Title: [MI] Looking to help brothers girlfriends children who were taken by CPS

Question:
My brothers girlfriend recently had her children removed by CPS she has warrants and they both have substance abuse issues. Along with the rest of her family.

The story we were told was they were only given 30 minutes notice to appear at court so they missed it.

There is another court date in a month and I don't believe the mother is taking proper steps to rectify the situation with CPS

Neither child is my brothers, but he is the only father one child has ever known the mother doesn't know who that child father is. The other the father wants nothing to do with the other child.

Obviously my wife and I have become attached to these children and consider them family.

We would like to help in some way, but have no clue if we have any legal standing to do anything and if we do what are our options?

Thank you for taking the time to read this and for your advice.

Answer: You can contact their caseworker and let him know that you'd be willing to foster the kids, but that's about it.


Title: Boss is terminating employment after submitting workplace injury.

Question: Got hurt lifting a heavy pipe at work. I asked for help, and my upper level coworker told me i could handle it myself,. I ended up straining my back. They tried to convince me it was nothing to worry about. I asked about filling a report, and they kept dodging the question. Now they are saying they are terminating me for not disclosing a medication i was only taking at night, presciribed by a doctor. I broke one of their policys (failure to disclose prescriptions) , while they broke 5 of there policies (employees must help with lifting when asked, mandatory training meetings weekly [never occured], training on lifting heavy equipment, filling out a accident the same day) they failed 5 of their own policies, while i failed one, yet they are punishing me. Do i have a case?

Answer: They're not required to have you as an employee. They're still liable for your injury and medical damages.


Title: Update on stonewalling mortgage company

Question:
[Original post.](https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/3yci7d/mortgage_company_stonewalling_on_discontinuing/)

The registered letter did the trick. They retroactively discontinued my PMI to when my LTV was paid down to 78% earlier in the year. I still don't know if the refinanced mortgage will have PMI, but at least it's gone for now and I'll be getting a refund for the premiums I've already paid.

Thought you'd be curious.

I just found out that the new loan is a Refi Plus mortgage loan and as long as I don't have PMI on my current loan, I won't have to have it on the new one - no matter what the LTV ends up being. It's a Fannie Mae thing.

Answer: Thanks for the update.


Title: [MA] Contractor spilled gallons of oil on my new asphalt

Question: Trying to keep it short- Hired contractor to lay new asphalt (driveway on the back and front house). He did fine job except forgot to asphalt/patch couple places-- he said he will come back to re-do. At the end of the day, he asked if he can leave the roller machine for the weekend on my grass/side of the house which I agreed and had no problem with it. He came back in few days, could not start it, so he had to fix it first-- eventually when machine started, the machine started spilling oil as he drove it (he could see it happening on the grass and still went ahead and drove over), and he had to drive over already existing cement entrance and new asphalt to get it out of my property which left giant spills of oil. Now area he drove over (new asphalt he put in) is very soft/mushy and cement has oil spill which will need to be painted. He said he will come back to fix it all when it dries (It has been couple weeks now). He never came back or texted/called. I have communication on text message saying he will come back. I’m no longer comfortable having him fix it since I’m afraid he will do crappy fix job—can you recommend plan of action?

Answer:
 >cement has oil spill which will need to be painted.

Sorry, painting over the oil spill will not help at all. Even if it looks better for a time, eventually that oil will leech back through whatever he uses to cover it.

Oil is a bitch to clean. The only 100% guaranteed way to fix it permanently is to remove the oil-soaked asphalt and replace it.

If he's not responding you're probably going to have to sue him. Get an estimate to repair your driveway from another company and if it's below the MA small claims limit of $7,000, sue him there. Otherwise you will need an attorney.Answer #2: Oil will never "dry" it will just soak in to the ground. I'm guessing it could have been something WORSE (environmentally) than engine oil, such as hydraulic fluid. Answer #3: I suggest calling the EPA and notifying them about the spill ("a contractor spilled a chemical on my property, please check it out" NOT "hey there was a spill here"). If you ever decide to sell your home, a smart buyer will test for oil tanks and contamination which could diminish the resale value. If you have any written communication between you and the contractor save that for the EPA.


Title: Received keys to my new rental house today. House is in horrible condition. Urine soaked carpets, broken windows, rodent feces, and holes in walls. What can I do? MN

Question:
I'm renting a house in Minneapolis, MN and got my keys today. I arrived and the house was trashed. The upstairs has white carpet that is SOAKED yellow in pee stains. They had carpet cleaners there yesterday, but there are urine and vomit stains everywhere. It REEKS of piss upstairs and in the front and back entry ways.

One of the downstairs windows is completely broken in pieces, and held together by duct tape. Another window in the same room has a dimed sized hole in it. The walls throughout need to be taped, mudded, and painted. There are scuffs, dings, nail/screw holes, and 4 holes the size of a tennis ball throughout the house. There are copious amounts of RODENT FECES on the shelves in the basement. It is so so gross.

It doesn't even stop there! There is an exposed/live wire in the upstairs bedroom. The dish washer doesn't work and has old, standing water in it. The garbage disposal doesn't work, there is a level of grime coating all the walls and light fixtures. Luckily they cleaned the bathrooms, countertops, and cabinets but that's about all they cleaned. The backyard has 2 broken lawn mowers in the yard, it's overgrown and covered in garbage, and the shed and garage are filled with random things/garbage.

It was NOT like this when we toured it and signed the lease. So far I've only had contact with the property management company, and not the actual property owners. I told them I didn't think the house was in a livable state and they said they will talk to the owner and get back to me.

Are they required by law to fix everything? If they don't fix anything can I get out of the lease and get my money back? Thank you.

Answer:
 That isn't inhabitable. Call your local code enforcement and health department.

https://www.ag.state.mn.us/consumer/handbooks/lt/CH2.asp

The very last section is probably what's relevant here.

Take lots of pictures. Honestly, I'm not sure it'd be safe to live there. Answer #2: Look into the MN Warranty of Habitability under their [landlord/tenant laws](https://www.ag.state.mn.us/consumer/handbooks/lt/default.asp). You might have a case that they're in violation of it. I didn't really read into it, but there might be some recourse. Legal remedies will be listed in there.


Title: My sisters employer is putting extra tips on her checks and it's being taxed

Question: My little sister is working her first job, she gets min wage+shared tips. The issue is her employer is writing down that shes getting the whole tip jar (like 36 bucks a check) but shes only recieving like 6 bucks in actuality. Is this illegal? What should I have her do? We spoke to the owner and he said "that's the way it is, take it or leave it".

Answer:
 So we are clear, she is being recorded as getting $36 in tips on the paperwork, but is only actually getting $6 in cash?Answer #2: > she gets min wage+shared tips

Kansas has a minimum wage and tip credit that are the same as the Federal FLSA rules.

Does she get $7.25 per hour plus a share in the tip pool, or does she get the tip-credit wage of $2.13 per hour plus tips ?   Her wage statement should show both her actual wages and her tips.

How does she know the amount that's in the tip jar ?    Who counts it ?

There's no reason I can think of to put more tip income into a person's wage statement than they actually receive, other than if the owner is simply stealing tips.Answer #3: Could per chance be the electronic tips from people paying with credit card? I know when I worked at a diner I made minimum wage, and I got to keep my cash tips without reporting it because it was so low, but we divved up the credit card tips onto our pay stubs.
For me I don't see too much gain for the employer to be doing that it could also just be a simple error how does your sister talk to her employer?Answer #4: it is strange that she is being allocated the full tip jar. iono how many workers should be sharing this tip pool but to cover 1 person (nepotism) it still should't be 36.  maybe the owner is messing up, or they're trying to pass off their profits as your tips and pocketing it all and hoping the workers don't notice.
if he has 5 workers, giving everyone an extra 30x26weeks = $3900 of fraud.

i'd totally report his ass.


Title: Is it illegal to play Dungeons and Dragons in a locked room in San Diego?

Question:
This is a hypothetical situation, but I just came upon San Diego's gambling ordinance, and to me, it reads like it's illegal to play rpgs with dice in a room the police can't easily access. Am I reading the letter of the law wrong here? Am I in jeopardy if I DM a group with an exceptionally pedantic rules lawyer?

[Relevant section:](http://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter05/Ch05Art06Division00.pdf)
> Gambling Implements in Barricaded Premises — Prohibited
> That it be, and it is hereby declared to be unlawful for any person within the limits of
> The City of San Diego, California, to exhibit or expose to view in any barred or
> barricaded house or room or in any place built or protected in a manner to make it
> difficult of access or ingress to police officers, when three or more persons are
> present, any cards, dice, dominoes, fan tan table or layout, or any part of such layout,
> or any gambling implements whatsoever; or for any person to visit or resort to any
> such barred or barricaded house or room or other place in the said City of San Diego,
> built or protected in a manner to make it difficult of access or ingress of police
> officers, where any cards, dice, dominoes, fan tan table or layout or any part of such
> layout, or any gambling implements whatsoever are exhibited or exposed to view
> when three or more persons are present.
> (Incorp. 1–22–1952 by O–5046 N.S.)
>

Answer: No, it is not illegal.  The dice aren't being used as "gambling implements."


Title: Can I kick him out?

Question:
Texas

I just found out my bf of 4 years has been cheating on me for the past 2.

I pay all the bills, but his mom owns the house. Am I legally allowed to kick him out? At least until the house sells and we can split the money and I can tell him to f himself for good?

Answer:
 Why on earth would you and your boyfriend split the money on _his mother's house_? His mother, not either of you, will be receiving the proceeds of a sale, generally, unless there's a lot more to this than you've let on.

You can't force him out of his home without notice. Frankly, if you're tenanting under his parents, there's a good chance you can't force him out of his home _at all_. If you cannot stand to live with him, it's likely to be you that moves, not him, unless he's violent with you.Answer #2: Unless you and he and his mother have a formal lease to own or owner finance agreement, you almost assuredly have no right to any of the proceeds from the house. It could be different if you had put money down toward the purchase price, but otherwise you are paying \*rent,\* which people do not get to collect back at the end of tenancy.

You and he are both tenants of his mother, which means neither of you can kick the other one out. His mother can give one or both of you notice to vacate within 30 days though - and it is not going to be him that gets notice to leave if you break up.

Start looking for a new place to live tomorrow. The good news is you can tell him to go f himself for good immediately instead of waiting for something that will not happen in the future.Answer #3: If his mom owns the house, you both are tenants.  Do any of you have a signed lease with Mom?


Title: Found my towns prosecutor mocking someone his office had prosecuted on social media. What can I do?

Question:
Per the title.

Indiana, USA

Found my local prosecutor on social media taunting someone his office had prosecuted.

I'm really not okay with this, and wondered who I should bring this to the attention of, or what else I can do.

Answer:
 Just saw this thread.  I'm the person who made the comment to "Erik".  The context of it was that he was using anti-LGBT slurs and other abusive language to describe the homeless population of our town and people who stick up for our local homeless population (I was arguing in our local sub that they're folks who need help, treatment and understanding).  He told me that he hoped I was stabbed to death by one of the homeless people I was defending.  I saw that he had bragged about doing time in prison a few posts previous, so I told him that it was nice to meet another satisfied customer (given his violent remarks, I had supposed at the time that he had done something violent, which is usually the main way a person gets sent to DOC in my jurisdiction- we're big on treatment, diversion, not arbitrarily putting time on people unless it's the only way to stop them from hurting somebody).

He then threatened to find me and track me down, deleted that username, then confronted me with the new Erik username as a concerned citizen, which seemed weird.  And checking back up on it, I found this post.

Sorry that this business landed here and took up everyone's time.  I'm glad that this is a resource for uncounseled people, and you guys did a commendable job trying to give him good advice.  Thank you, and please don't let it discourage you from helping other people.Answer #2: Was the person in question found guilty? And come to think of it, was that person you or someone you know?Answer #3: You can campaign for the opposition in the next election. Answer #4: Define "mocking."


Title: When is it legal for an employer to discriminate on the basis of sex?

Question:
I'm mostly interested in federal/California laws regarding:

&nbsp;

* the entertainment industry (models, actresses, dancers, etc.)

* female-only services where the presence of males could create privacy/safety concerns, such as domestic violence shelters or communal spaces where women are in a state of undress

* political/charitable organizations where an innate understanding of a sex-specific experience is important for the job (e.g., a group pushing for maternal health care reform that prefers to hire women who have given birth)

&nbsp;

I'd like to read the relevant laws and any landmark cases but I'm not sure where to start. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Answer:
 The rule for discriminatory behavior is written into the Civil Rights Act of 1964: Bona Fide Occupational Qualifications.  Generally speaking, the rule is that if you have a legitimate need for the job to be done by a certain group of people (or not be done by a certain group), you're allowed to limit your hiring in that way, even if it would otherwise be discriminatory.  Only hiring women to model women's clothing is a common example.  It has to be more than a mere preference, but a legitimate need based on the job that can't realistically be met by others.

In your list, the charitable organization is probably not going to pass that test.  Supporting healthcare reform doesn't require you personally experience the underlying health issue, and there's nothing that makes a mother more or less inherently able to do that job than a man, or a woman without biological children.  But if they're hiring models for their informational pamphlets, they could only hire pregnant women for that.  Answer #2: Have you seen the wiki page on [bona fide occupational qualifications](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bona_fide_occupational_qualification)? Might be a good start.


Title: Frozen pipe burst: who is responsible?

Question: If tenants leave their house in winter for a long period and turn off their heat or set the thermostat to a low temperature, are they responsible for any frozen pipe and related damages? Lease does not indicate minimum thermostat temperature during winter. State: MA.

Answer:
 More than likely yes. Tenants caused the damage through their negligence. Answer #2: Even if the lease does not specify a minimum temperature, there is such a thing as common sense, which doesn't need to be itemized.Answer #3: Generally, the tenant will be responsible because the tenant is the one who had control over the faucets, thermostat, and pipes. The tenant should/could have made arrangements for the LL or someone else to check on the home and turn the thermostat up or leave the pipes dripping.Answer #4: Tenant is 100% liable if they let the house freeze because they turned down or off the heat.  Answer #5: Yes, the tenants are.

I was actually the tenant in this sort of situation once, although I left the thermostat set to 15oC. Landlord had a "utility room" located at the back of the house of 3 apartments (me being on main floor). Anyway, pipes froze while I was out of town, exploded, them discharged enough water to fill the downstairs guys apartment with 2' of water.

Landlord blamed me, took me to court, but I successfully argued that the flood was not caused by me as the utility room was not my responsibility and additionally there was no door handle on said door (just one of those cheap rectangular hinged things). The door blew open during a snowstorm.


Title: My father is having some issues with a recent employee. She is refusing to return property and pay back a small loan my father gave her (VA, US)

Question:
My father runs a small business and had only one employee. She recently decided to quit and has been very uncooperative with returning equipment as well as money that my father loaned her. Luckily my father is very thorough and has basically everything in writing, loan documents, receipts for the equipment, emails that detail that the equipment is property of my father's business and her acknowledgement of that. He also paid a lot of money for her to take a course and get a certification but he has told her that's a gift (they were trying to be nice to ensure getting his equipment and the loan money back).

She is refusing to return the equipment and is trying to spin things around on my father that make no sense at all. She's trying to say things like he didn't pay her the agreed price for labor, even though he did, she's just receiving less because of taxes but she knew that her money would be taxed. My mother wants to just be completely done with her and just let everything go. My father isn't sure of what to do. I've been saying to take her to small claims court. I'm just wondering what his options are as I don't want to see him get screwed over like this but he doesn't want to deal with all of the hassle of taking her to court and having to take off of work to do so.

Answer: His options are to sue her or forget it.


Title: Honest mistake because of my ignorance

Question: So here it goes. Around four years ago my best friend and I went to Vegas and got married at one of those little chapels. We were intoxicated, you get the picture. It was for fun. We tried to make it work after, he helped me co-sign for a home and I wanted kids and we had two. Anyhow we never thought the marriage in Vegas was valid. We have pretty much had a boyfriend / girlfriend relationship from there on after. We file our taxes separately, file as single, all my paperwork is single and so on. I have been receiving childcare assistance for my kids. They are now questioning the deed on my home because it has my children’s fathers name on it. They are basically questioning my “single” status and think we live together now. I’ve done some digging and the only thing I can do now to correct this is to maybe file for an annulment. I don’t know how to explain this situation to my caseworker who is going to listen to my appeal for my childcare assistance. I didn’t try to commit fraud. I’m an honest person. How can I explain this other than what I just said?

Answer:
 Got married, bought a house, had kids.

So I think your next step is to get divorced.Answer #2: You didn’t think you were married to the person you married, bought a house with, and have two children? Sorry, but that dog won’t hunt.   If you don’t want to be married to him, get a divorce.


Title: I need to know if I will get in trouble for refusing to continue my subscription.

Question: Sorry for the long post, i just want to explain the situation. I ordered some products from a company called Monat. Before you can order from them you have to pay a one time, non refundable VIP subscription that is supposed to save money in the long run, and also set up a date for an auto refill of the product. This subscription allows you to cancel within 30 days and you are refunded for the products you ordered, but after 30 days you are locked into a 3 month subscription. So first I submitted a ticket for the refund and didn't hear back after 2 days. I decided to just go ahead and call for my refund and I had everything sorted out with the lady on the phone and returned my purchases. They refunded my money, but then charged me the same amount a few days later (on my auto refill date) and sent me more product. Then a few days later they finally responded to my ticket and said I was out of the return policy date ( it took them a month to respond to a ticket), and I am locked in to the 3 month subscription. Finally my question is, if I cancel my debit card so they can't charge me anymore can they do anything about it? I live in the U.S.

Answer:
 Well, Monat is an MLM scheme, so I expect it to be difficult to cancel.  As others have said, cancelling your debit card does not cancel the money you owe them.  You need to work with them to ensure it is canceled and treat this as a learning experience.  Do not do business with MLM companies! Answer #2: > if I cancel my debit card so they can't charge me anymore can they do anything about it?

Canceling a card does not release you from any contractual and financial obligations you might have with them.  They could sue you (and win) for what you owe.


Title: Invasion of privacy question...

Question:
I have a customer whom dropped off a device for a repair. After repair we performed a routine diagnostic; earpiece, front and rear camera check, charge-port etc including text/mms messages sent to ensure connectivity to network.

Customer noticed we did mms message test and is now doing a lawsuit for invasion of private property and material stolen from them without authorization from them.

I verified with my technician about this incident in which he mentioned nothing was retained and once content was successfully transferred was immediately removed. No, nothing was transferred to any third party simply just for test.

Device did had a password so obviously we had their consent to open the device with their password and a waiver was signed in which they "waive any claims related to my product including claims regarding data and information stored in or on my product".
Has anyone else had any incident similar to this or any advice.''

Location: TX

Answer:
 You can't "invade" something you're invited into. He's nuts and can pound sand.

If he does sue, respond. Keep the waiver in 2 or 3 places and don't let him hire you all again.


Title: (CA) Can my school punish me if I donate copies of Mein Kampf to the book drive?

Question: This is a public middle school in California. My friends and I want to donate copies of Mein Kampf to the book drive as a prank. Can we get in trouble or does the first amendment protect us?

Answer: 2edgy4meAnswer #2: If they want to, probably.  Odds are they'll pass them off to someone else.


Title: Landlord retaliation, discrimination(?), kicking me out in a WEEK (August 1st) without prior notice. Need advice. (Chittenden County, Vermont)

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 > the landlord and he had a verbal agreement I was allowed to live here

Committed fraud to get low-income housing.

>  this is a no pet building, but the landlord took a pet deposit under the table ($250)

Violated the lease.

> On July 22nd, for the 900th time the tenant above me is beating and screaming at their child, who is wailing loudly.

Call CPS.

> "tismtater is living in your apartment, we have no record of this. tismtater can live here if you renew your lease with us for one year, but if not we are "vacating" her on August 1st."

Tell your landlord they can give you proper notice to terminate the lease (30 days).

If you are not out after 30 days he will have to evict you.


Title: Urgently need advice, being screwed over by shipping company, feel like we are being extorted

Question:
I know this story might not be very exciting, but we feel a little over our heads. I am located in Toronto, Canada, around July we inquired a logistics company about shipping a set of used high precision machinery equipment overseas because they were sitting in storage for years. They are worth around $35k, the company gave us a quote for a 40" container around 5700 Lbs which we agreed but nothing was signed. Come end of Sep we set a pick up date for Oct 6th, the company's owner then sent us an email, but we never actually saw it, it was to my mother's email, but she rarely checks it. It had a revised price, which appraised the equipment at $53k, because of the duty to ship them, this increase our cost by an additional $5k. We asked the company why, the company said they need to appraise the machines as new because of China's shipping laws, and we agreed to a contract by giving them the machines despite the factor that we've seen it. Now the equipments are in Vancouver, and we want to ship them back for as little as possible, they quoted us $12k (including the cost to get from Toronto to Vancouver) to ship it back, the reason they gave us is that COSCO have a shitty contract with Canadian Rails and it costs a lot to ship something across country. At this point we can't trust this company, and each day it costs $100 USD since it is sitting in the port. What we want to know is, is there a way to get our equipment back without going through this company even though they never gave us a Bill of Lading, or any signed contract (they put themselves as the Shipper and Receiver)? Is the rate she is charging us close to realistic or is she extorting us for as much as she can get? Thanks in advance.

Edit: The company listed itself as the shipper on the Bill of Lading, so she should be on the hook for the incurred cost, but she has our equipment, and we have no document to claim this shipment. What are our options other than trusting this company once again to bring it back?

EDIT 2: JUST got off the phone with customs, they said on the forms the equipment was only valued at $15k! WTF!! so shes DEFINATELY breaking some rules. Thank god we didnt give her the money or she would be banking around 10k

Answer: You didn't sign a contract for this?


Title: Wife violating court order - allowing specifically named person to contact minor child - Wisconsin

Question:
It's a Friday afternoon so my lawyer is not around. Until then there's my reddit friends to possibly help.

Temporary court order in divorce proceedings stipulates that John Doe, my wife's significant other, is not allowed contact with our minor daughter. I have a neighbor who has informed me this is being violated.

The court order stipulates that wide has child Thurs PM - Sun PM. We have, for the last month, been informally going 7 days on & off Wed PM - Wed PM.

My daughter is currently spending her 7 days with mom. I can, if I decide, take my daughter from a 3rd party location. My rationale would be that sending her back to mom's would violate the order due to significant other's presence. On the other hand, I am outside my placement time according to the order.

Do I call police non-emergency just to check it out?

I welcome your input.

Answer:
 Leave a message with your lawyer's office telling them that this is an emergency.
They make it back to you sooner than you think.

If you are certain of what time this individual will be in the home with the child that would be the time to call the police and tell them that the restraining order is being violated, and that the individual is in the home *right now*.

Ask them if you will need to be present to remove the child or if they will simply remove the individual who is violating the restraining order.

It is possible that they will choose to leave the child in the home with your wife, and arrest her boyfriend, or they may arrest both and ask you to pick up your daughter.

But you will need to be very sure that he is present at the time.

Answer #2: > I can, if I decide, take my daughter from a 3rd party location.

If it is the mom's week then how would that not violate your custody order?

If you think she is violating the order then you go back to court.


Title: [North Carolina] Dog attacked mom's dog and bit mom, owner offered to pay for medical bills

Question:
**Summary:**
My mom was walking her dog when she passed a neighbor walking his.  The neighbor went inside his house and let his dog out into the backyard.  The neighbor's dog slipped through the neighbor's fence which had been damaged by the recent hurricane.  The neighbor's dog ran out to where my mom was walking and grabbed my mom's dog by the neck and began to shake it violently.  Three other neighbors (witnesses) ran over to help and the neighbor also came out the front door of his home to help break it up.  My mom punched the dog a number of times to help break it up and in the fray she was bit, she says that she doesn't think the dog was actively trying to attack her.  Between the five people, the dogs were separated.

One of the witnesses took my mom's dog to the vet where the dog was held over night to the tune of $800.  My mom went to the urgent care center and paid her copay to be bandaged up.

The neighbor has been in touch with my mom and has pledged to pay for the medical bills.  None of this is in writing, though the witnesses can attest to him pledging to pay, and he has discussed with my mom over the phone whether or not she'd be ok with him splitting up the repayment over installments.  During the fray, according to my mom, the neighbor mentioned that his dog has had the tendency to do this kind of thing before.

The police took a report which only included my mom's name and my mom's dogs name.  The report only stated that my mom and her dog were attacked by "a neighbors dog."  She has since been in touch with animal control who informed her that the officer will amend the report with the neighbor's and neighbor's dog's information.  Animal control has told her that she has five days to file paperwork to petition the dog being listed as "a dangerous dog."  This would require the owner to muzzle and leash his dog any time that it is outside, and would require him to have a concrete bottomed cage in his yard in order to have it outside by itself.

**Question:**
I am afraid that if my mom files the paperwork to have the dog listed as violent, she won't be able to recoup the payment from the neighbor if the neighbor decides to stiff her out of ill will.  Is there any way to ensure that the neighbor pays her back?  The bill is incredibly small, relatively speaking, and I can't imagine any lawyer would take a civil suit of this size up considering the low pay off.

This has emotionally affected my mom because she hates the idea of someone *having* to put their dog down, which she fears will happen if she files the paperwork.  She hates the idea of a dog not being able to be free in its own back yard, and this is giving her pause.  I want her to be paid back in full and make the best decision for herself, the neighbor, and the neighborhood.

I'm not sure what question I should be asking, but I am too close to this and angry that my mom was bit and her dog was almost killed so I can't exactly give the family the best advice.

Answer: If he doesn't pay, you can take him to small claims court. That way, you don't need an attorney and can still recoup the costs that your neighbor caused you to suffer. Just make sure to keep copies of all the medical bills.


Title: Can you subpoena a specific branch of the Federal Reserve ?

Question: For all information relating to you, a relative etc.

Answer:
 For federal agencies you're generally going to do a [FOIA](https://www.foia.gov/) for information.

What are you trying to find out?Answer #2: Why do you think the Fed has information on you?Answer #3: "all information" is probably too broad. Or they could charge you an arm and a leg.


Title: My mom lost her job over my academic scholarship from her employer.

Question:
Earlier in 2014 my mother’s employer awarded me a $1000 scholarship for an essay contest they had. The person who won the full year decided to attend school elsewhere and the company ended up awarding me his full one year scholarship. Last week my mother copied and pasted my class schedule and tuition to submit to her employer, but she did not disclose my other scholarships. After 13 years of employment with no disciplinarians and positive evaluations every year she was fired yesterday over this. So now I don’t know if I’ve lost my scholarship, but I know that my mom has definitely lost her job OVER my scholarship.

In addition to this, there are some underlying issues surrounding her discharge. Another woman in her department was fired one month ago. Their mutual boss confided in both of them that she was having affairs with two people at work, and they were to keep it a secret. This woman recently got promoted to a higher position. The two men she was having an affair with got demoted, and now the two people she confided in about her affair have been fired. Any legal advice would be great. We don't know if this is even enough for a case. If there are lawyers in Alabama that you can recommend for this job we would appreciate it.

Answer: Absent an employment contract or a union, she can be fired for any non-discriminatory reason. Answer #2: I don't understand the link between your scholarship and your mom being fired.


Title: [GA] Speeding ticket but living out of state

Question: Hello r/legaladvice! I got pulled over this afternoon in Georgia while driving back to Florida, where I live and go to school, from Atlanta. The cop cited me going 88 in a 65, but I thought the signs said 70, while my speedometer also read 85. I do realize I was on the border for illegal speed, but I know I definitely wasn't doing 88. The deputy asked if I wanted to have him reaffirm that the detector was properly calibrated, and I said yes. He issued me the ticket but said I'll have to call or check a website to see how much it cost. I am aware of the Super Speeder fines after doing a little research, and it seems I'm unfortunately affected by that piece of legislation.  What should I do? Should I attend the court date and challenge it or should I just pay? I don't want this to adversely affect my insurance or driving record. I'm 21, M, clean record until this event, and this happened just a few hours ago.

Answer:
 What do you mean you were “on the boarder for illegal speed?”

Let’s assume your speedometer is accurate and it was in fact a 70mph zone.  You would still have been 15 mph over he limit.  That’s not “on the boarder” it’s well over the limit.  Hell, you in fact can be ticketed for going 71 in a 70mph zone.  Your options are to pay the ticket or attend the hearing (preferably with an attorney who knows the rules of evidence if you are going to fight about calibration).  Ultimately it seems that there is no question that you were well over the limit, so just pay the fine and slow down.


Title: TX + NV - My wife has started using drugs again. Can I take the kids and leave?

Question:
So I have four kids. 18b, 16g, 14g, 4b. Yes the four year old was a surprise.

When I was dating my wife in high school I found out she was using heroin. She got herself cleaned up right after high school and I gave her another chance. When we got married it was specifically understood that if she ever used again I would leave her.

She stayed clean the entire time we were married until the oldest turned 13. She had a weak moment after her mom died and basically acted on impulse. I gave her one more shot putting her in rehab and staying with her but I told her that this was the last time. If it ever happened again I would be done. Well she completed rehab and thanks to support from friends and family she stayed clean for a while.

I recently found out she has been using again. I will not say how but I found track marks one night and when confronted she confirmed it.

We had a huge fight over it and she is being completely unreasonable. I was prepared to give her another shot and put her back in rehab but she is stubborn this time. She refuses to compromise in any way on any of this. It has been more than a month since I found out and I want out now.

I talked with my company and they are prepared to let me move to the vegas office. Before its said I know that Vegas and teens are a pretty bad idea but its my only option right now.

I will not go into too much detail right now as to why I want to move out of state, but lets just say it is because of family issues and dealing with the in laws.

Can I take my kids to Vegas and move in without any fuss? I want to time it for the summer so school is not interrupted. I know the 18 year old has zero issues legally. He graduates this year and my older daughters are good with moving out. I have not told the four year old as she loves her mom and does not understand the damage her mom is doing.

What are the repercussions of just leaving? The house is paid off and I am prepared to simply sign it over to her and let her worry about the bills. I am not looking to divorce her yet or claim any child support. I merely want to get my kids away from her. My youngest daughter has used in the past when she found my wife's stash. That is actually how I found out about her relapse the first time.

Sorry if I am rambling I just now decided to make the decision to leave and my son directed me here for advice. I just want to make sure I am not going to be charge with kidnapping for the three under 18.

Answer:
 > Can I take my kids to Vegas and move in without any fuss?

Unless there's a court order prohibiting it, you can take the kids and move at any time.

If you do so, however, she could file for custody/visitation, and request that the kids be returned to Texas - and she'd probably win that.  You should work this out beforehand.Answer #2: As a recovered(recovering) addict, not heroin, but meth, I can tell you for a fact that you should have bailed after her last relapse. Once an addict, you're always an addict. Some people really want to stay clean and move on, but there are some that want to quit, but just don't have the fortitude to stick with it. She sounds like the latter. So, take the advice given and get a lawyer, but also understand that this will more than likely never stop. I don't know her, haven't been in group with her, but I know addicts and your kids need to be away from it now.


Title: Paid for an uncredited bachelors degree

Question:
I went to the art Institute, for a bachelors in graphic design. In the beginning of 2018 the art institutes changed ownership to a non profit (dream center foundation).
I graduated in June 2018. And unlike the majority of the students, I was in a fortunate situation where I could pay  out of pocket for my tuition. A month after I had graduated, the school as a whole announces that not only had they lost accreditation in January (they were "in candidacy for accreditation") when they changed ownership. But that half or more of the schools were going to be closed. The accreditation company admitted that the school was in the wrong for the amount of time spent without informing the student body.
I do not expect the school to re-attain accreditation at this point.
Based on this information, would it be feasible to sue my school over my uncredited degree / would it be worth the effort?

Answer:
 It seems that they were unaccredited when you started, right?

"in candidacy for accreditation" means "not accredited yet, but we're hopeful."

Unless I'm much mistaken.

You went to an unaccredited school that was trying to get accredited.  Unless they guaranteed you accreditation somewhere in writing, I doubt you're going to have a case based on the fact that they failed.Answer #2: I dont think they were ever accredited. They weren't in 2006 when i was checking them out but I dont think the accreditation has much effect on the students getting hired as they were never touted as higher learning in education and more as skill building in the arts. Most get hired based on portfolio and I have never heard of anyone not being hired based on them going there. I dont have an art degree but I have many friends who do some from there. Have you had difficulty getting hired? Were people approved for federal student loans.


Title: I got into bed with a BAD business partner! I need OUT! How do I best do it? CA

Question:
I started a company with someone else and this person has been lying, bullshitting, not doing any of their core responsibilities, doing shady financial things, and more.

I'm the nerdy tech guy that turned entrepreneur and trusted a large amount of the goings-on to this person.

I recently spoke to another entrepreneur friend who is much more business minded and successful with his own ventures. He looked at our setup and was in shock. While I've been building a great software platform we have 0 accountability in our finances. The other guy is using his own personal credit card to pay business expenses and transfer money into his own account.

But me and my friend were able to piece together the margins and profits and volume and determined that the business model is not sustainable.

I just want out at this point. The software requires constant maintenance and improvements to be stable and we're getting phone calls and emails from customers but I'm just leaving it now.

He also has tax debts for this from previous years of running the business improperly before I came on board. He continued to run improperly after I signed up but in the OA it was designated as his responsibility.

There's not much in the business bank accounts. I just want to do the following:

* Send an email to all his email addresses, personal and professional, as well as send a text informing of my resignation. Leave him with the passwords and keys.

* Go to the bank and remove myself from the joint accounts

* When the server inevitably crashes because there's no engineer looking after prototypical/beta software, charge the guy $1000/hr to work on it or don't do anything.

* Work on my resume/CV and get a new job ASAP (need cashflow).

Is there anything else I can do to limit my liability here? I just feel like this is a big sinkhole and his original suggestion was I buy him out but after doing the numbers and knowing all I know, I think it's too much and want to escape in the best possible situation for me. This guy jerked me around for 2 years and I was barely to pay my bills the entire time.

He had the business as a mom-and-pop shop for a lot longer than I was around and because of that there's a lot of legacy problems. The State documents have are in his name, the month-to-month lease on the office has his name, tax debts are presumably in his name -- I'm only in the OA and part of a couple of joint bank accounts. That's it.

I need help, guys! Thank you!

EDIT: Trying to avoid lawsuit or a lawyer. I have no money right now or for the foreseeable future. I'm struggling to pay bills and looking for a job starting today.

Answer:
 I think this is lawyer territory. You said yourself the document was done by non-legal professionals, and you probably shouldn't compound the mistake by possibly missing something on the way out.

If I were in your position, I would spend a little money for peace of mind.


Title: My brother in laws Father passed away a month ago. The widow didn't tell his child about the death. She has cremated her late husband, and in the mean time, she has been securing all his assets for herself with no opposition. What action can my brother take to ensure he gets what was left to him?

Question:
I'm unsure if there is a will or even how to find out if one exists.

We just found out about the death today. In shock about how and why the widow has hidden the death.

My BIL is a minor.

I'm a young foreigner in the USA and I'm new to anything legal in this context. Any advice is much appreciated.

Answer:
 Did he have a will?Answer #2: If there was an official will, I believe it would have to be filed at the courthouse. Have you tried checking there?Answer #3: It would help to know what state he lived in.  Many states have laws about a fraction of a father's assets that a child gets if the father was not married to the child's mother and there is no will, and there may even be laws that can stop a will from giving away a child's fair share.

Unrelated, I'm curious how you have a BIL who is a minor and yet the decedent isn't your father-in-law.  A minor married your sister, or your spouse has a half-brother?


Title: My Boss Changed My Punch In Times

Question:
I work pretty far from where Iive and since I do not drive, I  have to take the bus. The commute is over an hour and since I have to get the bus that arrives closest to my shift time I'm usually about 20 minutes early. Its either that or be late. I also usually stay late to kill time waiting for my bus home. When I arrive I usually clock in and go straight to work. Its a front desk type job so I'm usually running reports, helping guests and listening to my coworkers vent about their shift. At the end of my shift I'm mostly helping guests because its the morning rush(I work overnights). This, of course, pushes me into overtime about two hours each pay.

I've been doing this for a little over a month now and heard no complaints from management, so I thought they were cool with it. I see them at the end of my shift so they know I'm not just sitting around running the clock when I stay late.

Tonight I came in and the sheet with our hours worked was out for the upcoming pay period. I looked at my times and knew something was off. All early my clock-ins were edited to the time I was due to arrive and not the time I actually arrived. A couple of my clock outs were edited, not to the time my shift ended but by like ten minutes. Which brought me just below overtime.

I'm pretty worked up and I'm trying to stay rational about this. I've looked it up and this doesn't seem to be legal but I thought maybe some of you could shed more light on this for me. They stole time from me. Time I worked for but at the same time I'm not sure if this is worth losing my job fighting about.

Edit to add: this is in Pennsylvania.

Answer:
 While what your employer did may not be legal, they do have a remedy:

They can fire you for working unauthorized overtime.

My advice is - if you arrive early - to hang out and clock in when you're supposed to.  Clock out when you're supposed to, too.

If your employer agrees to a clock-in arrangement that allows you to accumulate some overtime, that's great for you... but they don't have to.  Editing your time clock is not the best way to handle this situation on their part, but you lost two hours of wages.  You can decide if it is worth pursuing a wage claim for 2 hours of overtime and - likely - losing your job, or changing your clocking behavior.

Answer #2: You can file a complaint with the PA Dept of Labor and Industry. You have to be paid for all time worked even if unauthorized. However as previously stated, you shouldn't be working unauthorized hours. "I take the bus" is not an excuse. Bring a book, tablet, kindle, whatever to occupy your time until you are supposed to start working.


Title: Dog with no previous aggression issues recently bit someone after going though a month long "boot camp" with a trainer...

Question:
Here are the basic details - we have owned a 60 lb mixed Wheaton/poodle male doc for about 2 years. We got him when he was 9 mo and he is a very high energy dog, but never before has he been aggressive toward people. He was a very social dog, but we had issues with his barking inside and pulling when he was on the leash. We also recently had a baby so we wanted to make sure he was very well behaved both in and out of the house.

I contacted the dog trainer and he came out to do an evaluation. We agreed that a month long "off site" training would work best for the dog. It was $1600 and included and electronic collar. The dog would be staying full time with the trainer for 30 days and when the trainer returned him, there were supposed to be 2 follow up visits to insure both the us and the dog were doing the proper training.

The dog went in May 2015 for the month long period. He was returned in early June and appeared to be doing much better at the things we had asked for the trainer to work on. The trainer came in late June for his first follow up visit and felt things were going very well. I did specifically mention to him that I noticed the dog being oddly aggressive at strange things such as the bus or cars passing by, but he just attributed it to sound or something else setting off the dog.

On August 2, 2015 is when the bite incident happened. I was walking the dog in the fashion of which i was trained on the sidewalk in front of my house. An older man was walking toward me and when he attempted to pass, the dog bit him on his left upper calf area. I quickly gained control of the dog and put him back into his crate at my house. The bite had drawn blood and paramedics were called, but the victim was treated at the scene. We provided documentation that the dog was up to date on his shots and the victim left the scene. He contacted me a few days later wanting to know my insurance info.  I had to file a claim with them, and now I think they are going to make me get rid of the dog.

My question is specific to how much liability the trainer has in all of this. The agreement was to have 2 follow up visits, which were never completed. I understand that the trainer would not be responsible for the specific incident, but would I be able to get a return on my $1600 based on the circumstances?  Unfortunately, the trainer has not returned any of our calls which deeply concerns me. My thought now is that I will have to take him to small claims court to get any money back from him. But realistically is this this best option?

Any guidance would be great!

Answer:
 The trainer has no responsibility.

 First: he didn't train your dog to bite or not bite.

Second: you had control of your dog, not the trainer.


Title: Can I sue Spirit Airlines?

Question:
Long story short - I had a flight out of a city at 8:50pm, Spirit cancels the flight two hours prior to departure. I had to back at my home city the next day no matter what and Spirit couldn't offer any reasonable rebookings and could only rebook me on a different flight that would get to my home city two days later. I had to bite the bullet and buy expensive tickets with a different airline to fly out first thing in the morning and had to pay for a hotel room stay. I believe the cancellation was due to weather but I saw other airlines flying to my home city and not cancelling. Do I have any remediation in this? Is there anything I can do to have Spirit make me whole for forcing me to purchase last minute expensive tickets so I can complete my travel?

I know there are probably thousands of cases like this but figured it would be worth a shot.

Answer:
 First was is due to weather or to mechanical issues?  Airlines are not responsible for weather related issues, they cannot control the weather.

Second, assuming it was a mechanical error you are likely still limited to specific compensation as outlined in your contract of carriage and likely cannot sue but are required to use arbitration.


Title: Suckerpunched at a 24 hour fitness.

Question:
(colorado) Last night I went to the gym for shoulders, during my 3rd set this dude, maybe 26 starts circling me. Obviously he was waiting for the seat so when I finished my third set I pulled out my earbuds - the guy angrily asks how many more sets. I said one more, which he apparently didn't hear because he said what?! So I said "One more set" again. He stormed off and grabbed his friend. His friend confronted me like I had stolen the seat from him or something. Possibly some sort of miscommunication, I don't know. I had been there for maybe 5-7 minutes by that point - enough for a set of 4 x 8-12.

When I started my last set of military press, the guy intentionally runs into my shoulder while i'm pressing the weights, and I shoved him off with my elbow. Then I got sucker punched twice from behind with a left and right - I dropped the weights and grabbed him in self defense, but 5 or 6 other guys ran in and pulled us apart. I didn't even get time to do anything. This was during peak hours after work.. maybe 6:00pm.

So now I have a busted lip and a swollen eye from being attacked , and I still don't understand why lol. I filed a police report, don't know how well that'll go. The two guys ran out of the gym after they heard the word police. I think the best I can get is third degree assault, which probably wouldn't even be worth taking to court seeing as I wasn't hurt - Just a deep cut on my lip and swelling on my eye. I have 5 witnesses with phone numbers and names, all of which saw the entire thing and have no problem telling the story.
And that's how I got attacked at the gym for no reason yesterday. :D. Yay.

Any advice on how to make the best of the situation? I haven't been in a fight since high school (i'm 25), let alone sucker punched at the gym for no apparent reason..

Edit: Thank you everyone that shared your advice whether pertaining to legal matters in this case or not. I now have a better understanding of the situation thanks to some more research and of course to all of your knowledge and experiences with the legal system. Feel free to still post your thoughts ..

Answer:
 The only advice I have is to bump your sets to the 5-6 range. Get much better gains.Answer #2: This isn't really legal advice because your question isn't exactly legal in nature but rather seems to be seeking general advice on how to handle the situation. From the information you provided you were assaulted and I would recommend pressing charges. If you decide to go this route it would have been best to contact the police the same night but it's not too late to do so. The way I see it, this guy clearly has an issue and you'd be doing society a favor by doing what you can to address it. You won't get anything out of it personally, but I personally think it would be the responsible thing to do.Answer #3: Thanks for the input guys. Will continue on my merry way!Answer #4: 24 hour fitness places usually have pretty good surveillance and correct me if I'm wrong but they probably make you swipe some id card just to get in? I'm sure with some effort and the help of management you could identify the two if you think it its worth your time. Answer #5: > I wasn't hurt

You have a deep cut in your lip and swelling in the eye, the latter being potentially very serious. Answer #6: Well, you are ready for Rant Wednesday in /r/fitness. . .

That said - you should have an easy time proving this one. I'd just check with the managers to try to get the identity of the attackers, should be easy since they use a card to check in.


Title: Why does a dropped charge never go away, but winning at trial does?

Question: I'm not sure if this is true in every state, but in Georgia if you are accused of a crime and the Judge dismisses it or you win a trial it can be permanently removed from your record. However, if the DA simply "drops" the case it never goes away and will always show up on a background check. This has made it impossible for me to work in my given profession (nuclear industry) because the mere accusation has caused me to be denied security clearance. How is this considered "fair"? If the DA drops a charge is there any way I can FORCE them to go to trial? I wanted my day in court, but instead the DA just dropped all of the charges and now I have to find a new career for the next 5 years (how long it takes for a charge not to matter to nuclear security).

Answer:
 >  If the DA drops a charge is there any way I can FORCE them to go to trial?

No.

According to the [Georgia Justice Project](http://www.gjp.org/faqs/13-can-an-arrest-on-my-criminal-history-be-restricted/) charges that are dismissed *can* be expunged.  Answer #2: According to the [Georgia Justice Project](http://www.gjp.org/programs/criminal-records/faqs/faqs-expungements/) there's no difference between having a case dismissed by the DA and being found not guilty at trial.


Title: [LA County, CA] Friend got caught with weed while I was in the car.

Question:
The story:

So my friend was driving me home after we were just chilling at his house. Around 2:15AM he was driving me home and we got pulled over because he didn't have his front license plate. After he pulled us over he saw empty hash oil container thing. Took my friends driver license and while he went back to check it, I told my friend he shouldn't consent to a car search. When the cop came back he asked him to step out of the car and searched him, after that he searched me (with consent). He then asked to search the car which my friend gave consent to. He found some small leftover hash oil which I heard was described as "enough to take a hit". My friend got a ticket and he told me it was it was a misdemeanor. The cop took my ID and my information down (I'm assuming address and phone number). I had nothing to do with the hash oil and didn’t smoke it.

My question:

Can I be charged with anything? The cop didn't really say anything to me except take down my information. I’m not going to get a paper in the mail later telling me I have a possession charge or anything right?

Answer: Side point: why did **you** consent to a search? Don't do that. Never do that.


Title: Loaned an old coworker / friend $600 for bills, and now he's not paying me back. I have chat logs from Facebook proving I loaned him the money. Could I take him to small claims court if he doesn't pay me back?

Question: Forgot my location: North Georgia region

Answer:
 Yes, that's what small claims court is for. Sue away.Answer #2: a) Yes.

b) Don't loan money to friends unless the friendship is worth more than the money.


Title: Divorced parents had court ordered life insurance. Father passed and we discovered life insurance was signed to someone else. [Canada]

Question:
I originally posted this in r/legaladvicecanada but this subreddit is much more active.

My father passed this past summer and as part of my parents divorce agreement both parents were to have $200,000 in life insurance signed to the other person.

We were shocked to find out when he passed that the Life Insurance was signed over to his ex-girlfriend who he had not been with for roughly a year.

We have been talking to a lawyer and the legal fees so far have been a strain on our family. We tried to offer her a settlement but she refused and is pursuing the full amount. The next step is to go to court sometime this summer.

Our lawyer says there’s a good chance we will win but is cautiously optimistic. We were quoted it would cost roughly $15,000 in fees for him to fight it in court. We could get the money together to fight it, but, if we lost, it would be devastating.

This money would go a long way for our family.

Any advice?

Answer:
 > Any advice?

Only the painfully obvious: contact your province's law society and get a referral to an estate litigation attorney. For a six-figure sum, it'd be foolish not to speak to a professional.

I do wish divorce judges wouldn't issue orders like this. Your father's insurance provider was not party to his divorce, and is not subject to the divorce orders. If your father breached those orders - by designating a beneficiary other than as ordered - the either you or your mother may have standing to bring an action against his estate, but likely not against his insurer. If he died broke, then that money _may_ not be recoverable.

Since you've already spoken to an attorney, I doubt we can do better. If your attorney is confident in the case, and you don't trust their assessment, then a second opinion is worth far more than anonymous internet advice.


Title: [WA] Friend was hired for a full time position with benefits but job was ultimately broken down into two "part time" positions, one of which he doesn't even do.

Question:
Hi, so I had a friend telling me about his job yesterday, and I got so angry at what I heard. He started working for the Everett city school district as a groundskeeper nearly three years ago, and when he was first hired he was told that the position was full time and that he'd be receiving benefits. But apparently they later decided to break his job down into two "part time" jobs, depriving him of health benefits, and the part that's the most fucked up is that the second "part time job" isn't even something he does. They've made it out that one of his jobs is groundskeeper/landscaper (which he was hired for) and the other is a "bus fueler." I asked him if he had ever fueled a bus, and he said no.

He really needs this job (and enjoys it otherwise) and has been struggling for a while, so I understand that he just kind of accepts the situation for what it is, but this just infuriates me to see him being taken advantage of by what seems completely illegal or, at the very least, crooked as fuck.

Answer:
 Since he is working 9-5 Monday to Friday he is full time, it doesn't matter whether he has two "jobs" since he's employed by the same ~~person~~ entity.

Washington state defines 32 or more hours in a week as full time (31 or less as part time) but they do not require benefits to be provided by the employer period. It might be possible however that they are doing this to avoid giving him benedits under some kind of policy they have. He should take this up the chain of command to someone who might be interested that someone else is breaking policy. Unfortunately because benefits are not required by law his employment would not necessarrily  be protected should he ask for them absent an employment contract. Does he have one?Answer #2: Is he being paid properly for both jobs and is the entity reporting his full income?

This sort of shift would almost certainly qualify him for the marketplace and it doesn’t matter what they call the job/jobs if he’s over a set number of hours/week


Title: Selected for possible jury duty, kind of worried

Question:
I've been asked to possibly serve as a juror. I know very little of the process. There's two very big trials coming up involving a murder, the other is attempted  murder and assault of minors. I'm really worried it may be one of the two.

I'm wondering what other crimes would require a jury. Since the two incidents above, the biggest crime committed was the guy who broke into a restaurant and stole 12 lbs of raw chicken wings, and I can't see them bringing a jury in on that. Basically, I want to know if there's other crimes for jurors to be called so I can try to put my mind to rest, to know if there's a good possibility it's not one of those murder trials.

Thanks guys.

From Ontario Canada

UPDATE*
Thanks guys, you've taught me quite a bit today, and not worried now. I know my questions seem quite silly it's just I seriously knew nothing, I didn't even know where to start looking for info. So big thank you to commenters

Answer: The odds of you serving on a murder trial jury are astronomically small.


Title: Neglected children (4 and 6) living in home with Heroin addict mother

Question:
Not sure if this is the right board, but couldnt find one i thougt was a better fit.  If you have any suggestions for where else to post id be grateful.

Title explains the situation.  Happened upon it when my friend who is addicted to heroin called me over cause he was at the mother's place and thought she was overdosing.  She turned out to be fine.  The house was a wreck and the kids were living in shit conditions.  I learned that they are left alone for most of the day while the mother prostitutes herself for drug money.  I'd like to call child services, but I've learned that the mother's parents have sexually abused the kids before and I don't want to report the situation if the kids would be relocated to those people.  The abusive grandparents live in the house next door, about 100 yards from the one the kids currently live in.  This makes me think maybe the kids wouldn't be relocated to the grandparents' since that's so close to the home they'd be taken out of.  If I can reasonably expect that the kids will be taken elsewhere, then I will call child services.  Does anybody have any information that can help me in this decision?  Thanks.

Answer:
 You have to call CPS,  tell them what you know about the bad grandparents but call the experts. The children come first. Answer #2: If the grandparents live right next door and interact with the family frequently, CPS will probably consider them part of the situation.

Include everything in the report — “Bobby and Suzy are in the care of their mother Joanne at 123 BlahBlah.  Her parents Boris and Natasha live next door and are responsible for the kids sometimes too.  Between those three adults the kids still do not have a safe sanitary home and are frequently left unattended or in Joanne’s care while she is on heroin.  Also Bobby reported that while spending the night with Boris and Natasha XYZ happened which leads me to think that they may be sexually abusing the kids as well as neglecting them.”Answer #3: When you call child services (not "if", but "when"), you tell them what you know, including the suspicion that the grandparents have sexually abused the children.  They will investigate all of it.

For what it's worth, CPS will take note that the grandparents live next door, knew about the conditions their grandchildren were living in, and failed to act.  Answer #4: I'm an attorney and have dealt with this sort of situation an unfortunate number of times. When child protective services gets a report like this, they'll remove the kids after investigating. They under no circumstances will place the child with a family member that has sexually abused the kids. Inform them of what you know. If they cannot find a suitable family member to place the children, they may be placed in foster care.


Title: Denied service at a gas station because I wasn't wearing a face mask. For context I'm a member of a Federally recognise disabled class protected by the ADA - CA

Question:
Pretty much what the title says I went into a gas station to get a snack when the man behind the counter said he can't serve me if I don't have a face mask on to which I replied I'm a member of a Federally recognized disabled class and can't wear a mask. To which he said he didn't care. I told him multiple times I was not breaking any law and even offered to show him our county health guidelines for face coverings which I was with in compliance with because it stats anyone who has been advised be a medical professional to not wear a mask doesn't have to. And I tried to the gentleman but he wouldn't listen. So I asked him if I could film him to which he agreed and I asked him if he was refusing to accommodate my disability to which he replied yes. I even tried to explain to him that I would be the same as denying someone service who was in a wheelchair to which he replied he can refuse service to anyone for any reason. To which I replied expected you can't deny them service based on race, religion, sex, or disability to which he said so with me but still refused me service inside the store. He even threatened to call the cops on me for standing up for my rights. I even tried to get gas at the pump out side but the man still refused to serve me even though I was outside and would not need a mask. Any advice would be be appreciated thank you.

Edited for spelling

Answer:
 ADA says businesses are allowed to turn away customers for not wearing masks even due to disabilities due to a pandemic threat.

Sorry you got nothing.Answer #2: You can move along with your life and not turn a "snack" into a legal battle, perhaps?Answer #3: Subjecting employees and other customers to a deadly pandemic is almost certainly an undue hardship and unavailable as a reasonable accommodation.Answer #4: Go somewhere else to get gas? It sounds like you have enough problems with your health other than picking a fight with a random person who probably gets paid minimum wage and doesn’t want to get fired for doing the wrong thing.


Title: TN - Employer refusing to give me my bonus check because of a new policy working retroactively.

Question:
I tried to be concise but it's been a complicated near-five months. I've worked for the same company for 5 years, full time 1 year. My coworkers and I have always received vacation pay in March or April. This year we didn't. My supervisor tried to find out why, but the office gave no meaningful answer.

Supervisor then contacted someone in upper management, and in June we were given an email address and told we should send an inquiry. I sent a total of four emails, no response (even today, nearly 2 months later). My supervisor told me he would keep trying to get answers. One day he printed out something he was faxed, detailing a new "Service Award Pay" program that none of us had heard of before. We weren't told how it was relevant to our vacation pay, not even my supervisor knew what it was for.

My Supervisor later told me that staff from the office claimed to have been unable to pay us because they somehow did not have record of our total hours for the year, which seemed both unlikely irrelevant to all of us. My coworkers and I nonetheless printed off a paystub from March which included the number of hours we worked for the year. Weeks go by with no meaningful update.

On July 20 one of my coworkers told me both he and my supervisor received their vacation pay two weeks prior, but I still had not. I called the office the next day and asked why, and I was told that because I did not meet 2080 working hours by March I was automatically enrolled in the "new program," which I assumed was in reference to the sheets that were sent to supervisor about a month and a half prior to that conversation. He told me I would not be given my vacation pay this year because I was 62 hours short and would be paid on the anniversary of my hire date. After that conversation I was finally able to work out what happened:

Our employee manual promises us that after a full time employee's first 2080 regular working hours they will receive a bonus check equal to 40 hours of work, which was the pay I was expecting and working toward for the past year. The print out I mentioned describes a change of policy, and it states if that employee does not reach 2080 hours by March they would instead be paid under a new program on the anniversary of their hire date. I had 2018 hours... and my hiring anniversary is in January.

The company did nothing to inform any of us about this policy change ahead of time. No email, fax, phone call, updated manual, nothing. Instead of telling us about the policy change at the beginning of the year so I could make sure I got enough hours by March (and I could have), they waited to tell us in June, three months after the deadline. How can I be held to a policy that says I need x hours between days 1-3 if they don't tell me about it until day 4?

I feel I'm being cheated out of my money. How do I get what I was promised?

Answer: You can consult a lawyer,but from what you have written,I unfortunately do not see a claim for you since you didn't make the cut off by March.


Title: Think I messed up with my prescription (US) Need help

Question:
Sorry for the wall of text but I don’t feel like the details are important in understanding the situation

So I think I may have done something improper without really understanding the consequences. I was diagnosed with stage 3C testicular cancer with tumors all over my body early last year. I had my testicle removed and also underwent one of the more destructive platinum based chemotherapies. Finally I had a surgery performed that removed the remaining tumors from my abdomen, unfortunately removing my ability to have children naturally. So at 24 I inquired about having a testosterone test done by my then urologist. The same doctor who followed me through cancer treatment and removed my testicle. My results came back astonishingly low and through much convincing through my doctor I began Testosterone Replacement Therapy.

The doctor got a promotion and moved to become a head of the urological team at my hospital, he recommended his colleague and set up an appointment with me. I see my new doctor this week and he bumps up my script to a higher dosage (with a new script). After some research on GoodRx I find out I can save myself about $60 by going to Walgreens to fill my prescription. The pharmacy I’ve been filling my Testosterone at is also my local food store. So, being friendly with the pharmacist, I speak to her briefly whenever I go. This past week as I’m picking up extra needles she asks if I would like to refill my prescription, I say sure what the hell and purchase another 10ml vial which is basically a 3 month supply at my current dosage. Note: I had just received another 10ml vial 3 weeks prior (giving me quite a large stock at my current dosage). I travel frequently for work internationally and figured it’d be good to at least have some around god forbid I was away for a while, what the hell right? No harm done?. So the same day I received my 2nd 10ml vial, I go to Walgreens, given the cheaper price to give them the new prescription, I hand them the prescription and they say they need to call the Dr. to understand the previous dosage or something like that. I say ok, leave and say I’ll call later to make sure everything is ok.

Fast forward today and the pharmacy has called me saying that they spoke to the on call Dr. (not mine) and that he told the pharmacy to destroy the prescription and that he doesn’t feel comfortable filling the medicine. Apparently Walgreens contacted the nice pharmacist I speak to and she mentioned how I was there earlier that day to get needles and more testosterone. I believe they forwarded this all to the on call Doctor which made him believe I was doing something illegal trying to fill 2 prescriptions simultaneously. My life has sucked this past year, with battling cancer and all the troubles that go along with it.

Now I feel like I have potentially lost my TRT, which has given me the ability to get an erection again after 6 months of not being able to. Also, I’m insanely nervous I’ve potentially done something illegal without really understanding the consequences. The on call doctor told the Walgreens pharmacist who called me that I would need to come into the office again if I wanted to get another prescription for the testosterone.
What should I do? I’m really nervous and don’t really understand how this happened? Why not just go ahead and cancel the old dose prescription as soon as I filled the new one? Please Help

**TLDR: Bad Cancer, single testicle damaged in Chemo, can’t get an erection. Walgreens thinks I was trying to fill 2 testosterone cypionate prescriptions at the same time, notified the on call dr (it’s the weekend, my own Dr not working) and Dr instructed pharmacist to destroy prescription “because he didn’t feel comfortable filling the prescription”. Nervous I lost a prescription that drastically helped my life and potentially broke the law in the process.**

Answer: You need to go see your doctor and explain yourself.  This really isn't a legal issue.


Title: My ex-boyfriend sent an explicit video to my mother. What can I do from here, legal-wise? [California]

Question:
On mobile, so sorry if formatting is wonky.
Note: Him and I are 18+.
My ex-boyfriend and I dated for six months and broke up about a month ago. I should have known that he wasn't the best guy. No one in my life liked him. Everyone thought he was an asshole. But I loved him.
I'm not proud of it, but I kept on talking to him after we broke up. I would go over to his place sometimes, but what we had was similar to the beginning of when we knew each other: something casual.
Yesterday, we were texting. I asked him if he wanted to come over. He said he did and asked me if I wanted to do something that I had agreed to when we were still together. To be honest, I was on board with the idea, but not that day. He wouldn't take no for an answer and asked me the same question multiple times, begging me. I eventually lost it, let him have it over text, and then blocked his texts and calls.
I went out that night and when I woke up this morning, I saw that he had called me over 30 times since the previous night. The last call was about 12:30 am.
I didn't hear from him at all today. Then I'm out to dinner tonight. My mom texts me asking if I knew that my ex had taped the two of us having sex. I asked her what she meant and how she knew. She said that he had sent her a video. I was livid, called him, and went crazy over voicemail.
I want to know what I can do. Can I press charges for revenge porn or something related? What's my first step, if so? As far as I know, he hasn't posted the videos anywhere else.
This is where I admit that I wasn't completely blind sided. I had agreed to let him record us in the past and post on Snapchat (I don't have any other social media aside from FB), but asked him to hide my face. I didn't think he would send them to my family. I know that his ex/long term girlfriend/first serious relationship has a restraining order against him. I also know that the RO happened partially because my ex had sent videos of my ex and his ex from back when they were still together to the ex's current boyfriend. My ex and the boyfriend had sent heated text messages in the past. Obviously I know how to pick real winners and was really good at ignoring the red flags...

Answer:
 >	In California, distributing revenge porn is a misdemeanor offense, punishable by six months in prison and $1,000 in fines. Individuals who are convicted for the distribution of revenge porn a second time can face up to one year in jail for their actions. ... Instead, these exist simply because you have a criminal record.

Time to call the police and file a report.Answer #2: Sending them to your mom can be considered sexual harassment against you and her depending on local laws. It may also be deemed revenge porn since his motive was to cause harm to your reputation. I would go to the police and explain the situation, see if he broke any laws in your city/state.

I would also recommend the restraining order like his other ex and sending a cease and desist regarding forwarding the private videos so there's a record of you telling him to stop if he continues and you can press further charges.

Obligatory NALAnswer #3: No legal expert but good luck. That dude is a scum bag.


Title: [AZ] Can police search my place if they have a search warrant for an adjoining house on the property?

Question: The property I live on has a house, and a 2-room cabin in the backyard. I know my roommate back there sells weed occasionally and, since I'm paranoid, I just wanted to ask: if the police have a search warrant for his house back there, are they allowed to enter my house as well (where I live with 2 other people)? Can we object to such a search? Would they be able to enter all of our rooms even though a warrant would be for my roommate in the back? Any answers would be very helpful.

Answer: It’s going to depend on the language of the warrant itself. The warrant might or might not be broad enough to cover both buildings. You probably want to avoid doing anything illegal yourself and start looking for housing with people who don’t make a regular habit of engaging in criminal activity.


Title: How much in pain and suffering should I ask for?

Question:
Background: I was riding a bicycle on a bike path when a car pulled in front of me and stopped. I locked up my brakes and swerved in front of the car hitting a curb and flipping over the handlebars and slid on earth into some trees/underbrush. The lady gave me her number but left before the cop arrived on scene. He contacted her, got her insurance information for me, and I have filed a third party claim. They have taken complete liability, and have already reimbursed me for my bike, which was totaled.

I went to the doctor the day after the accident, had xrays and and MRI taken of my shoulder which was in significant pain. I was diagnosed with a superior anterior labral tear, and took prescription anti-inflammatory pills and went through physical therapy over the course of 6 months. **Total medical bills were a little under $6k.** I have not recovered completely, and may suffer future complications as I am very young (M/23). I still have some pain in specific lifting and pushing motions, but I have reached "maximum recovery". Previously I've had no trouble with that shoulder.

So how much should I ask for in my demand letter? How much should I expect to receive in a settlement? Should I definitely hire a lawyer? What kind of information should I obtain before writing a demand letter? I feel quite capable of arguing my own case, but maybe I am misguided in thinking this.

Thanks for any help!

EDIT: Location is Madison, Wisconsin, USA

Answer:
 >Should I definitely hire a lawyer?

Yes.  Someone who practices this area of law would be very familiar with what can and should be expected based upon the facts of your case.


Title: I need to go to court for jury duty but I got a panic attack from the summons alone.

Question: I have jury duty in five months and when I first got the letter it immediately brought up some old wounds. As a child I was sexually assaulted by two adults. I took myself to the police. My attackers were caught and I had to go to court to give my testimony. It was an incredibly horrible experience and I never realized how hard it hit me until I received the jury summons. I cried so hard and felt like I was having a heart attack. I couldn't stop sobbing and I truly felt like I was dying. I know that I would most likely be excused from being a juror but I don't know how to explain this to a judge or whatever authority figure without stepping foot in a courthouse. I currently do not have a therapist or pyschologist. And I have no problems going to any government buildings or filling out paperwork. I just am absolutely terrified of going in a courthouse or courtroom. Any help would be appreciated and if I'm in the wrong subreddit please direct me to the right one.

Answer:
 You will have to go to a qualified doctor who can evaluate you and sign a letter stating that you can't serve for medical reasons.

Or you could work with that doctor to overcome this.


Title: Illinois - Baseball Diamond with no first aid kit / medical staff on premises

Question:
Hello,

My husband plays in a softball league at a local diamond. Long story short, he took a softball to the face yesterday. He was covered in blood and blood was all over his face. I immediately ran out to find a first aid kit and / or medical personnel on the premises. There was nothing to be found. I was in absolute shock that there was no first aid kit on hand, minimally! Luckily, the opposing team had ice from their cooler that we wrapped in somebody's extra shirt. We made a trip to the ER and found out my husband had a broken nose, fracture, and concussion.Is it legal for a baseball diamond to have no first aid kit on the premises? There are baseball diamonds, a volleyball field, and a children's playground with no first aid kit - is this within standards?

Answer:
 > I was in absolute shock that there was no first aid kit on hand, minimally

I've played softball my whole life and there has never been a medial kit on hand.  I don't find it shocking at all.

Perhaps you should carry one in the trunk of your car.Answer #2: Your specific locality may have some standards...you'd have to call your town/city or search on their website if they have the information on it.

Honestly though, I don't know why you're so shocked.  I've never heard of a field that had "medical staff" on location...that's borderline ridiculous.  Also, a standard OSHA compliant first aid kid usually has scissors, tape, gauze, bandaids and some assorted creams.  I don't know what you think any of that would have done to help with a broken nose and concussion.  And I'm just throwing that in there in case you were thinking about trying to sue the city or something like that.


Title: Advice on pleading not guilty for speeding ticket?

Question:
I got the ticket in Milan, NY. I was going 72 on a 55 highway and there was light, spotty rain. I didn't have my headlights on but the rain was so slight I didn't even need to leave my wipers on. I've never been pulled over before.

My record is clean. How can I successfully plead not guilty? Can I ask for mercy because it's my first offence? Not to mention it was just barely 15mph over the limit...

Answer:
 You can ask for a break, but it's unlikely to work.

If you were actually speeding (which you admit to) it will be nearly impossible for you to successfully be found not guilty after a trial.

You can try to plea bargain to save points or lower the fine, but you aren't going to "beat" this ticket.


Title: [CA] did my landlord break our contract?

Question: So at 8am this morning a man just walked into my apartment and yelled maintenance.  He said the office called him and said we had some stuff that needed fixing even though we dont and i never called the office.  I remember when i was signing the lease the landlord(a big company) said that they could enter the apartment even if i were to refuse, after giving a 24hour notice. I was just wondering if what they did would be considered breaking the contract or not. Also what would you guys recommend doing? I know that it was a mistake but still it was a big intrusion of privacy.  Thank you!!

Answer: Check with the apartment office to see if he actually works there. If not, I'd bet he was checking to see if the apartment was empty so he could burgle. Lock your doors, and see if you're allowed to add a chain to the door for extra security.


Title: 3 days from move-in and my new apartment complex calls to say the unit is no longer available (GA)

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 You are definitely entitled to the deposit back.

You can *try* suing the landlord in small claims court for the amount of any hotel until you find a substitute apartment, application fee at another apartment, etc. You can base this on the fact that you relied upon the letter you signed (so hopefully you have a copy), which was a contract for a specific apartment. Essentially, the landlord breached their side of the contract, you were ready and willing to move in, and the landlord did not give you sufficient notice to mitigate damages. I think you would have a reasonable argument, but it's tough to say if you would win. There's no Georgia law directly on point that I'm aware of. Answer #2: The wording of the letter you signed would be very important here. If it guarantees you the apartment and is signed by the landlord you may have a case. Though since it was not a lease I'm going to guess that it is worded in such a way as to protect the landlord in this instance.


Title: I crashed my bike into a car on my way home from school now the insurance company want me to pay for it. I’m only 16.

Question:
As I was riding home from school, I was cruising on a shared footpath, there was a childcare centre with a driveway that’s in a blind spot because there’s a big wooden fence blocking any view of any cars coming out. Unfortunately for me a lady with a small car comes rushing out and I didn’t have time to react and put my brakes on. I crash into her side door and made a huge dent and my bike wheel is bent and the whole front of my bike is broken. I fly into the car window due to the momentum and rebound onto the floor. I was not hurt (just a few scratches). After we exchange details she puts a claim out to her insurance company and I get a letter saying I’m at fault and I have to pay for the damages.

I don’t understand how I’m supposed to pay for that when I’m only 15 and was a complete accident.

Answer: Tell your parents.Answer #2: Car had right of way.


Title: Transgender Workplace Discrimination

Question:
Hi, my friend has an issue with workplace discrimination. They are transgender and their employer is 'outting' them (i.e. telling people that he is transgender) to other employers. He also works with children so his employer is telling the parents of these children.

As far as I can tell, this is illegal under the Gender Recognition Act, but he doesn't have a GRC (Gender Recognition Certificate), so I don't think the GRA applies. However, it's also illegal to ask if you have a GRC, but only if you have a GRC (if you don't have one, it's not illegal to ask).

But I believe that he should have some protection under the Equality Act 2010 as this could count as direct discrimination based on gender identity?

Also, I'm not sure about workplace harassment laws or whether or not this would be applicable?

Kind of a weird one I guess, because the Gender Recognition Act is a bit strange.

Location: UK
Topic:
Employment Law

Answer: I would post this in /r/LegalAdviceUK since the UK has way better protections in this regards then the average commenter in this sub has since most of them are from the USA.


Title: Massage Envy Dispute

Question:
I am a member of massage envy, $59.99 charge per month. I scheduled a couples massage and requested two female therapists. gf abd I arrive, we are assigned a male and female therapist.

so we exclaim that's not what we asked for, and we would like to reschedule. the associate calls her manager, tells her our situation, and the manager says charge them anyway, because they (ME) called and left a voicemail saying who the therapists were. that pissed me off already because I knew I asked for two females.

I listened to said voicemail, and they did not leave any names at all. I told the sales associate and she to the manager, and the manager wanted to hear that. associate asks "do you mind if we can hear the voicemail?" I say "yes I do mind, I don't feel the need to have to prove myself. " manager says ok, don't charge them.

next morning I receive a voicemail from the manager. she says "i was wondering if I can listen to that voicemail, if you can send it that'd be great because I spoke to every associate here and they are all certain that they said the names of the therapists in your voicemail. so that infuriated me and pretty much lost me as a customer.

I went in, asked for the manager, and said you know I don't owe you this voicemail, I'm not a liar and I don't appreciate how you are pretty much calling me one." she starts to say "I'm not calling you a liar, I just want to know who left the voicemail." I say "with you saying 'I spoke with all of our associates and they all said they left the names' and you asking to hear my voicemail, you pretty much aren't taking my word for it." I said if I play this voicemail will you cancel my membership because I can't stand for being a member of a business where they think I'm a liar. she said no, you signed a 12 month contract and there's only two ways you can get out. I said show me, and she brought up my contract and showed me that I need to move to a residence outside a 25 mile radius of any massage envy or have a permanent disability from a doctors note. I said "so I have to go through the bullshit of getting a dr.'s note just to get out?" and she said 'call the cops.'

hey associate dialed 911 and the manager stood at the door and opened it and said you need to leave. you need to leave right now. I couldn't believe she felt the need to do that, and I was talking to her at the door saying to her I didn't do anything illegal, I didn't make any threats and obviously didn't touch anyone. all the manager could say is leave you're vexing  disrespectful. she then told the associate to call a second time, in which she did. I told her she's a horrible manager and doesn't know how to work with customers and that I will be calling we district manager.

I called the DM, he didn't answer, so I left a voicemail. I called another DM to see if he would answer, and he did. his advice was leave a second voicemail for the appropriate DM saying if I don't hear from him by the following day, I would be calling corporate. so I left a second voicemail and the next day, today, he called back.

he left me a voicemail saying if I go in there and ask for a cancellation form, they would be able to print me one. I felt like I should call him and talk to him myself because I knew it wouldn't be that easy.

I called back and he answered. I told him the whole story and pretty much said I think it would be better if you can give then a heads up or at least be on stand by, because if the manager wouldn't allow me to cancel yesterday, why would she now. he agreed to be on stand by if they don't print me a cancellation form. I walked in, asked for the manager, same person came out, and she asked what can I do for you? "can you print me out a cancellation form?" I was being civil and less heated than the day before because I actually thought this time would work. she said 'no I'm sorry I ant do that.' I said well I just got off the phone with the DM and he said that you can actually. she asked if I could step outside once again. I said no, I'm gonna call the DM and let him know that you're not complying with me like he said you would. she said fine go ahead. so I call, say "she isn't complying like I tonight would happen. do you think you can call her yourself because I know she won't listen to me." he agreed and I say and waited.

she goes in back, talks to him, 10 minutes later comes out, "can you step outside with me please?" we step outside, she says "I spoke with the DM, and since you signed the contract, I can't do anything for you. if you have concerns feel free to call corporate."

I give the DM a call back. he says " I don't have control over that I am sorry. she said she will email you soon with a cancellation form." I expressed my concern and told him you and I both know she isn't gonna send me a cancellation form. she has no reason to if she isn't just going to do it now. he says well you know I can't do much for you , I have no control over this, maybe I a few days when this cools down she will" I told him it makes no sense to think she actually will do that. the last words she said to me were 'you signed the contract.'

I call corporate right after this. they were closed and will be until Monday. my question is: am i in the right to file a lawsuit in small claims? i don't feel it's right to be a member of a business that calls law enforcement on you, on top of making me have to prove myself through their fuck ups. is the only option to opt out is if I have a permanent disability from a doctors note or if I move away 25 miles from any massage envy?

any help / advice would be appreciated and thank you for taking your time to read.

edit: tl;dr
- massage envy screws up couples massage request
- massage envy wanted to charge me anyway due to voicemail claiming they said names, which they did not
- didn't charge me, next day manager asks if I could show them the voicemail still anyway because she claims all her employees do in fact say therapists names
- I feel mistreated, want cancellation, she refuses, she calls the cops on me for 'being disrespectful'
- I call the DM, he talks to her, he doesn't have control over her store, she still refuses to cancel my contract

Answer:
 Look, this isn't legal advice, and I'm no lawyer-- but every other person in this thread, based upon nothing more than your side of this story, thinks you were argumentative, confrontational, and basically a terrible customer. You might want to give some thought to how you come across, and chalk this one up as a life lesson.Answer #2: You're crazy and my advice for this massage place and, every other business that is thinking of entering into a contract with you, is to back out now.

Answer #3: She called 911 because she felt threatened. That is within her rights.  I gotta be honest, man, just reading *your* side of the story I would have felt threatened in her shoes.

Her asking to hear the voice mail doesn't seem that unreasonable to me, but you have no obligation to play it for her.

It would appear you are correct that there are only two outs in the contract (that sounds a lot like a gym membership).

If the DM wasn't willing to overrule the manager then corporate may back him depending on the manager's side of the story.

Advice:  Yelling and cussing at retail staff rarely gets you what you want.  http://www.slate.com/articles/life/culturebox/2013/08/the_kindly_brontosaurus_the_amazing_prehistoric_posture_that_will_get_you.html