Title: School teacher here - created a global fitness website for PE teachers to use; being told I should copyright it?

Question: Backstory: I'm an elementary school PE teacher. I created a website to promote elective-based fitness testing for elementary school phys ed programs (as a positive alternative to mandatory fitness testing). I bought the webdomain off GoDaddy, created the page and launched. Currently in about 40 schools nationwide. The entire program is free (I'm a broke philanthropist I guess) so I never really worried about CC issues. I keep being told by others in the fitness industry that I need to CC ASAP or "someone" bigger is going to swoop in and capitalize on this. [This](https://kidsninjafitness.com/) is the website in question. I'm not really sure if this is the right place, long time Redditor/first time posting in legal advice. Either way, thank you to any and all who read this!

Answer:
 Copyright is automatic, if you wrote it then it's under copyright (outside of certain niche cases).

If you want it better protected you can register your copyright which allows for higher penalties for infringement (assuming they are in a jurisdiction that cared and have means to pay). Registering a copyright is not free, so figure out if it's worth it for you.

Put simply with an unregistered copyright you can only expect to recover damages, which can be very difficult to prove and likely impossible given the nature of your site. With a registered copyright you can sue for statutory damages as well, without having to prove you were directly harmed by the infringement. It's a huge difference in ease-of-enforcement.

You also need to determine what you actually own on the site, if anything was written by someone other than you then you need to get the copyright transferred in writing.

If you want to allow others to use or build on your work you still can with permissive licensing. I'm not familiar with licenses for what you're doing but GPL is popular for software, and Creative Commons for multimedia.


Title: At risk of being fired over a rumor. What can i do?

Question:
I work in a residential facility in AL (United States) with students with disabilities (with an emphasis on students with behavior problems). I'm not very well liked at work because I'm a "snitch," since when people do things that put the student's well-being at risk i report it. Now, someone has started a rumor that i beat a student.

I was interviewed about it on Monday and told to go on to work. When i arrived, they had one too many staff in my group home and my coworkers had been told i was fired. I called my direct supervisor and our quality monitor to ensure that i was supposed to be there, because I didn't want to do anything that would get me in any new trouble during whatever investigation they're doing, and they told me to stay.

Now the rumor has extended to me hitting two different students (granted, they both have similar first names, so i think someone in the rumor mill just got the names confused) and people I don't even work with are coming to me with elaborate stories about what i supposedly did and telling me to quit before i get fired.

What are my options if i do get fired? Can i demand a more thorough investigation? Sue for slander? Anything?

I was planning to build a career in this field so i really can't have this happen to me.

Edit: i get it. I'm fucked. Please stop commenting.
Topic:
Employment Law

Answer:
 > What are my options if i do get fired?

File for unemployment and look for a new job.

> Can i demand a more thorough investigation?

You can demand anything you want to. They don't have to.

> Sue for slander?

Maybe if you can prove somebody slandered you. But you would have no recourse against your employer.

Advice - Don't quit. If you quit people will just assume you were guilty. And it will make it harder to get unemployment.


Title: My Exes Father is trying to make me pay for a trip

Question:
So I recently broke up with my fiancé and now her father is trying to get me to pay for a trip that he was taking us on. Now there was never any talk of money or anything just that he was taking us on a vacation to Mexico. Now after I broke up with her, he tries telling me that I owe him for my portion of the trip. At first he tried to hold my personal belongings till I paid him but when I told him I would call the police to get my things. He then agreed to give me my things if I gave him $200. His exact words in the text message were "just give me $200 and we're even"

Now fast forward a month...

He text me yesterday saying he was going to file against me to lein my credit and that anytime I would apply for anything it would show up on my credit report. He said he has my SSN and my address so he will be doing it soon.

As far as I'm concerned he has absolutely nothing on me. If anything I could probably file harassment charges against him.

So am I correct to assume this?

thanks in advance!

P.S. I am in PA

Answer:
 He won't be able to successfully sue you for what is essentially not accepting a gift from him.Answer #2: His threat of keeping your possessions or placing a lein against you if you do not pay him money is extortion. Tell him he is about to commit a crime and you will get the police involved if he does.  Answer #3: Not a Lawyer

If he does have that go to court, make sure you actually go or you lose.

I would probably get a credit monitoring service as he really has no right to have your SSN and address but could potentially abuse it.Answer #4: I am confused.

Did you go on the trip, or was it scheduled but you didn't go because you broke up?

Did you give him $200 to get your belongings back, or did you get them back another way? (Or did you not get them back at all?)


Title: (Update) Landlord of old apartment lost my check, is demanding new one. I offered a new check minus the cost of canceling the old ones and they are refusing. Wisconsin

Question:
[First Post](https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/5fqmyz/landlord_of_old_apartment_lost_my_check_is/)

[Update](https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/5hapze/update_landlord_of_old_apartment_lost_my_check_is/)

This is a third update now. I'll rehash everything that has gone on.

  I paid my December rent on November 28th, and got a receipt for it stating I paid in full.
I was called the next day and told they lost my rent check. I offered a new one minus the cost of canceling the check. They refused and we went back and forth.

  They gave me the quit or pay, and I decided to quit as I was already moved out. I did not get to finish cleaning the apartment though. I misunderstood how the eviction process worked, and thought I had to counter file against them for the eviction, hence my comments in the last update.

  I recently talked to a lawyer, who said that while I was in the right, it wasn't worth the cost to take it to court, and I should eat the cost of canceling the check. He also advised me that they cannot refuse to show the apartment if I have someone who wants to see it, nor can they refuse to release it to someone else if I do the leg work. The complex is at about 80% capacity right now, so they don't want to have me take someone they can throw in another apartment.

  I emailed the corporate lady I was talking to and said basically said I would pay the rent as long as they agree to work with me to re rent the apartment. They wrote back and said they are aware of their duty to mitigate damages. They also said they are removing my "On time discount" and requiring me to pay an extra $75 on top of my December rent.
I countered with the fact that I have a rent receipt stating I paid on time, and they basically said that it doesn't matter, and I haven't heard back.

  I went in person to the apartment office to pay my January rent, and recorded my interaction with the local lady on my phone. She said flat out that she will not show the apartment, nor will she re-lease the apartment.

I have another phone call with the lawyer on Thursday the 5th, but would like some advice ahead of time.

I plan to file, but is this small claims court, and if not, where do I file?

Also, where they are and where I now live are two different counties, and about an hour and a half drive one way. Do I have to file in their county, or can I file locally and make them drive?

Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

Answer: Give them the rent with the discount since you've already paid it once at that rate and have a receipt saying so.  If they want the extra 75 let them explain their logic to a judge.


Title: I want to have my BF from Canada live with me in the USA for a while to see if long distance relationship will still work once it is local

Question:
We would like to figure out how to do this legally.  I am born in the USA/a USA citizen.

Longer term maybe things work out and we get married, maybe they don't and he goes back to Canada.  Neither of us wants to jump into marriage without living together for a while (at least 6 months or so maybe shorter, maybe longer depending) to be more confident things will really work out.

Now as far as I can tell he can visit the USA for 6 months at a time, but staying in the USA 6 months, going back to Canada briefly then coming back seems like it sometimes works, but they also could decide you are living in USA illegally and deny entry.  We would rather not risk that especially as it sounds more like some people just don't get caught rather than it being a legal way to do this and there are a few horror stories out there about this hurting the process even once they got married due to the entry refusal.

Ideally he would be able to work as well, but he isn't in high tech or any particularly in demand industry so green card or sponsorship seems unlikely. I don't think that there is any way to allow him to legally work unless we actually got married, but figured I would mention it just in case someone has any ideas.  I can support both of us just fine, but I worry he will get bored and well extra money is always nice + it would put the relationship on more even footing.

I don't think it matters anymore given the recent supreme court ruling (YAY!), but we are both guys.

I am planning to hire a lawyer if we actually decide to get married etc. to handle that part of things... debating if I should get one now before he comes here in the first place.  I also could use some advise on what kind of lawyer or what to search for.  When I went to my state bar website none of the options they gave really fit.  I'm planning to call after work hopefully the people are more flexible than the website.
Thank You

TLDR: Boyfriend from Canada wants to live with me in USA for ~6 months to see if things will work out when it is no longer a long distance relationship how do we do this legally?

Answer:
 Beware that, even if your boyfriend intends to stay for no longer than his visa will allow, his circumstances will raise a lot of red flags to immigration officials.

There was someone on here two or three weeks ago whose partner tried to enter on a tourist visa from Canada in similar circumstances, got turned away at the border and banned from entering the USA for a period of time.

If you want to do this with minimal risk, you need to pay now for an immigration lawyer to get competent advice.Answer #2: The easiest work visa for a Canadian is a TN visa.  A little web research will tell you if he qualifies for one.  You can only get a TN once you have a job offer in hand for a qualifying field.


Title: Copyrighted Music Transference from Dead Uncle Who Didn’t Have it in his will?

Question: So basically, my aunt is trying to figure out how to license her late husbands officially copyrighted music to me for use in a video game I’m making. I’m in the U.S. and the copyright should last for 70 years after death but she can’t find the paperwork, as they met after he made the music. She doesn’t know how to claim the copyright to license the music to me and also have me put the music online for people to buy and download. Is there any easy way for her to get backup paperwork filed at the U.S. copyright office? How can she claim proof of ownership?

Answer: Do you know who published the music? Was your uncle signed to a label?


Title: Past Marijuana Use Uncovered Following Work-Related Accident [CO]

Question:
I am in Denver, Colorado.

 &nbsp;

About three years ago, I was hospitalized with a nasty virus. During this visit, I was asked about my history with drugs. I indicated that I was a recreational marijuana user. Since then, I have started a professional career and quit using marijuana. When I accepted the job that I am currently at, I was required to take a drug test, which I passed.

 &nbsp;

Recently I was injured at work. I informed my supervisor and went to a doctor on my company’s list of approved doctors. This doctor is a part of the same hospital system as the one I was hospitalized at. As such, they already had copies of those medical records.

 &nbsp;

During all doctor visits for my Workmans’ Comp claim, I never indicated marijuana use. I cannot recall if any of the forms I filled out at this doctor asked about drug use, but if they did, I certainly indicated that I am not a drug user. However, I was looking at a copy of the letter from this doctor to the Workmans’ Comp insurance company, and under the “Drugs” section, marijuana is listed.

 &nbsp;

I was not drug tested after my accident, so I do not have a test on file to prove that false.

 &nbsp;

Can my workmans’ comp claim legally be denied based on this? I am assuming my employer has access to the doctor's letter. Would it be wise to call the doctors’ office and request that this letter be amended? I a concerned that my marijuana use is being presented to my the insurance company and my employer as if it is current, which it isn't.

 &nbsp;

Tl;dr: Used marijuana in the past, quit, now records of past marijuana use have been uncovered in a workmans’ comp claim.

Answer: Your worker comp claim is for the current injury, not the past.  They will not deny you for the past.  If you injured yourself at work as indicated, and popped hot, your worker comp benefits can be reduced by 1/3rd under Colorado State Law, but cannot be denied...it's on the posters required to be in your workplace.  They could also fire you according to a ruling by the State Supreme Court.


Title: My boyfriend doesn't think we should pay friend who rented her place out to us because she kicked us out early.

Question: [deleted]

Answer: She did you a favor that could have gotten her evicted, pay her what you owe her.


Title: (South Carolina) Cops knocked in my door at 1:30 am. I'm curious as to why, but I don't want invite trouble since they didn't wait for me to answer

Question:
Last night around 1:30 am a cop knocked on my door. I know it was a cop because of my doorbell camera. It took me a bit to wake up enough to realize that the noise wasn't just my cats trying to get into the cabinet with their food.

They appeared to be parked across from my neighbor's house. But I didn't go outside to see what they wanted because it was cold, I wanted to go back to sleep, and I figured if they really wanted to talk to someone in the house they would have knocked harder/ longer.

Nobody has come back. Is there any downside to seeing what they wanted? Or should I just leave it alone since I'm obviously not important enough to get the guy to wait for someone to answer the door or leave a note?

Answer:
 I'm the south Carolina cop that knocked on your door. I just wanted to ask if you knew what up-dog is. Answer #2: It could have been for any number of reasons.

-To ask you if you heard that gun shot down the street.

-To ask you if you've seen so and so who was last seen near your house.

-To respond to a 911 hangup call that [ANI/ALIED](http://www.crmmarketplace.com/doc/e911-aniali-tagging-system-0001) or GPS tagged near your home.  (sometimes it just pings off a cell tower and there is a broad area that officers respond to)

-and so on and so forth.


Title: [Virginia] Sexual harassment at work

Question:
My friend is 16 and working in a fast food restaurant. She had sex with a manager that’s in his early 20’s and another that’s in his early 30’s. It was only a one time thing but now they keep pressuring her into it. I’m not sure what we can do besides reporting it to her place of work. Does it matter that she was for it the first time and now she doesn’t want to anymore? If her work doesn’t do anything who else can this be reported to? I’ve already told her to start a paper trail and keep anything they might text her or send.

Thank you for any help.

Answer:
 In Virginia, what they did was statutory rape the first time she consented. Now that they're pressuring her, this is crossing the line into rape, and definitely sexual harassment. She needs to tell the police. It doesn't matter if she said yes the first time; consent doesn't work like an all season pass. If they're coercing her, a minor, into sexual acts then that's rape.Answer #2: She can report this to the police and/or to HR. First, the managers committed a crime. Second, she has the right to work in a place where she is free from ongoing harassment. But nothing will change unless she reports it. Answer #3: This isn't sexual harassment. This is statutory rape and sexual abuse of a minor.

You go to the police for that.


Title: Compromised food? Unknown substance inside of a food item that I purchased.

Question: [deleted]

Answer: Yes, contact them. You might get a refund or a coupon for a new bag.


Title: German insulted on Twitter by Brit with 25k followers - which options do I have?

Question:
Topic:
Computer and Internet

Answer:
 Grow a pair?Answer #2: Please file a hurt feelings report as soon as possible.

http://www.redonkulas.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/DA-FORM-IMTWF1.pdfAnswer #3: This thread has been linked to from another place on reddit.

- [/r/bestoflegaladvice] [Guy called me a bad name on Twitter. How do I sue him?](//np.reddit.com/r/bestoflegaladvice/comments/31noo9/guy_called_me_a_bad_name_on_twitter_how_do_i_sue/)

- [/r/pussified] [Someone was mean to me on twitter. Can I sue?](//np.reddit.com/r/Pussified/comments/31nbya/someone_was_mean_to_me_on_twitter_can_i_sue/)

[](#footer)*^(If you follow any of the above links, respect the rules of reddit and don't vote.)
^\([Info](/r/TotesMessenger/wiki/) ^/ ^[Contact](/message/compose/?to=\/r\/TotesMessenger))* [](#bot)
        Answer #4: truth is a defense to defamation.  I think after this post you will have a hard time proving his tweet was not truthful.


Title: Co-Tenant changed lock passcode without notifying landlord or myself, can I change the lock if I notify him and the landlord that I have keys for them both?

Question:
This one is really messy..

Guy rents a small shop attached to my house (that I rent from the same landlord) for three years. I have a written lease from the landlord.

He has an oral lease that has been month to month for the last three years. I start sharing the space with him via an oral lease with the landlord an him.

Turns out he has not paid rent in three years and lets random people sleep in the space (who steal from him).

Landlord decides he wants to just have me rent that small shop space. He gives the other guy a verbal notice to vacate within 30 days on about December 28th. Landlord and I sign a written lease that begins Jan 1st and runs 12 months.

Two weeks later the tenant has changed the lock passcode to the space and will not tell me or the landlord.

I can get into the space from my house via a small access door.

If I give a key to him and the landlord, can I just get in and switch the lock?

The small shop is a business for me and I need to get my work done and I don't like the thought of canceling customer appointments for the next two weeks while the landlord and I wait for the official 30 notice expiry to change the locks.

Can he sue the landlord if I change the locks? Assuming I give him and the landlord keys to get access to the space?

Sorry for the formatting or spelling errors, I am on mobile.

Answer:
 > He gives the other guy a verbal notice to vacate within 30 days on about December 28th. Landlord and I sign a written lease that begins Jan 1st and runs 12 months.

The other tenant has the absolute right to occupy the space until the 30 days is up.  And unless the landlord has the right to unilaterally add tenants(which is unlikely) then you shouldn't go in there at all until that time is up.


Title: Modafinil package seized

Question:
I recently ordered modafinil online, it's shipped from India to my address in the US. My concern is this-

My package was held up in customs and the vendor offered to reship. Two days ago I agreed to a reship, and today I came home to find a letter from customs saying they seized my package. Should I be concerned that another package, from the same vendor, to the same address may already be on its way to me? Could I be facing charges? I wasn't aware my package has been seized by customs when I agreed to a reship, and I'm kind of freaking out. Any advice is appreciated.

Answer:
 For those of you not in the know, modafinil is a "smart drug" that promotes wakefulness and is used to treat folks with sleep disorders.

Enthusiasts of the drug will say that it's no big deal and you won't really get prosecuted for attempting to have it shipped to the USA.   They are engaging in a legal process called "bullshit".

The only thing you can do about it now is (1) don't accept the shipment if it shows up, and (2) stop ordering it.

And (3) if you really are charged with trafficking in prescription drugs, hire a criminal defense attorney.


Title: Florida- My license was suspended for not paying a ticket. I never got a ticket, nor was I ever pulled over. The tag on the citation isn't mine either.

Question: So either somebody stole my identification and used it at a traffic stop or this is some kind of clerical error. The clerk's office is fully automated and it only takes you through loops, all ending on how to pay them for the offense I never committed or even had my day in court for. Where do I even begin proving my innocence?

Answer:
 Start by going into the clerk's office in person.  Figure out what the issue is, and then move on from there.

This may be a camera violation.


Title: [WA] Are the laws that dictate cannons the same as regular firearms?

Question:
I live in Washington state, on the beach. Each year on the 4th the people up and down the beach stock up and fire off a bunch of fireworks.

Across the water from us the other beach does the same thing, and each year it gets larger and larger.

This year a few neighbors and I are considering getting signal cannons, such as a 10 gauge Winchester 98. They're made for firing blanks.

We're wondering if firing blanks on the beach is just as illegal as firing live ammo would be.

The only reason I think this may belegal is up in the San Juans several organizations, such as the Roache Harbor marina, as well as several individuals, shoot off signal cannons nightly at sunset. I know the organizations probably have acceptions in the law, but I'm wondering how the individuals do it.

Thank you.

Answer: There are no state or federal laws governing the sale, possession, or use of signal cannons. Your local city or county, or whoever owns the beach, may have some laws that could apply, including noise ordinances.


Title: [Employment Law] AB, Canada - My manager paid told me I would be paid through an evacuation, decides it wants money back a month later.

Question:
I was part of the evacuation of Fort Mcmurray. I am a salaried, non-union employee. My department manager (the only boss I deal with) and I stayed in touch via phone every couple days for the duration of the evacuation, keeping me up to date. and several times I was told I would be paid during these conversations. I was ready to head back with 24 hours notice. on the 13th, I was told to come back to work. I rented a car to get from calgary to edmonton and catch a ride from there, but the fire got worse so they put me up in a hotel for the night. I rented a car and headed back to the place I was staying in calgary the next day. I received the full amounts of my bi-weekly salary. These are paid at the end of each period, with no delay between periods. I was back to work just after the first of this month, and have been paid for this month. I was told today that the CEO has since decided that they will not be paying salaried employees for the missed time. they want the paychecks back.

I know they cannot take any over-payment, legitimate or otherwise, off of my check with specific written consent, but what do I do from here? Do I tell them they can't? What position does that put me in regarding the termination of my employment? I cannot afford to miss a months pay. :(

Answer:
> Employment Information

> Individuals with employment related questions around employment standards such as getting paid while businesses are closed or have been destroyed in the fire should call the
Employment Standards Contact Centre at 1-877-427-3731 or within Edmonton call 780-427-3731.

I would call them and inquire.

Talk to the other employees that are affected by this.  Perhaps if you present a united front, the employer may change their mind.  You can also come to a negotiated agreement with the employer - perhaps you could all give back 10% of your salary during the disaster, as a way to share the pain.


Title: Got caught shoplifting from Wal-Mart

Question:
Got caught stealing an item under $25 worth of merchandise from Wal-Mart, was almost out of the store, until LP came and bodied me back into the store.

Two questions:

1. Can they touch me?

2. Can they defame my character? (Shoving the case of the stolen item in my face, while yelling and making a scene of it)

I am in the State of Ohio

Answer:
 Sure, yes, to both.

If they make a civil demand, pay it. If they report you to law enforcement and you're arrested, hire a criminal defense attorney. Also they did not "defame your character" but sure, they can yell and make a scene.Answer #2: Yes, they can use reasonable force to detain you, and they did not defame you


Title: [TX] Tried to drive a friend home from my house.

Question:
Hello,

Obviously a throwaway but I had a friend over today and served them maybe 4-5 shots over a 3.5-4 hour period. Everything was fine until randomly they flipped and were noticeably drunk so I called someone to follow me home and I would drive their car. It was a battle to get them in the car, and only worse once we started driving.

They were throwing a fit and climbing around in the cab, and when I got to a point I was turning on their street I stopped at a stop sign and they got out of the car and started talking to other cars on the road.

I got out to try and get them back in the car and they climbed in the drivers seat. I was fed up at this point and knew that they probably had more than an ounce of weed in their car so I got in my car and went home.

Well you know where this going. They wrecked, no one hurt, car totalled, dui, possession, etc.

My question is liability. It doesn’t make sense for me to have ANY, but I am just curious and am hoping for some peace of mind.

For obvious reasons I will not be having them in my life anymore.

Answer: your friend could have pulled over and called an uber. or not gotten out in the first place. you are not responsible for their decision to drive drunk. next time just call a cab or an uber, the person can get their car later.


Title: Car has been abandoned on the street next to my home. Can i ever lay claim to it?

Question:
[deleted]
Topic:
Real Estate law

Answer:
 No.

Why would you think you could just 'claim' somebody else's property, located on somebody else's property?


Title: Horrible Hotel Experience

Question: I recently stayed at a Holiday Inn Express in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. There were some renovations being done to the property and to keep it short, the experience was absolutely awful. The reason I am posting here is because I want to know the levels of legality behind walking us through a construction site in the middle of the night with no lights on (the only light was from the glow of the sign outside above the marquee). There was hanging insulation, air ducts, and wires. On top of this there was no handicap accommodation for the situation and we were placed into a room on the opposite side of registration which meant we had to go upstairs above the construction, walk down the other side, then go to our room. The room we were placed in was inside of a hall that was still being renovated with drywall dust everywhere and construction mats down. I very much want to know what leverage I have, if any at all, to pursue them for at least a refund as the general manager never responded to me. Any help here would be great.

Answer:
 It was shitty, but you stayed. If it was good enough to sleep in, it’s good enough to pay for.

If any of the advertised amenities were not available, you may be able to argue for a partial refund.


Title: No where to park/Parking infringement

Question:
Hi r/legal advice.
I am a New Zealand resident and this evening before I got home from work my flat mate had gotten a parking infringement notice on his car for parking on a grass verge outside our house, it was a warning and next time he will have to pay $40.

I also park on that verge as do several of our neighbours. Our house is on a side street from a main road and there is no off street parking available in any direction for quite a while. We have 2 allocated car parks in a shared driveway, yet 4 cars belonging to me and my three flatmates. There is literally no where else for two cars to be parked and we all, other residents included, have parked on this verge for several months without any hassle and none of us knew it would ever be a problem.

I am planning on ringing the council as soon as I can in the morning and asking them what I can possibly do in this situation, does anyone have any suggestions on how to address this issue.

Part of me just wants to go out there in the middle of the night and replace the whole area with concrete and turn it into a proper parking bay but I know that is a bad idea.

Answer:
 You and your three roommates, with four cars between you, moved into a property that has only two parking spaces. You knew there weren't any other nearby parking spaces, other than parking in a non-parking place. And you know you shouldn't park on the grass because you joked about pouring cement to make it a parking bay.

Your lack of due diligence and the inconvenience this situation currently causes you, does not entitle you or your roommates to park wherever you want.


Title: Employer deduction in NYS for their mistake

Question:
I am a salaried employee in NYS and today I got notice, that for the past year, dating back to Jan 1st, 2014, my employer had made a mistake and not subtracted the monthly dues for my employer provided healthcare plan (around 100$/month). They informed today that they would like to take out around $400 from the next 3 months paychecks (i get paid once a month, at the end of the month), to make up for that.
Is that legal?
I read that abstract of the law changing in 2012, but the legal jargon confused me.
Can they do this? Also, they only notified me by email, not written.

Thanks!

Answer: Yes you need to pay. You can try speaking to them and say hey that's too much of a hardship, how about you make it $200 / mo for 6 months or $100 / mo for a year or whatever, but you owe the $1200. It's worth a try at least to have that conversation


Title: (MA) had consultation with a specific lawyer, they agreed to take the case & now it's being handled by a partner in the office instead of the person we thought we hired. We'd much rather work with the person we thought we were hiring.

Question: We got a few recommendations for the same lawyer & decided to see if we could use her (family law).  After a phone consultation she agreed to take the case & mailed paperwork to be filled out.  Once the office received paperwork she was no longer the one to call us,email us etc.  Now the paperwork is being signed by someone else in her practice.  Is this common?  We had picked the lawyer based on recommendations, her accolades & the experience of others.  It seems awkward to ask the person now handling the case why we are working with her instead of the initial lawyer. Thoughts? Thanks.

Answer: It depends on the terms of the paperwork you signed and sent in. This is known as the "retainer agreement", and will generally explain who will be handling your case.Answer #2: i know lawyers in mass,  the paralegals do 90 percent of the work anyways.  so dont think youre getting slighted.  They pawn the leg work off to someone else then they show up and go from the notes the associate or para does and makes the case.  he may not be talking to you but he is probably giving direction in the background.


Title: Parental issues

Question: So for a little backstory when i was 19 i dated a girl and we ended up having a kid together (unexpected) and there hasn't been any tests done for parental to make sure i am 100% the father. I know she was sleeping with other guys before me. Fast forward to now and the kid is almost 3 and we broke up 4 months ago. She just moved to hawaii and got married after being in another relationship from where i live in Seattle in the span of 2 months. she has had 4 boyfriends since we broke up. We have been talking occasionally so i can see the daughter and talk to her. She is asking me for my details including SSN so i don't have to pay child support is her reason. I am confused why she needs that information to make it so i don't have to pay. She said the other father is going to completely support her. What is it she is trying to get at?

Answer:
 Have you signed anything acknowledging you are dad? Is there any order determining you are dad?Answer #2: Are you listed as the father on the birth certificate?

Have you signed a Paternity Acknowledgement document?

Do you have a court order establishing you are the father?

In Washington state you're on the hook financially as the father, for 18+ years. It's expensive if the child is yours. If the child isn't biologically yours, do yourself a favor and find out sooner than later.

Do you want a relationship with this child? If not and the other gentlemen is willing to sign a Paternity Acknowledgement then there's no reason for you to provide any information to her, if you don't believe the child is yours.

In my opinion your best bet is to proactively go through DCS and request the court determine paternity. This will typically involve a DNA test.

If you want a relationship with your kid, you'll need it to assert custody & visitation rights. If it's not your kid and you're not emotionally attached, it will save you 18 years of paying out the nose and prevent you from always wondering if it was yours.


Title: I’m Being Sued for $100 (NY)

Question:
I’m the only one on my lease. My legal occupant gave me 30+ day notice that he would be moving out and I gave him a move-out checklist that I obtained from our property’s/landlord’s website.

The day he moved out, I noticed he painted certain areas of the room the wrong color (in an attempt to spot paint). He said he understood if I needed to deduct from his deposit to fix this. Also, he was not going to be able to fix this himself, as he was leaving for vacation an hour later.

I was swamped at work the next few days, but when I finally had the chance to walk through the rest of the room, I found the air conditioner (which is owned/provided by our property) was broken, scuff marks all over the walls, patches of mismatched paint (as I mentioned earlier), etc. Additionally, some of the items from the move-out checklist were incomplete and per the property, a $40 per hour cleaning fee would apply to these items if left incomplete upon vacating the premises. Because this checklist is provided by our landlord/property, this was the standard I held the tenant to. Besides that, the room was not properly cleaned for a new tenant to move in.

I completed most of the tasks myself. I got a quote from our property ($70) to repaint the areas where the tenant had used the wrong color. They did not have availability to repaint before the new tenant moved in, so they gave me the paint and I did it myself. I also contacted my property about the air conditioner and they replaced it with a new unit.

After putting in 3-4 hours of work into the room, I notified the tenant that I would be deducting $100 from his deposit (this amount was less than the combined paint quote and the cleaning fees quoted on the website) and provided a thorough explanation with images, quotes, etc. I also sent him the rest of the security deposit (minus $100) that same day.

The tenant is furious about the $100 deduction and is taking me to small claims court. I contacted our property regarding the matter and they said they have no involvement and that this is to be settled between the tenant and myself. I thought the deduction was fair given the quotes I obtained and all of the work that I completed myself. Am I in the wrong here?

Answer: Small claims court is, literally, like judge Judy. If you go with the arbitrator anyway. You convince the arbitrator that the amount is fair (usually with receipts, etc) and you can get the case tossed.


Title: [Florida] can I move out of my girlfriends apartment if both of us are on the lease?

Question: Our lease ends September 10th and she re-signed the new lease without me. Since I will be living with roommates, the only possible roommates have to move into a new house at the end of this month. She's telling me I can't move out and stick her with the rent but I don't want to be homeless and I'm definitely not going to pay for two rents (old apt and new house). I told her 30 days ago verbally that my plans were to move out at the end of the month and she didn't say anything about it but now that the new rent is coming up she's saying its illegal and I can't stick her with the bill, but I won't be living there. Any advice please I need to move in with my friends or else I won't have roommates and come sept 10 no place to stay.

Answer: You are equally responsible for the lease until Sept 10. If you leave and don't continue to pay, she could possibly sue you for your portion of the rent that was agreed on by both of you at the start of the lease that she now has to cover. If she cannot cover that portion and the landlord evicts for unpaid rent, the landlord will probably sue both of you for unpaid rent and would be able to collect from your assets and wages as well as hers.


Title: My parents being sued for a non existent renters agreement

Question: So I just found this out a couple minutes ago DESPERATELY need some advice, and thought this would be a good place to ask for it.  (Some back story first.) My fathers side of the family has owned an old farm house and some land since the late 1700s and the house hasn’t been remodeled or anything since the 1950s.  So as you would expect of a 300 year old house it’s in rough shape.  Until recently the deed has always been passed down to the oldest living relative. Now before he died the previous holder of the deed started selling off the land to whoever would buy it.  He became really money hungry and within two years he had sold about 70% of the land to neighbors, the county, then he decided to sell the farm house and remaining land to a cousin, who we’ll call B.  Now before the house was sold my parents were living there for about two years, with an oral agreement to just look after the place and what not.  My parents never paid any rent but they did put money into the house when thing broke or needed repaired.  Well things started going down hill about a year ago (and to just keep things short) my parents had a falling out with the now owner.  My parents ended up moving to a different state because my mom got a better job.  (About 2000 miles away) Now no renters agreement or lease or any legal document  was ever signed and now my parents are being sued for a lot of money.  B sent them the court document saying that they’re suing them for damages.  which include, the floors, the water pipes, (which froze after my parents moved out and they cracked) and what little carpet was in the house, along with a bunch of other stuff.  Now my parents are low income and don’t have any saving or anything.  going to court, driving back there, and the amount they’re asking for is going to kill my parents.  About six months before all this went down, B wanted my parents to signed a lease and start paying rent. (Not that unreasonable) but he also wanted my dad to remodel the inside of the house for free.  So my guess is they were going to get my parents to fix up the place free of charge then kick them out.  My question to all you beautiful people of redit, is what should they do.  Can they even sue if there’s no legal documents.  I mean the place was run down before my parents moved in.  I told them to call a lawyer and what not.  Can my parents counter sue for court costs and travel?  What would be the best course of action.  I look forward to any and all responses, and i thank you all for taking the time to read thing and any possible advice you may have.  I will post updates whenever I find anything out.

Answer:
 > sent them the court document saying that they’re suing them

So it has the name of the courthouse and a date on it? Not just a demand letter? They can call the courthouse to confirm a lawsuit has actually been filed and that the court date is real.

> what should they do

If they are *actually* being sued they need to hire and attorney to start to handle this, and probably they will have to show up in court.

> Can they even sue if there’s no legal documents

Of course. If I hit your car with a baseball bat, you can sue me for damaging your car even though we never met before and have no legal documents between us. Heck, they could sue me for damaging the farmhouse and I don't even know what state this is.

> Can my parents counter sue for court costs and travel?

Depends on location. You can always ask, but if in the US, courts go by the American Rule meaning everyone pays for their own legal fees and expenses. But this is something to ask their attorney.

Again, they needs to confirm this is not just a demand letter (which should still be answered by an attorney, to show they are not pushovers) or if an actual case has been file with a date already set to appear in court.


Title: Took my medication, received my first DUI (WV). What should I do (and shouldn't do) next and what steps can I take to help to have it dismissed? (W.V./U.S)

Question:
Long story short. I have anxiety and I took medication before I went to the store (social issues). Felt fine at the store and came home. Notioced there was a DUI checkpoint. Since I don't drink, it would be more efficient for me to go through the checkpoint. I was singled out randomly and failed the test. I did submit blood tests and other data that might hurt me as it does prove drugs are in my system. I'm concerned about employment issues and or possible fines and jail (which would screw me up (as it did before) medically as I'm just now in therapy and making progress on my social/anxiety).

What can I do to avoid jail and have the case dismiss?

Thanks

Answer: Hire a lawyer. Just because it's a prescription doesn't means you can't be DUI. Checkpoints aren't random either, there's a set of strict rule they have to follow, so you'll want an attorney to reciew that as well.


Title: What is the term for text-based revenge porn?

Question:
A co-worker of mine was encouraging me to talk about sexual topics (I mean literally saying, in writing, that I should talk about them, especially about if I found her attractive). I did, and after months of this, she suddenly switched to acting appalled and started showing my embarrassing sexual messages to co-workers out of “concern”.  It’s not random either: When I tried to confront her about it, she punished me by showing a friend.  When I tried to warn a co-worker not to trust her, she found out and punished me by reporting me to the security desk. (I sorted that out by showing them her messages of encouragement)

I can’t complain to a supervisor because (due to our particular office’s politics) I can’t even afford to be on the ‘winning’ side of something embarrassing, but I’d like to at least have the vocabulary to defend myself should I be forced to.  What do I call:

Not-exactly-revenge-porn:

It’s sexually embarrassing and she’s using it exactly like revenge porn, but it’s text, not images, so what do I call it?

Not-exactly-Blackmail:

If she’d said “keep your mouth shut or I’ll show your texts” that would be blackmail, but she’s getting the same message across by saying nothing but letting me figure out it out through cause-and-effect.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.  (EDIT: Location U.S.)

Answer: That's not revenge porn as I understand it. You also need to post your location.Answer #2: Shouldn't have sent texts you didn't want to. This isn't the same as private photos. Yes, if she's threatening you with consequences, that's blackmail.


Title: How to get someone arrested

Question:
My cousins boyfriend treats her like shit and she is afraid to leave him cause he is aggressive and has a lot of dangerous friends.

The guy sells drugs and always has people going in and out of they’re house.

They’ve moved 3 times in less than a year and he’s bought 3 new cars and a jet ski in that timeframe as well. He doesn’t have any credit and only buys things in cash.

So he is able to afford all these things without an actual “job” and doesn’t pay taxes or anything and always has a lot suspicious activity going on at their house.

Is there anything we can do to have him arrested without anyone finding out it was us?

This is in Tampa, Florida.

Tl:dr How to get cousins drug dealing boyfriend arrested anonymously

Answer: You can report crimes you are aware of to the police.


Title: Received an Email claiming to have explicit pictures pulled from my webcam.

Question: I'm sorry if this is not the correct place for this. I received an email this morning that was obviously typed by someone who does not speak English well, claiming that they had explicit pictures of me from visiting X-rated websites, and threatened to expose them if I didn't send money to them via BitCoin. Should I be worried about this at all? I have a good feeling this is a scam but I'd rather be safe. Any advice is appreciated.

Answer:
 Common scam. Ignore and move on. Answer #2: Scam, block and ignore.Answer #3: /r/scams sees multiple of those every day.

Ignore, move on with your life.


Title: My girlfriend got my car impounded after a hit and run.. need advice

Question: So basically my girlfriend bumped the car in front of her when she was driving my car and she took off. The lady she hit followed her and called the police. My car is sitting in a tow yard with a legal hold on it and I'm being told I cant do anything until Thursday when the case gets assigned to an officer. Basically I'm screwed and was wondering the best course of action

Answer:
 Get money together to get your car out of impound as soon as possible. It may be hundreds of dollars.

---relationship advice---

Dump girlfriend for being incredibly irresponsible

Demand she pay for the impound fees. Sue if she doesn't.


Title: I was administered ketamine in the hospital for psychiatric reasons and had a bad reaction, do I have a case for malpractice?

Question: This happened in Michigan. I was brought to the hospital by the police for psychiatric evaluation and placed in restraints for agitation. I have PTSD from being raped, so the restraints greatly upset me and I was given a shot of ketamine in my ass to calm me down. I had done ketamine recreationally once before and had a good time, but this time, I had a horrible trainwreck of a trip that has left me with emotional distress months afterwards. Can I sue the hospital for this? As far as I've looked into it, ketamine is NOT approved for use in the way they gave it to me. It's an anesthetic, used for surgery, yet they recklessly gave it to me to calm me down when they could have given me something approved for that use, like Ativan, or Geodon. So does this count as malpractice?

Answer:
 1)  You would need a medical doctor willing to testify that providing Special K to you was a violation of any avenue of medical protocol;

2)  Along the same lines as 1 above, an expert would also have to testify that using Special K for the purpose used is not a proper "off label" use of the drug.  Off label essentially means for purposes well known in the medical field, but not included in the official drug usage guide for a specific drug;

3)  You would need to show damages.  In your case, you had a psychiatric episode that necessitated drugs and restraints.  Now you complain of emotional distress.  It will be very hard to show that the current emotional distress did not already exist or would not have otherwise occurred.  High hurdle considering the already existing mental health issues; and

4)  There definitely would not be any way to know that you would be negatively affected by Special K.  If a doctor would have asked if you had used it previously, and had you answered honestly regarding your prior experience, the doctor would believe that you using Special K would not have any unexpected side effects.

You need to prove causation, medical negligence as determined by an expert (improper off label usage and foreseeability of your experienced side effects), a method that should have been used instead, and damages.

For each of these four issues above your facts demonstrate that you have very high hurdles to climb.  Very unlikely to prevail, IMHO.  More importantly, it will be very difficult to find an attorney to take this case, IMHO.


Title: Seeking legal help - my father just passed away from a heart attack abroad in Mexico. We live in Canada. My mom was with him. She needs help. My dad never had a will. Any tips or advice in dealing with this process legally? I want to leave asap to help my mom in Mexico.

Answer:
 I'm sorry for your loss.
Canada has a site to assist citizens traveling overseas https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/emergency-info/death-abroad

If you die without a will, Canada has intestate succession laws (who gets what)  based on what province he resided in.

As a side note, cremains are significantly easier & less expensive to ship/bring on a plane if that is an option for your family. Your consulate may assist in finding a funeral home/crematorium.


Title: Employer goes on rampage and destroys personal property

Question:
My employer and his wife (owners of a bar) came into work and decided to throw everyone's personal belongings into the garbage. There was no warning. The items were not getting in the way of business nor were they unsanitary. In fact many were ensuring workplace safety and for not ruining the floors with salty wet boots.  Many people showed up to work having lost winter clothing and newly purchased work shoes which cost a considerable amount. While morally it's obviously a real shit-head thing to do, in terms of legality where does it stand? Do they have rights to do what they want with their employees property?

I'm in Ontario, Canada

Thank you

Answer:
 No location, so I assume you are in the US.

No, they have no right to destroy or throw away your personal belongings with zero warning.

You can send a demand letter requesting them to pay you back for the damaged items. If they refuse, you can sue them in small claims court. You can skip right to the lawsuit if you really want, but the demand letter might be enough, and it's nice to show you gave an opportunity before the lawsuit, which judges like to see.

This, of course, means you will almost certainly lose your job. If you do, you should file for unemployment.

Edit:

>I'm in Ontario, Canada

No idea then. This is why listing your location is important.


Title: Is it illegal to record a movie with a camera?

Question: [deleted]

Answer: Yes. Copyright infringement


Title: Can a private parking lot give me a ticket?

Question:
In California.

The other day I was in a rush to work and somehow knocked the parking receipt off my dashboard while I was leaving the car.  It landed face up on the console and was easily visible through the windshield, but not on the dashboard where it was supposed to be.

When I got back, I had a "ticket" from the private company that operates the lot.  They took a picture from an odd angle so you couldn't see the receipt and gave me a ticket for not paying, with instructions on how to pay them or appeal with the same company.

The thing is, I don't see how a private company can give me a ticket.  I checked the city and state codes and found that you can tow a car that didn't pay, but nothing about private companies giving tickets or levying fines.

The back of the receipt said in three places that it's the only contract between me and them, but the contract only talks about liability for lost or stolen property.  There's nothing about fines or tickets.

I'm guessing the company is just trying to scare people into paying with official-looking tickets.  Is there any reason I shouldn't ignore this?

Answer:
 I would talk to the company. Show them the date of the parking receipt and the date of the ticket, and explain the situation.

If you ever want to park there again, you probably don't want to ignore the ticket.


Title: [US] Received an offer out of the blue from someone asking to buy a domain name of mine. They’re offering over a thousand US dollars. I’m willing to sell but don’t want to get scammed. How do I proceed?

Answer:
 As others have said, get yourself a solid contract written up.

When accepting payment, do not accept anything that can bounce.  Cash, Western Union, or Bitcoin would be my preferred payment methods.Answer #2: Draft a contract stating that payment will be made prior to transfer of the domain name.


Title: Do I Have a Right To Walk Through a Protest Line?

Question: (California) My (public) college is planning a protest where they will block all entrances and exits to both cars and pedestrians. However, my professor is still holding class and I am paying lots of money for these classes. Do I have a right to enter campus to go to class or am I out of luck? If I'm allowed to go through the line, how should I go about doing it? Thanks!

Answer:
 Probably better to join the protest, then sneak into the class once you're in the lineAnswer #2: When you say the school is planning it do you mean it's a school sanctioned protest? If not then the protest is likely an unlawful assembly and the police will end up being called to break it up.

Either way they have no right to block your access you are free to enter the building of your own accord. However if they attempt to physically stop you I caution you on using violence and instead contact authorities such as campus security or the police. Answer #3: If they are blocking all the entrances how will the professor get in to conduct the class?Answer #4: Can you ask your professor about meeting somewhere else or live streaming? Answer #5: How is the professor planning to get into the classroom?
If class is still being held, perhaps you can email the professor, or ask before/after the next class for tips, given than you mentioned this has been done before. Answer #6: >Do I have a right to enter campus to go to class or am I out of luck?

You have the right.

> If I'm allowed to go through the line, how should I go about doing it?

The protestors are not legally permitted to block your access.

If you have concerns for your safety contact the professor and communicate those concerns.


Title: [California] Is my employer's vacation policy illegal or am I missing something?

Question:
I work for a corporation in California that has a policy that I can "earn" vacation hours from the moment I start working, but those hours do not become "available" to use until I have reached my one year mark with the company.  I've read that in California it's legal for companies to choose to give out no vacation hours for a set period of time from the start date, but ONLY IF "it is not a subterfuge (phony reason) and in fact, no vacation is implicitly earned or accrued during that first year or other period."

Is what they're doing illegal by allowing me to earn vacation hours right away but not use them?  Thank you in advance for any help or advice.

Answer:
 You're slightly misreading the rule:

It's legal for them to choose to give no vacation, ONLY IF the REASON is not "a subterfuge where no vacation is actually earned."

In other words, if they say, "you'll get vacation later" but then at the end of the year, they find a reason that you didn't actually "earn" anything, THAT's the illegal part.

It's not forbidding the earning of vacation in a year. It's forbidding PRETENDING to earn vacation with no intent of actually giving it.


Title: R/legaladvice and r/bestoflegaladvice helped me take the right steps to get the best outcome while a victim of a hit and run. TLDR, I know I am not Batman, so thanks.

Question:
Last night, I was the victim of a hit and run. Low speed, but lots of damage. I’ll share the bigger longer and uncut story, and a shitty ms paint if requested, but I’ll stick to the facts.

IANAL but offer advice on those threads when it’s an area I am knowledgeable and learn things as well. Someone backed up at a stoplight, and was getting close. I honked, they hit. They made no acknowledgement of this. My LA and BOLArina senses tingled, so I stuck my phone put the window to take a picture of the plate. Light turned green, he turned, I followed, he drove off and I called 911 while pulling into the first parking lot.

Gave the facts and just the facts (though I didn’t exit my car till the police arrived, saw the damage, and I shouted “fucker!”) to the officer. I knew I was not at fault, but was courteous and factual, and said I DID want to press a hit and run charge. (I was specifically asked “do you want to press charges for a hit and run”. They called the number on the registration, found the driver, and all met at a 3rd location. Asshole lied, the cop believed him and asked if I really wanted to give him a ticket, he seemed like a nice old man (his version had me leaving the scene in a different direction, so he didn’t stop). I retold the police officer the sequence of events (I turned behind him at the light, etc) and watched his face go from “nice, mistaken old man” to “........... fuck that guy.” At that point, I was informed while he wouldn’t have been arrested him either way, he was getting “a bunch”of tickets, including hit and run, and if didn’t show up to that court date, it would be dismissed, so show up.” I thanked him and left (having never seen the other driver, because at location 3, they arrived last, and parked on the other side of the cop car).

Being a part of these subs is what had me on the lookout for shady behavior, recognizing it was starting, snapping a photo of the plate, and NOT FOLLOWING HIM. As my post history shows, lost my dad 7 weeks ago yesterday and its been really rough. Had he pulled over, I’d have been chill. I saw him drive away and wanted to channel all my anger/rage/sadness into making him pay, but I said out loud “I am not Batman. It is not my job to find him or make him pay. I got the plate, now I call the cops.” I could have put myself into legal trouble, but I guess “You are not Batman” has been drilled sufficiently into my head.

When telling the officer the initial description of events, I even said “he started to speed away, and I am not Batman, so I pulled over and called you.” The cop smiled.

I have already called his insurance (to set the narrative, since he’s a liar), and will be going through my own - if his insurance doesn’t want to pay and mine has to subrogate, “that’s what you pay insurance for.”

Thanks to the community for being so awesome and helping OPs, and encouraging lurkers to learn from the situations of others. It literally saved my ass (thinking r/legaladvice and Biondina would disapprove if I left my car and went and screamed at the asshole and told him he’s an asshole. Showing up to court will be enough). I know this isn’t really hypothetical or something to discuss, but I couldn’t think of another sub where I could thank the community.

Answer:
 >  I’ll share the bigger longer and uncut story, and a shitty ms paint if requested, but I’ll stick to the facts.

Consider the shitty ms paint requested please. And good practicing what 'we' preach on the subs. :)


Title: (MO) Web developers getting ripped off

Question:
Hello! I am a web developer in missouri, and I do have a legal business running, meaning that I pay taxes on the money i make not that i’m a lawyer..

Anyway i’ll just jump right in to it. We had an agreement with another company that we would build them a website for $1500. This is not a website for their company, but a website that they sold to another company and then asked us to build for them. I will admit that we missed our first deadline, but we renegotiated deadlines and delivered the website by the new deadline that was set.

Now that the site is done they are trying to not pay us the full amount, and not even half. We delivered our part of the deal, but now they’re backing out. The good thing is that we built the site on our hosting, and have complete control of it. But we don’t want to be making threats to hold a website hostage if we don’t get our money.

Could anyone here offer any advice for a clean way of making this all work, or even what to say to these guys?

edit: formatting

Answer: The site is on your server, you have not been paid. If they have the login, change it. Issue a payment demand with a 30 day deadline and disable the site after that. Easy peasy.


Title: Refused phone contract and I don't know why...

Question: I applied online to Plusnet (UK) for a SIM only contract for £6 per month.  It was declined instantly.  I asked Plusnet via LiveChat why this was and they said it was nothing to do with them, but with Experian.  I asked Experian and they told me it was nothing to do with them, and to ask Plusnet.   I then did my Experian credit score and it is 995 out of 999. I have worked for the same company full time for 29 years and work at director level.   I am worried that this decline will be recorded on my record and will adversely affect my credit score. Neither Experian or Plusnet will tell me what happened.  Are either of them obliged legally to let me know why the application failed? And if so, which one?

Answer: Do you happen to have your credit score locked? That would cause chedit checks to fail.


Title: All sexual activity between people under 18 is considered a crime in California?

Question:
I have trouble understanding the age of consent laws. According to [this](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ages_of_consent_in_the_United_States#California), if a 15-year-old in California willingly has sex with a 17-year-old, both are committing a crime. So are you telling me that in all of California, a state with almost 40,000,000 people, all sex under 18 is an offense against the law?

I mean, I don't see how that law can even be in place. Who is the government to decide whether two *willing* teenagers can have sex or not? And I'm absolutely positive that teenagers, the horniest of all age groups, are having sex with each other. Does that mean they are all criminals? I feel like I'm missing some crucial bit of information here, which is why I ask this question, but as it stands, I'm getting the message that literally all sex taking place under 18 is illegal. Is that correct?

Answer:
 >So are you telling me that in all of California, a state with almost 40,000,000 people, all sex under 18 is an offense against the law?

Yes.

> Who is the government to decide whether two willing teenagers can have sex or not?

... they're the government.  They enact laws.  Its what they do.  It's a democracy.  You can campaign for change.  You could get a close-in-age exception on as a ballot measure.

>Does that mean they are all criminals?

In terms of "are they breaking the law," yeah, sure.  Just like 95% of people speeding on their way to and from work every day.  Just like you're a criminal when you buy something form out of state on the internet, and then don't declare and pay a use tax on it.


Title: Male in his 30s here was assaulted by a female neighbor maybe in her 50s.

Question:
So the story happened like this. I was taking my dogs out in the backyard to potty and hear my neighbor crying and screaming " no don't help stop" over and over with moaning as if she was crying I think she's being rapped. I then stand on my picnic table to see what's going on and she's laying in the middle of her drive way naked from the waist down. I record her real quick and then the man leaving maybe a 5 second video. I stop recording start walking around the 6ft privacy fence to see what's going on. I start recording again. Obviously she still has nothing on below and her shirt is half unbuttoned with blood all over the sleeve. Mind you I'm still on the street which is public property. I ask her are you ok? What's going? Do you need help? She then comes after me while I retreat to my yard. She's Saying give me your phone over and over. I tell her no and to get her hands off of me. She keeps repeating herself and starts tugging at my collar. I tell I'm going to call the cops if you don't leave. Tell her again. Still recording this all. I then call the cops. She's still half naked. She's yanking on my collar until it's basically torn. I try taking it off in the middle of one of her yanks but she catches it and tries to strangle me until I just rip it off. Like I said I'm in my mid 30s she's in her 50s. My uncle comes out and is on the phone with my mother because he could hear what was happening. She then starts yelling my uncles name over and over to help her. While this is happening I'm explaining what is going on to the 911 operator. She then tries to tear my basketball shorts off. Finally the cops show up and catch her in my yard trying to rip  my shorts off. They separate her from me. In total around 9 cops show up. They start to talk to her older white woman worth millions and she's trying to blame me for what's happening. I'm a Mexican in my 30s living in a much smaller house. then I  start playing the 2nd video as loud as my phone could and they could hear why I was concerned.  They ask to see the video.  Mind you I don't know what was on it because I was talking to the 911 operator until the cops arrived. They brought back my phone and were very very strict about me deleting that video. I never told them about the first video. They said 2 separate officers saw the video and it was documented. I was thinking in my mind ok I have another video and the reason I went to check in the first place. They then proceed to walk her back to her place. All the officers. None are left with my uncle, mother or me. While she was walking with them she falls down like she's on something. Afterwards they get my information but not my uncle's who's name she my neighbor was yelling while I was on the phone with 911 and saw everything or my mother's info who had already arrived on the scene. I then asked the officer why aren't you arresting her? He gave an answer basically saying that since she's a neighbor and not a stranger I had to press charges then they would come arrest her. I say comically so if I was on her property with with no pants or underwear ripping her clothes off I wouldn't be arrested?  Of course he didn't answer. Another cop comes and takes pictures of the scratches on my back and how red my neck was.

Any advice would be very helpful thanks. I do have both officers names and badge numbers.

Answer:
 Seems like cops are were trying to give you a cool off period to decide if you wanted it to go further. If you do, go down and file a report of the assault.

Clearly something else was going on and you don't have full information.


Title: Hey Guys New to Legal advice, I need some help, My neighbor has put up and ugly wooden wall and Its making us feel trapped inside our own home

Question:
Hey guys My neighbor has put up a really ugly wooden wall right next to my house and I know its going to affect the price of my families house, and were not sure he owns the house at all, I was wondering how I could see who owns the house and if he doesnt than knock it down !

EDIT: Philadelphia, PA
EDIT: Its looks like he bought it, any ideas of what I could do put to block it on my side maybe some shades, another wall !

Answer:
 You can't just knock it down.

You can find out who owns the house by searching for the title -- how exactly you do this depends on where you live.  Usually it's through your local county.  You can also hire a professional to do it.

You can also check with whomever issues permits in your area to see if the wall was properly permitted, and if not, ask them to investigate.

Again, you cannot just knock it down.Answer #2: > right next to my house

If it's on your land, take it down.  If it's on their land, don't.

Your city probably has rules prescribing what sort of fences are allowable.  For instance, some places limit the height of fences.  If it appears that the new fence is in violation, you can call the city bylaw enforcement and have them come out to inspect.

Other than that, if the fence is on their land and is in compliance with city rules, then it's staying.  You can always plant shrubs or something on your side to camouflage it.


Title: Uncle caught with 12 pot plants

Question:
Hey everyone, first time here. My uncle was recently caught growing 12 pot plants on a family farm in the midwest (he rents it from my grandmother). He wasn't cuffed or taken to jail, but will be receiving a subpoena in the next 30 days. He wasn't selling or distributing, he was strictly growing for personal use. He didn't even think that all 12 plants were going to grow but we've had an unusually rainy summer here. The main concern is a confiscation of property/fallout at his workplace. It's about a 180 acre farm which is going to eventually be my inheritance, and farmland is going for a lot right now so I'd love to make sure it isn't confiscated. What step should he take?? What can he/ we expect to happen?

edit: a county in Indiana

Answer: He should get a lawyer and stop talking to people about it.


Title: [US + EU] If I hold dual citizenship and wish to live in France but travel to the US, which passport do I show when going through immigration in both countries?

Question: I hold dual citizenship and am legally allowed to live and work in both the US (I'm based in NYC right now for location bot) and the EU. If I were to move to France but work for an American company where my tax-registered address would be (and I'd of course pay American taxes), when travelling between the US and France which passport would I show where?

Answer: If you're a citizen of a country, give them their passport when entering.


Title: [CA] Is my doctor's office allowed to do this? (Legal name change issue)

Question:
Edit: Answered, thanks for the responses. Guess I'll have to suck it up and figure out how to get a card of some sort.

Hello there

This issue is *slightly* complicated, but I'll try to make it as short and sweet as I can.

I am covered by TRICARE Reserve insurance and had a name change. TRICARE (military insurance) does not provide an ID any longer, you simply use your military ID and SSN. My name was updated through TRICARE, but I am very far away from any location where I can get an updated ID card.

I owe several hundred dollars to my doctor's office, because they are trying to bill me through my old name, which TRICARE is not accepting. So, when I went to the doctor's office and showed them the legal documentation that showed I had a name change (plus new SSC) they refused because I do not have a government ID.

Pretending I am completely unable to get any sort of ID, is this actually legal? It seems very bizarre to me that virtually every other entity, to include government organizations, have been completely fine with accepting these legal documents, but my doctor's office has claimed it is a "policy" to only accept GOVERNMENT photo IDs.

I know the first response is to be "Well, why don't you get a new driver's license?" but that's not really the point in my question. I am simply curious.

Thanks for any advice!

Answer: Not legal advice, but as a military wife, you can get your ID updated at just about any military base anywhere. It doesn't have to be an active duty base, it can be a National guard or reserve unit, too, that has a DEERS office. You can make an appointment online and it looks like there are 45 different places in the state of CA you can go to get an ID card.  Surely, somewhere is fairly close to you. Answer #2: It's not illegal. Your doctor's office does not have an obligation to bill in any particular way; it may choose to do so in a way that does not make sense. That may violate agreements it has with insurers, but if it wants to use the wrong name, it is free to do so. You should pay yourself and apply for reimbursement from Tricare, as you would do with any billing problem.


Title: [CT] Crazy neighbor recording us

Question:
So I understand there is no expectation of privacy when you're in public... however, my neighbor has installed bullet cameras directly pointed at my house. I'm concerned because they are pointed at my young daughters bedrooms. I've talked to the neighbor and he says they are for security. Can I install IR floodlights that point at the cameras if they are on my own property? Honestly, I just want to be left alone.

&#x200B;

Thanks.

Answer: Yes. Your property.  Aim at camera


Title: (Ky) sick food workers not being sent home.

Question: I work in a restaurant and earlier this year, a nonkitchen worker vomited 3 times, and was not even given a break. But since then, there have been two more sick kitchen workers that I know of. One visibly looked like they had a fever. The other one vomited and was still not immediately sent home. How exactly can I report this and what are my rights if the find out that it was me?

Answer:
 IANAL.

Call the health department and ask them if there's a requirement for sick restaurant workers to be sent home, and what the law says. Find out if it's a reportable situation first.

Also ask about whistleblower protection.


Title: Landlord didn't notify of government housing

Question: My landlord didn't notify me about government housing / foster care inside of the same building as me. Told me it was private, and that it wasn't my right to know. What can I do? Also they're not cleaning the inside of the apartment building. Is there anything I can do? KANSAS

Answer: It's not your right to know. You have no recourse. Answer #2: So you liked the apartment just fine until you learned that poor people and traumatized children lived there too?


Title: Angry ex partner is sabotaging assets we agreed I would get in the split.

Question:
My partner and I owned a successful eBay store and business was great. I decided to split because he would throw tantrums regularly. We divided assets and capital. We decided he would keep the name and everything related to the brand, along with 95% of the inventory.  I would keep capital and the eBay account itself as is. For those unaware of how eBay's SEO works, it takes months to grow a successful listing as they prioritize listings that have high conversion rates. We had many of these. He still had access to the account, and deleted said successful listings. So while I will still be getting the account, it has lost most of its value along with tons of my intellectual property. Should I go ahead with the split and take the loss or do I have a case to sue for more capital.
Thanks in advance!

Edit: I'm in California

Answer: No legal advice, but did you contact eBay to see if they can assist in restoring the account information?


Title: Got pulled over for fake german license plate. Is it illegal?

Question: I was driving my girlfriends car in NY which she bought 2 years ago. Its registered in PA and have PA license plate in back. PA only requires one license plate. Her mom gave her a fake euro license plate with my girlfriends name on it as a gift when she bought her car. We had the euro plate in the front bumper and the PA license plate on the rear. I got pulled over today in ny and the cop said i cant have anything on the front bumber other than the commissioner issued plate. Should i contest it?

Answer:
 You can contest it if you want, but if the fake German plate looks like a real license plate, then you'll likely still have to pay the citation.Answer #2: Looks like the same thing happened to someone else who was displaying a "vintage" tag on th front of their vehicle.

(source: http://articles.mcall.com/2006-01-09/news/3659877_1_vanity-plate-ceramic-plates-display)Answer #3: New York Consolidated Laws, Vehicle and Traffic Law - VAT § 402

2....and provided further that no vehicle shall display the number plates of more than one state at a time...


Title: Sister's dog will not be released from pound until fixed [CA]

Question: My sister's dog ran away and was put in the pound. They want bail and won't release her until she is fixed. Even if she is fixed, my sister doesn't get her back until Monday. Can they do this?

Answer: Is there city/county ordinance requiring it?  Likely yes they can do this. Unless you're a breeder you should be responsible and get your dog fixed anywayAnswer #2: I suggest you get the cash and show up first thing Monday with the spaying ready to go. Then let your dog have a nice healthy life. Cause if you sit there fighting it your dog will either be euthanized or spayed and sent to a shelter for 3 days and be euthanized if not adopted. Sarcamento doesnt have a long hold time. Just be glad the dog was found and stop being selfishAnswer #3: Yes.


Title: If I put money in a vending machine, my item gets stuck, and someone else puts money in and gets both, do they legally owe me the one I paid for?

Question:
This happened on Season 9, Episode 11 of Seinfeld. George bought a Twix bar which got stuck in the machine. The guy after him bought a Twix bar and both his own bar and George's bar dropped, and he ate both.

Legally, was George a victim of theft? Neither bar had left the machine when the second guy paid, and it' s not his fault that two bars were dispensed. However, George paid for the original bar, so I think he should be the owner, despite it being stuck in the machine.

Answer: you would be owned a refund. the guy after you would get a free item. he may give that too you but there is no way of proving you had possession of that item.


Title: My previous employer is threatening to put my tips back in the tip pool if I don't come and claim them by monday. Are they allowed to do this?

Question:
I live in the state of Michigan.

These tips have been taxed, are paid in cash, and usually Jersey Mikes has people sign their initials when they pick them up.

Unfortunately, I relocated, so it would be an hour drive. and I work the next 10 days at my new job, and will not be able to physically pick them up unless I call in sick. I cannot send a representative either as I have no family in the area. I requested the money be mailed to me, or added to my prepaid card they gave me, but they're unwilling.

Is there anything I can do to get my money?

Answer: I am unsure if they can require you to pick up your tips in person in Michigan, but federal law prevents them from not paying you.


Title: HELP! bought a used car with the stipulation of future service with purchase, now dealer is saying i need to pay said service

Question:
I bought a used car from the dealer a few months ago. The car I was interested in will be due to have its standard 100k maintenance done in a few months.  I calculated that if I haggled the dealer’s asking price down, in a few months I would be spending a similar amount to get the work done there or elsewhere.  I figured why not take care of all in one shot, I suggested that I would pay the sticker if they agreed to do the work and roll this cost with the total price.  The bill of sale it clearly states “timing belt service promised at 100K” with signatures.  They agreed, done deal.

Fast-forward a few months, now the car is reaching its 100k mark.  When I contacted the dealer to schedule to get the work done, now they are saying that they never agreed on doing the work for free.  He claims that when we were working out the deal, that the work would be done “at my(dealer) cost” and the price I paid for the car does not include the price for the future work done.  He kept arguing that he would never approve such a deal, he's losing money, he has a family to feed…. blah blah blah.  He also points out that there is was a problem in the paper work and that line item should be initialed.  He also blames the person who sold me the car who now conveniently works at a different dealership.

In the end he says that it was a mistake and it is my problem so they will not pay for it.  The best he can do is the work at “dealer cost" or write me a check for the "maximum discount" of the original sticker price car, which is far less than the cost of what the work would be.  I would pay for the parts and labor… He even made light of the situation by saying that he could have easily told me to “F-off” or white out the agreement to do the work in the bill of sale.

What do I do now?

Am I at fault for assuming that he/they would do the work for free?

Should I play hard and take them to small claims court?

Topic:
Contracts

Answer: Small claims is the way to go ..makes for a level playing field ( no lawyers) and the judge will frequently side with the little guy


Title: [CA] Employer of my friend withheld tips for ~2 months to use on the purchase of restaurant appliance, is this legal?

Question:
A friend of mine works at a fast food restaurant and her employer for the past 2 months hasn't given their employees their tips. She was previously told they were holding on to them for now but they will eventually give it to her (not too sure on the exact wording, I could ask if necessary though).

Today she had found out they used the tip money to buy a new appliance for their restaurant and she was only given about $10 worth of tips for the 2 months.
Is this legal? What should she do? Should she ask the employer about it or just directly sent some sort of complaint to the labor board?

Answer: Absolutely not legal. Tell your friend to speak to (i believe) and employment lawyerAnswer #2: quick Goole says No it is not legal [https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/california-laws-tipped-employees.html](https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/california-laws-tipped-employees.html)


Title: My best friend, female and sixteen, currently living with her abusive step father and biological mother in California, has just been applied to the Marine Corps. bootcamp by her piece of shit Step Father, what can she do?

Question: I had no idea where to submit this to, I hope this works.  CPS hasn't done shit, and she's been trying to go that route since Middle School.  There has to be a way out?  Emancipation?  Disownment?  Please help, or I fear this could be her end.

Answer:
 She didn't join the Marine Corps:

1. Against her will

2. At 16

It must be voluntary (unless drafted under Congressional authority) and you must be 17 with parental permission OR 18+.

Is she getting sent to a military school? That is their right as custodial parents.

Unless she has a job and can 100% support herself (no money from ANYONE) she cannot be emancipated. Disowned is not a thing, other than being written out of a will.


Title: I am a 1yr Visiting Assistant Professor at a small college. One of the classes I was to teach has been dropped due to lack of interest. School now wants to make up the work or re-negotiate the contract. I've already sunk many hours into prep. What are my options?

Question:
Hi /r/legaladvice,

This is my first time teaching and it looks like I've already run into trouble.  I have a 1-year-only visiting asst. professor job at a small liberal arts school in Virginia, USA.  The relevant text from my contract is:

> The salary for 2017-2018 will be $xxx, based on the expectation that you will teach six undergraduate courses, assume responsibility as needed for supervision of student research and participate fully in academic life of the university as described more fully in our faculty handbook.

Six courses amounts to two lectures and two labs per semester (labs count as half a course).  So, instruction began and it turns out one of my lecture courses did not meet the minimum number of students and was, therefore, cancelled.  I have already devoted a large amount of time preparing for this course (first time teaching a somewhat unfamiliar topic).  I did get to pick from a list which courses I wanted to teach.  The department head and others did not expect this outcome, saying that they expected enough interest.

I am now being asked to "come up with ways" to make up for the cancelled class.  They had a few suggestions:

* teach over their winter session
* come up with another class to which enough students enroll (so it isn't also cancelled--mind you, classes have already started so it isn't clear to me that this is realistic)
* renegotiate my contract given my lower-than-expected course-load and probably take a pay-cut

My question to you, /r/legaladvice, is: what options do I have?  It sounds like they don't recognize the work I've already done preparing for the cancelled class.  I feel a bit like I'm being played.  Am I?  Is this just par for the course with contingent work?  The contract just says that there is an expectation.  Is this binding legal wording?  I feel like it is not my fault that people didn't sign up for the course and I did spend substantial time preparing for it.  Isn't that time worth something?  How crazy would it be to re-negotiate and just sit firm insisting on the same salary for the reduced course-load.  I have family nearby so I would not be ruined if I had to leave and they'd be in a tough spot because they'd have to find someone to teach my other classes.  I apologize for my ignorance and thank you all for your perspective.

*Edit:  Thanks all of you for your thoughts.  Sounds like I should swallow my pride (and hours of prep) and teach another course.

Answer:
 > How crazy would it be to re-negotiate and just sit firm insisting on the same salary for the reduced course-load.

Pretty crazy.  You were hired to teach six courses.  Now you're not going to be.  But you want to be paid as though you are?  I doubt they'd agree to that.

Either make up the course in some way (and it seems like they're open to working with you to achieve that), or accept a rate of pay that reflects the work you're actually going to do.Answer #2: Welcome to teaching. Prep means nothing. Teaching a course does. Find another course to teach. Answer #3: > It sounds like they don't recognize the work I've already done preparing for the cancelled class.

And....you think thats important why? Lets review the contract:

> The salary for 2017-2018 will be $xxx, based on the expectation that you will teach six undergraduate courses, assume responsibility as needed for supervision of student research and participate fully in academic life of the university as described more fully in our faculty handbook.

Where do you see your pay is for preparation for speculative classes? It is very clear what they are paying for, your prep is not included.

>  How crazy would it be to re-negotiate and just sit firm insisting on the same salary for the reduced course-load.

Very cause it explicitly says you will do 6 courses. Sitting firm for same salary is dumb. Think out side of the box! Thats what liberal arts are for!


Title: Sending employees home early (BC, CAN)

Question:
My work's been slow lately as such we've been sending employees home early. I've got one woman who won't leave early despite being asked to by her coworkers and supervisors. Can she legally do this?

We're in British Columbia, Canada.

Answer:
 Not a lawyer.

http://www.labour.gov.bc.ca/esb/facshts/hours_of_work_and_overtime.htm

>An employee who reports for work must be paid for at least two hours, even if the employee works less than two hours.

>If an employee who is scheduled for more than eight hours reports for work, the employee must be paid for at least four hours.

So the employees are entitled to being paid for showing up.

But if you, as a supervisor/employer tell them to go home, they need to go home. It's not optional. You can either discipline her or fire her. What, you're trying to turn off the lights and lock the doors and she's staying put?

http://www.labour.gov.bc.ca/esb/facshts/termination.htm


Title: Asking about disability on job applications

Question:
Recently, several of the companies I’ve submitted my resume to ask, as part of the initial application, if I have a disability. Doesn’t the ADA make it illegal to ask that question? I realize I can elect to not answer the question; but i thought the question itself illegal.
Topic:
Disability Issues

Answer:
 It depends on the phrasing and intent, as well as timing.

It's generally legal to ask if you believe you would be unable to perform one or more job duties without an accommodation/etc. due to a disability. However that is generally NOT permitting during the pre-offer period.

Edit: Also this is entirely predicated on the employer falling under EEOC guidelines by having 15 or more employees.


Title: [Estate/Executrix Power] My Mother (Executrix) has been taking money from the estate account to give to an heir

Question:
I'm living in Pennsylvania.

My mother is 74 years old and not always cognitively sound. She is also the executrix of the estate. There are two heirs to the account, myself, and my brother and it is supposed to be an even split. We do have an estate attorney who has been handling the legal things and advising us. The last remaining things in the estate are to pay the final taxes and pay the lawyer.

Just found out today that my mother has taken out $50,000 (more than half) from the Estate Account over a year-and-a-half period and giving it to my brother for drugs as he has been coercing her and manipulating her.

I understand that I can bring a civil suit against my mother (but I won't), my question is: if I tell the lawyer for the estate, will my mother have criminal charges brought against her or be taken to probate court? I just want to keep the lawyer up to date as he is preparing the taxes for the estate or he might be able to give advice on helping prevent my mother from getting in trouble.

At this point, the money taken out is long gone, my brother is a deadbeat, and I have no intention/hope of getting that money back. I just want to protect my mother from any legal ramifications. Any advice would be very helpful!

Edit: the estate is my father's. My mother is not receiving anything from the will, but is just the acting executrix. She was still married to my father but they have been separated for 9 years prior and were in a divorce process for close to 6 years (something stalled in court).

Answer:
 First of all? Go into this assuming the lawyer is going to find out anyways. Second, explain to them that you just found out that your mom has been taking money out of the estate to give to your brother and he's been blowing it on drugs, and that you suspect your mom's not completely there any more which is why your brother was able to pull this off.

The lawyer has a duty to the estate. He or she is *going to notice* that there's money missing when they do the taxes. They're going to investigate into why the money's missing.

So this is really down to how you want this to go for your mom: with her being examined and found to no longer be "always cognitively sound", as you put it - and for this to go on the record, and for the lawyer to start the process of setting up a power of attorney for her so that your brother can't manipulate her into, say, taking out loans for him (so he can blow the money on drugs) or signing over things like her car or her house to him.

Or your brother continuing to leech money out of your mom and you finding out, five or ten years down the road, that your mom is in a pit of debt as a result, that family heirlooms you'd hoped to pass on to any kids are long-since gone (your brother having pawned them), and your mom having transferred title of anything particularly valuable over to your brother.

One of these actions protects your mom. One of them just avoids embarrassing her. Which one would you prefer?


Title: Can I be sued for calling the police?

Question: I know this sounds dumb, but one of my friend's brothers got drunk last night and attacked me for no good reason other than he was being a drunken ass. I was punched in the face and in the arm and in the chest a few times. I only have a few bruises and swollen lip from this whole thing. I promised to not call the police when he apologized and let me leave. I got home and decided FUCK HIM and called them anyways. I just got a call from my friend yelling and screaming at me saying that I promised not to call the cops in front of witnesses and that they are going to sue me for violating the promise which was a verbal contract and that we shook hands when I promised. This isn't a real thing is it? Can I really be sued for calling the cops even though I promised not to? I live in Nevada. He just got out of jail for his second DUI and my now former friend and his family are pissed at me.

Answer:
 Additionally, what he's doing now may be a crime called "witness intimidation" or "witness tampering"Answer #2: Reasons your contract is enforceable:

1. It was a verbal agreement between parties, witnessed by non-participants.

[Reasons your contract is not enforceable:](http://www.lawschool.cornell.edu/research/cornell-law-review/upload/Garfield-final.pdf)

1.  It's probably against public policy, as the state has an interest in preventing violence by prosecuting people who commit assault.

2.  It's probably against your First Amendment rights to speak truthfully to the police.

3.  It lacks the basic element of having consideration on both sides:  your silence is valuable, but the value of ceasing his assault and allowing you to leave is not.

4.  It's a lot like witness intimidation.
Answer #3: You could say you were coerced into agreeing? If someone punched me in the face I would probably say whatever they wanted just to get out of the situationAnswer #4: Lol.

He can sue you, but it won't go anywhere. Don't be with him anymore. Answer #5: if they say they will sue you if you call the police, that's sort of goes under the category of EXTORTION.


Title: Parents worried about being sued over hit dog

Question:
Our(my parent’s) dog was hit last night by a car after escaping their fence. We know the vehicle suffered damage as there is a large metal part of the vehicle in the road.  We are in an area where there is a “leash law.” My brothers go to school with the person we believe hit the dog based on damages to their vehicle today and the driver saying she hit a “big coyote” on “our road” (the driver lives about three miles from my parents (rural area).) My brother told her it was our dog.

My parents are very concerned that they can be sued for damages to the vehicle since our dog was not on a leash or in a kennel. I don’t think this is a realistic concern but wanted to ask here to assuage their worries. My mother is devestated and today is her birthday, on top of everything, so if I can relieve even a part of her stress I want to.

Answer:
 Actually they should be concerned, because that's exactly how it works.  If the vehicle owner wants to, they can sue your parents, and the homeowners insurance will come into play to pay for damages.

I was a driver in this exact situation.


Title: [MD] Wedding videographer has all but gone out of business and all we want is the raw footage

Question:
We hired a videographer for our September 2014 wedding in Maryland and we have not received an edited film or raw footage. We submitted the post-wedding questionnaire and were told it would be about 20+ weeks for editing. This was in the contract and to be expected. We estimated having the final video August/ September 2015. However, we found out that the company has severely downsized to one or two people, they no longer have an office, and website has been up and down since at least June 2015.

At the end of August I was able to exchange emails with someone still working on completing the remaining videos. I was told that papers were being drafted to release customers from their final balance in exchange for raw footage only (not edited videos). I was told that I could be put on a list to be notified when they were ready.  Almost 3 months later and I have not heard anything and have not gotten a response from current emails. All we want is the raw footage. If we can get in touch with and find this person, is it possible for us to draft a binding agreement to this effect? What type of lawyer should we seek? I want this to be as amicable as possible. I know there are other married couples who are in the same position. Thank you in advance for all your help!

Answer:
 >  September 2014 wedding

It's past the point of amicable.  You can sue in small claims for your money back and other damages (it's reasonable to say that you are damaged by not having a wedding video), however, generally, small claims courts do not have the power to order people to do other things like "give me copies of the video you took".  So if you want to force the return of the video, you'll need to sue in regular court, which will require a lawyer.

Also, I suspect you'll find that a letter from a law firm may encourage the videographer to take some action.  Editing a video taken by a single camera of a relatively short event does not take 20 weeks.
Answer #2: Before attempting to go the small claims route I would try to contact them again via any method you have starting with the last successful method. It doesn't appear that you have contacted them in the last 3 months, per your post, so if you want to try amicable, which it really is past that point in my opinion, you can try contacting them first asking for an update. Also this might be a way to try and ask them for an address so you could come see some of the footage. That would give you an address for being able to serve them if they gave it up to you.