Title: Several teachers at my school are members of the LGBTQA community and want to be out. What sort of backlash could we face?

Question:
Administration at our school is very LGBTQA friendly. We work at a small middle school with 30 teachers. Five of us are members of the LGBTQA community.

Administration told us today that they would like each teacher to put up an “about me” poster that includes pictures of our significant others (if we have them) as well as pictures of our kids, hobbies, favorite foods etc. several of our teachers have expressed wanting to put up pictures of their same-sex partners.

I am Bi but I’m also a woman married to a man so getting to put up pictures of my husband was a no-brainer. I’ve also had the pleasure of being able to share stories and anecdotes about my husband. Other teachers have not been so lucky. They felt like they have had to pretend to be someone they are not. Administration supports them 100% if they want to be out, and many of them do. I’m wondering what the backlash of that might be. I want them to be able to be themselves too.

I’ve also had several gay and Bi kids confide in me and I’ve given them good advice, but I’ve never outed myself to them in order to built solidarity with them. I firmly believe having “out” roll models would benefit them. I feel like our school would benefit from a gay-straight alliance too, but once again, I worry about backlash.

Is there anything we have to worry about as far as legal backlash? I know there are parents that will pitch a fit, but I wonder if they have any legal backing that would create problem we *really* have to worry about.

We are in Austin Texas.

Answer:
 No legal backlash, maybe parental complaints, but this is ATX: the Portland of the South.

Edit: whoops, I keep forgetting that Federal orientation protection is for Federal employment only. Does your school have a union?Answer #2: You should bring your questions to your administration and ask.

Texas does not bar discrimination based on sexual orientation.  Treating LGBTQA people differently does not violate the law there.  As such, if the administration bars them discussing their orientation, they have virtually no recourse.


Title: Starting a job as a Personal Assistant for a doctor. Neither of us has been a PA or had one, and we need a contract in order to protect confidentiality and cover the basics. I've been doing my own research, but can anyone share a simple outline? I'm not a lawyer and don't know proper legal jargon.

Question: Personal Assistant needing contract advice. NOT Physicians Assistant, my mistake with abbreviations. Also, my new boss happens to be a doctor, but I will not be directly assisting her with that part of her life. The confidentiality agreement is just in case I come in contact with patient information.

Answer:
 Your doctor employer should have a comprehensive hipaa plan, including employee confidentiality agreements. If not, he/she should get on it. And not from the internet; from the practice's attorney.

Just FYI, PA in the health care context usually means physician assistant. You probably shouldn't use the abbreviation to mean personal assistant.


Title: Dealership gave me bald tires

Question:
In early december, Canada (Qc), I had to fix my suspension and I had the dealership install my winter tires at the same time. I asked them to tell me their level of wear and they said 9/32. (They wrote this on the report they give with the bill). I had used them for only one winter prior.

Since then I thought my car didn't have a lot of grip, but foolishly I did not check tread wear. Today I noticed my front tires are completely bald. They are like slicks. Rear tires are normal. Tire pressure is fine, and the wheels are aligned. I am a bit disturbed, because I could have died or killed someone because of this.

Since I believe it's impossible that tires could go from 9/32 to completely bald in 2 months of normal driving, I think the dealership gave me the wrong tires (presumably by accident). Do I have any recourse in case they refuse to replace my bald tires at their expense when I go there on Monday? I anticipate them saying that I have no proof and for all they know, I put installed these bald tires myself.

Friendly advice : check your tires regularly, especially after you have them changed.
Topic:
Consumer Law

Answer:
 There's not enough information to really speak to this, but it is actually very possible to wear from 9/32 to 2/32 (what most people consider bald) on winter tires in a very short amount of time depending on road conditions. Winter tires wear far quicker than all season/summer tires if they're driven on dry roads. So if you've had less than normal snowfall then it wouldn't be unreasonable to lose that much tread.

Not to mention, what's "normal" driving? My commute is 3 miles each way every day, my tires typically have plenty of tread when I retire them because I drive less than 6,000 mi/yr.  My old commute was 120 miles each way every day, and I went through a set of tires every year.

If someone came to my dealership with this claim I'd immediately decline to cover it. It's from 2 months ago, there's no way to indicate you didn't cause excessive wear due to driving habits, and as you said, they have no way of knowing you didn't swap them out later to try to get some free tires.

It sucks, but it's possible that much wear really did occur, and if they did make a mistake, it's been far too long since it occurred for them to consider covering it.


Title: Socal - think I am about to get disbarred

Question:
Hello. I am in socal. I am about  to lose my mind. I have been very depressed the last two years and have basically been hiding out at my parents' place since I royally screwed up and got involved with the wrong people.

I am a licensed attorney in California and worked really hard to get where I am. When the economy was very bad, I ended up working with a guy who basically turned me into a shitty ambulance chaser. I don't really have excuses. If I could take back this decision, I would do it in a heartbeat.

By the time I realized how shady my situation was, I had no idea what to do to get out and basically hid out in my parents' and avoided everything which has just made my situation worse.

Recently I have been contacted by the state bar and I have no idea what to do. I don't want to lose my license but I feel like this is what is about to happen. Is there anything I can possibly do at this point? Contact another lawyer?

I would really appreciate any advice.  I feel like my world has been falling apart the last two years.

Answer:
 You don't exactly provide a lot of details to work with.  What you should be doing at this point is finding yourself a state bar defense attorney and fully complying with any request made by the state bar.

At the same time, you need to get yourself some help.  Consult with a private therapist, or seek help from the [Lawyer Assistance Program](http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Attorneys/MemberServices/LawyerAssistanceProgram.aspx).

Keep your head up.  Unless you did something truly despicable, it's not likely that you're going to be disbarred for a first offense.  Contrary to popular belief, it's pretty hard to lose your license.Answer #2: The worst possible thing you can do is ignore it, which places you at risk of disbarment by default.  Contact an attorney who specializes in representing other attorneys in discipline hearings.Answer #3: As others have said, you want to find yourself an attorney that specializes in defending lawyers to the state bar.

Remember that however bad you feel, you are far better off than many other people who face these situations.  There are people who lose their jobs, sometimes through no fault of their own, and have difficulty surviving.  You have a legal education, and I'm guessing a place to stay and some money, so you can easily take care of yourself while this gets sorted out.  You might get suspended for a while, or you might get disbarred and have to get reinstated later.  In the grand scheme of things, it's not as big a deal as it seems.


Title: [PA] Crosspost

Question:
Crossposted from r/https://www.reddit.com/r/Custody/comments/98rkju/pa_unsure_where_to_go_from_here/

The TL;Dr is that my rights (HIPAA and ADA) have been violated, my children's rights (1st Amendment; religion) have been violated and several laws broken by my ex, but it doesn't seem to matter and I'm frustrated.

Long version:

When I played online games, there was a girl in a group of friends that took interest in me. Initially I told her I was not interested in a romantic relationship for various reasons; long distance, age difference, my illness (severe asthma) that had a potential for hardship...etc. She was persistent and eventually a romantic relationship came from that.

She would cry nightly saying her mother and sister were abusive and that she needed to get out. I offered to pay for a plane ticket and she would say that she couldn't leave. This should have been a red flag, but I was already hooked by someone I thought was genuine. I ended up driving 3,000 miles from PA to WA to help her get out of that situation. Instead I ended up marrying her out there. It wasn't long (maybe a year) of living in WA before my asthma became much worse. Due to the different allergens and wet environment I got very ill. Nothing like I've ever experienced before; I was an EMT for 10 years and barely had to be a patient during that time. I got so sick I could no longer work, despite every effort...ranging from desk jobs, door to door sales and even working for her mother in their family business.

We ended up moving back to PA. First moving into my parent's, then into assisted housing. I, reluctantly, got on SSD. She worked at the local Wal-Mart for minimal hours. She got pregnant and our son was born. She quit her job, partly because I asked for help due to lacking experience with a newborn and partly because they were jerking her around with the hours. That's when the abuse began.

She would spend all the money we had on McDonalds, so it was impossible to buy groceries, medicine or purchase fuel for doctors appointments.

She would scream at all hours telling me horrible things like "I hate you because you got sick." and "I wish we didn't have this baby, I want to kill you both."

She would physically assault me and threaten to throw our son while she held him.

She would isolate me from my family, who only lived 10 or so miles away.

I finally got her to go to a therapist and she was prescribed anti-psychotics. When she took them it took 24 hours for her to even out and then she was somewhat nice to be around....but when her mother called she would stop taking the medicine and the abuse would begin again.

I was taught, growing up, to protect my wife and my children. I sucked it up and went to a DV therapist at the WYCA; which was embarrassing, on days I could sneak my son over to my mom.

Her mother came for a visit, allegedly, to try to calm things down. We went for a short vacation and that's when my daughter was conceived. After that, she went to go visit her mother several times. Our son stayed in PA with me and we had such a peaceful time with just us. She had our daughter in between these visits out west.

She came home and said her mother was coming out and they wanted to go to a wedding in NC and she wanted our son to meet family down there. I agreed thinking it would save my marriage, that our child would be safe with other adults there and that she was actually taking her medication.

One week later, I got a skype call. "I'm never coming home. Neither are the children." Come to find out she took the birth certificates and planned this whole thing in advance.

I went to court, but it was a kangaroo court. The judge, seemingly, had made up his mind and I was not allowed to present my case. They made it all about my asthma and how I was supposedly abusive because...and I wish I was making this up...I wouldn't let her take a car she couldn't drive for a joy ride, especially when we had no money for fuel and I said she was a 'doppelganger of her former self', drawing a word picture to illustrate how she used to be loving and now I didn't know who she was. The judge determined we have 'equal custody' but she gets more time, because he ignored the letter from my doctor saying asthma does not have a negative effect on my ability to be a loving parent.

My current issues, beyond the backstory, are:

\--Violation of PA Chapter 53, Title 23, Section 5337 . I was never given notice. This was an abduction under the false pretense of going to a wedding.

\--The safety of the children. They were moved into a home where a bi-polar individual (my ex-wife's sister), who has a history of attempting to stab me with a butcher knife, and is un-medicated has/had access to them. In addition, my ex-wife being on anti-psychotics and a history of abuse not only by herself, but to her from multiple fathers, which was conveniently not mentioned.

\--My son being forced to attend a religion not mutually agreed upon (Mormon) and recently baptized against his will.

\--The court order not being followed. The judge verbally required to do the following:

a) That she bring the children out 3x a year for 2 weeks at a time. (I have stipulated that is expensive and she can do 2, one for 4 weeks and one for 2, to save her money....but even so she's not even doing 2x a year now, nor has she ever did the 3x.)

b) Provide all pertinent medical information as well as contact information for all places and caretakers the children will have. She has failed to do so.

c) Provide a change of address upon moving. (She did later, but claims she 'forgot' after being asked several times via phone.)

I really don't know where to go from here. The judge that oversaw my case is someone that forced a little girl to have a rape kit done on her 5x because the mother falsely accused a father of sexual misconduct despite the little girl saying it never happened and 4x the medical staff being in agreement with that. I really don't want to have horrors like these visited upon my babies.

I cannot afford a lawyer. I'm fed up. It's been about 6 years of fighting now and she just keeps manipulating things to the point apparently I'm not even allowed to cut my son's hair.

I'm sorry for being so verbose and thank you for your time.

Answer: You need a formalized order in writing outlining the terms of custody. If you cannot afford and attorney see if there is a local legal aid organization that can help you put your ducks in a row.


Title: Can my friend fire his employee under the following circumstances…? (California)

Question:
My friend has a W-2 employee at an auto shop that he runs. Development of specialty automobiles for the millionaire crowd.

While under a very tight deadline, and after specific direction that he needed to be in the shop, his employee took a two hour lunch to play Pokémon and then gave the boss some attitude upon return.

Can he be dismissed on the spot for this offense? I understand that he needs to be paid in full within something like 24 hours?

Thanks

Answer:
 Yes absolutely that would be a legal termination. Wages due on final day. And if this was an isolated incident don't expect to be able to stop an unemployment claim.Answer #2: >Can he be dismissed on the spot for this offense?

Yes

> I understand that he needs to be paid in full within something like 24 hours?

Nope you have to provide him with a paycheck before he leaves the premises.


Title: Landlord claims living room not included in lease

Question:
Background: This is in Brooklyn, NY.

The building is a two-family residence. The landlord does not live here.

The top floor is occupied by a family, the ground floor is occupied by myself and a roommate. The basement was converted to be another dwelling space for two other roommates.

(As an aside, this conversion was illegal, according to a search on the NYC Department of Buildings. I am not certain if that has ever been resolved; there is still an active complaint from about 8 years ago.)

The landlord enters the ground floor and basement regularly, and without warning. He has been texting us that we have to remove our personal effects from the living rooms on the ground floor and the basement, as these are "not included in our lease."

My lease - I cannot speak for those of my roommates - does state that I'm renting a room in the house. However, given that the landlord doesn't live here - and all of my roommates are also renting single rooms - it's not clear to me what the occupancy standards of common areas like the living rooms would be.

Is the landlord within his rights to insist that we can't have our personal effects in the living room, given these conditions?

Answer: If the living room and other areas are listed as common you have a right to use them and leave items there.  As a common area though you're not really protected if things get moved / damaged / or go missing.


Title: Private Student loans that defaulted now turn into never ending nightmare.

Question:
TL:DR- Settled in court for defaulted private student loan with wage garnisment for $36,670 payed in wage garnisment at 2 different jobs, wage garnishment suddenly stopped (paid rougly $9000 to settled debt), now got a letter saying debt owed is $44,945. Help.

So, I pulled out private student loans through Citi Bank in the amount of $21,778 (which my grandmother cosigned being I had no credit at the time which now I fully regret), due to an issues with my fasfa for the school year of 2001 and was not granted Federal student loans.

Fast forward to when I graduated in 2007, unable to find a job right away, ended up defaulting on ALL of my student loans. When I finally found a job, it was barely minimum wage, so I was unable to pay any thing, eventually I was let go from that job due to layoffs.

My private loans were bought and sold by two companies in 2008-2009( accruing fees and such along the way, finally this last creditor took me to court for the amount of $36,670.38., I'll refer to them as CA (Credit agency).

At that time I had lost my job and was on unemployment when I appeared in court in March of 2009, and the name on the officially complaint listed me and my Grandmother. I went to court that day there was an amendment to the complaint which I signed removing my Grandmother from the suit so putting me solely responsible in paying back this debt. And agreed with the Lawyers representing the CA , listing that it was my debt agree to wage garnishment once I found a job as at that point in time I was well below the poverty line, homeless and obviously I had no assets to sell (which they asked me about), so there was no way I could pay a settlement cost of $29,000.

I finally got a job in May 2010, which I then called to notify the law office as I was instructed too (though no I realized I should have sent a certified letter to keep record), anyway they started to garnish my wage for the new amount of $37,713.80 (adding filling fees and such with aded 9% interest rate which was not on the official complaint when I first went to court).

In November 2011 There was downsizing in my company and I was laid off ( this makes my losing my job twice),  but through wage garnishment I had paid $8,538.48 towards the debt owed to CA.

Unemployed I finally gave up living in Chicago, and moved to NYC found a full time job June of 2012, eventually wage garnishment started again now for the new amount of $38,850, (which apparently the Lawyer for CA found my current work place by looking for me via LinkedIn, since you can see who sees your profile).  Letter of notification was never received by me, I was subletting an apartment in NYC, so all mail that was sent to my old address was forwarded to my Fiancee place in Chicago.  My work was sent the order summons.
Wage garnishment only took through three paychecks (total $735.57) and stopped, I asked my HR department what gives, they didn't have an answer as our payroll is outsourced, and it may be because it was an IL court judgment and not a NY court judgement.  I again I should have followed up with the Law Office or the CA directly but stupidly didn't.

Eventually I left that job working as a contract employee/freelance and finally landed better paying position where I am at now.

Now... after two years, my mother emails me a copy of a letter that was sent to my grandmothers old address (she now lives with my Aunt in California in Hospice care), from the law office representing CA.  stating that they are offering a one time settlement offer dated February 4th 2015, stating " With income tax season upon us, my client authorized my firm to accept for a limited tim only, the settlement of your claim or outstanding judgment for a lump sum payment of 85% of the owed balance of $44,945.07". My mother called me yesterday when she opened the letter when she was over at my grandmothers house as my parents are fixing it up to rent out.

I don't even know where to begin to figure this out, or what are my options.  Last time I spoke to these people about monthly payments (during the times I was unemployed), they will only accept payments of around $2000, which I can not afford, that is why wage garnishment was instituted through out this, as that was cheaper for me paycheck to paycheck wise).

Since this  was originally a private student loan originally through citi bank, is filling for bankruptcy even an option?  Do I need to contact and sit with an actual Lawyer about this, and who?  Where do I look?  What kind of lawyer do even contact?

I feel terrible that I even got my grandmother into this.  Just last week I was excited that I got my federal student loans below $30K from the original $50k.  I was reading my company employee handbook, and they can actually used wage garnishment as an reason to terminate me.

When dealing with the first creditor that owned this debt, they practically threatened that they could take my grandmothers house if I didn't pay.

I'm 32, no savings, no retirement plans, living paycheck to paycheck.  My current job I make $68K, 28% goes to taxes, 11% health insurance, 35% goes to rent (yay NYC), the rest is broken up to student loan payments $1100mo and living expenses.

~~This has me breaking down right now, I have so much debt due to going to college, it so much I even considered suicide as a viable option~~ (edit to remove) ... I need help......

::edit to add::
My husband has about 80K in student loans himself, but we only share income when we need, he works freelance, so his income varies greatly.

I have other loans under my father, but he is paying for those, so I did not include that in my total, if I did, my debt total is abot $125K.  When I can I send him any extra income monthly that we have left over, about $25-50.  He was the co-signer for those loans.

Just to clarify, we buget and save where we can, but having something like this throw a huge wrench in our lives,  I just wanted help on how to where to start to handle this situation as I have never been in this position before.
Topic:
Credit Debt Bankruptcy

Answer:
 So in total you owe 45+30=75k? And you make $68k gross? There's no reason why this isn't a problem you can work out. This might be more of a /r/personalfinance post.

For example, you pay $2k a month in rent? You can cut that in half by living in queens with a roommate. This is what people do. I have a friend with 100k in student loans making about $80k. With a little budgeting, her life is perfectly normal living in a trendy-ish Brooklyn neighborhood.


Title: Mother of stepchild convicted of DUI & facing PSI. Will we/father be contacted? (PA)

Question:
Question being asked more on behalf of the child's father, than myself. We have had informal (no papers, ever) primary custody of his child for more than 2 years. Majority of overnights (80+%) are with us. Child has attended school in our district his entire life (now in 3rd grade), is at our house every day before & after school even on her days, and father provides insurance. Mother sees him anywhere from 3-12 days/mo. She began asking for 50/50 (they had that as their informal arrangement when child was younger, 2+ years ago, before her life got so far off track) in preparation for court, on the advice of her attorney. It would make her look more involved and give her a possible excuse for not serving the mandatory minimum jail sentence in straight time. (don't know why she would tell us this because it's really lame, but good to know!)

We really didn't like the idea of her using the child as a pawn, or upsetting his schedule, which has come to involve some enrolled activities at our house since he is here so much, which she does not bring him to. Father capitulated some, but is not giving her full 50/50.

She contacted father last night to state she was indeed convicted (2nd DUI in 2 years), and was getting a PSI to try to get her sentence lightened, and that if he was contacted to say nice things about her. (why she tells us these things, not really sure.) Whoa.

Would we/he actually be contacted? From what I've read it's more like employers and past criminal history that is looked into. If contacted, he would more likely bring up that she is back dating the 5-time DUI offender who just got out of 2 years in jail for driving drunk, beating her severely, sideswiping a semi, and attacking a cop while resisting arrest. And that she has only stepped up involvement to prepare for court. And that the child has already missed school due to her simply deciding not to take him in the 4 weeks since she has asked for more time/responsibility.

He'd really like to know if this is something he could actually be put in the middle of and asked to comment on. Thanks.

Answer:
 I would be surprised if he is contacted.  If he is, he is not required to speak to them if he doesn't want to.  Or, he could tell them anything he wanted.

He really needs to get custody and child support orders in place.  Answer #2: It sounds like it is time to hire a lawyer to obtain full custody of the child from the mother. If you are contacted by the court you don't have to say anything. At least that is what I would do.


Title: My neighbor’s back yard caught on fire and it spread to my back yard.

Question:
So an hour ago I was chilling in my living room playing video games and I heard a whoosh and a pop coming from the back yard. I looked outside and the neighbor’s shed was on fire. I ran out to call 911 and I called it in. The fire burned pretty high and it spread over to my back yard, burning down my shed, and the arborvitae, a little bit of the fence on the opposite side of the yard, destroyed our pool as well as the dog’s pool and scorched my house a little. I looked over into the other yard and it seems though there was an unattended fire in the neighbor’s yard that spread to the shed and then over to my back yard. My question is what do I need to do for insurance purposes?

Extra information:
I live in Oregon
There was a burn ban put into effect today
Topic:
Insurance

Answer: Call your insurance and they will work it out.


Title: Speeding Ticket across the pond

Question:
I recently visited England and used a rental car (back in the states now).  I received a speeding ticket (sent to the rental company who scanned and emailed it to me).  I checked out the pictures, made sure it was me and my car. I have emailed the authorities to work with them directly and plan on paying the ticket.

Hypothetical question on repercussions if I didn't pay?
What would happen if I received multiple speeding tickets and did not pay?

Answer: The rental company will charge the card they have on file and probably add on extra admin fees.


Title: [UPDATE] (USA) My Grandfather's bank refuses to release his assets to the beneficiaries of his will

Question:
Update to [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/399is3/usa_my_grandfathers_bank_refuses_to_release_his/)

It was good to know we didn't need a lawyer.

If there's one thing I've learned reading /r/legaladvice, it's that threats can work for companies. Since my Mom did not want to do anything, I took it into my own hands. Finally, I did look up the appropriate IL laws and then forwarded them to my mother (she was angry I got involved, but apparently used the advice) who forwarded them out to the bank's team, and the assets started coming in a week or two ago. :) So in the end it all did work out and the cash wasn't gone!

Answer:
 I wonder if all this had to do with the bank being purchased out of receivership (insolvency) from the FDIC. Essentially the FDIC will take over a bank that is about to fail, and sell it to another bank to keep everything solvent. Sometimes there are shenanigans and I'm concerned there may have been an attempt to misappropriate money from the FDIC. It's a new one to me that a bank in that type of situation wouldn't release a deposit to a consumer, but it isn't implausible. I don't want to fling accusations around, but the behavior is extremely shady and is the type of thing an auditor would probably want to investigate.

If you care to, you can look up the former bank (under it's name prior to being bought out) on the list of failed banks maintained by the FDIC: https://www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/banklist.html. I do see a couple of banks headquartered in IL that went through closing this year.

If the bank appears there, I encourage you to make a phone call to FDIC (toll free) at 1-877-275-3342. They are extremely nice people and take things like this very seriously. You can also use the website to file a complaint (https://www.fdic.gov/consumers/assistance/filecomplaint.html).Answer #2: excellent. sorry for your loss, however.


Title: Issues with college landlord while on financial aid.

Question: I am on financial aid while going through college. There has been a lot of issues getting the aid because my dad initially gave me the wrong information while I was filling it out. I haven't gotten the money yet in order to pay my landlord, but I have documents from financial aid that I have money coming through soon that will allow me to pay it. I texted him and he said that he knows I am on financial aid, but now I just got a letter stating that I owe $100 more, plus $2 per day since I signed the lease. Is it possible to get these extra fees removed because of my situation?

Answer: What does your lease say about late fees? The source of your income has nothing to do with your obligation to pay rent on time.


Title: I'm pregnant (16) with a 19 year old's baby, do I have to put him on the birth certificate? OR

Question: Do I have to put him on the birth certificate? I don't want him to get in trouble for being over 18 and dating me.

Answer:
 No you don't have to put a father on the birth certificate, but that can lead to problems down the road if the father wants to share custody, if you need child support, if your child wants to inherit from the father, etc.

I'd at least run this by a family lawyer.  Most lawyers do initial consultations for free.  I wouldn't charge for this. Answer #2: 19 and 16 is legal in Oregon assuming you are actually 3 years or less apart, not slightly more. If you turn 17 before he does 20, you are fine. If he turns 20 before you 17, he is not okay.


Title: How is shows like sex education and many other books and movies legal?

Question:
I know according to the laws any depiction of sexual activity with a minor is illegal whether it’s written or visual or whatever and is considered cp. but in the show sex education it depicts minors having sex even if the actors themselves are adults

Also there was a documentary on Netflix like a true crime one and the victim talked in detail about what her abuser did to her when she was a child.

And plenty of other books and movies that depict csa. How is this legal? Isn’t it considered cp?

Personally I don’t think there’s anything wrong with like sex education and those documentaries as it’s important victims are heard and to spread awareness about that and all that I’m just talking about from a law perspective. Sorry if I sound dumb I don’t know a lot about law haha.

Answer:
 >I know according to the laws any depiction of sexual activity with a minor is illegal whether it’s written or visual or whatever and is considered cp. but in the show sex education it depicts minors having sex even if the actors themselves are adults

This is incorrect.  Actual images and actually doing things are obviously illegal, but fictional depictions of pretty much anything are generally going to be legal (there may be issues with creating such fictional depictions if your actors are underage, but that is a separate issue).  And generally it's only imagery that is illegal, written descriptions of actual events are unlikely to run afoul of any laws (I don't know for sure that there isn't a state where that could be illegal, but if there is I would guess it comes with a caveat about the purpose of such writings, you wouldn't/couldn't make journalism about a topic illegal).


Title: What is superior the deed or the contract?

Question:
Colorado:

A friend is being sued for a real estate transaction that took place 13 years ago.  The contract specifically states that neither the buyer or the seller were required to purchase title insurance (and neither did).  It further states that the seller would provide the buyer with a title search (done) and the buyer would review the title documents and either accept or reject them.   Presumably the buyer accepted the title as presented.

13 years later the buyer is trying to sell the property and his title search came up with something that the original title search missed.  The bank is refusing to provide title insurance for this reason.

The contract would seem to absolve the original seller but a warranty deed is assumed to provide a flawless right to the property?

So, do the terms of the contract win or does that fact that it is a warranty deed mean that the seller is responsible for any and all defects regardless of of the contract?

edit:  thanks for the all the comments so far.  The buyer/plaintiff hasn't yet revealed what the defect is although the local abstract office believes that there is a "break in the chain" around the 1920's.  There is a mediation clause but it sounds as if the plaintiff has already spent alot of money to either research the issue or try to remedy it.

Answer:
 Obviously your friend wants an attorney for real advice, and I am not a lawyer, but: in a warranty deed, the seller guarantees the title is clear.  This contract doesn't sound like it specifically cancels that guarantee (even if that is legally possible), so it sounds to me like your friend may be responsible.
Answer #2: What's the defect? There are plenty of defects that would make the property uninsurable but wouldn't run afoul of warranty deed language.Answer #3: Should have done a quitclaim deed instead of a warranty deed. The warranty in the warranty deed is enforceable by itself.

He'll need a good lawyer to wriggle out of the warranty deed should the buyer sue him.

Best move is probably cooperating with the current owner to track down the title issue and take care of it. Your friend probably needs an attorney for that as well.

EDIT: if your friend was represented by an attorney 13 years ago, their attorney may have effed up. I hate to recommend something like this, but it may be worth looking into a legal malpractice claim.


Title: I am concerned someone is flirting with my cousin under a fake identity.

Question:
Mandatory discloser : I am translating this for my friend, who does not speak english. I will translate every worthy comment to him and possibly reply in his words. This happens in Belgium, therefore under belgian law. Thank you !

A man (we'll call him Peter for anonymity) recently contacted my underage cousin through an empty (no picture, no subscriber or subscription) instagram account.

He pretends to be her neighbour and to have been watching her for months through her bedroom window and taking notes about her. He has enough notes to be able to tell which outfit she was wearing on a given day. He gave one picture (that i will not share for anonymity, once again).

Problem is, he's untraceable anywhere : he's not on any social network, he refuses to give her his number, and generally speaking simply doesn't seem to exist anywhere but on that empty instagram account.

There are 6 houses that can see through my cousin's window, and thanks to a phone book I could find out that these houses are mostly inhabited by senior men, but I don't know if they are renting their house or if they have a son living with them.

I am concerned this person could be lying about his identity, maybe to bait my cousin into meeting him (at his house ?).

What can I legally do ?
Topic:
Juvenile and Youth Law

Answer: Screenshot all of the messages and back them up on a flash drive and online.  Then call the police non-emergency line and explain what you have.  Might I also suggest black out darkness curtains for any of the windows in her room?


Title: [Chicago] My girlfriend is from MI. She's waiting on getting her license plate stickers, but in the mean time keeps getting ticketed. Is there anything she can do to prevent tickets while she waits?

Question: Basically she's late on getting it done, but is waiting on the sticker to arrive. Is there a play other than wait to get the sticker and contest?

Answer:
 > Is there anything she can do to prevent tickets while she waits?

Yes. She can not drive.


Title: being threatened and want to know what my options are. (MI)

Question:
long story short I was dating a girl, broke up and now looking to get back together with her. her verbally abusive father (which has a record but not exactly sure what I can do more digging) found out and sent me the following email:
First you throw her away like she's garbage, and now you're gonna fuck with her emotions some more and pretend like you give a fuck because why? Because your new girl doesn't give you the kind of attention Vivian did? Mother fucker? I'm not gonna spell out for you in this email what's gonna to you if you don't say goodbye and never contact her again, because you're a little bitch and I know you'd go to the cops about it. Your mommy would make you after you told her. But if this is how I'm gonna go out, I can live with that. Tell her goodbye, never contact her again, or you AND your mom........As God is my witness, and on the lives of my kids, I swear it. Fucking test me you fatherless South American nigger mother fucker. I dare you.

has he broken any laws if any and what should my next move be legally? I am ok with him threatening me as I am far away at a university but when he drags my mother into this that crosses a line.

Answer: You know what? This really isn't a legal issue at this point. You can feel free to report it if it makes you feel better, but IMHO your best bet is to leave this chick alone... especially if she's underage.


Title: (FL) I'm being sleep deprived at home because I refuse to leave.

Question: I haven't slept it 6 days because my uncle keeps me awake all night. I refused to leave without a eviction notice. What do I do my body is feeling it.

Answer: Take the hint and find new accommodations. This won't end well.


Title: Being harassed and tormented by people who presume I am a "bigot"... (NJ)

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 > He also told me not to expect unemployment benefits

That isnt necessarily true. Try anyway. Your boss does not decide that.

They havent really reached the point of illegal harassment yet though.

Block them on Facebook and on your phone. Tell your family to do it too. Just cut contact entirely.


Title: Is a vehicle private property if it's on someone's land?

Question: Is my vehicle still considered private property if it is parked on someone else's land?

Answer:
 Seems like there is more to this that needs to be clarified and specify what the concern is. For example, a privately owned vehicle is always private property no matter where it is parked but if the question really is something about it being able to be towed or searched then that would depend on a lot of things. For example, II, is the vehicle legally on someone else's land? Is it suspected to have been involved with a crime? Etc.

Your question is much to vague to answer what ever it is you really are trying to figure out a loop hole to get out of.


Title: Emotional support animal in Apartments (Texas)

Question: Me and my wife are moving to a new apartment, and I have an emotional support animal. The apartments claim that I would need a doctors recommendation. Is it legal for them to require this if I already have the animal registered as an emotional support animal?

Answer:
 There is no such thing as an ESA registry, they are all scams.

 The only way to qualify your pet as an official ESA is to qualify for a legitimate ESA letter from an ESA doctor (such as a psychologist) or licensed therapist (LMFT, LPC, etc.).

This letter should contain:

* Your name
* That you have a disability as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) of Mental Disorders
* You are unable to perform at least one of the most important activities of your everyday life because of this disability
* The ESA is prescribed to you by a licensed mental health professional
* The Federal Regulations that protect youAnswer #2: Your ESA is not "registered", because there's no such thing. A recommendation from a medical professional is what you need.


Title: [CA] My Boss now requires I clock out whenever I use the bathroom "Because I take too long!"

Question:
I'll be honest, I poop at work. I think thats pretty normal, but my Bowels just hit me after lunch almost every time, so its pretty consistent. I have IBS and sometimes I get days where I am going more than once, and once in a while I do take a little longer than it should, maybe 15 minutes max.

Well my boss caught on and has brought it up with me and is timing how long I'm in there... and he's decided I shouldn't be paid for that time.

So as of now I'm required to clock out to use the restroom.

Is that legal?

Up until now I love my job, its a fun office and I get paid very well for a student ($22 an hour!). But I don't think he can actually ask this from me.

Throwaway because this is embarrassing.

Answer:
 I did a quick google search to make sure I got the terminology correct and found this page which actually answers your question better than I could anyway

https://www.verywell.com/americans-with-disabilities-act-and-ibs-1945100

I think a 15 minute toilet break is a very reasonable accommodation to ask for. Does your work have more than 15 employees?


Title: Scamming An Escrow Scammer

Question:
So I am an attorney (yes odd to post here) but hey advice is advice.

My inbox was bombarded with escrow account fraud attempts. I replied once thinking it was a possible real deal and after a short investigation realized it was BS and never replied again.

After continuous emails on where to send a check, I replied with the FBI office in my city. 3-weeks later, after the guy said the check would be sent "tomorrow" he/she (probably a he), sends me a Fedex receipt showing the check arrived at the FBI office.

What idiot would send a fake check to an address and not google it first?

Anyway, now the guy keeps emailing me asking whats going on and he will "report me to the authorities" if I don't get back to him.

I was thinking of a quick reply telling him I don't have any fake check, nor do I have a contract for this bogus deal. And then insert all the other email addresses the guy has emailed me with, which a few pop up online as known scammers.

Or do I just ignore the guy?

Or send an FBI tip that they might have this fake check at their office assuming the check actually went there.

In all likelihood the guy is over seas and the FBI does not care. But if the FedEx is real, someone sent it. Probably from a FedEx office and paid cash.

Thoughts?

Ignore?

Call the guy out?

Report to FBI? I actually reported the guy the first time to a cybercrimes tip with the FBI, never heard back.

A mix of I know its fake and I'll call the FBI?

At least he had to pay for a FedEx... These guys are scum.

Thanks.

Answer:
 Calling BS on this one. If you're really attorney, you need to grow up and represent your profession better. Answer #2: Dog Law specialist here.

Apparently “good judgement” isn’t a universal attorney attribute. Answer #3: IANAL.

If everyone ignored and refused to engage scammers like this, their market would dry up and they'd stop.

If everyone went to great lengths to get them busted, another one would pop up in their place.  Busting one does nothing (except for one's ego) to stem the flow of new scammers.

So in my opinion non-engagement and simply reporting them to the proper authorities is the "best" course of action (however fruitful or fruitless).  Wasting time playing FedEx and mind games with them I do not believe helps the situation one way or another.


Title: Speeding Citation. Officer put my license plate number in the “Make & Type” text box.

Question: I received a speeding citation in MA. Tried researching to find out if this was typical for citations or if is at all a reason to have the citation dismissed in court but I could not find anything helpful. Court date is tomorrow and I had already gathered a few documents to make a case to have the fine reduced but I don’t want to look ignorant if I  were to bring it up tomorrow.

Answer: Still a valid ticket


Title: How can somebody be fined $60 million?

Question: [deleted]

Answer: When Bernie Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in 2009, he was 71 years old. Obviously, he is not expected to remain in prison for 150 years. Similar principle: just because a court sentences you to something, doesn't make you capable of doing that thing.


Title: Told manager I have shingles- getting blasted by owner's son on a daily basis

Question:
There has to be some legal line that was crossed. I walked into the front office area around lunchtime. There were about eight people hanging out (mostly salesmen and managers).

The 24 year old owner's son starts in with, "how's your ass? I heard you have shingles. Your ass must really hurt."

This was done loudly and mockingly. I'm already looking for a new job.

Answer:
 What a tool. I hope he gets shingles. Hopefully somewhere really awkward, like on the tops of his feet or on his calves.

But no, there's no legal issue here. Answer #2: No legal line crossed, just a maturity one


Title: 20 male California, 17 girl New York. How does AOC work with this?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 >In California, you have to be 18. OR in some cases younger with 4 years between age. So my understanding is even in California a 17 year old could consent with a 20 year old because it is less than 4 years difference.

California does not have a close-in-age exception.

State age of consent laws don't matter unless you intend to visit each other.   What matters is that she's a minor.  Any sexual/nude pictures could easily fall under federal child pornography laws.  You could be registered as a sex offender for life.  Sexual text messages could be prosecuted under other laws involving adult and minor interaction, if the prosecutor is zealous enough.

You are an adult and she is still in high school.  In addition to presenting legal problems, this is also icky.  If you can't be "just friends" from now until she turns 18, you should seriously consider ending this relationship entirely.


Title: Car tree damage

Question:
Yesterday a large thunderstorm came to the area of Texas and had gusts in the 65mph range. I was shopping and parked in the lot next to the store.
The tree fell in my car removing the side mirror and busting my windshield. I have liability on my old car but should I see if the landlord has liability for damage on his property? I understand it's a natural disaster but I'd like to view all avenues.

Answer: Unless the tree was a known danger, generally it's considered an "act of nature" for a tree to fall and do damage. The owner of the property most likely has no liability here. If you only have liability coverage on your car, you're going to be stuck paying out of pocket for this.


Title: My ex gf is most likely pregnant, and she's hiding it from me.

Question:
This is going to be a wall of text, but i will provide all the details my fragile mental state of mind could provide.

I don't even know where to begin, i feel like the whole relatiobnship has a some bearing to my situation. I guess i could start by how we met.

Right of the bat, our relationship started out with lies. She claimed that she was been beaten by her abusive ex, and me like a fucking idiot valiant prince, i went in to comfort her. I went to her coffee shop to get coffee all the time, and she would talk to me about this or that, nothing really specific. Until one day, she was looking very distraught and i asked her what was going on. She told me that her ex had visited the night before and had gotten a little rough with her, and she left some bruises on her arm. So i was upset because i am very against people getting beaten or taken advantage. I started talking to her more and more often, and obviously she was very attractive so i kinda had the hots for her anyway, so i so it as a way to get to know her, and obviously I felt like she trusted me because she would tell me her very personal situation. As the week went by it remember her coming into her job very fragile-looking, and of course since she had mentioned her ex had gotten rough with her, i asked her if everything was okay. It was at this point that she told me her ex had gone to her house the night before and basically punched her. She had a very convincing black eye, and more bruises on her neck and arms. Honestly i was just very gullible and I felt like I needed to help this dansel in distress. We ended up getting together because she liked me and i liked her. Honestly things were going very welll at the beginning. She was very caring, she bought me things, she would pick up the check from time to time, and i was like really into her.

The only thing that was bad about our first months of our relationship was that her ex would keep contacting her and supposedly stalk her, it even got to the point where she told me she was pressing charges against this guy because he had gone to her house and pulled a gun on her. She even told me that the cops had come and that they had caught the guy while he was trying to leave, and that he was going to go to jail. I never really got involved with that situation as much as i should have. Now, looking back into it, it is very obvious why she never got me involved. It was all lies. One of her supposedly friends, who happens to work at the same coffee shop, told me that she had made all that stuff about her ex beating her, She used that to get me interested in her. There was never any case with the police, and all the bruises i saw on her, were basically just make-up. At the same time that this was going on, she was also making social media profiles acting as my ex. She, at the end of the relationship, admitted to making said profiles. She never told me why she made them, but she was using those profiles to send herself nasty messages about my ex saying how i was going to get back with her, that "she was nothing but a roadblock" and that i was going to realize how great my ex was, and that eventually i was going to get back with her. I feel like she was just very insecure about our relationship, and she was using those fake profiles to measure my feeling for her and my ex.

Also around this time, she pretty broke the news to me that she had gone to the doctors and there were two possibilities. Either, she was pregnant, or she had an ovarian tumor. As things went on, she basically it turned out that she was both. and according to her, she aborted the baby. Again, i offered to go to doctors consultations, and do anything i could do to help her out. She never budged, she pretty much took care of it on her own, because we were such a young couple that she didn't want things to get tarnished by the situation. The other part of this ordeal, that i feel is very important, is the fact that she claimed to have cancer. After she supposedly aborted the baby, she told me that they had run some tests, and that she did in fact have a tumor. She said she almost didn't want to tell me because she told me that when i found out, i would just leave her. I obviously was very taken back by this revelation. Naturally i tried to comfort her, and be of any help. She told me that she didn't want to burden me, and that we should probably just split up as she didn't want me to see her all messed up. Any time i would offer to go to the clinic or the doctor, she would say it was fine, that she would go on her own. I now know, that this were all lies, and she had never had cancer, and I didn't want to suspect something like that, as it is such a fucked up thing to do. But like i said, things just weren't adding up. This was confirmed by on of her co-workers, who told me this isn't the first time she said something in that ballpark. The co-worker claims that she had said she had cancer in the past, and that she has faked many pregnancies.

The lies kept on piling up. The day that i realized that this girl may not be entirely truthful with me, she basically told me she had graduated as a registered nurse, and that she was going to start her internship at a hospital. Over the months leading up to this day, she was asking me if it was okay if she would go in to work at th hospital, as she was on-call. She said she didn't have a set schedule so they would just give her days that she could go in, and she would go in. On this day, she called me in the morning and told me she was going to go for a shift at the hospital, and that she would see me after. When she got to my house around 6pm, something didn't sit right with me, i greeted her in and i noticed her scrubs looked brand new, as in when they had just been unfolded after been just unpackaged, like it still had the crests on the shirt. I asked her how her day had gone at the hospital with an incredulous tone, and she just rolled with it, she basically told me, some guy had gone in and his hand had been almost cut off and Yadira yards yadda. From that point on, i was very careful with what i would believe from her. I recently found out that she never even graduated, let alone gotten a job at a hospital. One of her coworkers basically told me alll that.

We stopped being intimate, and that just made things worse. I honestly couldn't bring it on myself to have sex with someone i didn't trust, or was basically lying to me, but i also didn't have any evidence to support my suspicions, they were just that, gut feelings. It wasn't until later that month, when she said, On a Sunday night i may add, that she was going to go for her treatment. I thought this was very suspicious, and since I worked pretty close by to her house, i went to check to see if she was lying. Her car was there, and since there was a possibility that she may have uber or picked up a ride, i texted her asking if she had. She replied, not knowing that i knew about her car been there, that she always drives herself, she had asked her brother but he was unavailable (he didn't live with her). This confirmed all my suspicions, i knew that she was lying, i just didn't know about how much.

Around this time, is started noticing her gaining weight, and i straight up asked her if she was pregnant and if we needed to go to the doctors for check-up, or what not. She replied, very hurt at the notion implying that she was, that there is no way she could be pregnant, as she had ovarian cancer.

The combination of finding out about all this things, made me realized that I shouldn't be anywhere near someone like her. I didn't know when i broke up with her that she was pregnant, as i had asked her plenty of more times as her tummy continued to grow. I saw all the signs but she kept denying everything. I also didn't know about her not graduating from nursing school, or working at the hospital, or he lying about having cancer, and totally dragging her ex's name through the dirt by making up the stories about him beating her up. The only thing i knew when we broke up last month was that she was a dishonest person, and that she was making fake profiles impersonating my ex.

Now I honestly feel so lost, her co-worker basically told me today that she had told her manager about her being pregnant because she needed to work less hours.. So all this time i was trying to go to the doctors with her and, her supposedly having cancer, are just lies. I honestly don't understand why she wont tell me. I have no idea what to do. I honestly don't want anything to do with her. But know there is a human life involved. I need your guys' help. What should i do, what kind of steps do i need to take in order to protect myself. I am probably gonna have to get a lawyer, but I don't even know where to start looking, or how much money that's all going to be. I don't make a lot of money, i live pretty comfortably, but that's only because I don't have anybody else to care for.

Please, i am literally shaken and i feel like my life is going to end.

Tl/dr: My ex is a pathological liar, while in the relationship she claimed there is no way she could be pregnant, as she supposedly had cancer. Ended up being a lie. I am 99.9% sure she's pregnant, but she wont admit to it.

If she decides to keep the baby, i would love to have custody of the baby. I am also concerned. As she mentioned to someone that she wouldn't need me and the she will do it on her own. If she tells me this, what are the legal ramifications of that statement. I know am fucked, i just want to know how badly.

Answer:
 All that, and no location.

Find out if your state has a putative fathers' registry, and if so, get on it. If and when your ex gives birth, you can sue for a paternity test. (So can she.)

If you are the father you will share responsibility for raising and supporting your kid. You will also share parental access to your kid. Your lawyer can help you set up custody, visitation, and support orders. If you don't want to be involved, that is an option, but expect to pay child support. If you want to be involved in your child's life, you can be.


Title: False accusations of rape [ontario]

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 No, testifying is hard on rape victims, the fact that she didn't want to do that doesn't really indicate that you are innocent, obviously it made it impossible to convict you.

Just like it is difficult to prove rape, it is difficult to prove that something was not rape, so there will be no way with your set of facts to prove that what she said was untrue.Answer #2: > I told my story without a lawyer cause I had nothing to hide.

Really, really stupid. It's not that you have nothing to hide. When the police get a statement from someone and then later ask the same questions again, if they vary by the tiniest detail, they will accuse you of lying, and doubt the entire story. It makes you look guilty. Never a good idea to speak to the police about something they think you did, even if you are 100% innocent. Next time get a lawyer.


Title: I’m a felon in CA who cant own firearms for a few years. Can I get into trouble for using my gf’s gun at the local shooting range (with her present)?

Question: I received a conviction for a drug related crime in 2014. I used to own several guns until they were confiscated for said crime. Target practice is a big hobby of mine and I’d love to use my gf’s guns at the range until I can get my own back. I’ve researched the topic but received a lot of mixed answers. “Yes you can shoot guns as long as you’re not transporting them” and “no if you handle any gun you’re screwed.” I’m getting towards the end of this legal mess and just want to do everything right. Is anybody familiar with the specifics on these CA laws? Thanks.

Answer:
 It is not that you can't own a firearm.

It's that you can't *possess* a firearm.

If you're holding a firearm at the range, you're absolutely in possession of it.Answer #2: It's not California laws that you really need to worry about. It's federal laws. Federal law states that a convicted felon is a prohibited person regarding firearm possession. You can't legally touch a firearm, for any reason. In fact, if your girlfriend allows you to even hold her firearm with the knowledge that your are a felon, she commits a felony herself. Living in the same home with you or even having you in her home without the firearms locked in a safe that you do not have access to is again a felony on her part. It's no joking matter, for you or for her. Shooting is out of the question.


Title: Question about divorce and pregnancy

Question:
My daughter and her husband separated last December.  He was cheating on her, being in General an asshole.  She has proof of the infidelity and he has admitted to it.  They have two kids and have had a separation agreement since end of last December.  He is not contesting anything.

Fast forward to now and she is dating another guy and surprise is pregnant.  A coworker of hers told her today she cannot file for and get the final divorce decree while she is pregnant, whether or not the baby is the ex’s or not.  She’s stressing.  Is this true?  Is there anything she needs to do to move forward?

Everyone lives in Virginia.

Answer: Your daughter needs to consult with a divorce lawyer. She needs to get a divorce settlement with child support and the fair division of property. She can get divorced while pregnant in the USA.


Title: Passed out at the wheel and crashed fiancees parents car a week after my insurance lapsed. They are trying to file a claim and want me to report it my insurance. Am I screwed? [OH]

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 I'm assuming that you were driving the car with permission. If so, the car owner's insurance will pay for the damage caused to the hydrant and other property. Depending on his coverage they may also pay to repair or replace his car.

Fiancee's parents' insurance company will then try to recover their losses. Normally they would recover from your insurance company. If your insurance was lapsed at the time of the accident, then you were not insured. They will sue you personally.

You also are likely to have your license suspended for 90 days for driving without insurance in addition to any other traffic fines or tickets resulting from the accident. Answer #2: ~~I'm seeing a lot of incorrect information being given. ~~

~~IF you had PERMISSION to drive:
The VEHICLE's insurance will be responsible to pay for the vehicle and fire hydrant's damage.  You are not responsible for any of the damages. In fact, if you had insurance and tried to file this claim under your insurance, we would tell you it would go under the vehicle's insurance.~~

Owning up to my mistake. I believe if you have an Ohio driver's license .. the insurance follows the driver.

Answer #3: I have to disagree with the other posters. Usually, the insurance follows the car. If you were not specifically excluded from their policy and were an authorized occasional driver, their insurance should cover this.


Question:
Contract "bait & switch" with housing cleaning company

Location: Texas

We live on post housing on an army base (I don't want to say which one in case someone sees this) where housing is run by a civilian company, not the army. When you move out, housing has a list of things you need to clean to certain standards. If you fail standards, they charge you $600 for their cleaning company to come in after you. Or, you can skip cleaning altogether and pay $250 before you clear, so it's guaranteed the cleaning meets their standards (since it's their cleaning company) and you won't get dinged for $600 later. They make a big deal advertising this as a way to save money and avoid cleaning while moving, so we decided to pay the $250 and be done with it.

When I signed the contract to have the cleaners come in, it specifically said cleaning was guaranteed to meet the standards and you could not be charged the $600 at least three times. I'm a stickler for reading everything before I sign and I always demand a signed copy. When I asked the guy for a copy, he said it would be in housings file but I could request a copy be mailed to me after a few days days. I insisted on a signed copy and all he would say was, "we don't do that." It really made me uneasy, but I figured the guarantee is advertised everywhere and that's the only part I really cared about.

This is the part where I may have broken the law: After signing the contract, he said he had to go to his truck to get something. While he was gone, I used my cell phone to take photos of parts the contract and the signatures. Then I peeked outside and saw he was on his phone and smoking by his truck, so I took the contract off the clipboard (it wasn't clipped in, he laid it on top on my kitchen table) and ran upstairs real quick to scan it. I accidentally hit "copy" instead of "scan," so I decided to copy it instead, since I was planning on printing it out anyway and it takes a lot less time. I put everything together and in a split second decision, I put down the copy I made instead of putting back the original. I basically stole the original signed copy of the contract and yes, I know it was a very dumb thing to do, but unfortunately I can't change it now. A few minutes later he came back in, finished up and left with his stuff. I never bothered to request a copy of the contract because I was hoping they wouldn't realize I took the original.

Here's the part where things get shady: three days later I got an e-mail from them with a scan of the contract attached, except the contract was COMPLETELY different. Instead of 6 pages, it was 4 pages, and the original has "page x of 6" at the bottom of every page except the last one (where we signed, it says "final page"), but this one just said "page 1/2/3/final page." Every single mention of the guarantee to not have to pay $600 was GONE. We compared the new one and the old one, and there's also some stuff about their liability in the first one that's not in the new one, the list of what services they do is a lot shorter and there's a list of "resident responsibilities" that's not mentioned ANYWHERE in the first contract. The page with my signature is the exact same page, but it's hard to tell if it's pen or a copied signature since it's a scan.

It's pretty clear they switched the effing contract! The problem is, for me to prove it, I have to admit I stole the original contract. I don't know what I should do. My husband and I want to report this but at the same time, we don't want me to get arrested. Without the original contract, we can't prove they switched anything and it's basically our word and some cell phone pictures against a pretty big company. We have no other proof that the contract was switched.

What should we do? My husband really wants to report them, but he won't because he's worried I'll be arrested. I feel we should say nothing and pray they don't try to charge us $600, and if they do then we worry about it then. On the other hand, he's right that they could do this to other people without them ever knowing if we don't do something...

Answer:
 Sounds like you are in a good place. It doesn't matter that you have the original because you can make a copy of it on your phone (or scanner) just as you intended to do and claim that you have a copy of the actual document you signed. They NEVER NEED TO KNOW you have the original. I would send them a brief note telling them you made a copy of the original contract with your cell phone, attach a copy of the actual contract, and let them know that if they intend to use that forged contract as a support for charging you the erroneous fee that you will defend yourself up to and including contacting the local district attorney or Attorney General's office about this fraud.

Also, you aren't going to get arrested for "stealing a contract" that you didn't steal. It was left there by accident by the unscrupulous representative, there's no way you stole it. If this ever comes up, you say you know there were 6 pages because you took a photo of them and you have proof. Second, when the judge sees the landlord's agent is acting in bad faith (not that this is every going to court)  and hiding copies of the last pages of the contract then they won't believe a word he says. Answer #2: Whether the company tries to charge an additional $600 or not, I think OP should report this company to the state.

Im sure some DA would love to go after this company and make it real public. Messing with military families probably doesn't go over too well in Texas.


Title: Florida family law - 19yr old single mom. My mother and her husband used to care for my daughter while I was sick and/or working, now that I have her back in my full care she is threatening the life of myself and others

Question:
To give some history - I lived with a very abusive father and mom who never helped or cared for me as a child. I left home at 16, never spoke to them again until they found out I ended up pregnant at 17 with someone who didn't want me or the child.

At this point they have not supported me at all in over a year, and blame me for their new problems arising due to this, despite me never asking for help. Now, a friend of mine's mother has offered me a place to stay and help me prepare for a baby. She never planned to care or take this baby from me, only help me build up to be a good mom myself.

After my daughter was born, my friend's mother adopted me and I cut off all ties with my biological family. She was supportive at first, helping me get my life together and everything I need for a successful future. My boyfriend however was not at all ready to be a parent, he was never around and when he was he was very abuse, either to myself(sexually) or to our child when alone with her. He couldn't handle her crying and had tried to suffocate her on more than one occasion with witnesses.

She was born in december '15, now i went back to work in March. I got a job at a Sonic restaurant working in the drive thru, but my terrible boss made me start working on skates with no protection despite me telling her I don't know how to. This ultimately led to a concussion at the end of may, which initially was extremely bad. I could hardly walk or take care of myself the first couple of weeks, and since then my newly adopted mother stepped up to care for the child while I was ill.

While I do greatly appreciate her help and what she had done for me, at that point things changed drastically. She no longer wanted me to pursue working again, or finish school, or get a job, or even mother. Because she deemed I wasn't well enough to, despite my attempts to better and improve myself after the accident. Her father is hardly around at this point and does not(and never has) support us in any way, financially, mentally, or physically.

I finally got a job in October despite her disproval, and worked overnights so that I would have more opportunities to spend with my daughter. As soon as i began working i paid most of my income to my mother to make up for their caring for my child, as well as buying things such as diapers and clothes and food. At this time I also just got into a new relationship with my current boyfriend, and I would usually spend a night or two a week over there (sometimes more to accommodate getting me to work). I wanted to bring my daughter with me more frequently, but my mother would refuse most times as she deemed it unhealthy for a 1-year old.

Now, in 2017, in January I got a new job during the day at a pet store, and I kept the other job so that I could make enough to get her in daycare. Because of this I wasn't home much, working 70+ hour work weeks with no car. I had to stay at my boyfriend's most of the time because he lived right next to both of my jobs. I asked them to come bring her to me, but they never cooperated, I always had to make arrangements to get her or see her.

I didn't want to live with my mother anymore because she made things very hard on me, she no longer wanted me to improve myself anymore and didn't even like me spending time with my daughter because she didn't see a proper "bond" between us, yet she labels herself as mommy to my daughter.

I left the overnight job in March because it was too stressful. At this point I moved in with my boyfriend across town, and he had been helping a lot with getting me to see my daughter. I started having her overnight for a night or two a week, so she could spend more time with me.

It was working for a little while, I was slowly transitioning her into my house. But once we had been taking her for about 4 days a week for over a month, my mother decided it was no longer a good idea and once I had left her in their care again told me that she was going to give me a set schedule that I have to go by if I want her, and if I didn't she would file for emergency custody.

Well, she ended up doing that anyway, wouldn't let me take my daughter for almost 2 weeks, and I had to call the police to get her back into my care, and that has since destroyed many relationships.

I received a summons(which was purposely sent to the wrong address) for emergency custody to which I've responded, and we now have court dates for August 8th and 30th to determine her placement. I currently do not have a lawyer.

Ever since the police incident she has repeatedly texted, called and even visited myself and others close to me just to tell them how wrong they are and even go as far as to threaten them. She then changes her mind like a switch and tells me she no longer cares and is giving up. Yet, on her Facebook she is constantly posting things and pictures saying that my child is now depressed and won't be happy because she's with me, saying that I am abusive and a terrible mother. None of her friends know the full story either, so they are backing her up wholeheartedly. She's even saying she is out of medication and could go buy a gun to commit homicides then plead insanity in court.

I never wanted her or my child's father to be arrested or put in jail, but they continue to say and do things that make me feel extremely uncomfortable about the well-being of my family.

I also have screenshots of all her Facebook posts of threats and slander, as well as all the text threats she has made to everyone. I even have a message dated last week from my child's father saying if she was left alone in his care for too long he would kill her. I don't know if these have much value in court though as they aren't recordings, simply screenshots.

Tl;Dr my adopted mother has gone crazy now that I've taken my child back from her, and I'm simply concerned for the safety of my daughter, myself, and all those close to me. If anyone has any advice on this situation that they would be willing to share, I would be so thankful.

Answer:
 If someone threatens you call the policeAnswer #2: You need a lawyer. This is your child and this will require a lawyer. Call places. Call your state bar. You do not need to go at this alone. Do you have an evidence of the threats to prove anything? Answer #3: Screenshots have value as evidence, and if necessary your lawyer (you will want a lawyer) can subpoena records from Facebook or elsewhere to prove their authenticity.

Get a lawyer. If you can't otherwise afford one, call legal aid clinics, the bar association, law schools, domestic violence shelters, etc., for low-cost options. As a last resort, call child protective services; death threats against a toddler are something they'd be interested in knowing about. Answer #4: Here is information on getting a restraining order, in Florida, against an abusive family member. This sounds like it would work for you.

http://www.womenslaw.org/laws_state_type.php?id=496&state_code=FLAnswer #5: When you get a lawyer, also see if you can dissolve your adoption. I say "when" because you absolutely have to have a lawyer; you can't afford not to have one.

You absolutely should call the police. Your first concern is your daughter, not the people who are threatening you. Think of it this way, if they were strangers you would call the police immediately; the fact that you know these people just makes it worse, not better, that they are threatening you and your little one instead of being supportive like true family/friends would be.


Title: Discovered my boss has been adding lunch breaks to my timesheet without any attempt to reach out to me first. Can I realistically do anything?

Question: This is in Colorado. I work 2 of 5 work days per week in a unique position within the company, and found out today someone has been adding 40 minute lunch breaks on my timesheet for these days, for at least the past two weeks. I do not take a lunch break on these days, and have a reputation with my coworkers for not eating lunch. No one has reached out to me about my lunches on these days -- no emails, voicemails, texts, nothing. My boss is an incompetent ass, and I would love to know if this is an actionable offense or if I'm just grasping at straws here. Thanks.

Answer:
 A company is legally required to give you a lunch break after a certain number of hours worked. If they're adding it to the time sheet but not letting you take it that is illegal. If you have the option of taking a lunch and you make the choice to spend it sitting at your desk (or whatever your job entails) that's on you.

Check your employment contract. It should have the break allocation written in it.

At a minimum, you should start taking you lunch break. Even if you don't eat lunch, read a book.


Title: What if you fail sobriety tests and pass breathalyzer?

Question:
What if you fail almost every sobriety test and pass the breathalyzer with flying colors? Will they think you're on drugs?

And what if you fail the breathalyzer but pass every sobriety test?

Answer: They can still arrest you in either scenario. Whether or nor the charges stick are a completely different matter.


Title: [Michigan] Potentially sketchy job interview at a law firm.

Question:
I posted a little earlier today asking for pointers on the interview, but this whole situation doesn't sit super well with me and I wanted to get some second opinions to see if I'm being paranoid.

I found the ad on Craigslist, the listing was for a legal assistant, but no legal experience was required. I sent a cover letter and a resume and got a call on Wednesday to schedule an interview. The woman who scheduled the interview asked if I was available at 6pm on Friday, which seemed a little strange to me because I've never had an office job interview that late, but maybe they had a lot of interviews? I just went with it.

So when she emails me to confirm the interview, the email lists two different names for the same person. At one point, it refers to the attorney as John Smith (pseudonym), but at another point it refers to him as James Smith. Moreover, the email is from someone who works for (as far as I can tell) a completely unaffiliated law office in Alabama. At this point, I decide to look up the attorney.

I find that there is an a partner in a small law firm at the address listed on the email named John Smith. He has been licensed with the bar since the 80s - a friend who works in a law office confirmed this for me herself. However, the suite number on their website is different than the suite number in the email, and just now, I got another email from someone different at the Alabama firm asking me to meet at yet another different suite number.

The attorney doesn't have a ton of info about him online. He has a LinkedIn with a lot of endorsements, but his photo is a creepy, dimly lit selfie, the writing seems off, his name isn't even capitalized. His website hasn't been updated since 2008.

James Smith was not only named in the email as the person I was meeting with (despite the attorney being John Smith), but he was also CCed on the email (a gmail address). I looked him up, thinking maybe it's John Smith's son who works at the firm, and found that there *is* an attorney named James Smith, but he works in Illinois and, again, seems to have no affiliation with John Smith that I have an interview with.

The whole situation just seems kind of questionable to me. The Craigslist posting, the "no legal experience necessary" (never seen that for a legal assistant job), the changing suite number, the questionable attorney, the wrong names, the second law firm being the one setting everything up, the late time for the interview.. I'm just a little bit worried that maybe this is a scam.

I just wanted to get some second opinions. Does it sound pretty normal and I'm being paranoid? I'm rationalizing the changing room numbers by thinking okay, maybe they just have multiple offices on different floors (seems unlikely because it's just two guys, but maybe), and they just wanted to change the office it was in, but I don't know.

Answer:
 Just guessing here: Sounds like the Alabama firm is opening a satellite office in Michigan, with John Smith to be in charge. The change in suite numbers might be a clerical error, or the location might be a rent-an-office place that had to shift people around.

Scams generally seek money from the mark. I don't see evidence of a scam here.Answer #2: Legal assistants are generally secretaries. It's not a job you need legal experience for.

6pm is around the time for a break on a busy day. Also a good time for interviewing candidates with an existing job.

I'm not following what you were trying to say about John Smith. That part of the narrative is disjointed. Answer #3: If they try to get you to cash checks, walk away fast.Answer #4: If it's not a huge hassle, you could go to the interview and check it out firsthand, but it's rare that you regret not going with your gut.


Title: (GA) ADA rights within my aparment

Question: Hello all! I am having some accessibility issues with my school's  on campus apartment building. I use a wheelchair and it's harder to open doors. There is only one accessible entrance to my building and there is no button to open the door.  I have talked with the head of housing and he said it won't be till next semester he can fix it. Will it really take that long?

Answer:
 School tend to not have especially good ways of communicating back and forth. It's very likely that the Disability Services people *do not know* that there is a problem in housing. You need to get over there and tell them. Hell, it's pretty likely that the head of housing didn't know it was a problem and noticed that he was out of money for the semester. If you talk to the Disability Services folks they might be able to get this done much faster than next semester, if not they should be able to get you into a different place that is readily accessible. You know, reasonable accommodations and all of that.Answer #2: Contact the school's disability services office. That's what they're there for.

[UGA](https://drc.uga.edu/)

[GSU](http://disability.gsu.edu/)

[GT](http://disabilityservices.gatech.edu/)


Title: Slanderous Skate Shop

Question:
I have a younger brother with a genetic syndrome. He likes to skate. We move around a lot and he always tries to find the nearest skate park / skate shop so he can get involved with the skating community. We moved to Massachusetts over a year ago.

Today I came home from work and he said he'd gone to the skate shop today. The owner told him to exit the shop claiming he couldn't be there with children inside (there were none). My brother was naturally quite confused. It was then discovered the owner of this skate shop had been telling customers far and wide that my brother is a "Class 1 Sex Offender." Numerous friends of his who also visit the shop have heard the false rumors. We checked the sex offender registry to make sure he didn't end up on it by some mistake. Who knows, right? Bureaucracy isn't perfect. Spoiler alert: he isn't there.

He's a normal enough kid. A bit awkward but wouldn't hurt a fly. Takes a kind attitude with everyone he meets. He's had to deal with assholes like this his entire life. Our family is sick of it and he's definitely beyond sick of it.

If we wanted to turn this into some sort of lawsuit:
A) Do we have a case?
B) How should we proceed in handling this?

EDIT: Filed a police report. We were instructed that we should avoid any further contact with the shop.
Topic:
Douche

Answer:
 Call a lawyer. Most will give you a free consultation.

On the surface you appear to have a case for defamation in Massachusetts.  The store owner is spreading false statements at least negligently, which is what's required to show in your state.

The question will be your damages - how your brother was actually harmed and the dollar figure for those harms.

You should talk to an attorney who can help you figure that out.


Title: Dog on dog attack liability? Any advice would be helpful

Question: Hey guys...so i live in CA and my dog was just attacked by a neighborhood pitbull while my dad was out walking him. the pitbull was not leashed, lives across the street, and ran up to my dog (a jack russell mix) and bit him on the leg. apparently this pitbull has attacked another neighbor's dog as well so this isn't the first time, but unfortunately it happend so early in the morning that there are no witnesses (i'm telling this account second-hand since my dad was the one who experienced it). Thankfully my dad was able to handle the situation by choking the pitbull until it let go (even in his 60s my dad is ridiculously strong) and the negligent owners just took the dog back inside the house and didn't say anything. Has anyone had any experience with a dog attack like this and could you give me any legal advice as far as how to move forward in handling this situation? My dad took our dog to the vet and supposedly the vet bills are estimated at around $3000 for surgery and stuff. Any help would seriously be appreciated.

Answer: Call the police now and file a complaint. Also call animal control. Then sue your neighbors.


Title: [IOWA] Can my employer rollover my wages to the next pay period if I go over 40 hours for the week?

Question:
I was a city employee over the summer, so seasonal, and a couple times I went over 40 hours in my week of work. I didn’t get these funds during that pay period, but instead they would roll over the extra hours to the next pay period in order to avoid paying me overtime. They told me they could do this since I was seasonal, but someone told me that’s not the case.

Is there anything I can do at this point?

Answer: You can file a wage complaint with your state department of labor.


Title: (NY) Full time student with Jury Summons. Please help!

Question:
At the beginning of this month, I was summoned as a telephone standby juror for Jan. 16. I found out yesterday that I'm being summoned to serve this Tuesday on Jan 20 but that's when I start classes for the spring semester and I can't afford to miss them.

I really regret not researching it earlier, but I had no idea that I would be called to court less than a week after my telephone standby summons. Honestly, I assumed that this is how the process works for everyone and that you're supposed to ask for postponements or exemptions after you hear the date.

It's too late to postpone or be exempted as a student and courts are closed until the day of my summons so I can't call anyone. I'm planning to attend on Tuesday and am bringing proof of my attendance and a school schedule. What else can I do and what should I say?

Answer:
 > I'm planning to attend on Tuesday and am bringing proof of my attendance and a school schedule. What else can I do and what should I say?

Just tell them what you told us.  This is a very common deferral.  If you have a list of other times you can serve, it may help.


Title: (FL, ORLANDO) Self Defense against a rapist? Need help!!

Question:
Alright I would like to say I am 14 and in the morning I like to run by myself. My dad is worried I will be captured so he gives me a knife and says if anyone touches me inappropriately, to stab them right below the ribs. So I am worried that I could be arrested for it or get in trouble. Please respond !!

**EDIT** Oh my bad!! I forgot to clarify that I am a male and I weigh around 188 pounds. I also have a dog but its a chihuahua so I do not really need my dog. But I can fight as in pushing someone against the car to hold him down or enough to slam someone or even tackle but if I have them in the right spot do you think I should still stab him

Answer:
 Yes, if you stab someone because they brush against you and you are not OK with it, that is a crime.  If you stab someone because you have a reasonable fear that they will rape or hurt you, that is not.

However, running with a knife is stupid.  Pick up a rape whistle and some decent pepper spray instead.  It's less likely to lead to a death, and less likely to severely injure you.  Or better yet, get a dog.


Title: A girl just jumped off the roof of the building I work in

Question:
As sad as this matter is, it has me thinking about a number of related questions.

The details are as follows, she is a 16 year old who jumped from the roof of our 6 story building. She landed in a tree and survived; I'm assuming with major injuries. My question is whether or not her parents would be able to sue the owners of our building. The door to the roof is not locked and anyone can come into the building as there are a bunch of different businesses in here that see clients. I'm in PA.

Answer: The door to the roof is likely required to be open by fire code.


Title: Domestic violence against me(male)

Question: Me and my girlfriend got into a a physical altercation where I received many physical scratches. This caused my girlfriend to be sent to jail for the entire weekend till monday till they hear her case. What do I do from here this isn't the first time we've fought and I've gotten some scratches. But this time someone called the police on us and I told my side of the story. And she told hers and basically self incriminated herself. I don't want her getting in trouble. She was drunk and has a history of PTSD from when she was abused as a child, also trust issues due to the circumstances of our relationship. What do I do?

Answer:
 The first thing you need to do is get out of that abusive relationship. You admitted that this wasn’t the first time she hit you. What happens if it escalates from hitting to, say, stabbing?

She may have PTSD and trust issues to work through, but those aren’t excuses for physically abusing a partner.Answer #2: All you can do is ask the prosecutor not to pursue  the charges. Having said that, many places have a policy in place that they will pursue domestic violence charges regardless of the victim's wishes.


Title: [Florida] What can be done about a person that calls the Police, Sheriff, and FBI on you and accuses you of being a terrorist and affiliated with ISIS?

Question:
Basically someone got mad at me because I hold the opinion that their YouTube video is awkward. (I am not the only one in our friend group that thinks this but I am the only one who is willing to say it openly and publicly.)

They respond by calling the Police who did nothing, then they called the Sheriff who called that FBI who are now calling and visiting my friends homes and asking questions about me.

The guy who made the YouTube video told them that I was a terrorist and affiliated with ISIS.

What can me and my friends collectively and/or individually sue the accuser for?

EDIT: Also I should mention that in the YouTube video he says verbatim "if you have any criticism any feedback please don't hesitate to comment"

Answer:
 (Edit: Probably) Nothing, personally.

The police department and the FBI each have the option of filing charges related to false reports, but that's at their discretion, not yours.


Title: I’m my mother’s sole beneficiary. Dad trying to fight it in court.

Question:
My parents got divorced in 2013 in Texas and decided to split their assets as equally. Due to poor work on their lawyers’ part, this whole process got messy and eventually delayed. Then  2016 roles around my dad was geared up to transfer his assets in the form of funds when my mom unfortunately passed away, putting me down as her sole beneficiary.

This means that I am entitled to her estate, much of which was supposed to come from the property settlement— the transfer form of which is now void due to her death. Suddenly, my dad is now skewing the amount of funds he’s supposed to send. Even saying he only owes a third of the original agreed upon amount.

Now the will Executor on my moms side of the family has gotten a lawyer and is trying to argue contract law as the basis of the original agreement. My dad has yielded somewhat but is now arguing deductions such as the tax burden he will get by taking out funds from a particular account.

Are these arguments legitimate? Is there a way to speed up this process? It’s been two years and it’s still being argued back and forth between two considerably slow lawyers (who aren’t the original two who worked on the divorce settlement) and there’s a lot of speculation as to why my dads fighting so hard against it. What can I do?

Topic:
Wills Trusts and Estates

Answer:
 That is how disputes in the law works. You either fight it out for what you want and wait for your day in court, or you give in, settle, and take the quicker route. If you feel like you're right and you don't want to settle with your dad, it's going to take some time. If you aren't happy with your lawyer's speed, you can get a second opinion, but often times moving to another lawyer takes even more time. Answer #2: Probably not legit argument by your Dad.  Your mother's divorce lawyer, who negotiated all of this would be a good resource to help or to find you a qualified estate lawyer.   What you can do is hire a lawyer and be patient.  Given that there is an estate many law firms will take this on a completion basis, meaning you pay them when you collect the estate money.  Answer #3: Your lawyers can handle all that. QDROs (Qualified Domestic Relations Order) were created to split retirement funds on divorces without tax penalties amongst other things. Answer #4: tl;dr

I’m betting you can subpoena him for dragging this on longer than it needs be. It’s definitely taking up legal courts time by taking forever on the estate. Just have a judge give him a hard solid judgement — that he has x amount of year to fight this or else it’s automatically 50/50.

If your dad is worried about the taxes he can consult with a tax lawyer. And bring his findings to the judge when court date it set


Title: Singled out for social media use at work.

Question:
My workplace (county government, KY) has a no use policy for social media while on the clock. This is regularly ignored by some workers. I violated this policy recently, while venting about the poor work ethic of an employee, without naming names. I admit violating policy and accept the consequences. However, my employer refuses to follow up with the other employees actions violating the established policy. Do I have any recourse for legal action?
Topic:
Labor Law

Answer:
 If you are union you can complain to the Union. You can complain to HR.

But "it's not fair" is not legally actionable. Sorry. Answer #2: So you are breaking a rule, and while breaking a rule you are bitching about co-workers?  It seems that your employer was willing to overlook using social media, but when you start talking about work there is a problem.


Title: Is it legal to threaten an employees job over customer surveys?

Question: Family members job was recently threatened over customers not taking the survey from a fast food place. State is Indiana. Employees should not be held responsible for the action/inaction of customers. This is a franchise owned facility.

Answer: Yes, perfectly legal.Answer #2: Sounds extremely shitty, but not illegal. Heck people at clothing stores are fired for not convincing enough people to sign up for credit cards. Answer #3: Somehow her coworkers are able to talk customers into doing these surveys. A week of no surveys could be bad luck, but a month indicates she's not putting forth the effort of talking customers into it.


Title: [CA] public road speed bump laws

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Feel free to utilize the very extensive tools provided by the internet to answer this question.

This won't be common knowledge, so either you can research it, or other people can. We aren't getting paid to research here, so it would stand to reason that you should research it.


Title: My Boss Is Pocketing Money?

Question: I work at the theater in the united states.   I mostly work the concession stand.  I've noticed that when my boss sells tickets, about 1/3-1/4th of the time, he pockets the money.   I know that we make almost nothing off tickets, most goes to the studio, some state tax and then a little bit goes to us.   Lets say shows start from 1-2, and we get 100 people.   Tickets are $9 a piece, so my boss makes $225 in an hour while I make minimum wage, and the managers who have been here for years make maybe $9 an hour.  As well as he will only come in to sell tickets during busy hours and have the rest of us working very long days doing all the hard work.    What can I do about this?  He owns several theaters and restaurants and is very cheap.   He's had us sell expired products, for the popcorn butter he's told us to reuse the butter that falls into the collection tray.

Answer:
 >What can I do about this?

 Wow. None of what the business owner does with his money is your business.

>Tickets are $9 a piece, so my boss makes $225 in an hour while I make minimum wage, and the managers who have been here for years make maybe $9 an hour.

 Are you unsure of how jobs work?

> As well as he will only come in to sell tickets during busy hours and have the rest of us working very long days doing all the hard work

 Ditto.

> He's had us sell expired products, for the popcorn butter he's told us to reuse the butter that falls into the collection tray.

 Did you state your location?