Title: Spouse hanging on life support, grieving with mortgage questions.

Question: I really don't want to give too much personal information, but the past few days have been the most difficult in awhile.  I spent the better part of yesterday a crying mess.  I haven't really slept in the past two days so I wind up just staring at the ceiling with my mind racing.  My wife and I have both our names on the mortgage and wanted to know after she passes how I may go about getting her name removed? Thank you for your time.  Oh and we live in Tennessee.

Answer:
 I'm so sorry. I would strongly recommend calling a lawyer on this; it's a lot to handle at a difficult time.  Changing the names on the mortgage is not something that needs to be done immediately, and an attorney can help identify priorities. Do request several copies of a death certificate when the time comes, because it's common to ask for those.

But get some assistance here.  A lawyer will have been there and done that, which will make hard things easier.Answer #2: Her name doesn't need removed, you would just present a original copy of the death certificate to the title company at the time of sale.
Answer #3: Do you have anyone to help you with this? There will be a lot of things other than the mortgage that will need to be taken care of, and it will be easier to deal with everything if you have a friend or family member who can help you while you're grieving.Answer #4: Contact the lender. They will likely require a certificate of death.


Title: [Texas] Guy I sold my car to has not transferred the title, and is racking toll bills.

Question:
I know where he works and I'm going tomorrow to confront him about it. If he decides not to transfer the title, what are my options? There's no receipt (sadly it was in a rush and I had to sell it pretty much immediately) and the only actual "proof" is a transfer of title paper I signed when I sold it, and dated it. It's still in my name, but I wanted to make sure before hand that it was okay if I got the cops involved in case he decides to say no about getting it registered. Thanks in advance.
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer:
 I just sold a car in Texas 2 months ago. There is a form you turn in when you sell, to the DMV, to establish you own it no longer. You can even do this online. You should be able to contact the toll companies (ugh I hate that we have so many) to [God willing, because this may be impossible] have the charges moved to the new registered owner.

http://www.dmv.org/tx-texas/buy-sell/selling-your-car/paper-work-when-selling-a-car.php

Sorry, what you're looking for is the Release from Liability.


Title: My mom got into a wreck in my car, what should I do?

Question:
My mom has admitted fault, she ran a stop sign. I just moved from New Mexico to Japan and left the car in Florida for my mom to take care of, however I didn't get a chance to change the policy from New Mexico to Florida as I've been super busy. My mother was not added to my insurance because she was supposed to get her own and never managed to do it I guess.

Now we're having an issue where 1. I don't have nearly enough coverage as required by the state of Florida and 2. The other person involved has decided to get an attorney for a bodily injury case, the letter that was sent to my insurance company from her attorney doesn't say much beyond that.

So my question is, how fucked am I? I am by no means well off and nor is my mother. I have no way to obtain a lawyer (nor the money) and I don't really know what to do.

Edit : I just want to thank everyone so far for the responses. It's really helping me get my head around the whole deal.
Topic:
Insurance

Answer:
 What should happen is that once your insurance is exhausted (she was obviously driving legally since you gave her permission) is that now her policy (she does have her own insurance right??) will kick in and cover the rest of the damages.  At least that is what my insurance agent told me (Mass)

But I'm pretty sure your rates are gonna skyrocket.  Contact your insurance and her insurance immediately.


Title: Adult M(stranger) sent me (F, 17) unsolicited nude pic.

Question:
It was through Instagram direct message and it’s in my requested messages because I don’t follow him AND my age is in my bio. What are my rights? Can I take action?
Topic:
Computer and Internet

Answer:
 Since you are a minor, you can report it following the guidelines under obscenity here: [https://www.justice.gov/criminal-ceos/report-violations](https://www.justice.gov/criminal-ceos/report-violations)

You could also report him on Instagram and to your local authorities.


Title: Drug therapy/outpatient rehab facility won’t let me graduate unless I move into sober living. Graduation is required by probation. What are my options?

Question: This is in GA, Fulton county. I’ve been enrolled in an outpatient rehab facility since I got charged with a DUI-Drugs a few months back. The charges were dropped in court in favor of reckless driving. The facility now refuses to let me graduate unless I move into sober living, however, I can’t afford this. Some additional details; it was for smoking pot and I’ve been sober for 4 months now. It was also my first offense. My question is what happens if I don’t move into this sober living? A drug rehab course is required for my probation. I was told by my probation officer that I would have to show up in court and explain the situation to the judge. They would most likely have me take some sort of classes at a more financially viable option for me. Is that accurate? I want to be 100% certain on this because jail doesn’t seem fun.

Answer:
 Your probation officer knows the case better than random people on the internet. If the PO is in favor of that sort of resolution and says so, the judge will often but not always follow that recommendation. Do you have legal representation (private attorney or public defender)? Have you spoken to your lawyer?

And you're right, jail isn't very fun from what I've been told. Answer #2: Not an attorney but rehab sounds really excessive for a first offense. I mean, it's weed which is legal in many states. (Yeah, I get it's not legal in GA). So you were in outpatient rehab first and now you have to live in a sober living facility? That makes no sense. Your attorney sounds like he's getting his pockets lined here, you might want to consult another one.
Answer #3: NAL, but have been around the ring with this sort of thing.

On a first offense, which they dropped from DUI-Drugs to Reckless Driving they still mandated you go to rehab?  Or did you also have a possession charge?  I would echo earlier advice to find a new lawyer, and report your current lawyer to the State Bar of Georgia - [https://www.gabar.org/forthepublic/fileacomplaint.cfm](https://www.gabar.org/forthepublic/fileacomplaint.cfm) \- And, yeah, talk to your PO about your financial situation and the fact that the facility and your current lawyer seem to be trying to strong-arm you into another money-generating venture for them.Answer #4: Also from Fulton County. The best thing you can do is speak to your PO about this, because they know your case better than anyone. You'll probably have to go in front of a judge to explain your situation and seek other alternatives.  As the first comment already said. Good luck, OP.


Title: ! Caution Stay Back 200Ft. Not Responsible for broken windshields!

Question:
I was driving behind a gravel truck today and was looking at this warning. Out of simple curiosity what are their liabilities? Do they have to take reasonable measures to prevent the gravel flying out? Also do they need to apply for those warning? Or is it a piece of legislation that says they are not liable?

Edit: Colorado

Answer:
 Completely unenforceable.  They have an obligation to cover their loads and to prevent debris from damaging cars behind them.

But, it has two effects: (1) it does cause people not to follow too closely behind, and (2) it discourages people from disputing the issue "Hey, it says they're not responsible, so I can't sue them."  Both of those serve to reduce costs that the company has to pay.
Answer #2: I was in the left lane, gravel truck was in the right lane. Rock came out of his truck and hit my windshield, leaving a crack all the way down. I wondered about this as well. Thankfully Florida has the "free windshield a year" clause in insurance. :PAnswer #3: The signs I saw on open bed trucks in Georgia usually said "Not responsible for debris being thrown from road," which is presumably their way of avoiding the outright lie while still discouraging claims ("Welp, can't prove that thing that cracked my windshield didn't come from the road, guess I'm shit outta luck...").


Title: [IL, US] TVDL to buy Alcohol

Question:
This is just a small inquiry. The other day I was at a Mariano's store buying an Apple Pie and a bottle of Wine for my family. I'd done it multiple times in the past.

However that day, when I was about to pay, the cashier called a manager (?), who proceeded to ask me for some identification. All I had on me was my TVDL, my debit card, and my work ID. I showed my license to her, and she told me that the TVDL was not valid for identification (which it's stated on the licence indeed); I told her she didn't need to ID me, just check my DOB. She ignored me and took the bottle of wine away and refused to sell, told me to bring my passport next time.

I just left the place and bought the bottle somewhere else, no big deal. However I buy stuff there regularly, and wine, it's really close to my home. But I don't feel like showing her my passport for a bottle of wine every time.

Would I be wrong in making some kind of complain to the customer center about it? Or is she right in not being able to sell me alcohol with a TVDL?

Answer:
 >Or is she right in not being able to sell me alcohol with a TVDL?

You answered the question yourself.

>she told me that the TVDL was not valid for identification (which it's stated on the licence indeed)

Your TVDL isn't for ID purposes and therefore isn't an ID to buy alcohol. You can bring other ID that is acceptable or buy somewhere that doesn't card you.


Title: Gym cancellation requires move

Question:
Hi Reddit,

&#x200B;

I signed up for personal training at a local gym but due to a job change I recently had to move. I will be renting a room from a family friend (this is why utilities will not be in my name). I emailed my gym and let them know I would be moving, I said I could provide my lease as proof and I changed my phone bill to my new address as well. They said that this documentation would not be sufficient to cancel. I looked over my agreement and there is no specific language on what documentation serves as proof of a move. Is this legal for them to deny my cancellation?

Answer: What does your contract specifically state about the cancellation process? Most gyms require you to cancel in person.


Title: Subpoena to appear in Florida for trespassing that happened 2 years ago I now live in Michigan can I get out of it?

Question: 2 years ago I was a shift supervisor at a CVS in Florida we called the cops on a nightly basis. I have moved since then about a year and a half ago. I just got a subpoena saying I need to be in Florida for a trespassing trial as a witness. Will I be forced to go. I can’t afford it and it would be a $2000 expense for something I don’t even remember

Answer: Dont ignore it!  Get in touch with the prosecutors office using the subpoena info, and explain.  This happens all the time and will hopefully work with you.  If they only need your testimony, that can also be handled remotely in some occasions.Answer #2: Not a Lawyer. The Subpoena should have contact information for whomever issued it. Call them. They should firstly be able to reimburse you for travel expenses BEFORE you travel. Secondly, they may be able to assist you in letting the appropriate parties know you don't remember, as they may not want you on the stand in that case and may drop the Subpoena.Answer #3: I have a court case in Wyoming in January and I live in California. You should call the prosecutor's office and ask if you have to testify, and if you have to, can you do so over the phone. That's what my lawyer did for me for my court case.


Title: How do you import gold from Mexico?

Question:
Hello everyone, Reddit communities have really changed my life ever since I found them. I am hoping someone that reads this might have some insight or valuable information.

I want to import gold from Mexico, and sell it here in the US. There is a friend who found some gold in his ranch, but due to the insecurity in the area, he has not registered it nor declared it. Basically it’s invisible. I want to buy gold from him and import it. What permits do I need? Can I sell here in the US without having a physical evidence that shows the origin of the gold? I have talked to people interested in buying the gold from me, and they don’t require anything. But I want to register as an LLC, do I need anything (permit wise) to do so?

Hopefully you understand what my roadblock is. Thank you in advance!

Answer:
 This sounds like a hustle.  Are you sure you're not being hustled? Answer #2: I agree with the top two comments, this is probably a hustle, and you are within “need a lawyer” territory. I want to add on to that and say that specialized industries like this are not something to enter into lightly. You should be reading everything you can about gold, gold mining, importing precious metals, etc., etc.  Buy books. Read forums. Educate yourself. This is too specialized an industry for the ill informed.

I suspect that once you do educate yourself you will find that your “friend” could very easily approached a well regarded U.S. mining firm to compensate him and make sure things are aboveboard if he actually has any quantity of gold. Answer #3: You want a lawyer. Gold will have a duty rate charged by customs.


Title: Landlord Took away our Insulation

Question:
I've got a question about whether our landlord is in the right here. We live rent a house in Sacramento, CA.

&#x200B;

We had a rat problem this past winter. Our landlord responded appropriately and swiftly by hiring a pest control agency who sealed off holes, set bate traps, and set poison traps. Our landlord also sucked all of the insulation out of our attic to check for nesting and poops.

&#x200B;

Now fast-forward to current times. We have not heard any rats since the beginning of April. Pest control has pretty much said there is nothing left to do. So far we have gone through one winter without insulation in the attic, and I requested that our landlord re-insulate our attic as Sacramento summers have MANY days between 95-105 degrees F. He kept saying that we would revisit it after the pest control came by again, stating that it was an investment in the property to make sure the rats are gone. Pest control has not been sent again since April. I finally got him to meet me in person and he is now saying he has no plans to put insulation back into the attic, especially not anytime before we go through another winter. He wants to see if rats return, even though the pest abatement company has done "all they can do." So, we are destined to go another summer and winter at the MINIMUM without a single puffball of attic insulation if things go our landlord's way. He also refused to give us any money off of the rent due to increased cooling and heating bills.

&#x200B;

I think there is probably nothing that we can do, but It would be great if anyone has any good ideas. I would even be willing to blow insulation in myself, ive done it before and I know how easy it is. Thanks for your time!

&#x200B;

\-Nate

Answer: There are probably code requirements for the amount of insulation in rental properties, I would contact the City.


Title: I caught my landlord opening my mail - what can/should I do?

Question:
Hello everyone,

I currently rent a room in a four bedroom townhouse in Montgomery County, Maryland. I have been out of town this past month on business and came home early this morning to find my mail has been opened.

My house has a camera that connects to an app on my iPhone and while looking through the footage, saw that my landlord was clearly opening my mail, most of it being bank statements, and letters from my job (all VERY confidential due to the nature of my work.).

I'm not really sure where to go from here - I haven't confronted her yet, but do I file a report with the police?  Or call at attorney?

Thank you in advance for your help!

Anyway, I thought it was odd because

Answer:
 Opening other people’s mail is illegal.  You can contact your local post office and they should be able to give you directions on what to do next.Answer #2: I believe mail tampering is a federal offense.Answer #3: You report this to the Postal Inspectors, let them know you have video.

Back up your video in several places to preserve your evidence.

You might want to rent a P.O. Box to keep this from happening again, especially with your confidential work & personal documents.Answer #4: I would make sure you do something about it he could have been trying to steal your identity. Warn any other tenants.Answer #5: Go down to your local post office with your footage and the open mail - file a report.Answer #6: Confronting your landlord may be more effective if you are also explaining to them that you also filed a report with police.

Major banks usually will stop mailing you statements upon request.  With online tools there is no reason to have a mailed statement.  It is just a liability IMO.Answer #7: First thing I would do is go to the post office and rent a p.o. box and get all my mail forwarded there.  You are going to be moving soon.  A p.o. box is almost always more secure.Answer #8: Does anyone know what could realistically be the penalty here?  If it’s the first time will they just warn the landlord?  I’m curious because this happened to me and I let it go


Title: i recieved this message through facebook

Question:
well me and this girl had an arguement over facebook messenger

i recieved a few voicecalls and then this message popped up

http://imgur.com/i1ETg4i

she told me at the last minute that she reported it to the cops.
im wondering why didnt the cops leave a name in the message?
so i could call to the police station if its true.

is this true or fake?

Answer: This is fake. Go to bed.


Title: Apartment neighbors in an extermly toxic relationship and the management won't do anything about it.

Question:
Hi! We (my husband and myself) live in a nice apartment complex in downtown Denver, Colorado. We love it a lot.

Except for the neighbors. At first, it wasn't terrible. We could hear them fighting every day but they would usually keep it civil. But within about 2 months things exploded. We started to hear the man throwing things hitting our shared wall. We could hear them slamming doors. Breaking glass. Screaming loudly and audibly horrible horrible things. We could hear them verbally abusing one another for HOURS. We can also hear the dog barking and them screaming at the poor dog to shut up and if we are correct, kicking it:( we can only hear them so sometimes it is hard to tell.

We've called the police twice. Whenever I personally can hear any type of violent behaviour I call the police, and if it is at night the on-site security.

It has woken me up at night when they start to go off on each other. It has interrupted phone calls for work. Disturbed me and my husband when I am trying to work from home. We don't have people over because we don't know what the neighbors are going to do. We have spoken to management 3 times now, and they have received complaints from everyone on our "block" (hallway) at how ridiculous this has gotten. They said that their hands are tied because they don't know if there is actually any domestic abuse happening. But everyone can HEAR it happening every night.

We've spoken to the neighbors and they all have called the police at least once. (We have 7 apartments on our block, not including theirs). Everyone has complained. Now security is there every night because someone calls them. And management says they still need proof because they are afraid of the liability. They suggested we call the police. (we have) or security (we do) so that they can get proof that there is a "real or reasonable threat happening.".

I want to make sure that I have done everything I can because hearing this for hours a day is driving me nuts. Not only am I sad for the woman (I have tried to reach out to her and offer support, she is unwilling or in denial) but this is clearly a problem for everyone.  And that the information we have been given is accurate and correct. Thank you.

Answer:
 Call the police every single time.
Call building management every single time.
If they scream for 15 minutes and you call the police, they come, they leave, and the screaming resumes, call the police again.
Keep a log.

After a month or so tell building management that they are violating the lease because you are not getting the quiet enjoyment that you are entitled to.

Encourage other tenants you are friendly with to do the same (both calling the police every time, and calling building management every time, and telling management that they are in violation of their obligations).


Title: (Nebraska) A hostile hoarding neighbor is harassing my in-laws and trying to prevent their home from selling. Pics included.

Question:
My in-laws are currently fixing up their home to put on the market. They have a neighbor adjacent to their home that is a hoarder and it is becoming a real problem.

This neighbor doesn't mow his lawn. He doesn't maintain his trees, the current fence is being held up by string. His lawn is littered with every type of junk you can imagine.

The in-laws recently contacted this neighbor to ask about getting a fence put in to block the view of his house. The in-laws paying for the fence. They had a certified surveyor mark off the property line.

The neighbor was very vocal in opposition to a fence being put up. Apparently he is very fond of the current "fence" which is actually a dilapidated pile of sticks. He also disputes the marked property line.

He threatened to sue if a new fence is put up and warned against trimming the dead trees that over hang into the in-laws yard. Some of these trees will damage property when they inevitably snap. The neighbor claims that he will not be liable because it is an "act of god".

Over the last month, things have gotten nasty. He has began putting up signs facing the in-laws home. I have attached photos of the signs.

It is apparent to me that he is trying to prevent my in-laws from selling their home. At this point he is inflicting a fair amount of emotional distress with this ongoing and escalating  harassment. He has been adding a new sign every week.

Here is the kicker, this neighbor doesn't actually reside in his home. He has been living with his significant other for the past 15 years. He has been using his home to  store junk. I am not certain if you can even get into the house as the doors may be barricaded. I think that he has lost his home insurance coverage due to the poor conditions of his home.

There are city codes against this. The city is aware and hasn't done a single thing about it.

Is there any way to force the neighbor to clean up his act or at least get him away from us? I have wondered if applying for a restraining order would work, but at this point, I am not sure if his behavior would warrant one.

I realize that it is ultimately on the in-laws to take action and at this point they are willing to do whatever it takes. Thanks.

 All of these signs face the in laws home and are visible from the street.

https://imgur.com/q5ripPa.jpg

 http://i.imgur.com/DiuZ0Oi.jpg

 http://i.imgur.com/Qmxchs4.jpg

 http://i.imgur.com/Em4xLo9.jpg

 http://i.imgur.com/V9scfl8.jpg

  http://i.imgur.com/Kl2yMw5.jpg -His beloved fence

Edit 1: pics weren't working.

Answer:
 I mention this in reference to hoarders often; call the fire marshal. They'll likely be concerned even though no one may be living there.Answer #2: Not a lawyer, but if you do put a fence...I'd also put up surveillance cameras. Something tells me this guy can and will vandalize/knock it down.Answer #3: Holy bucket of crazy. Has the city responded at all? If they're not responding you can try contacting the city council, or even go to a meeting and see if they can get some pressure on them to act.

Provided your folks have the correct permits, they can put up any type of fence they like. He has no say in the matter. I would tell them to start documenting every single interaction with the neighbor. Answer #4: No advice, but you missed blacking out the address on the second photo.Answer #5: Why can't your just put up a fence on their property?Answer #6: Some of your pictures still have your parents address and other identifying info on them. Most of them simply don't open.


Title: Can you be sued if you serve alcohol at a private residence to legally aged adults. Then one of said adults who drank gets into a wreck after leaving your residence (causing harm). Therefore, the alcohol was a clear cause of the crash but can blame be put onto the home owner like it would the driver

Question:
Edit: United States
Topic:
DUI

Answer: This will highly depend on your municipality.  The term you're looking for is social host.


Title: CA- Will junking my motorcycle satisfy expired registration Fix it ticket?

Question:
I got a junk motorcycle from a friend, intending to fix it up. It runs, but barely. Registration was a few months up when I took it for a ride on some residential streets to get a feel for it. And because it’s CA and they show no mercy, I got pulled over for expired tags and received a ticket.

I’ve decided to junk the bike. It’s not worth registering. If I take it to a junk yard and get a receipt, will that satisfy my fix-it ticket?

Answer: Junking will solve future issues, but doesn’t absolve your prior offense.


Title: The executive of my grandmother's estate stopped paying the taxes on the house that was left to me and my father. My inheritance has also mysteriously vanished and I've yet to receive the jewelry that was also left to me.

Question:
This is my first time posting so forgive me for any formatting errors...

I'll start at the beginning. I live in California and in 2003, when I was 6 years old, my grandmother passed away. I realize I was pretty young, but we were quite close. My father, who from my understanding was and still is an irresponsible dirtbag, and I lived with her and were her only beneficiaries. Not trusting my dad to not squander all of our assets, she left a family doctor as the trustee.

Growing up, I was always told I would be financially stable. I was informed by my family and the trustee that when I graduated high school, I would have more than enough money to go to college or start my own business if I chose to. I was also told that I would be given money for school supplies and clothes when and if needed throughout the years. I would let my parents know what I needed when I needed it and they would inform the trustee who would dip into my funds and write them out a check, usually for around $300-$500. Being the busy doctor that the trustee was, this wasn't very often. In total I was supposed to have about $300,000, not including all of the interest it would have accumulated over the years. I have seen very little of that money and it was only every great once in a while.

My parents had joint custody up until 2008. I had to move out of my dad's, the house my grandmother had left to us, and move in with my mother. The reason for this was because the electricity got shut off due to a ridiculously large bill that neither my dad or the trustee paid. So at the age of 12, my mom got full custody and had to work a part-time job and receive food stamps and healthcare through government assistance for me while going to school. We had to share a small studio apartment, making the transition evermore stressful for me.

When I turned 18 I was supposed to get the jewelry my grandmother left to me. I contacted the trustee about this and she told my it was in a safety deposit box. Okay great, where is it so I can go get it? Apparently, as the trustee, she would have to be with me when I went in to collect it. I asked her when she would be available to do just that. She then told me she lost the key years ago and would have to call the company to get it drilled open. I got in touch with her about a week later and she let me know that she was waiting for a call back from the company. She never replied to my messages after that and never even disclosed where it was being kept so I could investigate for myself.

I am now 19 and have been trying to get in contact with the trustee for the past several months. She always gives me an excuse as to why she can't talk to me or flat out ignores my calls and messages. Today, out of curiosity I went down to public records to request a statement as to how much the property taxes are for the house and found out they haven't been paid in full since 2012. There is now an outstanding balance of $9,988 due by December 31st of this year or the bank will take the house if a payment plan is not paid by then.

I also tried to get a paper trail on where all the money could have gone. I looked into where it was being kept and called to request more information. The clerk told me none of the names I mentioned were in their records and without an account number, they only go back 7 years. The only way an account could be closed is if all the money was withdrawn, so at least 7 years ago, all the money was taken out of the account. 7 years ago. In 2008. When the electricity got shut off at my dad's. Hmmm…

My mom was kept in the dark about everything because, despite being my legal guardian, my dad and the trustee refused to talk to her about it. I’ve gone to my dad for answers and he either doesn’t know or doesn’t care. The trustee is impossible to get in contact with. The only person who was helpful in giving me any details was my dad’s ex wife who was able to give me an idea of what bank my money was being kept at.

Any ideas as to what steps I could take to get back what's mine? And what I should do if it was being embezzled over the years?

Answer: If the trustee violated their duty and misspent the money, you'll very likely be able to reclaim its value through courts. Usually when this happens, the trustee is a deadbeat relative with no income, so you're better than many.Answer #2: You should go see an attorney. This is above the sub's pay grade.


Title: Employer withholding Tips as punishment (CA)

Question:
Hello Everybody, sorry if this was already asked. I tried googling the answer but did not find much.

I started working at a Valet Job over the summer in California and I am loving it so far. However, I noticed one employee was not allowed to take his share in the pooled tips as a punishment. I believe he got in a fender bender in a client's car and out boss decided that he should not be allowed to receive any tips for a few weeks. I always assumed Tips were employee owned and this is not a legal punishment? I am asking because as I need this job over summer, I don't really want to worry about losing my income as we make minimum wage and Tips are overwhelmingly the foundation of our income.
Topic:
Employment Law

Answer:
 Not legal without a written agreement. That employee's recourse is to file a wage dispute the California Department of Industrial Relations.

https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/HowToFileWageClaim.htm

You cannot file for another employee. The money won't be forthcoming until the wage dispute is resolved. The California wage dispute division is one of the best in the country thankfully. But it will still take time before they get to this employee's dispute if filed.  Firing an employee for filing the wage dispute is illegal retaliation.Answer #2: The tips belong to the employees. Your boss can't decide to exclude someone from a tip pool (if the tip pool is even legal itself for valets I don't know).

What happened to his share of the tips? Were they distributed to the rest of the employees or did your employer keep them?


Title: Can I be on private property if I have a legal guardian who is allowed to be there?

Question:
Ok so my title isn’t that good because I can’t think of something legal and fancy to say.
I’m 14 btw. This is important in the story.
Anyways: I got accepted into being in a music video that said you have to be 18 years or older. When I filled out the application, I used my dad’s name and age. I got an email back today and it said I got in. So my dad can now be in the video, and he wants to take me and I really want to go. My question is: can I go onto the set of the music video if my dad is there with me? (I’m fine not being in the video, I just at least really want to be on the set)
Topic:
Juvenile and Youth Law

Answer: That's entirely up to the production house shooting the video. They don't have to allow minors on set, and many won't, simply because it increases a number of risks. Have your dad write to the producers and ask.


Title: UPDATE:(Florida and Washington) Being sued for child support but I'm not the mother.

Question:
Original post: https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/35tvv4/florida_and_washington_being_sued_for_child/

I got a call from the lawyer in charge of the firm. He apologized for the mistake. Apparently the recently hired a guy that's right out of law school and he's doing a crappy job. I didn't give them any information.

Turns out that the real mother lived with her parents in an apartment ~10 years ago. They moved out any my parents and I moved in. That was her last known address that the new guy could find. He saw my name come up when he looked up the address(I haven't lived there or with my parents for years, I don't how found out this stuff) and assumed that I was her.

Answer:
 Wow, what a jackass! "Hey, I found a female name at that apartment within *several years* of the child's birth. No need to research further; proceed to lawsuit!" Answer #2: Did that dude go to law school at DeVry? Answer #3: Glad it all worked out.

How does it feel to not be a mother?Answer #4: >Apparently the recently hired a guy that's right out of law school and he's doing a crappy job.

A classic "I fucked up, but it is easier to blame it on the newbie" type situation. But I am glad it worked out for you.Answer #5: Way to update!Answer #6: Thank you for the update! OP DELIVERS!


Title: [CA & TX] My Father has been harassing my wife and i for several weeks now

Question:
My Father has been harassing (e-mail) my wife and i for several weeks now. It started with an UN-announced visit to our home, where he tried to break-in (unsuccessfully), and now he is sending a stream of e-mails to my wife, we have asked him to leave us alone, and informed him we consider this harassment. He did promise to stop, however he has not.

We have filed 2 police reports, unfortunately, the local PD says this is a civial matter, and is unwilling to help. Also we tried filing for a restrainging order, but the clerk would not accept the e-mail evedence, only the forms for the request so we were denyied to insufficient infomation.

Also we have tried to find an attorney to help us, however nobody we have contacted is willing to help since this is an "Family Matter" and they feel it would be inappropriate to interfere..

We are also concerned that The father may be contacting others in a effort to harm our reputation.

The last e-mail we received could be seen as a veiled threat., which has us very concerned for our safety. But in speaking with the local PD, they said they are powerless unless the threat is acted upon and is specific in nature.

It should be noted we live in CA, but the Father lives in TX and did fly up for the expressed purpose of trying to contact us (break in). Also it should be noted, we have not been in contact with Him in years (3+), and we were forced to change our phone numbers and e-mail addresses due to his harassment before, and we never shared our home address, yes we know you can google things....

What are our options?

Thanks

UPDATE: We do have cameras, and yes we have video of him trying to break in.

Answer:
 1.  Put a filter on your email so you don't see what he sends.

2.  Put up cameras around your home.

3.  Ignore him unless you actually believe he will escalate from spam to something more serious.  The courts generally don't consider "emails me too often" to be criminal, much less when it's from a family member.Answer #2: contact the local police force where he lives (and possibly the DA there) and let them know he crossed state lines to harass you and your wife - Texas might take this more seriously


Title: Manager included in tip pool

Question:
Pennsylvania restaurant pay advice here. My job as a bartender and server pays 8.00 and hour which is very good for Pennsylvania but there are some issues with tipping. We pool tips which is fine but whatever manager is on at the time gets a percentage of our cash and credit card tips. I have a feeling this is not legal because he makes a good salary and has benefits while we have neither. The lost percentage of tips adds up because the percentage you get is directly related to how many hours you work total and a manager is on from open to close. I'm just curious if this is allowed. Thanks!
Topic:
Employment Law

Answer:
 Technically not legal. Give this a read.

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/should-supervisor-sharing-tips.htmlAnswer #2: Quoting from https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/pennsylvania-laws-tipped-employees.html:
> Under federal law, if the employer claims a tip credit, then only employees who regularly receive tips can be part of the tip pool. Employees can't be required to share their tips with employees who don't usually receive their own tips, like dishwashers or cooks, unless the employer doesn't claim a tip credit and pays the employee the minimum wage directly. **And tips from a tip pool can't go to the employer, managers, or supervisors.**Answer #3: >Is this worth reporting and if so how do I report?

Whether it's worth reporting is up to you. You can file a wage claim.

https://www.dli.pa.gov/Individuals/Labor-Management-Relations/llc/Pages/Wage-Complaint-Form.aspxAnswer #4: Not legal. It would only be okay if the manager was dual status, on some days acting as a server and some as manager, with only the time as a server counting. If they are a manager during that fine they can’t claim a top credit, even if they help some tables when things are busy.


Title: My now ex-girlfriend got side swiped while driving my car and won't pay for damages (New York)

Question:
In march she was driving my car and got sideswiped. She didn't file a police report and didn't get the cars information. At the end of may she left me, but our lease is until the end of august. I sent her parents a message (who were supporting her) stating that I would like to have my car damages plus other bills deducted from the rent that I owe. Soon after that I received an email from her which stated

"Your claim to the damages of the car seem nothing more than an excuse to avoid paying what is remaining of your half of the rent, and I thought your implications that I was at fault in a collision that you never made an insurance claim on to be quite distasteful.
We will not be paying any portion of the bill you attached for what seemed to be nothing more than an over-priced paint job.
I suggest you simply pay what you still owe of the rest of the rent costs.
If you wish to take the issue to court, that is fine, and in response, we will counter-sue for several expenses that I had not yet considered perusing compensation for.
Needless to say, I would prefer we settle this outside of court, but the next step is up to you.
Let me know how you want to proceed."

I have no idea of any other expenses that she is talking about, plus she even still owes me money for utilities. She also does not want me to talk to her parents which leads me to believe that this is all her idea. They are the nicest people, I couldn't imagine them wanting to do it this way. Is she threatening me into paying more then I need to? Do you think I would win in court with this case. I have proof that she was driving the car that day with a friend.
Topic:
Douche

Answer:
 Did she ever agree to pay the damages?

Why didn't you file a claim with your insurance?

Just because you broke up, you don't get to go back and demand payment for stuff you otherwise would not have if you stayed together. If she agreed to pay it, and you have proof she agreed, that's one thing, but if you never discussed it with her then you may be SOL.  This sounds like a job for small claims court to decide. Her parents have nothing to do with this as she is a grown adult.


Title: [NC] Ex found out about lump-sum money I received from a relative and is now putting me on child support.

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 [Here's a handy calculator](https://www.charlesullman.com/legal-services/child-support-lawyer/calculator/) that can help you get *some* idea of what you may be ordered to pay.Answer #2: It worked out nicely for you that you were able to attend pre med classes and med school while someone else raised your child for you, without your financial commitment, but that's over now. As a resident, you had a salary, likely around $47k, and now you're a doctor, so yes, you will have to pay child support.

If you want non judgemental advice, pay for a lawyer. For free advice, you also get judgement.


Title: [UPDATE] [TX]: A photographer who guarantees their work is refusing to give me a refund for 4-6 weeks, do I have any options?

Question:
Original post: https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/6h05vf/tx_a_photographer_who_guarantees_their_work_is/

As I suspected, this situation has not been resolved since my post.

As stated in the OP my mother gave him $250 cash, a few days later he refunded $125 then 5 days after the original payment he agreed to a full refund but said it would take 4-6 weeks to arrange delivery. I waited the entire 6 weeks against my gut feeling, and when I contacted him about the refund he said:

>Sorry but it will be just 2 weeks or less. Waiting to get approval from my photo lab. I will keep you updated. Regardless of there decision, you will receive a full refund.

Frustrated and confused about what a photo lab had to do with a cash refund I emailed him back expressing those frustrations and requesting the refund be sent electronically via Paypal instead of in person. His response was lackluster and without addressing the way the money would be refunded once again reassured me that there would be a full refund.

That was over two weeks ago and he has not responded to any of my correspondence since. What are the legal options at this point since he's agreed to a full refund? Is he legally obligated to follow through with that? I know it's silly to sue him in small claims court but if we both agree a $125 refund is due and he's refusing to pay it, is suing him for the $125 plus court costs the worst idea?

Answer:
 > is suing him for the $125 plus court costs the worst idea?

It's not the WORST idea, I can think of several but the mods disprove of those methods :P

$125 is borderline financially, it's probably not worth your time - but it's also not worth his.

As a matter of principle that's entirely up to you, I've seen people go to court over much less.

One option would be to have an attorney fire off a demand letter. The $2 a sheet fancy ass gold embossed letter head from a real bona fide law office adds a lot of weight.

The demand should include the original agreed sum, as well as the reasonable cost of getting an attorney to make the demand. If they wish to contest it you go to court where now they will have to pay the cost of all your legal fees court fees, and the debt as well as take a day off work to deal with it.

$125 now becomes $500 + time lost.

You MIGHT, if you want to be a nice guy, give them 48 hours to make with the money on your own demand...

"Look, I'm tired of this but I'm not going away, $125 now, or this becomes a thing."


Title: My apartment threw out a perfectly good appliance. Can I claim it and resell it?

Question:
A few weeks ago, my fridge went on the fritz. I determined that it was probably a part that needed replacing, so I sent in a request to maintenance. Came home from work the next day to find that they'd given me an entirely new fridge (not complaining!). I figured that they'd just fix the old one and put it in another apartment, since it came new to the apartment when I moved in less than 3 years ago, but come to find it's been sitting by a dumpster for the past few days.

Now, barring that the last few days of exposure to the elements has damaged it beyond repair, it still only needs, like, a $30 part. I hate seeing things go to waste - especially things I've relied on - so I was wondering what I would be allowed to do. Can I just pick it up and take it to repair and resell it? Or is it still the apartment's property?

EDIT: BTW I live in Rhode Island.

Answer: Have you thought to ask them if you can have the broken fridge? If they say they don't care, then it's not even an issue. Abandoned property laws can sometimes be tricky. Answer #2: Is it in the trash collection area? If so they have legally given up the rights to it. Just check your local laws since like in NYC you can walk by and take someone trash, but you can't put it into a vehicle.


Title: Sold my car and found it on Craigslist. The person clearly rolled back the odometer and is selling it at a higher price. They gave me a what I'm assuming is a stolen license and fake name when they bought it.

Question:
I sold my car on Craigslist and later was alerted that it was reposted on Craigslist at a much higher price and lower mileage.  I filled out the notice of release of liability at the DMV but the buyer gave me drivers license information for his "sister in law" who was going to be the new registered owner. Looked up the lady and she is definitely not his sister in law as she lives in a completely different part of the state and I suspect the drivers license was stolen. Can this come back to me in any way? Also this lady is now liable for a car she has never seen. Police wouldn't take a report and just told me to report it to Craigslist. What can I do to ensure that I am safe and that this guy gets what he deserves. I suspect he went about somehow altering the title because I wrote the mileage on it when I filled it out. Any advice?

Edit: location is California.

Answer:
 As it stands, it's apparently not your problem. You have reported to police. You have done your duty.  Until there is a sale, not sure that a crime has yet occurred. You could make Carfax aware of the odometer reading at sale. Not sure if there is a reporting link for you to follow. But I would try to make sure that your mileage would be in any report drawn on the car.Answer #2: > Looked up the lady and she is definitely not his sister in law as she lives in a completely different part of the state

There's no law that says you have to live near your in-laws.

> but the buyer gave me drivers license information for his "sister in law" who was going to be the new registered owner

Can we talk about why/how you purportedly sold a vehicle to someone who wasn't even present and (I'm assuming) without proper documentation to act on behalf of that person?

In my book, that's not a [bona fide transfer](http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&sectionNum=5602.) under the California Vehicle Code that could be relied on to escape liability for future acts involving the vehicle. It's just plain gross negligence to me.Answer #3: >Looked up the lady and she is definitely not his sister in law as she lives in a completely different part of the state

I live in a completely different part of the state as my sister in law. Answer #4: You've covered your bases. You filled out the release and reported this to the police/Craigslist. Keep any documentation you have.


Title: A friend of mine wants to hang herself but she’s in a different state.

Question:
Basically she messaged me on reddit and wanted us to hang ourselves together. I attempted to talk her out of it, but she’s persistent. She keeps begging and begging but in the end I’m not gonna let her. Should I call police or the suicide hotline? I don’t want her to
Topic:
Computer and Internet

Answer: Police, where she lives.


Title: [Texas] Domestic Violence.

Question:
My husband was arrested a week ago (FINALLY) for domestic violence against me. They were saying it will be a class C misdemeanor, however  when i went into the police department a couple of days later they took pictures of all the bruising I had, and I was told they would speak to the DA to get it pushed to a class B since I had so much bruising.

I was filled out the stuff for a protective order however I will have to get time off my new job to try to do into the DA's office....would hiring a lawyer now be any help with try to press it to a class B? I was told if it's a class C they wont grant an emergency protective order, but a class B they will.

I don't know if I should hire a lawyer at this point, or what. I just started a job so that I can get out of my bad situation. But other than what I've done is there anything I could do to help the situation along? Would a lawyer put more weight behind it? The police have pictures of all the bruises that I had.

Answer: No. Contact your local victims advocates group (try One Safe Place if victims advocates doesn't get you results). Can the local criminal court if you still can't find it. They can help you navigate the system. You don't need an attorney. You need an advocate


Title: Fear I'm the fall-guy, living with hash dealers in California.

Question:
So I'm getting very paranoid and worried that what seemed like a couple of friendly, small-time stoners selling pot has become a much more dangerous situation that puts me in precarious legal standing.

A few months ago I went back to Uni and sifted through Craigslist and found the house I share now, with "Tom and Jerry." Tom and Jerry rent from the landlord, Spike, but they are not on the lease. According to them, they are on probation (formerly in prison on drug charges) and are supposed to be living at their parent's house. I am on the lease. They are growing marijuana on the property and blowing hash, and told me if I helped them I'd be given a 1/3rd of the profit (~$10,000 by their estimate). Jerry has mentioned he fears the cops will come knocking any day, and told me if they came and saw the drug-distributing paraphernalia and plants that he would stand up and take responsibility (he's a damn good liar, but my thinking is it's a trap too). Not only would he most likely frame me in the event of that happening, but through conversation they were making distant personal anecdotes (real, fake, who knows?) of the exact situation I found myself in--finding out someone was ripping them off for help driving to the dump and doing nothing. In a risky move I asked Tom if he narc'd on the person who ripped him off, and Tom and Jerry both got very tense and agitated,---"Snitches get ditches" was the gist of it, along with various 3rd-person implied threats. This led into an anecdote about one of their former friends, who Jerry showed a semiautomatic rifle to to scare off would-be burglars. These guys have seemed relaxed enough before now, but I kind of feel stupid for thinking because they are young like me they they do their thing I do my thing, but now I'm worried about three situations

1. If I move out, it will raise suspicion and school is still in session. The lease is breakable, but I have no idea how the process of moving out will affect Tom and Jerry's disposition towards me.

2. I stay here and potentially have the cops come asking about all the drug dealer shit around the house, with a warrant. Oh wait, can't narc because they'll try to kill me, and I'm the only one on the lease so I might just have my tongue caught while I'm the scapegoat.

3. If I were scapegoat and he did the predicable sociopath move (disappearing), and I did narc, he could just as easily say I was an accomplice or the leader, and then I'd be stuck in jail and fail out of university only to be let out later fearing he'd come and try to murder me.

I'm really frightened, I don't own any self-defense firearms, don't believe I can trust the legal system, and even though they give me the veneer of friendship I know the writing is on the wall. I can't talk to my family about it because they would have me do something stupid, and I don't know any lawyers.

Can anyone help me understand the best course of action please?

Answer:
 Move out, put in a forwarding order with the post office, and don't give them your new address. Deal with any financial implications later. Having a criminal record the rest of your life will be much more expensive.Answer #2: So when they offered to pay you $10k to help them are you saying you didn't take them up on it? Or that you said no? Or what?

Because at the moment from what it sounds like it wouldn't be a lie for him to tell the police you're an accomplice. You are living with two guys on probation who are lying to their POs about where they are living and seem to be complicit in their illegal activities, for a share of the profits.

If you don't want to be caught up in this then move out, say nothing to them, and cut off all contact. Don't tell anyone who knows them where you're going either (e.g. don't tell the landlord where you've moved to).


Title: Roommate is masturbating in front of other roommates without their consent - Ohio

Question:
Please treat this as a hypothetical, because I don't want to associate this with a particular event or person.

I am looking for information on whether it is legal for someone to masturbate in front their roommates in the public area of their house in the state of Ohio without their roommates consent.

If this is not legal, I would really appreciate a cite to the relevant section of the ORC.  To me, I would think that masturbating in front of others without consent would be illegal, but I cannot find a clear and specific section of the ORC that backs me up.

Answer:
 Probably not.  2907.09(A)(2) requires the viewer to not be a household member.  Answer #2: If it were to happen, just call the police. They will either arrest them and the DA will do their legal research or the cops will put the fear of God into the person.

Or something like this will happen to clarify the law: http://bringmethenews.com/2015/05/23/new-law-makes-it-illegal-to-add-bodily-fluids-to-food-or-drink/Answer #3: I think I would start juggling knives whenever your roommate does this.


Title: (GA) Passing a school bus ticket. Legitimate ticket?

Question:
My fiancee got a ticket in the mail saying that she passed a school bus one morning when she was turning left three lanes over.  [Here is the video of the scenario in a giphy](https://giphy.com/gifs/l0MYtkAHLGWqeFJHa). It looks like she was just following the rest of the cars taking that left.

OFFENSE Georgia Code § 40-6-163(3)(A)

I also ask if its legitimate because, does the sold white line make a difference that is dividing the turn lane? Does it matter if she was following the flow of traffic? Also I have seen a bunch of questions relating to this all from GA. Makes me think they might be trying to just get the fines racked up. I'm assuming all those cars turning left probably got the same ticket in the mail.

Any chance of fighting this? Or just pay the $300 fine?

Answer:
 >I also ask if its legitimate because, does the sold white line make a difference that is dividing the turn lane?

Read the statute. You have to stop unless you're on the other side of a divided highway, on you're on "a controlled-access highway when the school bus is stopped in a loading zone which is a part of or adjacent to such highway and where pedestrians are not permitted to cross the roadway". That road is clearly not a controlled-access highway.

>Does it matter if she was following the flow of traffic?

Are you allowed to break the law if a bunch of other people are also breaking the law? No, of course not.


Title: [Ontario] Apt management company just banned any form of smoking (weed/cigarettes/e-cig) on premises including balconys, is this allowed in the middle of my lease?

Question:
Today a flyer was posted on our door stating that our apartment complex is transitioning to a "smoke free environment", and any form of smoking anywhere on the premises (including the balcony) will result in a 350 dollar fine for the first offense, 500 dollars, and "sufficient basis for the Landlord to seek termination of the tenancy" for any future offenses. Furthermore there will be weekly inspections of the units to "ensure tenants are abiding by the smoke free policy".

I signed my lease a few months ago,  in my lease it states "smoking is not permitted inside the unit", however "smoking is permitted on any outdoor area of the property".

Basically i am wondering is this legal and allowed?

Answer:
 I've been posting this a lot lately. Mods, can we have a Canadian Marijuana Legalization Megathread in honour of the occasion?

----

Let me put it this way:

Your landlord can't evict you for breach of contract, or charge you additional rent on that basis. Any clause purporting to enable that simply doesn't work unless you fall outside of Ontario's Residential Tenancies Act, and if you refuse to cooperate, your landlord can't really accomplish much.

However, if you do undue damage to the property - and smoke damage could rise to that level, especially if you're a heavy smoker and smoke indoors - or if you disturb other occupants of the building, you can be evicted for that. While a "no smoking" clause may not be binding as such, it is a strong indication that your landlord and neighbours will look for avenues to remove you if you violate it.

On balance, I'd either ask for clarification, or smoke off the property entirely, at your discretion, but if you're comfortable with some small risks, you could proceed as long as you smoke away from the house.

---

More specifically: the fines are almost certainly totally unenforceable. If you refuse to pay them, they can only take you to small claims or send you through collections, and in either case they'll ultimately need to find some lawful basis for the debt such as damage to the unit. "Because we said so" doesn't cut it.

Weekly inspections are probably also unreasonable. If your landlord inspects that frequently, you can and should file with the Landlord and Tenant Board for an order that your landlord cease harassing you.


Title: [CA/NV] I think my employee might have written checks to a friend/family member from the company account.

Question:
[deleted]
Topic:
Criminal Law

Answer:
 When you report it to the police, they can investigate further.

Until then, restrict the employee's access to the company checkbook.


Title: [Tx] Parental Alienation?

Question:
I have two children from my ex fiancé. It's almost two years since we split. I put myself on child support after I went two months without talking to them the last part of 2015 (four times from November 16th to the new year) In fact I didn't get them for thanksgiving or Christmas last year which prompted me putting through the orders. (she told me she wouldn't file until it became a necessity).
Things have devolved dramatically. Her husband assaulted me over the lack of child support back in February, which was actually my first appointed weekend of having my children. I wasn't aware she hadn't received it yet. By that time they should have take a months out because the paperwork was filed and sent through the AG's office on the 4th of January. So she went six weeks without telling me anything because "the money isn't an issue and I don't really care about it the problem is he does."

So follow through a few months later. The paperwork states without notifying her the children are mine from 6/15-7/27. She raises an issue with this calls me crying and tells me if she had known I got the children that long she wouldn't have signed it. She also hadn't read the paperwork since she signed it. So for six months these orders have been in place and she hasn't looked at it.

So she denies me my initial pick up date AND Fathers Day.

So we agreed on me getting the children from 7/1-7/31. I go and get the children and she changes the pick up location when I'm about 30 minutes away from getting them. I make a six and half - seven hour drive one way to see them. So I pick up the kids and come back.

In between visits with the children I go weeks without talking to them. I call every day she just doesn't answer (through her own fault or by interference of the new husband I don't know.) this happens all the time.

She calls once when I'm at work I don't answer she immediately calls me back and sends three texts wants to know when she can talk to the children. I give her two alternate phone numbers to call and my schedule so she knows when and where to call.

At this point the children are begging my to go back home because of reasons. Both children (girl is 5, boy is 4) break down the last week with me on separate occasions begging o not go back home. The boy states repeatedly he doesn't miss his momma and doesn't want to go home.  They both say things raises red flags for my mother who works for CPS. So on the day we go take them back my daughter throws up 8 times in an hour and half period because she's having a panic attack and my son is crying so much he's hyperventilating. We make the decision to turn around and call cps and all other things. We get home call cps who immediately say "emotional/psychological abuse don't send home until we investigate.  So I call my ex and she makes the drive up here to get the children after being told we can't send them home until the investigation is over.  So she throws a fit (which is understandable but if the tables were turned she would have done the same thing.) local agents talk to the children and say "nothing here send them back home and let their home county wrap it up."

So we send them home and my children are freaking out the whole time.
That was the first of August. I haven't spoke to my children or anything. I've called everyday in the evening twice on sat/sun and nothing I've sent a few texts messages asking for the best time to call and talk to the children and got nothing. Her read recipients are I so I know they get read only yesterday and today they aren't being shown as delivered. I'm at a complete loss as to what to do now.

Answer:
 If you went thru the AGs office what you got was a boilerplate custody recommendation that starts out with if parents can't agree on a schedule try this one on for size.

You need to go to court and get a court order specifically for your situation. Lacking that you are at her behest.


Title: Chinese restaurant denied us service for possible racial reasons. What should I do?

Question: Not going to say which but we waited 15 minutes in the lobby until someone finally came and told us that it wouldn’t be possible to have us that night. It wasn’t anywhere near closing time and we saw another group get seated right after us. Thoughts?

Answer:
 Did you ask for a reason? Speak to a manager? Were there other people of the same race in there? Why do you speculate it’s your race?

The race card seems steep without answers to questions like those and more.

Could always try going back and see what happens. I live in Seattle where popular restaurants are packed out with an hour within opening. Idk where you are but I know Seattle isn’t the only city like this.

*edit I see you answered some of these questions after you edited your post.Answer #2: What do you want done about it?  That's going to influence your next steps.

Consult with a discrimination attorney.


Title: What is the purpose of multiple consecutive life sentences?

Question:
What is the point in giving someone more than one life sentence without any possibility of parole?

Life w/o parole means that the guilty will be incarcerated until he or she dies. So what is the necessity of multiple back-to-back life terms?

Just like giving people 500-1000+ year sentences, it is both pointless and absurd.

Answer:
 Suppose someone kills 3 people. By giving a life sentence for each one, if there are any problems in any of the cases, and one sentence is invalidated, the offender is still in prison for the others.

If you bundled them all into one, problems in any of them could let them out.


Title: Do I lawyer up for a Class B misdemeanor possession of marijuana in Waller County, TX?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 > Do we hire a lawyer?

Yes.


Title: Can a landlord force a tenant to sell private property?

Question:
I live in Missouri. I have an antique ouija board displayed on a shelf in my living room. My landlord doesn't like that, and wants me to get rid of it. For the time being, I have taken it down. Can he legally demand this? Do I have to take it down?
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer: You know your title and body are asking two different questions, right?


Title: Child custody

Question: I have a family member in CA who has a little boy. She is addicted to heroine, as is her boyfriend (I think). They are homeless and tend to live in a van. We've called CPS and they do nothing. We've called the police, they do nothing. We want to take the child to raise because we would give a much more stable home life but she will not give him up. All she wants is money which we don't give her because it will go right in her arm. Is there something else we could/should be doing to try to get him away from that situation before it's too late?

Answer:
 Heroin = drug
Heroine = female heroAnswer #2: Reality: if she wants $100 for you to have the kid, isn't it worth it? Have her write up and notarized a form that you can make medical, legal, and educations decisions for the child. Wait 6 months (of time caring for the child) then file for guardianship.

If CPS and the police are unwilling or unable to do anything you are likely screwed. If you file for guardianship now they will base the decision on what CPS says.


Title: Coworker lost his job due to client lie that was proven false, what sort of lawyer should he look into? (more details inside)

Question:
My coworker is part of a small security company that does contract work. Recently a complaint was filed with our boss by the client who's site he was at claiming that he "reeked of marijuana and was high all the time" and demanded he be removed from the site and barred from returning. Our boss complied and spoke to my coworker and found out that not only does he not smoke pot, he can't smoke anything because he has COPD. He supplied the proof from his doctor *and* took a drug test which came back completely clean. However the client still refuses to let him back on site and continues to insist he was smoking pot on site.

Unfortunately we do not have any other sites with open positions, so he basically just lost his full time job over a lie. Our boss is completely sympathetic but just doesn't have anywhere to put him right now.

What are his legal options against the client who cost him his post? He's not interest in going after our company because our boss has to obey the client and she's done nothing wrong to him herself.

Answer:
 If the client had simply said they don't want your co worker on site, there would not be much he could do. However because they allegedly lied about drug use, and said lie resulted in the loss of a job, your co-worker may have a defamation claim against the client.

https://www.shouselaw.com/personal-injury/defamation.html

Edit: Defamation claims are never slam dunks, and are typically not worth pursuing. Your co worker should consult a local attorney before considering any lawsuit.


Title: Can I sue my college for tuition on the grounds that they have not provided a service which I am paying for?

Question:
I go to a private, non-profit college in Pennsylvania. As we all know, tuition costs are insane and I am digging myself into a lot of debt just to pay for my education. The situation is basically as follows: I am a CS major, and I have one professor who has basically taught 80% of my CS core classes because they keep moving him to new classes, just as I am about to take them (I am a senior now). However, he is completely and utterly incapable of teaching. If I could show that this is the case, and that one of the things my tuition is meant to pay for is a proper education, would I have a case? Or is this simply something that is not legally quantifiable? To me, it comes down to the thought process that I am paying for an education, and I am not receiving that service. I expect that the law probably doesnt see it that way, but I am just frustrated that I am giving soooo much money to a school for an education. Yet, I honestly feel bad/misleading even saying to potential employers that I have knowledge in certain subjects I have been "taught". All this money, and I have very little to show for it in terms of an education.
Topic:
School Related Issues

Answer: So you have this professor and he's bad at teaching. Then you take another class and another class and another class until he's taught 80% of your classes and now you want your money back? To borrow Judge Judy's saying, you can't go to a restaurant, eat a steak, then demand your money back.


Title: Neighbors hopped my fence during a party

Question:
I live in Georgia, and we have had some new neighbors move in . They threw a party a few weeks ago, and during the party some of their guests jumped the privacy fence dividing the two yards, and began jumping on my kids trampoline. Is there any steps I should be taking here? I should have called the cops but instead confronted the home owner.

Also, we do not have a home owners association if that matters. Thanks for any help.

Answer: Next time call the police. The people were trespassing, which is illegal. Don't confront your neighbor and argue about it. But politely make it clear that if something like that happens again, you will call the police.Answer #2: HOA doesn't matter, homeowners insurance would probably have an issue with that.


Title: My boss is docking hours for various reasons is she allowed to do this?

Question: We recently found out that our boss is deducting time from us for multiple reasons. If she feels we are working too slow or take longer breaks than were supposed to, she just removes the time as she sees fit. She doesn't tell us when or why she does it but we overheard her talking about it to another higher up. Instead of other forms of punishment is this an acceptable thing to do? Most of us work 8-9 hour shifts but get paid for ~7.

Answer:
 What is your location?

Are you getting paid at least minimum wage for the hours worked even after docking?

Do you have an employment contract or are you in a union? (well I probably know this answer already and guess not).Answer #2: In the U.S. *in general* your boss cannot simply *not* pay you for time worked. She can write you up or fire you for working too slowly, breaking rules, etc., but not paying you for the hours you're actually clocked in and working is a huge no-no. It's time for you and your co-workers to file a wage complaint. Oh, and look for another job because this will result in them finding some reason to get rid of you later on.

Disclaimer, this is general advice based on the fact you're in the states, since each state has other more specific laws concerning employment that may or may not help you and affect what further advice you get here.


Title: I let my best friend drive my car drunk, which he totaled now 2 years later I am getting charged for what he did.

Question:
Hello All,
     I am extremely new to this sub, however have often seen the great deeds done by this sub on the front page. So here's what happened. Pictures of car are here: http://imgur.com/a/SjNuk
     As a young(er) adult I didn't think about consequences much until the night that I was drunk and let my friend who knew the area better (also drunk) drive my car. So as we are going along a dark road, we hit a sudden bump which spilled the dip cup in my  hand. So naturally I unbuckled my seat belt to get a towel from the back seat. At that very second my friend lost control of the car going slightly off to the right of the road which caused him to over correct,which then led to hitting a telephone pole. Hitting the pole caused the vehicle to spin three times ending up in a pretty deep ditch. I don't remember a whole lot after the accident mostly I remember getting pulled from the car by my friend, and constantly freaking out about all the blood on me. After briefly talking to officers and paramedics, I was air lifted to a hospital where I received six head stitches as well as being diagnosed with a severe concussion. After being given morphine I barely remember talking to a cop and signing some sort of sheet.
     Other than that I was never given any paper work from police or anyone at that. I was released from the hospital without any incident and later after talking to my friend I learned he didn't receive any charges either.
     Fast forward a year and I am at a local park after hours with my girl friend, when cops find us in the woods they look up our info and inform me I have three warrants out on my name. After freaking out and lawyering up I discover that if I had gone six  more weeks without speeding or some shit it would have become invalid due to the statute of limitations.
     So here is what the end result is as well as my charges.
1. Reckless driving
2. Drunk Driving
3. Underage drinking
     When the accident first happened I confessed at the scene that I was driving due to my friend asking me to take the blame due to the fact he had already been charged with underage drinking. Being a "good" friend and severely concussed I agreed. Later after not being charged and being severely confused we let the insurance company take a recording of my friend saying he was driving as to cover the insurance issues. However, the insurance companies decided that due to the fact I gave him permission to drive my insurance company would have to cover the costs. The police have video of me saying I was driving and my friend saying he was the passenger. Which is what has made my lawyer decide to tell me to take the states (Va) deal. The deal would require me to have a 1 year restricted licence, take ASAP, AND get a reckless driving ticket.
     Now after almost a full two years I am due in court and need to decide whether to take the deal or fight it. My layer claims there is too much going against me to win and the judge could just send me to jail.
     So please help me out I am in great need. Thanks.
TLDR: Friend wreaked car, Now I am getting charged with a Baby DUI even though I was the passanger

Answer: ... 4. Filing a false police report. 5. Insurance fraud. Listen to your attorney. No one on this sub can give better advice than the attorney who knows the case. Answer #2: I doubt anyone here will tell you anything but listen to your lawyer or find a new lawyer


Title: legal advice - juvie

Question:
my friend's parents took him to juvie from what i know because they were fed up w him taking drugs, i dont know if he had any drugs in possession, i dont think so, and if he did have anything on him i doubt it would be enough to be classified as intent to distribute,i dont think hes ever sold drugs. He's 16 doesn't have any previous criminal record and im curious about anyone else's experiences with some sort of similar situation, how long did it take/how long do you think it would take for him to get out of juvie? also do you think its likely they would search his phone, and if so what would they be looking for? do you think its better to "caught" with a small amount (no intent to distribute, just for personal use) of class 1 drugs or a large amount of not "hard" drugs but a large amount? from what i read online the place i live in has an approach that is more concerned with treating addiction than punishing people using (without intention to distribute) with a lot of time. He deleted his social media accounts so there's no way to message him and his friends know as much as me, any input would be greatly appreciated!!
Topic:
Juvenile and Youth Law

Answer:
 Your friends parents didn't "take" him to Juvie. If he is indeed detained at a juvenile detention center, it is because he has legally been accused or convicted of a crime. This all requires legal proceedings. If hisparents enrolled him into a program, he can be kept there as long as the parents are willing to pay for it. As to the phone, if it is the property of the parents, my understanding is that they have the right to it (IANAL).

Edit: I didn't see location as Poland. I don't know how the justice system works there so all of the above may be incorrect


Title: I may have accidentally tried to extort explicit images from a minor

Question:
Okay so here is the situation. I like to find females who like to have their pics shared online. Its an exposure fetish and I try to always make sure the female is into it too. That said, it is sometimes similar to a rape fetish in that they want to fight back to some extent. I know I am a shitty stupid person with a bad fetish. Here is where things take a nasty turn.

I found this one girl online and sent her a generic comment.
She replied about two days later asking what i was talking about.
I didn't remember so I talked with her and tried to figure it out.
After a while I finally retraced enough steps to find her pictures
I give her the link and she stops messaging back
About 15 minutes later i send her a message to come back because i am bored

A full day goes by and i have forgotten about her
Then she messages me again for no reason
I know at this point she has seen the gallery and that i have seen the gallery we both know what is in it
I send her a message about something in the gallery and she plays dumb
I think that this is her way of playing so i go along with it (this is where the stupid idiot fetish thing comes in)
I pretend that i am going to blackmail her for literally 1 picture (that later turns into one short video)
We "fight" a little bit and then i expose her a little bit (pics weren't even downloadable)
I send her the link and she lies to me and says it doesn't load
I expose her a little bit more (this time i include her kik, pretty standard)
then she tells me that she was lying and that she reported me and that she is underage

After that is stopped messaging her. So reddit, how fucked am I and what should i do. I doubt it matters but I never would have given out any real information and also if she had just blocked me i would have let it go entirely (I had already forgotten about her twice after all).

Answer:
 Without knowing where you are, nobody can say what trouble you are in.

Real life advice: never play this sort of risky game with someone you are not absolutely, positively certain are both a willing participant and someone you have confirmed in real life is not a minor. Fetishes are fetishes; you are just playing with fire if you think it's a game to blackmail people into sending you nudes, especially online with the risk of the person being a minor. You can't presume someone you don't even remember was play acting dumb to get you to commit acts that could be illegal.


Title: Landlords requesting fake registration for my Emotional support animal as well as telling everyone that my dog is indeed an ESA.

Question:
Hi, I originally posted part of this in /r/relationships but I was told to post here instead. I am located in Ohio, USA.

Basically, I have a legitimate emotional support animal. My therapist/licensed social worker wrote a letter to my landlords describing my need for an ESA, establishing my disability, and explaining why I need this dog. I gave them the letter and everything was fine. Then a few days later they call me into their office saying that I need *another* form. The form they need is from the "National Service Animal Registry" for emotional support animals.

I know for a fact that this is not legitimate. There is *no such thing* as a registry for emotional support animals, at least not one that is recognized or accredited. It also costs extra money to get the letter, money that I don't want to spend on something I don't even need.

However, in the interest of preserving a positive relationship with my landlords, should I just get the letter? If not, how do I tell them I'm not getting them that fake letter without them thinking I just don't feel like going through the trouble? How can I prove to them that this isn't needed?

I've also heard my landlord telling other tenants and even other prospective tenants that my dog is an emotional support animal. To me, this seems like a violation of my privacy. Is there something I can do about that? Can I legally ask her to be more vague or is it really just up to her?

Thank you in advance for any help!

Answer: Assuming your LL is bound to follow the FHA, they cant "require" you to join the phony registry.  They may try to make your stay miserable in other ways, but once you have a valid letter from a mental health professional, their options are very limited and do not include forcing you to pay extra fees.Answer #2: Google "HUD service animals"  and print up the pdf that will show up (yes, it covers ESAs as well) - - buried in there in the first or second page will be where it says no further documentation beyond the note is necessary (not even proof of training). Take that in and show LL it isn't required.


Title: [IL & NV] Withdrawing $10k from my bank in cash?

Question:
So, a trusted family member needs to borrow $10,000 to close on a home purchase, and he needs it asap but is in another state. This person has plenty of money but its stuck in stocks, so he will pay me back in 1-2 months. I'm not worried about him repaying, but rather getting flagged by the IRS or something.

The plan is to take $10k cash out of my bank tomorrow. Then go to his bank and deposit the cash into his account. I thought his bank wouldn't accept this so I called and the bank manager said it would be fine, but it might raise "flags".  He will probably pay me back with a $10k check.

My only worry is they always say moving money $10k and over raises flags. So what flags exactly could be raised? I would prefer not to be audited or under some other investigation. Should I even be worried?

Answer: Why not write a check or ask your bank for a cashiers check? Or, better yet, why not just wire it?


Title: [MI] gym bought out and new owner wants more money.

Question: So 4/26/17 my girlfriend and I got a membership at our local gym for the course of 2 years (expires 4/26/19) well as of the past week or so they have sold the gym to another company (not super clear on the details yet) and the owner wants to charge us for things we had signed a contract for with the previous owners. As understandable as that is we had already paid these said charges all upfront at time of signage. Does the new owner have to uphold our original contract or is this something we need to handle with the people we originally signed with?

Answer: OP- When a business gets purchased, the new owner nearly always inherits all the businesses existing contracts (both contracts with vendors and customers). The new owner should be expected to upload your agreement with the old owner for its duration. If they refuse to, you could consider suing the new owner in small claims court.Answer #2: Depends on how be bought the gym, If he bought it with all contacts and liabilities then he has to uphold your signed contract. Let him know you have a legally binding contract and if he doesn't continue to abide by the contact it will void it.


Title: First time offense assault on officer?

Question:
I have no criminal history. I'm a 20 year old white male in Connecticut. I turned myself in today for assault on an officer.

I took drugs for the first time (ever) around 2 weeks ago and freaked out, the cops were called (actually the ambulance, but the cops came), and apparently I swung at one of them, though I honestly cannot remember anything. I don't think he was injured at all. The cops smashed my head into the ground after I tried to "swing", and I had to get an MRI on my head to check for internal bleeding / contusions.

I have a lawyer and learned my lesson; sat in jail all day. My lawyer got my bail bond from $10,000 to a PTA (promise to appear). I was processed and my mugshot taken.

 I don't know what's going to happen on my court date at all. What can I possibly be charged with, and what are the chances that I will go back to jail? What are the consequences of this all? It's hard to know anything for certain. Law and criminality are completely foreign to me. I've never been in trouble for anything like this. Thanks.

Answer: Google the CT statue for assault on a olive officer, it should lay down the possible punishments. The attorney can narrow down the possible punishments to what you can expect.


Title: Mother taking over money that was given to me from an accident I had as a child. [PA]

Question: When I was around 12 I had an accident at the house of one of my fathers friends. My mother sued what I'm guessing was the persons insurance on my behalf and the court awarded me a large sum of money. I was supposed to receive four checks from 18-21. I never saw any of those checks and my mother took the money and spent it on a business for herself and purchased a house that  according to her is apparently mine. I'm 23 and I don't know where to start with this. I have no idea who I'm supposed to call or what to do. Am I entitled to this money? She claims that it's her money because shes the one that sued. Then she claims that according to the court the money was specifically to buy me a house. She also says she has total control over the money according to the court. Could this be true? Why would the court have waited till I was 18 if she was to have total control of the money? Wouldn't they have just gave it to her after the case was won? This issue has been causing a lot of problems in my family for years and I'm close to being homeless, so I need this money more than ever.

Answer: Call your local bar association and get a referral for an attorney that specializes in insurance. You may be able to hire them on contingency. You should be able to exercise control over the insurance payout now that you're an adult. Answer #2: This really depends on the terms of the settlement. Contact the Pennsylvania Bar for contact info for low cost legal services in your area - they may be able to help you get access to the settlement and trust documents, which would then give you an idea whether you have a case or not.


Title: Previous owners of my house still have packages sent here. How long should I hold on to them?

Question:
So I bought a house back in March of this year. The previous owners warned me that I may get a few of their packages/mail but it would only be for a short time. Since then I have received several items in the mail from them, including season tickets to an NFL team.

Usually they pick up their stuff after a week or two. Annoying but no big deal. Recently though their daughter got married. Apparently multiple wedding presents have been sent to my house due to the address change. We have gotten a $50 gift card and a few other nice items. The last one we received was back in early October late September. We have notified them twice of the items, they even responded once. That was weeks ago. The items have been sitting on my porch for almost a month now with no attempt of them to pick them up. Our neighbor even works with their son and could walk over and get them if they bothered to ask.

How long should we hold onto these items? They are just sitting on the porch and possibly being ruined since they will not come pick them up.
Topic:
Real Estate law

Answer:
 Refuse them all.  It's rediculous what the former owners are putting you through

USPS "moved left no fwd"

Ups/FedEx try a sign by the Bell that says x doesn't live here.
Answer #2: When I first moved in I had this problem and I still do every now and then. I just call the company that delivered it and refuse the package. They come pick it up and it’s not my problem anymore. Answer #3: I'm going to assume these arrived via a third party carrier (FedEx/UPS) versus parcel post. My suggestion would be to either write return to sender on them and drop them in the mail, or call FedEx/UPS and tell them to pick them up and return them.Answer #4: >We have gotten a $50 gift card and a few other nice items.

Wait, how do you know that?  They're not addressed to you, you shouldn't be opening ANYTHING.

Mark it all return to sender.  Contact your postmaster and inform them that X no longer lives at that address and not to deliver anything for them.


Title: (FL) Neighbors kid broke my window

Question:
My neighbors teenage kid was hitting golf balls and broke a window in the back of a building on my property. He initially did the right thing and contacted me and said he'd pay to get it fixed.

It took me a couple of months to fix it due to trying to hunt down the exact replacement, but found out they no longer make it. So my options were to spends $100s to tear out the window or have a custom pane fabricated and installed.

Not wanting to have it cost that much, I settled for a plexiglass solution to cover and seal the window. The cost < $100.

Now he won't respond to texts.

The money really isn't the biggest issue, it's the principle. Especially considering that his family uses my property to park their vehicles and as a path to get to another neighbor.

Should I just write it off, pursue the $$$ or block access to my property?

Answer: What did the parents say when you knocked on their door and spoke to them?


Title: Can tenants be held responsible for late rent fees that aren't their fault?

Question:
I'm located in Reading, PA. Recently my landlord relocated from 30 minutes away to California and decided she would hire a management company in her absence. The company is 3 hours from her properties so everyone began mailing in rent. The management company then moved to a location that's now 5 hours away. As opposed to getting mail forwarded they sent out electronic notices of their relocation. The problem being, they've denied us electronic accounts from the start so we had no idea. Now they're attempting to charge us all extreme late fees. Is this something they can legally do when we aren't at fault?
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer: Did your rent check come back as undeliverable? What date was it post marked? That's good evidence you attempted to pay on time.


Title: Road Rage issue, should I be worried?

Question: [deleted]

Answer: Unless the police were involved or she had damages (she didn't) there is not a legal issue here. Can she report report it? Of course. Will action be taken? No.


Title: Question about service animals on rideshare

Question:
I'm a Lyft driver. Recently an update was pushed through the app reminding drivers of service animal laws and telling us we can't ever refuse a passenger with a service animal, even if we're allergic to dogs.

I understand that people who have service animals have a right to get them transported, but if a driver has a life-threatening dog allergy, doesn't that make it unsafe for them to drive a dog around? I'm pretty sure any reasonable blind/epileptic/whatever person would rather be denied a car ride if the alternative is dying because the driver went into anaphylactic shock on the road.

Also, who would be liable if the driver *did* crash their car because of a severe allergy to an animal they were required to transport? If the driver died? If the passenger died? If they both died?

Answer:
 If you have a legitimate reason why you would be unable to transport somebody with a service animal than you need to notify Lyft and request a "reasonable accommodation" which is that you not travel with service animals.

Most people with service animals will still call ahead and let you know they will have a dog, but people with service animals aren't required to do this.

As soon as you become aware that somebody has a service animal you need to contact Lyft who will send them another driver immediately


Title: Yesterday, my NYC landlord installed a shed outside my apartment that blocks my windows. I can’t live in the dark.

Question:
I have rented my apartment in New York City for the past two years.  My landlord started some renovations to the building and the construction company just installed a “sidewalk shed” outside my first-floor apartment.  The shed blocks most of the natural light entering in my apartment now.  A notice of construction was posted last week outside my building, but I had no warning that they would block my windows.  The construction will continue until mid-september (4.5 months).

I recently renewed my lease to start tomorrow, May 1st.  The landlord had insisted that I sign my renewal on March 15.  They did add a clause that I could terminate my lease in June.  Of course, my rent increased with the renewal.  I expect that the landlord knew that their planned construction would greatly impact my apartment.

I don’t want to live in the dark and I don’t want the hassle & cost of finding a new apartment building.

What are my options?

Answer:
 Unfortunately you just have to accept it, sidewalk sheds are basically mandatory for [most construction in NYC](https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/safety/sidewalk-sheds.page).Answer #2: Based off of what you've said in your post and your follow up comments, it would seem that you best option would be to break the lease in June since you are unsatisfied.

If you are willing to/can wait it out, 4.5 months isn't a really long time, and you will receive natural light again when the shed is dismantled.

Those are your present options.Answer #3: Is it actually blocking your window, or blocking light from getting in? The former is a big deal; the latter isn't.

If it's the latter: those sheds are mandated by law, they can't just not put it up.Answer #4: Depending on how it blocks your window, could be a fire code violation.Answer #5: I'm not a lawyer.  It looks to me like you have 2 choices:  1) live with the annoyance for the next 4.5 months.  2) Terminate your lease in June, as you've noted you have the option to do.

&#x200B;

You could approach your landlord from a non-legal perspective and request he consider any option for a slight movement of the construction shed, if that's available, or a rent relief for the duration of the construction, but I don't expect you have a legal right to either.  Not a lawyer, though.Answer #6: They are required to light the underside of the sheds, so that may help?

>Passageway must be lit by natural or artificial light at all times

https://www1.nyc.gov/site/buildings/safety/sidewalk-sheds.page


Title: medical bill from a restaurant incident

Question:
I had an incident in the HuHot Mongolia Grill restaurant at Green Bay WI on May 25 - a scallop shell from the "Create your meal" bar cut my mouth. Filed an incident report with the manager, and kept a copy. Manager told me I could go to ER and the company would pay for it through its insurance. The bleeding and pain were bad, so I went right after. Luckily no stitches were needed.

Now comes the medical bill issue. I received a bill of $583 with due date of June 22. The insurance agent for HuHot contacted me. I emailed her the medical bill, and a picture of the cutting object (yes I kept the shell). Now the bill is 5 days past due. I cannot get hold of the insurance agent. Calls go to voicemail. In an earlier email she told that they are after the supplier of the scallop.

My concern is, I donot know how long it's going to take the insurance claim to come through. I called the HuHut HQ and was told that they cannot do anything, and will let insurance handle it. They are not even sure whether they will pay for the bill. I am legally responsible for the bill and worry that it will go to collection if it is not paid in time. So, what should I do? Please help.

tl;dr - had an accident at restaurant, went to ER, received a medical bill, now past due. filed claim with insurance company of the restaurant, but no positive progress; do not know what to do with the bill.

Answer:
 The bill is your responsibility. Assuming the restaurant accepts liability, their responsibility is to make you whole. Maybe the supplier owes them in kind, who knows. The hospital does not have a relationship with the restaurant.

Basically, any late fees due to your failure to act will be your responsibility.


Title: Caught driving with international license in IL

Question:
I'm from another state and was visiting Chicago so took a rental on my international drivers license. I've been in the United States for 4 years so the police officer said that the license is invalid and I need a US drivers license. I was under the impression that you can drive for 9 months on an international license after entering the country but seems like that was only for tourists and not people who reside here (I was a student and now on H1B)

She also recommended I get a license before the court order. This is my first ever charge with any court of law.

Some questions I have:
- Is it recommended that I hire a lawyer?
- Do I personally have to be present in court or a lawyer can represent me?
- What kind of penalties do I face? It seems to be a class B misdemeanor so it can include jail time from what I've googled.
- If I get a US license before the court date, is it possible that the judge might drop this charge?
- Will this violation have an impact on my immigration status with USCIS?

Answer:
 > I've been in the United States for 4 years

> I was under the impression that you can drive for 9 months on an international license after entering the country

Hmmmm.....