never seen the job up close before, you should shadow an attorney for a while to see if it turns out you hate it.

Don't worry about "get[ting] ahead." In terms of studying, you'll learn everything you need to know in college or in law school. In the meantime, do internships or volunteering in legal environments.


Title: CREDIT CARD COMPANY IS TAKING ME TO COURT!

Question:
Hello, I am 24 years old and I opened a Discover credit card in 2016 and  let the card go delinquent. I owe $1,400. Discover is sending court letters to my old address, the person that currently lives there found me on Facebook to let me know I’ve gotten pretty serious court mail there.

I’ve missed the hearing because I wasn’t aware Discover is taking me to court. I just need advice on how to move forward, should I call the court and explain?

Also what are my options, I don’t have $1,400 right now

Answer:
 If you missed the court date then a default judgment was made against you by the judge in favor of discover. It’s likely the judgment was not only for the $1400, but for court costs and their attorneys fees as well.

Others have given info on who to contact.


Title: I'm renting out my condo in violation of my HOA rules. Should I care?

Question:
My HOA rules state that if you lease your property, all tenants must be approved by the board, and the HOA can refuse to allow rentals at their discretion. I have never informed the board that I have a tenant. I have been renting out this condo for years without issue. The HOA bylaws do not specify the penalty for failure to obey, other than a general $50 per infraction statement that applies to any infraction. I am hesitant to even tell the board I'm renting the place out, however, because if they decide to prohibit me from renting, it would force met to sell at a loss.

This unit is located in Ohio.

I have three questions:

 * If they find out I have an unregistered rental, what can they do to me? Can they evict a tenant in the middle of his lease? Can they fine me every day or something?
 * Would it be best to keep renting on the down-low? Or should I come clean and risk being forced to sell?
 * Is there any way to stealthily find out if they are prohibiting rentals without revealing that I am already renting out?

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts or experiences, /r/legaladvice!

Answer: I don't think anybody here is going to recommend that you knowingly violate your HOA rules. You agreed to abide by these rules when you purchased your condo.


Title: I moved to Michigan ~1 year ago and just found out that I have to register my handguns in this state. Am I facing major legal penalties? Should I just go bury my guns and start fresh?

Question:
I realize that I made a mistake by not getting up to date on the gun laws of the land I was moving to, and even more of a mistake by not checking on them once I was here. I'm not an avid shooter obviously, But I do have a couple pistols that I guess have to be registered in this state.

Having moved here from a western state with hardly any gun laws this seems a bit scary, the fact that I inadvertently broke the law.  From what I can find, Michigan requires you to register handguns within 30 days on moving here, well I'm way past that point. I found one page indicating that I could be facing 90 days in jail and a fine. I clearly don't want any of that, so it seems like my only recourse would be to go dig a few deeps holes in the yard and scatter the pieces of my guns. I guess now I'm classified as a criminal according to this state and that freaks me out a bit. I'm as square as they come - I've never even been pulled over in ~20 years of driving - so you can see why I'm scared given the situation I've found myself in. Any advice?
Topic:
Criminal Law

Answer:
 So you moved there last year and then last week you went back home and picked up some things you left at your mom's house. An old tv, your back issues of MAD Magazine, some new underwear your mom picked up for you, your guns, and your Michael Jackson posters.

Better register those guns.

>  I guess now I'm classified as a criminal according to this state

And check your attitude, it makes you look dumb. You have to be convicted to be considered a criminal. The next time you have an issue with the laws in any state, don't move there. You're ultra conservatism or neo liberalism ideology doesn't make you any brighter than the folks who support those laws.Answer #2: > go dig a few deeps holes in the yard and scatter the pieces of my guns.

Until someone finds them and easily traces it back to you. Then you have more legal problems.

Contact a local attorney with gun law experience and see what the best options are.


Title: Girlfriend is being sued for a car rental accident she had, but her ex was the one who rented the car and held the policy.

Question:
Long story short, my girlfriend’s ex rented a car in his name in early 2017 for her to drive home and see her family. On the return trip, she was involved in the accident and the ex opted out of any additional insurance coverage. Since the car was in his name, he received multiple letters saying he owed the rental company around 9k for the damages.

Today, my girlfriend was served with a lawsuit for just over 20k in damages. Not sure where the 20k number came from but it says it includes original damage plus interest and penalties.

We are looking to talk to a lawyer next week but really wanted to get some feedback on what we are up against. Thanks!
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer: Well if she was driving she is at fault. I don't think he should have to pay for it just because the car was in his name. That isn't fair. She did the damage, of course she didn't mean to but no one means for accidents to happen. So basically what your asking is how y'all can pin it on her ex and make him pay for the accident that she caused just because he put the car in his name. Sounds like he did her a favor and y'all are now trying to screw him over.


Title: San Francisco, CA: Broke rent control lease at $2,600/mo, landlord advertising it at $3,150/mo, won't consider qualified tenants at $2,600/mo

Question:
Location: San Francisco, CA

Hi! I broke a lease in San Francisco, California to move out of state and I've been doing everything in my power to bring qualified tenants. The landlord is advertising it at a marked up rate ($3,150/mo) and is using my monthly obligation to go fishing for higher rent. My unit is a 1 bedroom townhome that is under the SF Rent Control Ordinance. I've brought in a few friends that have a great credit history, great rental history, and the income to rent it but they won't rent it out at my original $2,600 a month lease nor will they release me from my remaining months on the lease obligation. The lease has a no subletting clause that they won't waive either. What recourse do I have?

Answer: The landlord is allowed to raise the rent on an available unit. If the landlord was charging YOU that raised rate there would be an issue, but he/she is under no obligation to rent the unit to future tenants at the same rate you are receiving.


Title: [PA] A autistic friend at my school has had the property in his room urinated on FIVE different times. He reported it to his RA two weeks ago and the school never even sent security to check it out. He has begun blaming himself for being "awkward" and is scared to report it to the school again.

Question:
He came to me almost crying and, get this, apologizing, this morning. He's a freshman and I'm an upperclassman. I asked him for details and he told me that, on five different occasions, he has come into his room to find:

His shoes urinated on.
His laundry urinated on.
His photography urinated on.
Cups, filled with urine, left in drawers so that, when opened, they would spill all over the student in question.

He has Aspergers syndrome, which makes him very socially awkward and prone to bullying. The fact that his RA was told about this weeks ago, and the school has taken zero action to defend a mentally disabled student so far, infuriates me and I wanted to get advice on what other options can be taken from here on out.

Thank you in advance for your time.

Answer: Can he not lock his doors?  Have you spoken to his RA about this? It may be a bit of a stretch to call him mentally disabled, but unless he notifies the proper people and continues to do so, nothing will be done.


Title: Can a Pokemon Go location be an attractive nuisance?

Question:
[US-WI]

Someone at my job mentioned that they would like to not have any Pokestops or Pokemon spawns on company land, since people from the neighborhood have apparently been wandering around. What I'm wondering is, could the company be held legally liable for someone (particularly a child) coming onto the (unfenced) work site for the game and getting hurt?

Answer: It's an interesting idea, but I'm going to say "no". The property owner doesn't control what some other company says about their property. That being said, that's a tort so it's basically whatever the whim of the jury decides that day. Juries can be really stupid sometimes.


Title: I might of raped someone

Question: got drunk at party.  don't remember what happened.  now I'm being accused of rape.  no sign of struggle and people said i was only gone a min.   i think if i did this thing i deserve whatever is coming to me.  but need advice.  Im in oklahoma.

Answer: Don't talk to *anybody* about this except an attorney. Nobody. Not your friends, your family, and certainly not the alleged victim or the police. If you are arrested, say you will not answer any questions without a lawyer and stick to that no matter what the police tell you.


Title: 22 year old male talking to 16 year old female what are the legal ramifications

Question:
I play video games with a 22 year old family member. When I found out some of my friends at school also plays the game we play I add them on the game and on Skype. We use Skype to talk as we play, and the 3 of us have a good time and so on. This goes on for about a month before the event in question occurs. My friend (16f) and my family member (22m) are playing with me but also on my own, I don't say anything (I think it is suspicious and a has potential for legal trouble). Cut to this week. (16f) mom and her have a fight, and mom takes (16f)'s phone and computer. Durring this she must have found out that (16f) is talking to (22m) she doesn't like this and I am told she has called the police and is  "contacting the FBI" . If nothing nefarious is going on what really does she have the power to do. I advised him to cease any contact with her , and to if she is on the same game to log off. I think realistically if she really contacted the police, nothing will show up most likely, the most that she can. Really do is a restraining order.

What will happen? What possible reprecontions are there? Could I be held liable for interducing them I'm (16m,)?

This is in the united States, family member and friend are in different states.

Answer: *Just* talking? Nothing.


Title: [WA] I have a nest camera in my living room to check in on my pets while I’m away, do I need to disclose this to over night guests who sleep on our couch?

Question: My house is only one bedroom and people like to come over and spend the nights (to avoid paying for hotels and such). It’s in an obvious spot (I think) in plain view. Do we need to point it out to people?

Answer: How about just unplug it while your guests are there? I would be mighty put out if someone was video and audio recording me like that, even if they told me about it.


Title: [US, Texas] My mother forced me to come live with her by threatening to call the police and go to court with my dad. I am 15, can I go back?

Question: My parents split up a year ago or so. She lived in our house for a while and got a "job" with her friend. She does paperwork for her friend's husband's small buisiness. That being said she doesn't make much, while my dad does construction running his own buisness and makes a lot more than her. She recently got a house and has always said that me and my sister would live with her. My sister is fine with that, but I want to stay in my neighborhood with my friends and my not insane dad. Both of them are gone all day and I watch my sister almost everyday, save for some weekends when she's with my mom. My mom lives next to a highway, which is why I have to watch my sister and is also why I don't want to live here. Today however, she came into my room and said that I have to pack up my stuff and go live with her. I refused and she grabbed my phone immediately. I asked her if my dad knew she was forcing me to go with het and she said it was none of my business. Then she told me that she would call the cops and make me come with her and take my dad to court and that everyone would be pissed off (I think she was implying at me) if I didn't come with her right then. So I did. I didnt want to force my dad out of so much work and make this a big deal especially since we had never talked about this. The thing is, my parents took me out of school at 6th grade because they thought I would get in with the bad crowd at school and couldn't afford to put me through more private school. So I was homeschooled very poorly until my dad found out that we barely did anywork and my mother wasnt watching us and making sure we did. Then I was put in highschool and I recently passed 9th Grade. But my mom always acts like she had nothing to do with that and that she is the one that put us in school. Anyway I figured she might bring that up and spin it all on him if we were to go to court, and I don't know what to do anymore. Can she legally take us? My sister is 10 and I'm 15 and I heard at 14 you can choose which parent to live with. Can anyone help?

Answer:
 > Today however, she came into my room and said that I have to pack up my stuff and go live with her. I refused and she grabbed my phone immediately. I asked her if my dad knew she was forcing me to go with het and she said it was none of my business.

This sounds a lot like parental kidnapping.  Call your dad ASAP and let him know where you are.

> Can she legally take us?

If they have a custody order after the divorce, both of your parents have to abide by that.

The stuff about homeschooling is not going to hurt your father in a custody dispute.  Seriously, contact your father ASAP and let him know where you are.  Answer #2: >My sister is 10 and I'm 15 and I heard at 14 you can choose which parent to live with.

It's actually 12, but you don't really get to choose who you live with. You can express your wishes to the judge (he/she will ask you in his/her chambers away from your parents), but your preference is just one of many factors under consideration. The judge still gets to make the final call. Answer #3: When you say your parents "split up," do you mean that your parents finalized their divorce and have a custody agreement?  Or do you just mean they separated?  Because if there is no custody agreement, then each parent can claim custody as they wish, and you can too.  If the court awarded primary custody to your mother, then it's a different scenario.


Title: Can my boss deny my vacation just because she will be out on maternity leave? (Los Angeles, CA)

Question: I submitted a request well in advanced to take a week off in September to go to Spain (bought my plane ticket already) a few weeks ago. My boss hasn't gotten back to me about whether it's been approved or not. Now I hear from other coworkers that she is denying ALL vacation requests for management while she is off on maternity leave from June through October. I'm worried that she will deny my vacation. Is it legal for her to do this and if so, what are some ways around this that I can get my vacation approved? TIA

Answer:
 She can deny vacation because she wants to stay home and watch cartoons, or because Hungry Hungry Hippo uses plastic "marbles" now instead of the real ones it used in the 1970s. Or no reason at all. Those wouldn't be fair, of course, but they are legal.

> what are some ways around this that I can get my vacation approved?

I don't understand. Ways around this are to either beg/plead for an exemption to this new rule and hope it is approved, or go on the vacation anyway and likely be fired, or quit and go on the vacation. Obviously the first is preferable.Answer #2: Yes. You can quit if the vacation is more important to you.


Title: Mine and my Daughters victim impact statements were filed with court today, right after it lists an electronic affidavit and his attorney’s name, did his attorney file something as well? Or did the send statements to him?

Answer: That means that the attorney was "served" (received) your impact statement.Answer #2: If you're wondering if your impact statements were shared with the defense, yes they were. They are required to be shown everything that will be used at trial/sentencing.


Title: Apparently trespassed on government property. How scared should we be and is there anything we should do?

Question:
We're students in Terre Haute, Indiana (IN). While in the area, we thought it might be interesting to see the United States Penitentiary, since we've never seen anything like it before. We drove down the main road and back. On the way back, we were stopped by a guard in a pickup truck, who told us we were trespassing. He let us go, but as we were at a red light waiting to leave, he drove up quickly behind us, stayed for a bit, and then did a u-turn and went back to the main area (probably writing down license plate number).

The guard did not take our names or anything beyond (presumably) the license plate.

On the way in, there was precisely one sign by the entry road, which stated that vehicles/people/etc. were subject to search and seizure. We did not see any signs stating that there were any restrictions on who could enter the area. (Some smaller side roads within had "government vehicles only", but we did not go on those).
I confirmed this by looking back as we drove out and still did not see any signs stating that we could not enter there. The only other signs we saw were very far from the entry road, in the surrounding fields, which we took to mean that walking in the fields specifically was forbidden.

This may not have been the best idea we had, but we were being as careful as possible to read every sign we saw. Lesson learned, won't do it again, etc.

Questions:

1. Given that we're not arrested or anything right now (currently back home), how worried should we be?

2. Is there anything we should do in the meantime? (Can't imagine what, but asking anyway)

Thank you in advance for your help.

Answer:
 >
Given that we're not arrested or anything right now (currently back home), how worried should we be?

Not at all.


Title: [NM] My boss is forcing me to bribe him to keep my job

Question: I dont really have the best job, i just deliver pizzas for a local pizza joint. Every time an employee comes in late or screws up an order he'll ask for money to "forget it ever happened" and avoid a write up. This week after being ten minutes late he asked me for $15 to avoid a write up. I told him I wouldn't pay because I assume it's illegal to ask for bribes from employees. The next day I wake up to a text asking me to call him. When I finally reach him he tells me I'm suspended for "insubordination" because I informed another employee this could happen to them. He also stated word for word that I "pay in these situations so you can keep your job". Anyways reddit I just need some advice on what my best course of action would be and if what He did was actually illegal. If it helps I have a phone call recording of him saying these things and a couple ex-employees who either payed his bribes or saw me get in trouble for saying no to his offer.

Answer:
 Sounds dodgy to me. Is this guy the owner, or just the manager? Is this part of a national chain, or entirely local?Answer #2: >Every time an employee ~~comes in late or~~ screws up an order he'll ask for money to "forget it ever happened"

This is likely legal, unless the cost is more than the screw up

~~Screwing up~~ Being late, not so much.

You are free to quit, and look for a job else where


Title: [ALABAMA]Charged with murder and held for over a year before case was dismissed by a Grand Jury. Legal recourse?

Question:
Hi,

A relative of mine was Charged with murder in Alabama and held for over a year with a $250,000 bond.  Their discovery had no evidence against him but instead contained multiple testimonies stating that another party had confessed to the crime.  I worked in law enforcement for years and contacted the investigator showing where I had transcribed his interviews and created a timeline clearly showing all evidence pointing to another person with zero pointing to my relative.  When I asked him what was going on, he agreed with me and said he felt the same way but that the DA had refused to hear his thoughts and they pursued my relative anyway.  Several court visits later over the course of a year and they refused to lower the bond despite having no evidence.  The grand jury has just dismissed the case entirely (no surprise).  I am not familiar with Alabama law at all.  Does he have a shot at a malicious prosecution or a wrongful arrest lawsuit?

Answer:
 Your friend was arrested and didn’t have a preliminary hearing within [30 days](https://law.justia.com/codes/alabama/2014/title-15/chapter-11/section-15-11-1/) to determine whether there’s probable cause for charging him?

You also said in your first post on this subject a few months ago stated that your friend was being held without a bond, but it was $250k all along?Answer #2: Malicious prosecution is a lot like medical malpractice. You need to dig into details to be sure that there's something there. If you want to know better than internet strangers guessing would give you then contact the [Alabama Bar Association](https://www.alabar.org/for-the-public/get-legal-help/) by either a referral or talking to the help desk. They should have the legal library and contact information for the specialized sort of lawyer you would need to get anywhere with this.Answer #3: It sounds like you're talking about against the prosecutor, right? No, they're immune af. Prosecutorial and judicial immunity are near bulletproof.

You might have something for the cops that arrested him if they tried to set him up(?), but which charge would be appropriate is actually very different by state so you'd need a civil rights group/lawyer (NOT just regular criminal lawyer) from your own state to help you there. And the fact that it didn't make it past the grand jury doesn't help much, since the cops testifying is a good source of contradicting accounts.

Why did this take a year?? That seems ridiculous to me. Did it get moved back a few times?


Title: Neighbors pit bull came onto my property today and growled at my dogs and snapped its jaws. I shot it. Neighbor wants to sue claiming their dog is friendly and I killed it because "Everyone hates pit bulls".

Question: [removed]

Answer: Nope, you felt threatened and it was on your property. They can try to take you to small claims court(they will lose) and they can only get the value of the animal, which for a pit is about free fifty


Title: Can I use vet records as a work around for breed specific legislation? [South Carolina]

Question:
Recently, my husband and I were gifted a small camper. We decided a beach trip was in order and found a really nice RV campground we would be interested in parking at for a weekend - until we noticed the campground doesn’t allow certain breeds (pit bulls). Bummer. We have a pit mix that goes everywhere with us. We go to look at another campground, same deal.

BUT then I remembered that all of my dog’s adoption paperwork, all of her vet records, and her vaccine certificates all day she’s a lab mix. This dog is very clearly not a lab mix when you see her. You may not immediately see a pit bull because she’s small, but the longer you look at her, you can tell.

But her collar tag numbers match what’s on the paperwork - it’s her paperwork, which says she’s a lab. If I took this with me, would it qualify as evidence that my dog isn’t on their banned breeds list so animal control doesn’t come pick up my dog or whatever?

Answer: IANAL. The reason they do not allow certain breeds is due to liability insurance. The reality is if you lied about the breed intermix regardless of what your papers say, if something happens, the insurance company or the property could sue you. If this happens, during discovery they would pull anything and everything to see if you knowingly falsified your dog’s breed (possibly including this post.). I would not recommend it.


Title: Parent controlling my friends

Question:
I am 16 years old and my parents are forcing me to not contact someone who I’m very close friends with. What can I do to stick up for myself and is there anything I can do?

Would my school be able to help me?

Answer:
 This isn't a legal issue. Your parents can stop you from contacting people they don't like. They can punish you if you break their rules.Answer #2: What is the reason they don’t want you to be in contact with this person? Are they your age? Answer #3: Before you do anything.  Ask your parents why they do not want you to be around that person.  Ask for a honest reason, and don’t settle for a “because I said so”. And try not to get upset for their reasons. They may feel like jerks right now but they may have some solid reasons as to why, or have seen things you’re friends have done when not in you’re presence.

My parents tried to do the same thing with me when I was younger.  And I wish I had listened sooner.  Those friends were bringing me down to their level and I was becoming guilty by association in others eyes (cops, family friends, friends, etc...)

Ask questions


Title: This accidentally got deleted a few day ago- Restaurant owner in NC stealing tips?

Question:
I just started working at a restaurant in NC about a month ago, and I have some questions about what my boss is doing with our tips. We are all paid at least minimum wage or more, but we still have a tip jar. Boss keeps all the tips and gives us $1 an hour as a 'bonus'. Is it legal for him to do this? I've never worked at a restaurant where the tips go to the management, and I'm a little concerned. Tips on a bad day are about $250 per day-   Mostly on credit cards but about a quarter of it comes in as cash, and he collects all the money from the tip jar every night himself (I thought I read once that it was illegal for the owner/manager to even touch the tip jar, but I can't remember).

If anybody could help me out with some reading material and sources on these laws that would be great.

Thanks for any help!

Answer:
 If they're tips (i.e. the customers pay them voluntarily and not because they're required to), then those belong to the employees.  The specific reference is 12 NCAC 13.0303(c): "Tips belong to the employee for whom they were left by the customer. Employees and
employers may not agree that the employee will surrender tips to the employer."

You can submit a complaint to the wage and hour division of the NC Department of Labor.   1-800-625-2267.  See http://www.nclabor.com/contact.htm

If you can, start keeping a record of how much these tips are.  You'll be entitled to recover them.


Title: Company I work for is trying to make employees pay them

Question:
Hello everyone. I'm sorry if this is the wrong subreddit for this question, but I'm not sure who to ask.

So I work for a non-profit company that houses individuals with mental disabilities. Personally, the house I work in has two individuals. We cook for them, clean, take them to doctor appointments, etc. But anyways, there are 3 money pouches for our house: one money pouch for each client, and a staff cash pouch. This money is paid out from the company so staff get up to $8 to use on lunch or dinner when we take a client out to eat. There is one problem though.

Between Sunday and Monday, the staff pouch went missing. Management is claiming it was probably stolen, but I don't think anyone here was dumb enough to steal it. Our team leader sent a text to the staff that worked Sunday and Monday saying that we each have to bring in $13 on Monday to cover the amount that went missing.. Which is $80.

So I'm hoping that someone here can let me know if they can really do that or not. I have no clue, so I hope someone here can shed light on this. Thank you.

By the way, this company is in the US in Pennsylvania.

Answer: No, they cannot make you pay for a theft if they do not have proof that you personally were in some way involved.  The question you need to ask yourself is, is it worth $13 to get fired and pursue a potentially lengthy civil action afterwards.  You should see if you can find a Labor Attorney in your area that can discuss this with you.


Title: Someone backed into my parked car, did not leave a note. I believe I have evidence it's my neighbor.

Question: I parked  (white sedan) on the street at my parents Sunday afternoon, did not return until the following morning when drivers side door wouldn't open and there was a huge dent and scratches, as well as a small amount of dark blue paint. The damage is only on the driver's door, no windshield or damage anywhere else, like someone just backed up into it. I parked on a side street directly in front of the neighbors driveway. I waited for them and saw the wife come home, park a dark blue suv that has matching damage on one bumper and also broken tail light and what looks like white scratches or paint on the bumper, hard to tell. I politely confront neighbors, she denies hitting my car and that damage to taillight was from an accident a week earlier. I told them I wanted to ask them before I call the police and implied I had footage, although I don't. Husband said he had family over coming in and out Sundayand would ask if around. This was an hour ago. How long should I wait before reporting to police? If i don't have collision insurance, is it worth getting police and insurance involved? Can I move the car to go to work? Thanks in advance.

Answer: Report now.  Police can ask to look at damage on neighbor's car.


Title: Dad in ICE custody

Question: My dad has been in the U.S for over 20 years and came on asylum but it expired 10 years ago and missed an appointment and was no longer legal. He was detained a 2 weeks ago in Washinton state. I'm currently in the U.S military. What can I do that can help him stay here? Is there any benefits of me being in the military that he can use to stay?

Answer:
 This isn't legal advice or anything but I just wanted to point out that asylum statuses do not expire once they are granted but they can be taken away due to changes in circumstances.Answer #2: >What can I do that can help him stay here?

Help him retain and pay for an immigration attorney - that is it.

>Is there any benefits of me being in the military that he can use to stay?

~~Nothing that would seem to help in this situation - your father is an adult that was supposed to handle those matters themselves, and their failure to do so is unfortunate.~~

Just make sure they have a good lawyer.

EDIT: I stand corrected - see /u/FJCruiserMT 's post.Answer #3: Get him an immigration attorney ASAP.


Title: Traffic Stop. Need help

Question:
So I was in a car with 3 adults and 2 minors. One person decided to stick their hand out of the window and stick up the middle finger at a bus. (stupid, i know). This was at a red light, and the driver was slowing down.

We were all pulled over, the driver got a ticket for “Impeding Traffic/Driving to Slow”, completely unrelated to the middle finger. Also, it is “Driving to Slow” on the ticket, instead of “Driving too Slow”. Is this enough to dismiss the case?

My question is, could the driver plead not guilty as it was a red light? This is in Texas, & driver is 18.
Topic:
Traffic and Parking

Answer:
 The lack of an “o” is not a reason to void the ticket.

Were you in fact driving too slow?


Title: How common is it to plead guilty to crimes you didn't commit?

Answer: I don't think there is a way to reasonably answer this.


Title: I was arrested for a warrant resulting from a ticket for which I have a receipt of payment. The officer said I had a warrant because there's no record of me ever paying. Then I had to walk 6 miles in 32° weather down a dark highway to get back to my car.

Question:
The warrant was from Jefferson City, Missouri, and I was arrested in Camdenton, Missouri.

I incurred a speeding ticket in August. I originally plead not guilty but then went in prior to the upcoming court date and just paid it off. I have a receipt and everything.

Tonight, I was pulled over and arrested. After I paid $200 to bond out (I had $215 to my name), they were unable to provide me with a cab service, so I had to walk 6 miles down pitch-black mountainous Highway 54 in 32° weather at 1am in a very thin shirt and no coat. That sucked.

My bank account shows a strange transaction from Jefferson City from back when I paid, but it doesn't include a dollar amount. No other transaction has ever looked like this. Regardless, I have the receipt from the court showing that I paid in full.

What can I do? I want my $200 back and I'd like someone to answer for the massive inconvenience this has caused me. I'm a middle school teacher and can't go to work today now.

EDIT: Please look at my update thread!!! https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/5sumvt/important_update_please_help_i_was_arrested_for_a/

Answer:
 I'd check with your bank. A successful ACH or debit card transaction would have a dollar amount showing the withdrawal.

It seems like the transaction may not have been approved and cleared by your bank in the end and the Town did not receive the money it thought it would at the time you made payment and they gave you a receipt.


Title: Is my attorney required to let me review documents before signing them off?

Question: I am in the middle of a child support/custody case.  My attorney signed and sent documents before the judge twice in the past few months.  These were not trivial documents either, and the first one included mistakes that have cost me thousands of dollars.

Answer: Is this happening in Iowa or Mongolia, because the answers will probably differ.


Title: [Texas] Got handcuffed and read my rights and released...

Question:
I was put under "arrest", but didnt sign anything. I gave the narcotics agent a name, and dropped me off at home. The agent got my info and wants me to come down to the station tomorrow.

They confiscated my THC oil, which is a 3rd degree felony. A guy who also got arrested with me had a quarter oz of cocaine, and he went to jail. I signed no paperwork at all though, but am I really in trouble? They gave me no paperwork... Please respond!

Answer: You should absolutely not go down there. If you feel you must go down there, you are making a huge mistake, but at least bring a lawyer with you. You need to get a lawyer immediately. If any cops come find you and.ask you anything, the only phrases in your entire vocabulary are "I'm not going to answer any questions" and "I want a lawyer." That's it. Say no other words for any reason.


Title: [NJ] Wife hit a pedestrian with her car

Question:
Throwaway for anonymity reasons.

Just a few hours ago, my wife was turning left onto a street a hit a pedestrian with her car. My wife was going a normal speed for turning (not speeding at all) and when she saw the woman in the crosswalk, she hit the brakes as soon as she could. Unfortunately, her tires skid and she was not able to stop in time and hit the woman. Initially, my wife got out of the car, asked if the woman was okay, took the expected verbal abuse from the woman, and others came around to see if the woman was okay and called 911. My wife then called me and I came to where it happened. During this time, the woman said she thought her knee was broken and complained of pain, and then at one point remarked that she had been feeling pain her leg/foot previously, and this made it worse (I'm not sure if this is relevant, but trying to be thorough). An ambulance and police arrived, and the woman was taken to the hospital. By the time I arrived, it was just a police officer talking to my wife on the side of the road. He was very helpful, and explained that it was obvious my wife was shaken up, wasn't breaking the law, and the woman was relatively unharmed. He said, ~~"Even though your wife had the right away, she's still at fault for hitting the woman"~~ which is completely understandable, but I'm also wondering what is the legal impact his statement will have.

I understand that my wife is probably in a world of shit. We have auto insurance, and I'm assuming that this situation would fall under "Body Injury" which we have as 100,000/300,000 person/accident. If this is incorrect, please let me know liability category this would fall into.

Here is what I have done so far:

* I took pictures of the intersection (with the corresponding light/crosswalk sequence as my wife said it was)
* In the pictures, I also made sure to take note of the weather, which the officer said was the primary contributor to the accident. It was/still is raining, and the pictures show the weather conditions.
* I have my wife writing down a detailed description of the events as we speak while it's fresh in her head, so that we have something to refer to later on just in case.
* We will be calling our insurance company tonight to inform them of what happened so that they are aware, and can advise us properly if we need to do anything at this point.

What else should I consider and/or do to prepare for the inevitable shitstorm? Should we preemptively consult with a lawyer? I'm open to any suggestions of what we should immediately to help us down the road. Thanks.

EDIT: After receiving my wife's details on the description of the accident, the officer said that the pedestrian had the right of way, not my wife. I can only assume that this makes things worse.
Topic:
Traffic and Parking

Answer:
 Don't take legal advice from the police. Talk to your insurance company and let them know exactly what happened. If your wife has a dashcam, submit that evidence to them. Your insurance company handles all aspects of this -- that's why you pay them. You're doing everything right to capture your recollections of what happened. Were there any other witnesses? If so, provide their information to the insurer. Your claims rep will tell you what you need to provide.

Get a dashcam in the future.


Title: [SMALL UPDATE] Left a job 2.5 months ago, still calling me asking of I can come in for my shift. (FL)

Question:
See first post [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/2mzhm0/left_a_job_25_months_ago_still_calling_me_asking/), and update [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/2r1cu7/update_left_a_job_25_months_ago_still_calling_me/).

Just to let you know, I just got my letter in the mail saying I had been officially separated from the company.  Seven months after I quit, and three months after they stopped calling me in for shifts.  I got two copies of the letter, one to me with my maiden name, and one to me with my married name.

I am considering framing them.

Thank you /r/legaladvice for all your advice, kind words, and for being the best subreddit there is!

Answer: If you're not careful, you could end up getting fired!!Answer #2: Too bad they didn't send you two paychecks.Answer #3: Wow I just realized how long I've been reading this sub. Answer #4: Awesome, and thanks for the update!


Title: Could I demand that a company who has the domain name of my registered business name that they hand it over?

Question:
Hi legal advice reddit. I've done some searching and can't seem to find any absolute answers. Now, bear with me here because I don't want to use real names so I hope this makes sense. In summary, I can't have the www.businessname.com domain and have settled for www.business.org for the past couple years. And no, it's not a non-profit organization and shouldn't have the .org domain.

The business who has it is on the East coast. I'm on the west coast. I looked up their legal business name and it's business-musical-name, while mine is just business-name, the name I need/want for my domain to show up in search results but they have it.

Now I'm wondering since I have a registered business name as their domain if I can send a letter demanding that they release the domain registration to me. Thoughts?

Answer:
 Short answer: No.

Longer answer: Hahahahahahahahaahahaha, no.Answer #2: You can try. Chances are reasonable you will fail.

From a trademark perspective they would have to be trading on your name, be in competition with you, or be confusingly similar for you to have a shot. If they are in a totally different industry (you make toothpicks and they make aerospace parts), forget it.

The old com/org/net divisions haven't been enforced in over a decade. You won't find any traction there.

I once got a C&D for my .net domain name from the guy who owned the .com. I told him to have his wife blow me. His claim was essentially a trademark thing, that customers would be confused by my website. Except he's an architect, and my site at the time had baby pictures of my kids on it. Also, the domain is my own last name. Him also having the same last name, even though he is a licensed professional with that as his business name, doesn't give him the right to yank my domain away from me. His UDRP complaint got tossed.Answer #3: All legality aside, don't you think this is kind of a dick move?  You want to seize another company's domain because it's better than yours?  They're not even squatting, they're legitimately using the domain and you want to force them to hand it over.Answer #4: No?  You have no right to a domain name just because your business has that name.


Title: (CA) School forcing me to disclose criminal offense that was sealed as a juvenile

Question:
As above stated, when i was a kid, i spent was arrested and spent 2 years in the CYA(California Youth Authority).  I was ahead on high school credits however since i was there, i finished up my last remaining credits and received my diploma while incarcerated.  Long story short, im attempting to go to a trade school who had to get my transcripts from the jail school and now since the technically know i was in jail, as stating that i MUST say i was convicted of a crime, what that crime was, and how long i was incarcerated.  The issue with that is that my record is completely sealed  and nothing shows up on background check. i know this because i have all of my background checks sent to me when i apply for jobs.  I dean of the school is stating that i have to do this to attend even the judge explicitly that legally, i don't have to check that little box that says i was ever convicted.  Do i have to divulge that information?

TLDR;  School trying to force me to check i was convicted of a crime when i have a sealed record and was told by the CA courts that i don't ever have to disclose that information.

Answer: The law treats the records as if they no longer exist. Though the military and some federal agencies may not acknowledge the sealing of your records, the school does not have that privilege. You may refuse to give that information if you wish.


Title: May be harboring fugitives...please help

Question: Hey guys, so this is a throwaway for very, very obvious reasons. My little brother and our foster sister have come to stay with me for a little while. I haven't spoken to either of them in over a year and all of a sudden they show up on my doorstep asking to crash, which of course I answered yes to. However, when I asked why they left our hometown (in Louisiana) they were very quick to change the subject. We don't have good ties to the town but last I saw them my sister was there and my brother was in Austin. I was also recently contacted by our hometown's sheriff regarding the whereabouts of my brother, and upon further research/reaching out to old friends I have learned that he is widely suspected to have committed vehicular manslaughter and our sister is helping him run. What are the repercussions that I face by letting them stay with me, and what charges can our sister be facing? Do Louisiana state police have the right to contact me/come looking for my brother or is it outside of their jurisdiction? I would much rather speak with someone at length because I have too many questions for just one post, but I appreciate any and all advice you strangers can provide.

Answer:
 Main three options are 1. Turn him in. 2. Don't turn him in. 3. Get him a lawyer and let the lawyer handle everything.

Generally to get in trouble yourself, you have to actively take steps to hide him from the police or help him run. Just letting him crash doesn't really count unless the police show up with a warrant and you try to help your brother.

If your foster sister is helping him run then she could be charged as an accessory after the fact and face the same consequences as him. Answer #2: LA cops can probably ask ~~Texas~~ NC cops to knock on your door or request a search warrant if they suspect you are harboring fugitives.

I take it the kid is guilty? Do you have the means to help him hire a defense attorney?


Title: Can you go to jail for playing Russian roulette?

Question:
Basically someone is forcing me and my friend to play it (with him) because of something we did anyway my question is that do the people who survive go to prison or is just like that person committed suicide? I’m asking Because I would rather die than go to prison 😜  also because it says to add which place Im asking for its Chicago

Also, for the guy that’s making us do it can anything happen to him for forcing us to do it b4 we even play?

Answer:
 Jesus Christ, no!

The guy is threatening to murder you.  Call the police.


Title: Roommate was Late on rent (not intentionally explained in post). Stuck with late fee we believe we shouldn't have to pay, any legal reason we wouldn't have to pay it?

Question:
My roommate is in charge of paying our rent on time each month, our contract says its due on the 1st of each month and considered late (with fee) on the 5th of each month. On the 2nd or 3rd (before the 5th) my roommate went to the leasing office to ask if they had received payment. They said (in my roomates words) "No it hasn't yet but sometimes the system takes a few days." So my roommate thinking they were being nice left with no second thought. Come the 8th she goes in again and they say the same thing. Come the 11th (this monday) she goes back in to ask wtf is up and they hand her a eviction notice with 110$ of late fees attached to it. Apparently her ACH transaction was returned to them as a closed account (which it isn't she pays the bills with the same account).

So she gets upset and bitches etc, she money orders the months rent (but not the late fee) because she was told it would get taken off (again I asked her to get this shit in writing but to no avail, I work 8-5 and shes a college student). So do I HAVE to pay this late fee, or is there any type of legal proceeding they didn't follow?

Also the Pay or Quit letter we were given has the wrong date on part of it ( a 2014 date) lol.

Answer: You didn't pay rent on time. You need to pay the fee.


Title: PA - How many times can a person file an appeal with the supreme court?

Question: My ex is serving life in prison for Murder 1 plus a slew of other charges related to the crime. This happened in 2007. His appeal was recently "Affirmed" and I thought his case was now closed, but I noticed on the PA judicial website that he filed yet another appeal yesterday. How many times can this guy appeal the courts decisions?

Answer:
 Inmates will consistently file to make everyone on the outside miserable. They have nothing but time and legal documentation available.

I was a Corrections Officer for a while, and I couldn't tell you how much time they put into making the outside miserable.


Title: Hypothetical question: would it be legal for me to create a platform where abuse survivors can out their abuser anonymously?

Answer: This definitely doesn't sound like something that would be abused.


Title: Emotional Support vs Service Animal

Question:
My company is dog friendly but the landlord / management company for my office is not.    A coworker has an emotional support animal. Are they technically / legally allowed to bring it to the office?

Know emotional support animals don’t have all of the same privileges as a Support animal— but have more privileges than a normal pet.

Answer:
 ESA's are not granted the same rights for businesses, and they don't have to allow it on the property at work.

The only laws for ESA's apply to housing.Answer #2: ESAs don't fall under the purview of the ADA (only service animals), so your specific location (state) is important as a handful of them address an employer's obligation to provide reasonable accommodation when it comes to ESAs.


Title: Landlord harassing, intimidating me

Question:
I'm about to call and get legal advice about this but I figured I'd see what Reddit has to say about this as well. I'll start at the beginning. We live in a trailer park in Northern California. We moved from the trailer next door to the one we currently occupy in August of this year. When we first moved, we payed the first months rent and I told him we would need a written rental agreement (we hadn't had one for the other trailer.) He agreed to give us one. At the time my brother was staying with us for a few weeks because the house he'd been renting had been sold and he had nowhere to go. Me, my brother and my girlfriend were outside, and he came over. Tells my brother he can't move in. My brother told him he wasn't and was just staying with us temporarily. The landlord literally screams at him "No you're living here and you need to get out!" I told him my brother has a right to stay there temporarily if he wants and he continued to scream in our faces and threatened to evict us. Then he went over and told my girlfriend I was no good and she should find someone better to be with, which tramautized her and made her cry. Throughout the following month he came by a couple more times and harassed me and my brother, and refused to give a rental agreement. The next month September he came to get his rent for that month and I told him I would not pay him until he gave us the rental agreement (it had been over thirty days since we requested one.) He asked to talk to my girlfriend instead and I told him she was scared to talk to him. He yelled at me and told me if I didn't give him the money he was going to evict us. He actually stepped out of his vehicle and threatened to kick my ass. This whole encounter I have on video, by the way. A few days later he comes by again, and asks to talk to my girlfriend. I tell him again she's scared of him, and we need a rental agreement. He tells me if I give him the rent he'll give me an agreement. So I did. He came back a few days later with a rental agreement being polite as can be.

Fast forward a few months. Our porch is over twenty years old and rotting, the roof is leaking, in serious neglect and unsafe. I give him thirty days written notice that it is unsafe and needs repaired. He says he will fix it. He comes by and tears down the most seriously rotted parts. When he left he leaves two boards with rusty nails sticking out of them leaned where they could fall easily. The next month he comes by for his rent and I tell him he hasn't finished fixing the porch yet. He tells me the steps and platform are safe and he's only going to tear down the roof, which is rotting and leaking, because that "is all he's required to provide". I demonstrated to him that the steps were unsafe and rocking back and forth dangerously. He said he'd do something about it. This whole time he was being incredibly rude. When I asked why my neighbor was harassing me about not having a job and if he said things to her about me, he told me "I don't need to tell her, the whole trailer park knows you don't have a job." He also refused to move one of the boards with rusty nails sticking up until I pointed out it was leaning against my trailer and he had to. He also told me I was going to have nowhere to live soon if I didn't pay the rent.

 A few days later I was walking down the steps when the top step cracked in half as I stepped on it. When I tried to catch myself from falling I re-injured my trapezius muscle which I had torn the year before. When I looked at the board it was so rotten it had broken in half down a split in the wood. I took pictures of the step exactly as it was when I fell. I went to the ER as it was the weekend, and I needed to document what happened. They told me it would heal in a few weeks. It's been a few months now and it is still giving me trouble, night before last I was in so much pain I could barely sleep. I'd go back to the doctor but there's nothing they can do.

So the landlord comes back a few days later and demands his rent again. I tell him my step broke under me and I hurt myself. He looks at it and says it "seemed solid last time." I tell him that's not true and I'm going to take him to court. He says I better pay the rent or I'm going to be out on the street and leaves. He comes back another few days later and acts polite, tells me he's going to take some measurements and repair my broken step. Comes back the next day and repair the two stairs where I fell. I paid him his rent because, let's face it, I'm poor, court costs a lot and I need a place to live, housing is scarce around here.

And so now I'd like to know what I can expect in terms of legal options. To recap:

He's screamed in our and our guests faces

Threatened to evict us multiple times

Threatened to physically assault me, got right up in my face to do so

Failed to give us a rental agreement within thirty days

Caused me to injure myself due to his negligence, despite having over thirty days notice that the porch was unsafe.

Caused severe mental anguish to me and my girlfriend. She is literally terrified of him now and I told him that but he continues to ask to talk to her despite the fact that my name is on the rental agreement and he has no need to do so. I myself have anger problems and high blood pressure, and any interaction with this guy leaves me furious and trembling with my pulse racing for hours after. The fear of being thrown out on the street has taken a toll on me and my girlfriend. It's affected our relationship and even our sex life at times.

Im done putting up with this guys harassment. Any advice anybody has on this subject would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance folks.

Answer:
 You handled this incorrectly every single step of the way.

First of all, you don't have a right to a written lease. If he wanted to give you one, fine, but if not, you're a month to month tenant. You can't refuse to pay rent just because he didn't get a rental agreement together soon enough for your liking.

Secondly, he was within his rights to tell your brother that he can't live there.

Third, as far as the porch thing, there's a specific way to serve him notice of habitability issues or repairs that need to be made. If he doesn't make the repair in a reasonable period of time (30 days or so), you can repair it yourself and deduct the cost from the rent. Notice doesn't need to be in writing, but it would certainly help your case if he decides to sue you.


Title: [NY] Agreeing to a printed contract over email, without signing?

Question:
A client of mine sent me a contract for a software development job for a tradeshow exhibit, which I signed and returned to him. He then sent the first of three scheduled payments to me, and later sent the second payment. However, he did not sign the contract. The timeline of the project was very tight so we began (and eventually completed) work on the project in the meantime. Later, I asked him to sign it and he replied that he was traveling and did not have access to a computer/printer to sign the contract. He said that as long as I had not changed the document from what he had originally sent me (which I didn't) "then we're good."

Does this count as a valid agreement even though he did not actually sign the contract? I'm concerned because this software is for a tradeshow exhibit and the corresponding tradeshow is almost over, after which I have no leverage to actually get the contract signed. I read that a written contract is required for sales of goods over $500, but I don't know if this custom software development counts as a good or a service, and I don't know just the contract is required to be written, or the signature is also required to be on the same piece of paper for it to be valid.

Thank you for your help!

Topic:
Contracts

Answer: You have offer, consideration, acceptance, and performance. So the elements of a contract have been met. There doesn't need to be a signature to form a contract. As to whether this specific contract is enforceable or has anything wrong with it, an attorney would need to review.


Title: Stepchild is moving into our efficiency in texas soon.

Question: My wife and i live in texas in a 470sqft efficiency apt, her 8 yr old has been staying at his aunts while he finishes the school year, were afraid of cps involvement with him staying here as he won't have an "actual room" hes got a bed room set up seperated by black out curtains tho. He has a twin sized bed to himself(he currently shares one with 2 of his cousins), toys, access to food, running water and electricity. Were so concerned about this bc his father has paper custody on him but hasnt physically had him years. He threatens court and said custody papers every time my wife does something he doesnt agree with.

Answer:
 >Were so concerned about this bc his father has paper custody on him but hasnt physically had him years.

If he hasn't seen him in years? Go back and get the custody order changed.


Title: I'm a minor who was arrested but who hasn't done anything wrong. What happens next? (France)

Question:
[France]

Hello, last night a friend and I were walking to another's friend house when a police car pulled up and a few officers came out.
They handcuffed us and put us in their car where they asked us some questions. They said they got a call about some broken car windows so of course I told them we had nothing to do with it but they have witnesses who apparently saw us breaking windows and opening car doors. That couldn't be us since we really didn't do anything.
But no one believed us and we had to stay until our parents picked us up.

So my questions are, basically, what happens next? Is the arrest going on some sort of record? Is there any way we can prove we're innocent?
Thank you.

Answer:
 Nothing will happen most likely. You were placed in "garde a vue", and released when your legal guardian came. You can be asked to go to the police station via a letter, in which case you will have to if it says "convocation" on the letter.
It most cases, it's not followed by anything.
It might be noted on a police record, but not your criminal record ("casier judiciaire").
Edit : it does NOT mean you will be prosecuted. If you receive a letter saying you are, then get an attorney. Until then, there is no point in doing so. Answer #2: I'm not very familiar with French law, but your parents will need to see about getting you an attorney to argue on your behalf.


Title: Do trespassing to be arrested on site?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 How should we know what he disappeared to go do?

Your legal advice is: Don't trespass. If you are currently trespassing, get out.


Title: Can I make a legal contract (male) for a female whom I want to have sex with so that she has to agree to the contract which the contract would write "the mother must have abortion if she gets pregnant from sex with him" ,can you create these types or contracts?

Question: So that I am ensured that I don't have to deal with child support after the birth.

Answer: Nope.


Title: Is it legal to mail your own extracted teeth domestically in the US?

Answer: OK, I ship and receive a lot of human body parts in the mail. Here's my advice: use secondary containment, use a FedEx biological/clinical sample mailer.


Title: (Washington State) My company lost the contract with my state department. The new contract takes effect July 1 and neither company has reached out to us.

Question: [deleted]

Answer: Vague information is vague.


Title: Fight a bogus speeding ticket? Cruise control at speed limit, falsely ticketed for going 10 over

Question:
I was driving down the highway (in Texas) Sunday night returning to my home in another town after visiting family.   This is a trip I've made dozens of times and am aware of where the speed traps are.

Speed limit was 75 MPH, and it slows -> 70MPH -> 55MPH as you approach the town of Eden.  Troopers like to sit in the median where the limit starts dropping as you get towards town.

I had cruise control set at 75 (the speed limit).  I started slowing before coming to the 70MPH sign when my radar detector went off.  No suprise, I was expecting them anyway and was not speeding.

Nevertheless I was surprised when a police car lit up his lights and pulled me over.    He said I was going 85 in a 75 which was just completely impossible and untrue.   I tried letting them know (as politely and respectfully as possible) that I simply was not going that fast and was in fact using cruise control at the speed limit.  I explained I was not in a hurry, had no resason to be speeding and knew that was an unsafe speed especially at this time of night with deer out so why would I be going 85?

I ask to see the radar because I simply can't believe he had me 'locked in at 85' as he said.  The policeman said the radar is in his car, and 'I have automatic weapons in there, the only way you're going near my car is in handcuffs'.

  I said ok well there must be a mistake, 'I am not a speeder and was not possibly going that fast. Did you perhaps radar another vehicle and mistakenly pull me over?'  He said that was not possible as there were no other cars around (there were, I wasn't the only person on the highway)

Finally he said 'You almost had me convinced, Mr. ___.    But if you never speed then why do you have a radar detector?'   I explained it is not illegal and I'm exercising my right to own one and I like the additional information provided to make me more aware of road conditions.      I really don't speed, since I make these long trips every week and drive though many known speed traps (known thanks to having the detector!).

My question is how do I fight this, and should I?  My worry is if I go to court it will be essentially my word against a cop, and the judge will simply believe the cop.  Then I'll end up owing the full ticket cost (plus court fees?) and possibly lawyer fees on top and points on my license, versus if I just plead no contest and take defensive driving to avoid points.

TL;DR Falsely ticketed going 85 in a 75.  What do?

Answer:
 I know people think cops v civilians on he said/she said means the cops always win, but they don't. I've seen judges throw out tickets before in situations like this.

If you honestly believe you weren't going 85 in a 70, make the policeman prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. Don't let chilling effects like the threat of points keep you from your day in court.

If you decide to go for it, dress nicely, be polite and Don't Argue with the judge.


Title: My SO is trying to apply for health insurance.. but we have an issue.

Question:
He might qualify but there is a part that says:

"If anyone on this application enrolls in Medicaid, I'm giving the Medicaid agency our rights to pursue and get any money from other health insurance, legal settlements, or other third parties. I'm also giving to the Medicaid agency rights to pursue and get medical support from a spouse or parent."

He is 26 so I don't think his parents have any legal obligation to provide for him. His parents just won a settlement (not a lot but enough to pay some bills and no worry for a year or two).

Would medicaid go after them for money to pay for his insurance? We don't want that to happen at all. Located in Pennsylvania

Answer: What that is saying is, in the case of an accident, injury or illness resulting in a settlement, Medicaid can seek to recoup the money they pay for treatment. This isn't giving them permission to ask his parent for money they received for unrelated things.


Title: (TN) I'm a host parent to a foreign exchange student and my local district is denying the student admission.

Question:
Do I have any legal recourse?

The school system is public.  They are denying the student from registering because they know my county will admit the student into their school system (I pay city and county taxes and thus am eligible for both school systems).

I've held multiple phone calls and had meetings in person, but at each level they attempt to ignore our request to enroll our exchange student at the high school and claim they can't because "it's against our policy"....however, the school board's policy states:

School Admission Code 6.203

15 A student may transfer into the school system at any time during the year if his/her parent(s) or legal guardian
16 moves his/her residence into the school system.

We are not the legal guardian, just the host, but the legal guardian has moved the residence of the child into our home and thus into this school system.

Any advice is appreciated.
Topic:
School Related Issues

Answer:
 > We are not the legal guardian

Hence the issue.  That section says that the parent or the legal guardian must move into the district for enrollment.  Neither the parent nor the guardian has done so, therefore that section does not apply.

As is, how is this an issue?  Every exchange program I'm aware of has this all squared away with the districts beforehand.  What does the program say when you call them for help?


Title: (CA) Boss gets knocked up by subordinate, he doesn't help with abortion, she retaliates professionally

Question:
So my office has exploded in drama unlike any I've ever seen.  I am not directly involved in any of it (thank every deity); me and a couple coworkers are buying stock in Orville Redenbacher as everything plays itself out, and wanted to know what the actual legal ramifications are of all these terrible terrible decisions made by other people.

Basically our office manager, G (mid-twenties), was having a fling with a coworker who's at a level lower, we'll call him T.  Not too bright on either of their parts, but also extremely common in this line of work (public outreach canvassing/fundraising), as it's mostly young lefty idealists working long hours without a ton of social time outside the office.

So T gets G pregnant, nobody is interested in being a parent, G tells T she's gonna get an abortion, T bails like his rowboat's leaking.  He refuses to help pay or take her to the clinic or be a decent guy in any way.  He actually leaves our office and joins our crosstown rivals (same organization, different branch).  G is . . . unthrilled.

But now she's retaliating by writing T up for fireable offenses.  The thing is, the accusations are true.  T did often come in 10-15 min late.  T did smoke weed while working.  T did sign up his friends for monthly contributions while telling them they could quit next month (technically some kind of fraud, I think).  But the reason G knows all this about T is because she was an active participant in much of it (certainly the weed-smoking and late-coming), and openly condoned the rest.  Direct quote from G during a staff meeting: "As long as you're hitting quota, I really don't care.''

So now G's trying to get T fired from the organization as a whole, and T is fuming and considering filing a sexual harassment lawsuit against G/the organization for her retaliation.

SO MUCH DRAMA.  Everybody is at least a little bit wrong.  But have any laws been broken?  Who would you say is more at fault?  I'm betting it's G.

Answer: Don't worry about who's in the wrong (both are), just bring enough popcorn to share.


Title: Only select students are receiving parking violations at my university- Utah

Question:
There are two vehicles that have been parked in a parking lot at my Uni for 2 semesters now without a parking pass. They have received no citations or tickets (and I have pictures of them sitting there over time with no pass or violations). I parked there without a pass and got a ticket- right next to the other car. No ticket on that car!
I emailed the parking office and they said that they won’t void my ticket, because they “ensure” they are ticketing equally, and if not, they will ticket those that have been missed.
It’s been months. Select students are still not getting ticketed.
Do I have any legal recourse here? Why the hell was I ticketed but these cars aren’t?

Edit: the university also admitted in the emails that they are not giving anyone special circumstances so it can’t be that.

Answer: Their parking has nothing to do with yours. The university is not required to ticket every car equally, maybe the ticketing officer just don't like the brand you drive. Unless you are trying to argue that the university is for example only ticketing African-American students and never ticketing anyone white this is a non-issue.


Title: Is it legal to record your teacher in Pennsylvania?

Question:
Hey, guys. I’m a student from Pennsylvania and I just wanted to know if it’s illegal to record my biology teacher in class. She’s been on her phone, late to start class, dismissive of student concerns, and has no drive to help push students to succeed as she just laughs when we all fail her exams. I want to see if I can get video footage or at least audio footage of her in the act because I believe that would the final tipping point in convincing our school board to fire her.
Any tips? Thanks.
Topic:
School Related Issues

Answer: If you have a problem with your teacher, have your parents talk to the admin and see if they can have someone sit in and watch her for evaluation. Cell phone usage in class is up to the schools discretion and typically they reserve the right to confiscate devices and prohibit usage in class, and punish these broken rules as they see appropriate. Best to avoid the Harriet The Spy act and just follow procedure.


Title: [ND] Illegally evicted by in-laws and property stolen

Question:
About 14 months ago, me and my at the time wife move into her parents house on their family farm because she had a new job and could help with the farm. The farm is pretty remote, 5 miles from the nearest paved road, 20+ miles from the nearest town of 200, and a hour from the nearest city over 5,000. There is extremely low vehicle traffic around the farm, it was common to not see another non-family vehicle for a week (this is important later) There was never a written agreement or lease, just a verbal "live with us until you guys find a place of your own" from her parents. I paid between $200 - $500 every month in rent/food since her mother cooked family meals every night. Things were just not working between me and my wife and we decided to divorce. I told her parents I would move out as soon as I could find a suitable place to live, they agreed verbally. The divorce was mutual, the division of property was very fair, basically everything I had before the marriage was mine, likewise with her, and stuff we owned together was split 50/50, no kids, cars, or house so it was easy. We signed the divorce papers and had them notarized. The next day my wife stopped talking to me, would not respond to any calls or texts, and her father called me and said I was no longer welcome in his house and I had to find somewhere else to stay effective immediately. I should also mention I have severe anxiety and depression, so I'm not in a good place at this point and not very mentally "together" with knowing what I should do. They locked the house, which I did not have a key, with all my belongings inside (mostly packed up in taped boxes at this point), and would not allow me access to then unless I arranged with get father while no one else was there. I didn't know anything about illegal evictions at the time so I just went with it. I was able to get enough clothes and basic stuff to stay at a coworkers place until I found a apartment. It was maybe 6 days between the time they told me I could stay until finding a place and the day they locked me out. I arranged a trailer and some help to go get my belongings, which went good...... until I got everything moved into my new place and noticed many of the boxes had been cut open and re-taped. There was thousands of dollars of stuff missing, watched, games, mostly a extensive and rare hockey jersey collection that was my most cherished possession. I contacted her father and got the run-around, he "didn't know about anything" and if anything was "misplaced it would turn up eventually". I finally received a text from my ex-wife after asking her where my stuff was, she said "dunno maybe someone stole it from the house" as if someone is going to break in, and take nothing but items that belong to me, ignore the computers and guns laying in the open that belong to the family. I called the county sheriff's office, they said it was a civil matter and they didn't believe me anyway, everyone at the sheriff's office are also close friends with her family.... I couldn't afford a lawyer at the time, and really the only lawyer in the area had their family as a client for many things as well as being family friends and declined to hear me out. For awhile I just wrote it all off as a cost of divorce, but now after reading other posts I see I was illegally evicted and I might have options? I am wondering if and what grounds I could sue for, given I have really no proof or receipt of rent payments, no proof or written lease, and no proof or evidence that it was them that stole from me (other than hilariously clear circumstantial evidence). I am barely scraping by as it is so hiring a lawyer from out of county is going to be a make or break expense. I am also still having very bad anxiety, but the depression is way better, so it's hard for me to even think about having to go to court and deal with lawyers and people.

Sorry about the shitty formatting and grammar mistakes, it is my first attempt at phone posting.

Answer:
 You should probably provide the approximate date of the following events:

1) divorce was filed; 2)you were "evicted"; 3) divorce judgment entered; 4)date you got your stuffAnswer #2: IANAL, I have been a LL in CA in the past...

* Did you pay the family a deposit?

* Did you pay rent for any time period that you were not allowed back into the house (For example, did you pay March?)

* Did you incur any costs for hotels after you were locked out?

They definitely illegally evicted you, and you could possibly go after them for this.  But other than possibly recovering your stolen items, you aren't going to get much for it, (other than maybe revenge?).  There may be some fines or payments, but I doubt it would be worth the time and effort- and possibly forcing your way back in with a family you want nothing to do with for 30-60 days?

Also (and I am not a divorce attorney, so I am not sure about this), if your divorce settlement stated that you get to leave with those missing belongings, your Ex may be violating that court order.

So I think the easiest road right now is to:

1) Contact them and explain clearly that those items are yours, you consider them stolen and you will be filing a police report the moment you hang up the phone.

2) If you divorce settlement stated the above terms, that she is in violation of the divorce settlement and you will be contacting a lawyer.  Contact one if necessary.

3) You are happy to make this all go away and never speak to them again if your items are returned immediately.

Sorry you are going through this.


Title: I requested PTO over 5 months ago for one shift, and despite having 6 PRN employees, my boss said she “can’t get coverage” for my PTO request because the PRN employees all have full time jobs. Oh, and she decided to take a 12 day cruise during this time.

Question:
Okay, so a little about my job: I work the graveyard shift (11 PM to 7 AM) at a big hospital full time while also going to college full time. This means that I work Sunday night through Thursday night, getting off at 7 am on Friday morning.

Like other hospitals, we have PRN employees. PRN means you’re on an “as needed” basis. My mother, for example, is PRN for a different hospital and may work a week or few days at a time and then none at all for a month.

At my hospital, in my department (Admissions), we have six PRN employees. Most of them have other full time jobs. My boss knew this when hiring them.

Now, onto the conflict:

On January 3rd of this year, I put in a PTO request for May 12th, which - while also being Mother’s Day - is my 21st birthday. Yes, I really requested PTO over five months in advance. I knew if I requested that early there was no way it could be denied. I also explained to her the circumstances, that it wasn’t just Mother’s Day but my 21st birthday.

Well, last week the landlord of the house my mother and I rent finally got carpet put into what is supposed to be my room. I’m usually at college during the week but I go home on the weekend, for what little bit of time I get there. Since I knew that moving furniture up into my room would take a long time, I requested off May 13 and May 14 for PTO yesterday right before 7 AM (the end of my shift), figuring that since I was already going to get May 12th I might as well get it all over with. I went home and went about my day, not hearing anything from my employer.

I got to work last night and the first thing I did was check my email, like I always do. There was an email from my boss at 9:53 PM, an hour before I came in. In it she told me she wasn’t able to get anyone to cover my shift for May 12th because “all the PRN people have full time jobs”, let alone May 13 and 14. Normally, she said, she would cover it, but she wouldn’t be here.

The email boiled down to “you’re going to be working even though you requested months in advance”. Then, at the end of the email she tacked on “I’ll be out of the office from Friday (May 3) to May 14th”.

Well, I flipped my shit. I’m a good employee, and in the year I’ve worked there I’ve only called in three times. Not only that, but I am one of the highest collectors of money in my department, usually the second highest, which is impressive given the shift I work. Then I’ve worked literally *every* holiday since I got hired: July fourth, Thanksgiving, Father’s Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, my mother’s birthday, New Years Eve and New Years Day, *everything*. I’ve never been allowed to take more than three days of PTO at a time, despite the fact that I have plenty of PTO hours **and** my coworkers, who are all older than me by thirty years, have each had over a week off at a time on PTO. So I’m *very* upset at this point.

First thing I did was count how many PRN people we have. Six. We have six fucking PRN people. Next I looked at the PTO policy for my company. It says PTO must be granted as far as “staffing needs are met within [my] department”. So, if there’s people who aren’t scheduled and are technically available, then the staffing needs are met.

Then this morning as I was leaving I found out my boss is taking a 12 day damn cruise during the time she said she ‘wouldn’t be available’. Which she very carefully did not tell me, I had to find out by asking around.

I legit think she is retaliating against me, as there was an incident that happened last week. I was feeling very sick last Wednesday (aches, chills) and ended up calling in four hours before my shift. Normally I would have powered through it, but I took my temp and found out that I had a fever. Given the environment I work in and my direct contact with patients, I can’t come to work with a fever. It’s literally something that could get me fired.

So I tell my boss, and she sends me a very angry text. She said, “Very short notice. I worked all day and I’m on my way to see a friend before he dies but I guess I will have to turn around to work your shift.”

Automatically horrified, I immediately sent back a text saying I would come in anyway and just take extreme caution (masks, handsanitizer every five minutes, gloves, limiting my contact with patients). I’m not a nurse, so I know I could have pulled it off.

She immediately sends back, “No, we can’t have someone with a fever working.” Then leaves it at that.

I didn’t think about it till after her email, but it’s *awfully* convenient for her that she’s taking PTO for *twelve fucking days* on a cruise, during the time which I had requested time off. And she waited this late to tell me.

Not only that, but it hasn’t even been a year since she took her last week-long vacation.

I just think that there’s some shady shit going on here. I have 58 hours of PTO but anytime I try to get more than a day at a time she gives me grief, despite the fact that there’s others in the department who have taken off over a week at a time. I’ve never had any marks or strikes against me. I’m one of the most accurate and reliable workers she has. We have six PRN people but she won’t make them work, despite the fact that - technically - an obligation to another job isn’t a legitimate excuse to not work if you’re PRN here.

It should also be mentioned that at Christmas, she sent out a department wide email about how people with children would be given priority in PTO requests. At the time I was one of three people who worked full time and did not have children, while the rest of the dept is middle aged women with kids. Yet - surprise surprise - I was the only one who worked both Christmas Day and Christmas Eve. No PRN people worked Christmas or Christmas Eve, period.

I’m very frustrated right now and under a time crunch. I need to do something before Friday. I tried to find a way to file a grievance, but the only things I’ve been able to find have been for patients. I’m thinking of just turning my two weeks in, as I had already been looking for another job (which no one else knows).

TD;LR - I might be being retaliated/discriminated against by my boss, who seems to find coverage for everyone’s PTO but mine.
Topic:
Employment Law

Answer:
 Use of PTO is almost universally at the employer's discretion.

>  I might be being retaliated/discriminated against by my boss, who seems to find coverage for everyone’s PTO but mine.

Do you believe you're being discriminated against specifically because of your membership in a protected class (your race, your age, your sex, your religion, etc.)?


Title: Does this look like a Wells Fargo overdraft scam to you?

Question:
Wells Fargo hit me with 4 $35 overdraft fees, they only show what 3 of the OD fees are for. I called them and got nowhere with the CS rep or her supervisor. It looks like the larger transactions were accounted for first in order to charge OD fees for the lesser transactions as well. 1 or 2 of the fees is justified depending on what transactions you subtract first (2 if you go in the order shown in the link). [What's this look like to you guys?](https://imgur.com/MTDGhoU)

Here's the math assuming they do it in the order shown in the link above.

At the end of day on 9/17 my available balance was $29.17

29.17 - 4.78 = $24.39 (possibly 4th fee)

24.39 - 10.48 = $13.91 ($35 OD fee for this one)

13.91 - 3.19 = $10.72 (possibly 4th fee)

10.72 - 11.76 = -$1.04 ($35 OD fee for this)

-1.04 - 6.82 = -$7.86 ($35 OD fee for this)

-7.86 - 35 - 35 - 35 - 35 = -$147.86

They don't show the 4th fee but it's been subtracted from my available balance leaving me with -147.86. What can be done? Wasn't there a class action suit for this sort of thing not too long ago? It's midnight here so I'll do some more research on that tomorrow. Thanks in advance for any help.

Answer: IANAL - but my understanding is that you can "opt out" of the ability to overdraft.  In other words, you can make it so Wells Fargo will deny debit transactions that you do not have the money for.  I am not sure that you can opt out for checks that you write, but if you can that is considered separately.  If you simply make it so that rather than overdraft the transaction it will be declined you will not have to worry about this any more.  I know it is not the answer to your exact question, but I thought it might be useful in the future never the less.


Title: If my girlfriend was in the country illegally as a kid could she still qualify for a green card through marriage?

Question:
I live in Texas and my girlfriend lives in Mexico City and we've been talking about getting married so she could move here but when she was younger she lived in the US illegally. She wasn't deported but there are records of her living here like her high school records and yearbook photo so she is worried about coming back. Would that keep her from being eligible for a green card through marriage?
Topic:
Immigration

Answer: The answer is maybe.  You need an immigration lawyer.  Don't screw this up, you might get only one shot to do this right.


Title: Washington-My girlfriend's parents are beginning to separate and as far as I'm aware neither party has sought legal means yet. While her dad was gone, her mom had the locks re-keyed and is refusing him entry. Can she do that? More details in post.

Question:
Okay so their separation is still really new. She kicked him out, and he moved down to the apartment he added to their basement a couple years ago. They rented it out before, so there's a different key to his door. It doesn't seem like this needs to be pointed out but one of her arguments for locking him out is that he locked her out first.

He's been gone on a trip and he doesn't know the main house's locks have been changed. He still has all of his stuff in the house, as he had just moved downstairs. He was the one that found the house, remodeled it, maintains the property, and pays the bills on it.

I know that since they're married that ownership is shared, but something doesn't seem right about this situation. Is there any legal action he can take?

edit-Sorry about the double post. Reddit was overloaded when I went to upload this one and I thought it got deleted. The second one should be gone now. Thank you so much for your help.

Answer: No, she is not allowed to do that. He should call the police so he is let in.


Title: [Maryland] my landlord is insane and I think she is renting the house illegally, how can I find it out?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 When your lease is up, move to another apartment.Answer #2: Not your circus, not your monkeys.Answer #3: Are you just trying to nail her on something because you don't like her? Do you think her not paying taxes will let you out of your lease? What taxes do you think she isn't paying?
In the long run it's not up to you to make her pay taxes. I'm sure whatever taxing authority you think she is ignoring will have a system to report potential tax dodgers. Other than that you can ask the taxing authority what records are public and how to submit a request. Some, like the IRS, won't give you much of anything. Others, like a county tax collector, will probably give you more (especially if you are taking property taxes).


Title: Family Member using my address without my permission

Question:
One of my relatives has housing welfare. And one of their kids has started working and earning a decent amount of money, enough money that if the housing welfare found out they would reduce their welfare.

To avoid this reduction, they used my address to say that the kid lives in my house when he really doesn’t. I’m really not comfortable with this lying and illegal use of my address. How do I stop this and who do I contact?

Thank you in advanced.

Answer: Report it to whatever agency they get their benefits from home. Be prepared for them to hate you and even maybe to face criminal charges if they committed fraud. If you get any mail for them, write "RTS - does not live here" and put it back in the mail. Don't open it.


Title: NJ passing school bus ticket

Question: I have a NY licences and was pulled over for passing a school buss, it was rather early for me, so I don't recall even seeing the school bus, what are my best options for defending myself in court

Answer:
 > what are my best options for defending myself in court

> it was rather early for me, so I don't recall even seeing the school bus

Not that.

It's a school bus. Presumably painted school bus yellow, quite large, quite hard to miss. So, unless there was a blizzard, or fog, or ALL of the multiple red flashing lights on the bus were out, nobody is going to believe you didn't see it.

Your best bet may be to attempt to plead it down to some alternative offense like unsafe driving.


Title: My aunt is a juror and probably broke the law [NJ]

Question:
My aunt is very kind, but can be a bit outspoken at times. Today she called me in tears telling me that she screwed up big time and doesn’t know what to do.

Essentially she bumped into a family member of the defendant in the bathroom and said she knows they’re innocent.

The prosecution was outside the bathroom when my aunt exited and not long after, it was announced that court was delayed due to legal matter, before everyone was eventually dismissed for the day.

My uncle won’t listen to her and wants to hear nothing about it, fearing he could some how get in trouble for not reporting her. She feels terrible and wants to tell the judge what happened but I told her she should keep her mouth shut and use the jurors restroom next time, but if confronted not to lie about it.

How screwed is she?

Answer: It isn't a crime to talk with others about the case but is against the rules. She needs to answer honestly if asked because not doing so IS a crime. She also needs to report that she did what she did.  This why alternates are chosen. She'll be excused and that will be that


Title: Broke lease because of mold infestation

Question:
My family and I were moving from TX to NC and needed to find a home in 2 weeks due to the short time frame my company gave me to relocate. We found a home online and weren't able to have any family in the area walk the home as I was occupied. Great neighborhood and great pricing so we decided to go ahead and sign the lease so we would have somewhere to live right when we got there. I ended up getting the keys the weekend rigjt before we moved in ans ot turns out this home was crazy filthy with mold growing all over all the windows and leaking toilets and just obviously wasnt ready to move in. I called the property telling them there was a mold infestation and they blew it off and sent a maintence guy to check it out saying it was just dirt and glue. I tell them its most def mold and get a at home kit that captured mold apores in the air to show them. Management is being shady all around so they offer to break the lease and return the money which I accepted. Found a new home. Its been a month and now they are only giving us a little more than half of what we paid, saying that they need to keep the other money because of loss of marketing time. The house wasnt even unoccupied until right before we got the keys and it wasnt ready to move into anyways due to the mold. Is it too late to pursue legal action? Its been 1 month.

Sorry about formatting, I'm on my mobile.

Answer: Unless you got the place declared uninhabitable they're not required to refund your full amount. Giving you half back is already a courtesy I'm afraid.


Title: My friend was framed for theft after discovering her boss was embezzling money

Question:
My friend, (I’ll call her Jade) discovered her boss (we’ll call her Cherry) was embezzling money and falsifying time sheets at a federal facility, so she attempted to report it to Cherry’s supervisor. Since Cherry and Dill are super close, they retaliated against her (in violation of the No Fear Act) and set her up for a theft she never committed with the help of a police officer who tampered with evidence and conspired with Cherry. My friend is now convicted with felonies that have ruined her employment and housing options, and is awaiting sentencing. Time is running out and I know she doesn’t deserve this. I’ve been looking up everything I can to help her, but most of my friends don’t know anything about law, and my googling hasn’t gotten me much help.

What kind of lawyer do I talk to? What can I do to stop them from going to prison for something they didn’t do? How do I help them? They’ve been talking about suicide because she’d rather be dead than have their kids pushed out on the street. I’m seriously worried.
Topic:
Criminal Law

Answer: First of all, just be aware that it is extremely rare for a police officer to conspire with witnesses to a crime.  Also, it would be very unusual for a police officer to risk their career by tampering with evidence.  I suspect you are getting a very slanted version of what happened from your friend, who probably actually committed the crimes she is now convicted for.  The type of attorney that can help your friend is a criminal defense attorney.  Specifically one that practices appellate law, since your friend has been convicted.  Appellate work is extremely expensive, but she may qualify for a state appointed attorney depending on a number of factors.  The sentence depends on a lot of factors and information we don't have.