Title: Is there any way to avoid jail time in my situation? (Ohio)

Question: I am a complete idiot. I got into a car accident while drinking, with a prior dui two years ago. Nobody was seriously injured. I understand that they're going to want to put me in jail, and while I peobably deserve to go, I just dont think I can handle it. I know now that I could have easily murdered someone on accident, and I know that I'm not the kind of person that can go out and have a couple drinks responsibly. I ignored all the things from when I went to court ordered AA meetings, and that was so stupid of me. I haven't drank since the incident and honestly I dont think I want to ever again. I have gotten treatment since the last dui for schizoaffective disorder, I take medicine for it and have gotten a lot better; I also have a very debilitating anxiety problem that I am medicated for. I have two small children that I watch the majority of the time, as my fiance works 50 hours a week and odd hours. There's no way he can take off work for the entire time I'm in jail, and I will probably lose my job too. What can I do? I don't care about fines or community service or the device in my car or house arrest! I'll do any of those and pay fines forever. Do I have a shot at avoiding jail time? Thanks for reading.

Answer: Probably need a very good DUI lawyer. Jail could be good too as you didn't care about the lives of others twice.


Title: [Florida] Can my girlfriend's landlord give the keys to the apartment to a prospective renter?

Question:
Location: South Florida

So for a little background, so my girlfriend and her roommate is moving out at the end of May from their apartment. They are currently full-time students with jobs on the side so they aren't able to be at their apartment that much. They leave around 8am/9am in the morning and comes back around 8pm/9pm.

The landlord is wanting to show off the property, which they are 100% ok with. The issue is that they don't have time during the day to come home to let the prospective tenants in and show them around the place.

They suggested that he can do it when they aren't home during the day, just so he can make sure that the prospective renters aren't going to steal anything.

The part that is making them uncomfortable is that the landlord installed a lock box near the apartment door and is planning on giving the code to all prospective renters so that they can let themselves in to see the apartment by themselves without him or a realtor/agent present - which makes my girlfriend weary about theft. They asked him about it, and he says that "This is my place so if I give permission they may enter."

Is this legal? I was under the impression that the landlord **himself** can enter the premise with 12 hours notice, but that wouldn't apply to the prospective renters if they were by themselves, especially if the tenant does not agree. At the very least he would have to be with them or get the tenants permission.

Also just to clarify, their lease has no mention of landlords access - so I'm assume that anything to do with it will just defer to Florida Statue 83.53.

Answer:
 Not just no, but absolutely NO!
It is the owner/managers responsibility to re-rent the home, and to show it.  If he gives access to people without being there and something is stolen, he is responsible.

I advise your GF to set up a couple of cameras to video people entering and leaving, so that she has proof.  There are apps to allow you to use an old cell phone, iPhone or iPad  for this.Answer #2: I would not just be worried about stolen stuff, this gives anyone who walks through the house (and thus can figure out two women live there) 24 hour access to a key to get in. They need to barricade that door when they are inside if the landlord goes through with this.Answer #3: >"This is my place so if I give permission they may enter."

That's not how this works.  That's not how any of this works.  Tenants have a right to privacy in their dwelling-place.

The landlord must give reasonable notice for a showing, and cannot give carte blanche access to just anyone.  He or an agent must be there.Answer #4: State law requires 12 hours notification of entery for none emergency situations. As to random people being given the keys and allowed to enter without notice i say this is a clear violation. Creating an unsafe environment for you could be cause for rent withholding but more research is needed.Answer #5: I would recommend calling the police non emergency number and explain the situation. This creates more than just the opportunity for theft it is a potentially dangerous situation.Answer #6: Florida requires notice by the landlord, contact the local Legal Aid Society.


Title: Moving states with underage girlfriend

Question: I am 19 yo male. My girlfriend is 17 year old female. We are currently living together with her mom and grandparents in texas. We have been together for four years. Planning on moving to Colorado. We have verbal permission from them to move states, but how can i go about moving without having to worry about legal issue? Marriage isn’t an option as we are planning on having a big wedding and both our families would be upset if we married without a wedding.

Answer: You have identified the only two options that exist for you if you want to ensure there is no chance of being charged with kidnapping or contributing to delinquency, and potential Mann Act violations.  A civil wedding doesn’t preclude a big bash later on.


Title: Need Advice On Getting State ID with Warrants in Dallas, TX. It's Complicated.

Question:
Throwaway for obvious reasons.

Here's a doozy for y'all. I haven't posted it before because I know it will bring out the haters, and I've got plenty of self-loathing and recrimination going on without the internet chiming in to tell me how much I suck. But this dilemma isn't going to vanish on its own and I can't think my way out of it. My hope is someone here will have suggestions I haven't already thought of, or knowledge that could be helpful.

So here's the situation. I'm female, in my 30's, permanantly disabled due to an auto collision several years ago. I'm in a wheelchair, if that matters, and on more than 10 daily medications, including 2 narcotics. I live in extreme pain with very limited mobility and will for the rest of my life. I get by on SSI, 95% of which goes to pay my half of the rent and utilities on a shitty apartment in the ghetto.

But that's not why I am posting here, it's just background. My problem is that my driver's license expired a few years ago and I really need a new ID. Just regular state ID is fine, I couldn't drive now if I wanted to. BUT - and this is where it gets sketchy - I am afraid to go to the DMV because *I have warrants.* Not just traffic warrants either, though I think I still have one of those (for expired registration) in a nearby suburb. I had other traffic warrants that I was taking care of successfully before my accident. My real problem is *criminal* warrants. One misdemeanor in the county where I live; it was drug related and I never even went to court for it. So that's one warrant. The other is a felony charge, possession of a small amount of drugs. I had been to court on that one, pled guilty, and at the time of my accident, I was on probation and in compliance with the court's conditions. I had cleaned up my life, cut contact with a bunch of sketchy people, and was trying to get back on track with the life I had planned for myself. I had never been a full-time criminal, but there for a few years (when I got in trouble), I'd party on weekends and go to my professional job during the week. I couldn't very well get a corporate job on probation, so I lowered my standards and got a shitty job, with the idea that hard work and perserverence would pay off in the end (pro tip: it doesn't).

Anyway - accident happened, eventually the hospital got me stabilized. I spoke on the phone with my probation officer, who said he would petition the court for an administrative discharge, because as a cripple (my term, not his) I would be unable to complete the requirements of probation through no fault of my own. I didn't even know that was a thing, but was grateful he was working with me instead of telling me to fuck off.

 Because I wasn't able to care for myself or pay bills, I wound up moving to another county (the one where I have a misdemeanor charge), to sublet a cheap apartment near all the doctors I would need to see for follow-up (my husband paid for this; he was broke too and it took all he had).  I had already been hospitalized in this county for months and it wasn't a big deal for my probation officer.

And this is where shit gets crazy. I'm released, in terrible condition, still on a bedpan and unable to roll over or sit up without assistance. My husband is my primary caretaker, along with some help from 2 friends. I still don't understand the how and why of this (I have a few theories but they are weak), but the police raided that apartment. I don't know how many of you have been raided before, but it is fucking TERRIFYING. I was on the bedpan at the time, no joke, and to cut this part of the story short, they treated me really rudely and didn't believe I was actually disabled (despite the room full of medical equipment). They didn't find whatever they were looking for, and didn't arrest anyone, though they made threats about me being in the wrong county, and if they saw me again I'd go to jail, and there were no bedpans in jail... That sort of stuff.

And so I became scared as shit - of cops, and of every bump in the night, or sound that *could* be someone getting ready to kick our door in. Develeoped extreme anxiety that still persists. I called my PO the next morning and he didn't know anything about it. What he did tell me was that I needed to get him an "official copy" of my medical records for him to present to the judge as evidence for my dismissal. I needed to do this within 2 days, as that was when he would go before the judge. So I called and called the hospital, left several messages with various hospital staff. Finally, at 4 pm the next day, I was told I would need to come in person and sign certain forms, and pay for each page, of which there were hundreds. Now, I was bedridden. My accident had totalled our only car. And I had no money, not even one dollar. Oh, and it had to be at the courthouse in another county by 9 am the next day. It was not do-able, so I broke down and cried... For days.

Hindsight is 20/20. I know now that I should have called and explained to my PO. He might have been pissed, but he was a decent guy and we could have figured something out. I was stupid though, and had tunnel vision, and was terrified of being arrested and going to jail. So I never called. I also ignored the misdemeanor in my county. That PO is no longer employed there, so I have zero potential allies.

I have just lived quietly under the radar for 5 years, always waiting for the other shoe to drop. My drivers license expired a few years ago, and now I can't really get away with pretending I didn't notice it expired anymore. I need a valid ID to do things - to get my handicap-bus pass renewed so I can go places, to get help from food pantries, to pick up my medications at the pharmacy... Having a valid ID is a necessity in today's world, even for shut-ins.

But I am afraid that if I go to the DMV to get a state ID, they will arrest me. It's not that I don't think I should be held responsible for my past actions - it's that I'm not equipped for jail. I would not even be able to get into a squad car unassisted. I can't walk, I can't even change into prison clothes without assistance. And that doesn't even address the issue of my medications. I am literally crying just typing this, because I would 10,000x rather serve any amount of time in jail as a healthy person than to have these struggles.

And there it all is... I don't know what the hell to do. I have literally NO money. There is no money to save. I have no valuables to sell. Legal Aid apparently doesn't assist with criminal matters. I have no *transportation*, even if somehow it worked out that I could turn myself in, see a judge, and process out (which would be a miracle in itself). I realize that hiring a lawyer is the answer, but I can't. And no, there's nobody to help, either with money or transportation. My family is 2 states away and as broke as I am. My "friends" were really mostly party acquaintances who faded away when I quit partying. The few others faded away when the police knocked my door in. I have no idea how to proceed, but I really need a valid ID.

Tl;dr - My drivers license expired and I need new ID, but have warrants and don't want to go to jail directly from the DMV. Complicating factors include disability and extreme poverty.

Answer:
 You either need to hire an attorney or get arrested and wait for one to be appointed. If you go get a state id you will most likely be arrestedAnswer #2: You need to clean up your legal issues before you get any kind of valid

In larger areas you would probably be let out on PR in a matter if hours.

I understand that you are in pain, but you owe society a debt and shouldn't be afforded a privilege (identification card) so long as that debt is outstanding.

Not to get too philosophical, but...justice means making things right. A good district attorney will not throw the book at you. A good judge will see that you are a different person today than you were when you committed these crimes. A good defense attorney will speak for you and make them see it if they are inclined otherwise.

Besides with your injuries, they don't want you in jail. The potential liability is too high.

Good luck.

Edit: jurisdiction


Title: (US) Is it legal for an employer to not promote someone because the position has a salary much higher than the one they currently have?

Answer:
 Yes.

Employers are not required to promote at all, much less give raises at all, and combining those two, they're not required to promote someone and also give that person a significant raise.


Title: Landlord ignoring requests to un-clog tub

Question:
Hi guys,
I've been living in this unit with my gf since September, and I'm having an issue. Around a month ago, the tub started having issues draining. We've told our property manager multiple times via text and they say it's our fault and " the landlord is willing to buy us a hair catcher ". We feel like this is something a landlord should be taking care of because in the course of a 5 minute shower the water will fill up to 2 or 3 inches deep so all the gross stuff we are washing off is just surrounding our feet and ankles. We tried using a whole thing of drain o and it did literally nothing. We also feel like this isn't our fault in the first place. Neither of us shaves in the tub either. We texted our manager again and they haven't responded for a week. Do we have a next step? I was thinking certified mail but I'm not sure beyond that.

Btw I'm in Philadelphia zip code 19146. I tried to manually add that, but it wants access to my location and I said no. Thanks in advance for any advice,
Phil

EDIT:
https://imgur.com/X3NLcm0
https://imgur.com/6iAtfiL
https://imgur.com/UruSm9g

Here are some images. 1. is of the amount of grime that builds up (that our feet are in). 2. How deep the water gets by the end of a normal shower. 3. The drain hole goes down about 2 inches and then there's a pinky sized hole that goes out sideways, it does not just go down or snake like I'm used to.

SECOND EDIT: Shouldn't the landlord *want* to take care of this because we could ruin some of their pipes, causing a much bigger issue? I was reading posts on a different forum by landlords and they all seemed to say "just do it or else it could lead to a more expensive problem"

Answer:
 >Neither of us shaves in the tub either

LOL nope has nothing to do with shaving. People male and female loose hair all the time, when showing it ends up in the drain.

Learn how to pull it out or spend the remainder of your days paying top dollar for someone to do it for you.

Now if its beyond simple hair issue at the drain? then yea might be the landlords problem, but you don't know that yet. To busy trying to dodge the issue without even taking a moment to look at it yourself.

In less than two minutes you could very likely correct the problem yourself.
No need for a plumber, no need to take time off work or school whatever to meet with same, be home when the come in. And no need for your landlord to raise your rent to cover costs that shouldn't exist.


Title: If you catch a contractor having sex in your house, do you still have to pay them for their work? [CA]

Question:
For example, you leave keys with a contractor for hire to do some renovations, let's say they're redoing the bathroom. They work during the day while you're at work. Your agreement is they do their work and lock up when they've finished for the day.

On day 3 they are about 75% finished with the work, but this day you come home for lunch and find him having sex with someone.

Now, in this situation they've done about 75% on the work BUT you want to fire them (because you caught them having sex in your house which you didn't give them permission to do, and it's gross, and just kinda messed up.)

So for this reason you want to terminate them immediately and you don't want to pay them.

- Do you still have to pay them (75% of the bill) because of the fact they completed 75% of the work? Or can you fire them and pay nothing because you caught them having sex in your house without your permission?

- Would there be any legal consequences for the contractor having sex in your house?

- What would happen if you came home for lunch and your 10 year was with you and they witnessed the act, would they face any other consequences?

- Lastly, what if you signed a contract and/or made a down payment, could you recover the down payment?

Answer:
 You will have to pay him for the time worked. This wouldn't get you out of that obligation. You may be able to negotiate a lower payment or discount in exchange for not leaving a review about contractors banging in your house.

What does your contract say about issues like this?


Title: WA - Local company left a dry cleaning pickup bag on our front door completely unsolicited. Said they will pick it up in a few days if we're not interested. Do we have any legal duty to give it back?

Question:
A local dry cleaning company left a reusable bag for pickups on our front door today. The note attached to the bag reads:

> We provide these bags for our customers free of charge.

> If you NEVER plan on trying our services, please return the bag to your front door Friday morning.

We have no prior business relationship with these people, nor have we ever solicited their services or asked to be given one of these bags.  It was simply left, completely unsolicited, hanging on our door knob.

Do we have any legal duty to return it to them? Would it be considered abandoned property that we can do with as we see fit since we never agreed to receive it or care for the property until they return to pick it up?

Answer:
 NAL, but this sounds like Unsolicited Goods. https://definitions.uslegal.com/u/unsolicited-goods/

>Unsolicited goods are those goods which are sent to someone without being asked those goods to be sent. Sending unsolicited goods in itself is not an offence. However, demanding payment for unsolicited goods is a criminal offence. Consumers can retain unsolicited goods or dispose them as they wish. They are under no obligation to keep them safe or to return them.Answer #2: I don't know why but this is hilarious.Answer #3: It's only illegal if they try and charge you for it after the fact.

Why would you not give it back? Shits n giggles? Just to make someone's day a little worse?Answer #4: I would interpret the "please" to mean "you don't have to."

Suppose you kept the bag indefinitely. You could always claim you were EVENTUALLY thinking of using it, no?Answer #5: You must be confused.  There was no viable property left on your doorstep.  Someone left some garbage that you didn't recognize and disposed of as you saw fit.


Title: Is it legal to mention my sexual orientation in an ad for a roommate?

Question:
I am gay and would prefer a female roommate. I think it would help me to mention my sexual orientation so that they know I am looking for something platonic only. I know that legally I can request a specific gender. I want to mention my sexual orientation and age so that people will not waste their time and so they know that I am not one of those nasty people on craigslist looking for a live-in girlfriend.

Location: Texas

Answer: Your own sexual orientation? Sure, I can't see why not.   Just be prepared for the possibility of being trolled by some assholes.


Title: [US][CO] My neighbor harasses me and my dog.

Question:
**tl;dr: neighbor eggs on my dog to make her bark so he can yell at us.**

**Expanded tl;dr: he will hit our fence, yell, and bark at my dog to make her bark so that he can yell at her and I.**

**My dog is 9F, I am 22F and I’ve owned her since I was 13, this has gone on since we fostered a mother and 5 puppies in 2006.**

I haven’t done or said anything back to him because I grew up hearing and reading crazy neighbor nightmare stories about antifreeze hotdogs and shooting peoples pets. I ignore him and bring my dog inside when he yells at us. I fear for my dogs life.

My dog is really good and will only bark if the neighbor eggs her on or two other neighbor's dogs start barking through the fence or at any animals that come in our yard (yet another neighbor's cat, squirrels, raccoons, skunk, bunnies), and she will stop barking when I ask her to and come inside. This is normal behavior for her to be barking at what she thinks are people and other animals attacking her house/yard area.

My neighbor is really loud, blasting music and arguing/yelling at his wife  either inside with the windows open or on the porch but as soon as we make what he deems as "too much noise" (as in making a phone call - I am a very quiet voiced small woman - or talking with my mom while we do yard work) he will egg my dog on to bark and yell at us because he knows that we go inside after he harasses us.

**We cannot seem to have access to the back yard that we bought when we bought the house; we pretty much can't use our back yard, while he is retired and in his all the time.**

   Today: I just took her out in her big back yard on a LEASH because he was outside being loud and playing loud music and I knew that he would start the routine of trying to make her bark... ):

I wanted to start this thread off looking for advice, I will edit this post with anything of importance that goes on in the comments.

I am in Colorado, USA.

Edit: omg I found the Douche flair, I think this is appropriate for my grumpy old douche of a neighbor.

Edit2: I didn't know of the appropriate subreddit, please let me know if I need to cross post this anywhere like /r/relationships.

**Edit3: even if I was to move out, though she is my dog, I'd leave her with my mother because they are really attached to one another. Also, my dog is a 44 pound ranch mutt.**
Topic:
Douche

Answer:
 I'm not sure what your legal question is. Is he threatening you with legal action?   Is he calling the police on you or your dog?

Get a security camera and start recording your interactions. Especially if you can get a recording of him barking at your dog. Colorado is a one party consent state:  a person may use wiretapping or eavesdropping devices on his own premises for security or business purposes, if reasonable notice of the use of such devices is given to the public.


Title: [Vic, Aus] A colleague of my boyfriend's keeps posting public Facebook statuses defaming him. She has a large following, and has tried to get him fired. What can we do?

Question:
There was a bit of a Facebook debate a few nights ago regarding something I care deeply about. A few comments in, my boyfriend liked a comment of mine and then all hell broke loose - she started calling him homophobic, transphobic, anti-semite, racist, sexist (all things that pertain to her identity) - and has since started calling their boss, threatening legal action, threatened to "leak" his comments to the media and her Jewish council authority. He commented regarding their stance on Israel/Palestine.

They work in politics at the lowest level. She's posted numerous times about "ruining his political career" despite the fact he's barely active. After we've blocked her, she's still actively posting public statuses (we keep getting sent them) regarding going to the human rights commission (not scared of that) but more importantly, keeps calling my boyfriend a nazi, racist, with her friends joining in saying he should kill himself, only good nazi is a dead one, that they should get him hung etc.

She's contacted their boss multiple times to get him fired despite this going down just a few days ago. She won't stop tagging, emailing and calling their other colleagues "exposing him" or trying to give the "story" as leverage to other political parties.

What do we do? This is so annoying. We've blocked her, had other people ask her to stop posting/messaging them, even their boss has told her to stop. She just won't and it's what we're waking up to and what we're falling asleep with.

Answer:
 Keep her blocked, and consider speaking to his boss.

You might like to research whether his comments fall afoul of our anti vilification laws too.

R/auslegal is also a sub.


Title: New job says in contract “no moonlighting” but I want to work for two weeks while I am on vacation.

Question:
I am a doctor, my contract specifically states “no moonlighting is allowed.”

Yet, I have a two week vacation and I would like to work at a fast food restaurant to make some extra cash.

What are the pros and cons of taking the job at the fast food place?  Can they really restrict what I do with my vacation time?

Answer: They can't actually physically stop you from doing so. They can, however, fire you for doing it. And if you have an actual employment contract, it may lay out penalties for moonlighting that you agreed to when you signed it.


Title: I was assaulted by co-worker who previously assaulted another co-worker but was continued to be hired. I received a life long debilitating injury that required surgery. Can I sue employer and what is guess for payout? [LA, CA]

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Yes, you almost certainly have a workers compensation claim if this occurred at work, and it might rise to the level where you can still sue you employer over and above that if it appears that they knowingly disregarded a strong risk of violence.

you need to consult with a Persona injury/disability/workers compensation attorney. good luck. Answer #2: Did this assault occur at work? The *only* way your employer is liable, and only possibly, would be if that's the case, and you wouldn't sue the employer, this would be a worker's compensation claim. If it occurred off campus your recourse is with the individual themselves. Answer #3: Any decent lawyer will give you a free consultation & answer these questions. If the lawyer feels there is grounds for a personal injury lawsuit / workers comp lawsuit, he will take the case & he will most likely do it on contingency. I personally think you might have a case if it can be demonstrated that this worker was a threat at work & your employer did nothing to prevent this. IANAL but I sugest consulting one in your caseAnswer #4: How long ago was the assault and was the police involved?


Title: [NYC] Being overcharged for rent-stabilized apartment - best way to pursue?

Question:
Hi all,

My wife and I moved into an apartment in Brooklyn this past June. I'd accepted an offer at a new firm and we'd had to move on very short notice - we ended up taking pretty much the first acceptable place we could find. We haggled over the price a bit with the landlord, and finally signed a 2-year lease effective June 1st, 2015, for $1,900 per month.

We've had a number of issues with our apartment since then. We went about six weeks with severe under-heating (our apartment was regularly high 50's, low 60's). When the boiler is running, the temperatures out of the tap are scalding (I've measured at 148F). We have broken windows and outlets, etc. The super and landlord have been very slow to address complaints.

While the heat, at least, has finally been fixed (the super had the combustor in the "low" setting), I was frustrated enough with the landlord's response to request our apartment's rental history from the DHCR. It turns out that our apartment is rent stabilized and that there are several inconsistencies in the legal rent history.

Assuming I've done my math correctly (I used the RGB's apartment orders #1-47 and, where appropriate, their vacancy lease calculators) we're currently being overcharged by $425 per month above the legal rent.

What is the best path to pursue this? I'm not particularly interested in damages, I just want to recover what we've paid and obtain the legal rent. I'm the sole provider to a very young family, and money is tight. An extra $425/month would be a huge positive change to our lives.

As I understand it, my options are as follows:

1) File a rent overcharge complaint with the DHCR. Although this is free, I understand that few cases are found in tenants' favor (~35%) and that resolution is notoriously slow (18-24 months).

2) File a suit in housing court. I'm somewhat concerned about the notorious black lists that can result from HC action.

3) Inform the landlord of my findings and request redress. Assuming the landlord is unwilling to compromise, withhold $425/month from my rent and make them bring a suit in housing court. Once again, I'm worried about the blacklist and potential liability. If this is the best route, I'd hold that extra money in a separate savings account until the case was resolved.

4) File a suit in civil or supreme court. I'm not very knowledgeable here, and I'm concerned by the cost of litigation. A lawyer that I spoke to suggested that such an action could potentially cost $10,000 (money that I could borrow but I don't have) and it's likely that the landlord's counsel would try to settle (so no treble damages and legal fees). As a result, I'd probably have faster resolution to my issues but would not recoup much of the money I've overpaid (and may end up paying much more than that out of pocket).

5) Suck it up and accept that the landlord is fleecing me to the tune of $10,000 over the course of my lease.

I'm looking for advice as to the best path forward. Additionally, I'd very much appreciate some ballpark estimates as to out-of-pocket costs and potential ramifications with regards to pursuing any overcharge complaint.

The lawyer that I spoke with (a friend, so he was willing to volunteer a small amount of his time) suggested that I speak with other tenants and file a FOIL request with the DHCR to find out more detail about any IAI or MCI cost adjustments for my rent first (the last listed in the rental history is in 1984).

I'd be happy to provide more detail, as appropriate.

Thank you so much for your time and help!
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer: IANAL but I used to work for a NYC congressperson doing constituent affairs. We got a ton of calls from people regarding this issue and ones like it and actually (at least from my point of view) managed to be pretty helpful by doing some legal research and making calls on behalf of tenants to get the rent fixed. It couldn't hurt to contact your federal senator or representatives office, but also yeah definitely lawyer up


Title: can i carry a pistol / use it [gerogia]

Question: So I am 18 years old and living in georgia, due to a recent legal case I am going through I have been getting a lot of threats. Last night someone called my phone and told me to meet him at a specific location so I can get jumped. His exact words were "meet me at (location) because it's close to the hospital so when we fuck you up you can crawl to the urgent care". I don't play around with threats like this especially since he told me he was also going to break my window and bring a gun so I have decided to keep a pistol in my vehicle for protection. Now lets say he pulls up on me when I am in a parking lot all by myself, can I pull my gun as a deterrent so he can leave me alone? I am also NOT going to make a police report as he is a drama queen so it will be posted all over social media.

Answer:
 No. To legally carry, you have to be 21 to apply for a license (18 for military). No, open carry is not an option. In your car is not a legal option. You still require a license.

Pulling a gun is not an advisable 'deterrent'.


Title: Carrying/storing of non-controlled medications in IV form.

Question:
Live in Atlanta, GA.  As stated in the title are their any laws against storing IV medications(non-controlled substances), say IV Dextrose, IV Benadryl, IV Zofran and in particular IV fluids without medications such as Normal Saline/Lactated Ringers/Dextrose?  I am a licensed Registered Nurse.

Thanks.

Answer:
 This seems like an excellent question for your licensing and review board, because you don't want to put yourself at legal or licensing risk. Answer #2: Georgia has a "dangerous drug" law that has sent people to jail over high strength ibuprofen. Unless you have a prescription for that or are otherwise licensed to keep them, you shouldn't do it.

Federally, it's not illegal to possess Rx-only non-controlled medication, but states may have additional laws.


Title: [California] I am a minor, I need to save my boyfriend who is over 18 from a statutory rape charge. He did not do anything bad, I am willing to take the fall for him. I want to know how viable my plan is.

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 > will do anything to free him.

Doing dumb things is what got him into trouble to begin with.

>  WILL IT SAVE HIM if I admit to raping him,

No.

> or is there a chance that it will backfire and we will both be charged with raping each other?

That won't happen either.


Title: My friend wants to break her lease on her apartment. She wants to know if she would have any leverage if she never received the paper lease after asking multiple times. (Maine)

Question:
As stated, she is looking to break her lease due to a new job opportunity. She has been in the apartment since May.
She knows that breaking a lease most likely means she won't receive her security deposit. However, she never received her a copy of her signed lease and has asked multiple times. She was wondering if she could use this as leverage or if she is just screwed.
Thank you for any information!

Answer:
 Not receiving a paper copy of your lease is not grounds to break a lease.

She could be on the hook for her security deposit as well as several month's rent depending on how long it takes the landlord to rent the unit out.


Title: Paint canisters shot at Minneapolis residents on their porch. Legally Speaking was these officers in the right to shoot theses people? Was it legal for them to do that? Also can they actually prevent people from waking on the front yard?

Answer: Clearly these officers illegally assaulted (technically, battery) someone on private property.  They gave you an unlawful order and then physically harmed you.  Good luck prosecuting them though.  Qualified Immunity is one of the aspects desperately needed in police reform.Answer #2: The bar for Minneapolis cops is super low.Answer #3: Go talk to a lawyer in Minneapolis about that if that's you


Title: Work puts me into small shifts (some as little as 30 minutes) even though I requested longer times to work. [Massachusetts]

Question:
I work at a pool as an instructor. Some of my classes and days I am scheduled to teach as little as 30 minutes. I don't want to come in for just half an hours worth of pay for a single day. It isn't worth my time or the money. My question is can my employer legally do this to me? I was reading [this] (https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2017/09/29/454cmr27.pdf) regarding labor law and specifically article:

(1) Reporting Pay. When an employee who is scheduled to work three or more hours reports for duty at the time set by the employer, and that employee is not provided with the expected hours of work, the employee shall be paid for at least three hours on such day at no less than the basic minimum wage. 454 CMR 27.04 shall not apply to organizations granted status as charitable organizations under the Internal Revenue Code.

I am not the only person they do this to. They are also trying to make the instructors set up and schedule there own lessons now on our time without trying to compensate us for that as well.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

Answer: On the days that you work 30 minutes, are you *scheduled* to work more hours than that and are being sent home early?  Or are you expecting to work only 30 minutes?


Title: [CA] passport, ID, money, phone stolen while in Denmark.

Question: [deleted]

Answer: Uhhhh... I'm about 99% sure you just got scammed out of that money...


Title: Do I ever get a truly OFF day?

Question:
USA, Virginia, Fairfax County    Retail Manager, salaried, exempt. I am scheduled a minimum of 45 hours, usually work 50+. When I am not working, whether it's before or after my shift, or on a day off, I am still expected to be constantly checking emails, taking conference calls, and even going into my store to take care of things. These things are almost never emergencies or things my staff is incapable of handling. I'm simply told that the expectation is for me to "be in my business" at all times.

I have no problem taking calls and questions from my staff when needed, thats why I'm the boss after all. This is stuff from corporate. Questions on merchandising, stock, shipments, spreadsheet analysis, conversion number breakdowns. Stuff that can wait or be taken care of by the MOD at the store.

There is zero respect for time off, even in emergencies. I was recently in the ER for a personal health issue (which I notified my team and boss about) and I was still getting emails and calls that my boss expected immediate replies on.

So considering that my company cannot be relied on to be decent human beings regarding a work life balance, do I have any legal recourse to make a day off more closely resemble a day off and look less like a work from home situation?

Answer:
 I'm salaried. I work 70+. Even when I'm on vacation (like literally on a beach somewhere) I have to answer emails. Welcome to salaried life.

Your recourse is to express your concerns up the chain and try to negotiate a better work/life balance. If that doesn't work, you can find a new job.


Title: [OH] City school expelling me for online post.

Question:
hi, i \*really\* need something in my favor right now.

the school principal has a very clear disdain for me. typically this could be passed off as a misunderstanding, but in my case, it is not - i have to give a full rundown for this to make sense.

A few months ago, a girl was threatening me and offering $500 to anyone who would jump me or worse. The school heard about that and she immediately struck me with a recrimination - "Why would you go after me when I have pictures of OP with a gun to his head?" The girl got no punishment, and on a previous occasion, he has "cried for her" while in her office.

Another note - this same principal has accused me of breaking into the school and claims I "hacked his Twitter". I doubt this is relevant legally, but all evidence should be presented for the post.

Following this, I was removed for three days and had a meeting upon my return. They called my religion and its symbols racist (Norse Helm of Awe is apparently a Nazi symbol now...) and immediately took away all of my in-school electronic privileges. I'm no longer allowed to have my phone present on campus.

This leads up to my current situation.

I had a picture on my Snapchat which said "אם אתה יכול לקרוא את זה אתה סרטן" which translates to "if you can read this, you're cancer". I posted that directed towards my Israeli friend.

A Jewish girl took it out of all humorous context and screenshotted it, reposted it, and got students and parents to report me en masse. I tried speaking to her in a [genuine level-headed manner](https://i.gyazo.com/25b0ed9ce50c66c6f356ecda8031f162.png) but she refused to message me and continued to make it a big deal.

The principal has given me 10 days out of school suspension and a recommendation for expulsion which isn't really looking too good. Everything in this situation has happened off of school grounds.
Topic:
School Related Issues

Answer: Frankly, that snapchat message alone was plenty of reason to suspend you.


Title: Can a case settled in juvenile court be brought up again when the defendant turns 18?

Question:
I will keep this as short and sweet and minimally detailed as possible. I was in middle school and I committed what was considered a felony. I was brought to juvenile court by the family opposing me. In the end, we won out the case before going to trial. Everything was settled and I got the felony expunged from my record after doing court ordered classes and staying out of trouble. Now, the family opposes me intends to come after me again when I turn 18, which is going to be pretty soon.

Is this legally allowed?

Answer:
 This is a little confusing.

From what it sounds like, the family made a complaint and the state brought a criminal  case against your in juvenile court, which was settled.

The family can definitely choose to bring a civil case against you when you turn 18, and may be successful in suing you, assuming the Statute of Limitations hasn’t passed.    They won’t be successful in asking for another criminal case to be brought against you. Answer #2: What makes you think they'e going to go after you again?

edit due to downvote - I'm trying to get clarification here. The family didn't bring you to court when you were in middle school, the prosecutor/government did. The family can be mad at you all they want, they have no power to charge you in a criminal court.


Title: Brother went to jail. Need legal advice please.

Question: My brother was arrested last night on domestic battery and resisting arrest charges in Illinois. First offense. Obviously I don’t condone these actions, and I think he’s an idiot, but what can he/we do? He’s probably going to get a public defender. He hasn’t tried to contact anyone in my family at this point. I’m not sure if he will face actual jail time or not being his first offense. Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Answer: You can get him an attorney and post bail


Title: Question about unsolicited cell phone pictures taken at work. (Pennsylvania)

Question:
My wife and I work in two different departments at the same company. Last Friday she shot me an email that was sent to her and the rest of her co-workers of pictures of them taken by a manager trying to call them out on not working. On a side note they definitely were and it was kind of a ridiculous validation of the guys job but sometimes you get that in a big company.
This issue for me is that the company has several digital cameras as well as surveillance to handle such things and this guy took several photos with his personal cell phone, promptly sent he email and left for the weekend with his phone. Most of the people in the photo were women and all felt uncomfortable with this. When my wife told me about it I told her to go to HR right away. Today she got a verbal explanation (something they do often) that they are allowed to do that despite her being uncomfortable.
I told her to message the branch manager, explain her feelings on this and that she needs it in writing. His response was that it was at work so they're allowed to take pictures but did not comment on them being taken with a personal cell phone that is leaving the premises. That is where things left off.
Upon hiring we do sign something that we are allowed to have or picture taken for things like the newsletter and junk like that in case someone wants to be stupid about being in the background of a photo at a company picnic. I reviewed our handbook and policies and it specifically states that we are not allowed to use cell phones at work.
I'm curious for advice on whether this should be pursued any further or just let go. Honestly I don't like that the company is basically coming out and saying employees can take pictures of employees without their knowledge on personal devices.

Answer: As long as it's not while employees are in the shitter or something like that, there's nothing wrong with it.  Answer #2: I completely agree with /u/jcar128, but I do have a question -- what does the fact that most of the folks in the photo were women have to do with anything, and why exactly were they made uncomfortable by a somewhat candid photo in a work setting?


Title: Neighbors are stealing my packages

Question:
I have lived upstairs in a duplex for about two years. I had maybe 20-30 packages delivered with no issues, until about two months ago I had some very shady new neighbors move in below me. Since they moved in I have had two packages that were delivered but nowhere to be found when I have returned home from work. The most recent incident was last Friday. About an hour ago (Tuesday) one of my neighbors knocks on my door, with the contents of my package OUT OF THE BOX AND IN HER HAND. She proceeds to tell me how someone accidentally took and opened the package that clearly wasn't addressed to them. She basically downplays the fact that someone stole my stuff. The fact that this has happened before and I did not receive the first package back makes me believe their intentions are to steal my things. Perhaps this item was of no use to them so they decided to return it to me. Regardless, I am livid. Do I contact my landlord and roast her for moving package thieves in below me? Do I inform the police? I do not know what to do. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

TlDR: Packages have started to go missing since shady neighbors moved in. Neighbor admitted that someone took my package. Not sure what to do.

Answer:
 Attorney in CA:

1. Contact the landlord, while they may have taken this one and returned it, you *technically* have no proof they took any others.  Case and point - there are stories of drivers taking pictures of the package being delivered and then taking it themselves.  You shouldn't blame the landlord, but explain what happened, what happened with them bringing the package back (opened) and that you're not happy with it.
2. You can file a police report for the missing package.  Again, you do not have proof that they stole it from you however.
3. You could look into filing a complaint with the Postmaster for mail fraud/package theft; once again you don't have much proof.
4. You can use an Amazon Locker or get a PO Box to avoid things like this; it's inconvenient but your options are somewhat limited without knowledge of who took your package as that generally will dictate next steps.


Title: [CA] Some guy is threatening to kill my family. I don't know what to do.

Question:
This guy(18) just messaged my brother(18) that he's going to slash my mom's and younger brother's throat. This is not the first threat, about a month or two ago he WAITED for my brother to get off work and park. When my little brother got out and walked to our driveway the guy ran to him and started punching him. My brother ran to our door and started to ring and bang on the door fast and loud as hell, when i ran and opened the door all i seen was his face covered with blood. so i message the guy and tell him why he did this, he said because he was mad at my brother. He was scared that we were going to call the cops on him but i told him we wont,  and i told him not to let anything like this happen again so he said ok i promise. THEN he sends me a message saying that my brother is talking shit on facebook and if he continues and i quote "If your brother doesn't stop i'm going to your house armed" , "I will kill your brother". All my brother posted on facebook was "I'm still going to work."(yes thats it) So we called the police and they said that since my brother is an adult it was up to him to file a report or something. He said nothing happened so that ended that until today...   sorry if this is typed very poorly i'm a bit shaky
What should i do? Please feel free to ask questions
Edit: i should add that him and my brother got into a fight years ago at school so there is hate here. Also, my brother had him blocked from facebook years ago and we find out he made a fake facebook account to add my brother and see what he posts.
oh and he attacked someone else the same way a few weeks ago.

Answer:
 This is a felony in California. Penal code section 422. Call the police.

What other advice did you expect to get here? "Call an elephant and cover him in paint!" "Order him a Dorito sandwich!" "Offer to wash his car next Sunday!" "Buy him a piano!"

This is a sub full of lawyers and cops. We're going to tell you to call the police.


Title: Petty larceny

Question: Last week I filed charges over a stolen phone. a warrant was issued but I found my phone.... I feel dumb. Is there anyway to have the charges dropped before he is arrested? Can I retract my statement or something? Chautauqua county new York state

Answer: How did an arrest warrant issue against someone when you lost your phone? Answer #2: Call the police officer handling your case, tell them what happened, and apologize for wasting their time.


Title: Lowe's Cancelled Order on Mis-priced item

Question:
Lowes.ca had a $2000 patio set online listed for $85. I ordered 2.  Here's a screenshot: [https://imgur.com/a/86Iny0w](https://imgur.com/a/86Iny0w)

I checked out with guest checkout, and never once did I have to click an "Agree to terms and conditions" checkbox or anything of that sort. My card was charged for the 2 sets.

About an hour later, I searched for my order and it wasn't in the system. When I reached out to customer service, they said that it had been cancelled due to a clause in their Terms of Use (a link in the footer) that states they can cancel an order if the price is incorrect. The first clause in the Terms of Use states "...Your use of the Site constitutes your acceptance of the Terms.". Is this truly legally binding? It seems like a legal grey-area that they know most people probably won't fight.

If nothing else comes of this, I'd just like to learn about this as this is new territory for me. Thanks!

Answer: Yes, they can cancel orders like this. So long as they give you all of your money back, it's fine.


Title: I was beaten and thrown in jail in Austin, TX for photographing the police.  Is there any chance of me winning a law suit?

Question: I was at a party that was busted up by the police and I saw them pushing, hitting, and arresting people, so I started taking pictures with the intention of making sure that the police would be held accountable for their actions.  They tackled me, punched me a lot, and threw me in jail where I spent 5 days until I was bailed out.  My lawyer is confident that he can have the whole case thrown out, but I feel like I ought to be entitled to some sort of compensation for the abuse and the time I spent in jail.  Any advice is appreciated, and feel free to ask me anything.

Answer:
 You're looking for a [civil litigation lawyer](http://kcatty.com/index.htm) who handles 42 U.S.C. 1983 cases to file a claim against the police department.

If you can document your claim, then you have a nice case.  What were you charged with?


Title: Dirty Lawyers

Question:
I just had a public defender keep me from discovery. He kept it from me as the state omitted 30 pages of falsely submitted evidence, and they tried to hide that fact from me and rush a tainted case to trial. I have the discoverys, audio of my lawyer rushing to trial, and on the same day after months of begging for files, he SERVES A BOGUS STACK OF PAPERS TO ME AS MY DISCOVERY. I blasted him on Twitter, he withdrew, then I got a new lawyer, and I FINALLY SAW WHAT THEY DID.

&#x200B;

What are my right and options?

&#x200B;

Also, I have a new lawyer not responding to emails that contain evidence that was never submitted, he is lying at court procedings, he gives me wrong court dates, and HE IS KNOW KEEPING ME FROM ALL MY FILES. HE REFUSES TO SEND ME ANYTHING AFTER MONTHS OF ASKING FOR FILES....

In a meeting the other day, he said I only have the right to review my files, not have them, and when I asked him when can I get my files, he said only after he is removed from my case.

Ive gone months without seeing my files, and have to fight for them, as they change every time I see them, and after the last lawyer keeping me from knowing the state tried to hide mountains of false evidence and exonerating evidence, IM SICK.

I now also have proof of my new lawyer saying these things and never giving me any files. NOTHING.

&#x200B;

Im not sure what to do. And is this normal?

Answer:
 Your post teeters on incoherent. If you blast a lawyer on social media they will need to withdraw because you are making representation impossible. If they give you the current file, how will they keep representing you? They offered to let you review the file (and they likely suspect that you'll bolt with the file the second you get it).

You can file a bar complaint if you'd like. There may be valid reasons to "rush" to trial that you aren't seeing and I suspect that you are a nearly impossible client to deal with.


Title: (MA) New Business Please Advise.

Question:
Hi there! New business launched today.

We sell "flowers and tea, get weed free" to mostly disabled and elderly in our community.

I live in Massachusetts. Which is now a legal state. I live in a rich sleepy beachy isolated area.

I am a florist and I am tying everything into one business.

I am also building a team expert growers from my music festival days and I have access to grow equipment, so I hope to find some land and start doing that on the side-- growing flowers for the flower shop side as well.

My ultimate goal is to open a flower shop and do that while offering my,good friend's tea for sale, while having weed and weed products for free.

I'm extremely motivated and driven.

I intend for this to be the start of my career.

So, right now I am doing it on a very small scale to people who need it, like I said.

I have created thank you cards saying thank you for your business, our mission statement, and explaining "buy flowers and tea get weed free". Ive also,made up pricelists. I could use someone to send them to just to talk about how they can be better and safer.

I also wonder about my,online presence and if I can use Instagram to promote my business, and to what degree.

I currently send out a package that includes:

Price list

Thank you card

Edible free sample

Tea

Patch for the tea company

And their free weed of choice

I will continue this package method, until I gain enough capital to do even more and to start to bring in my own passion, the flowers.

So.

How legal is this?

What can we we do to protect ourselves?

And how can I best reach out to a lawyer with knowledge in this field to go to for counsel?

Thank you!!!

Answer:
 Your "we're selling flowers, the weed is just a bonus for our customers" dodge will fool precisely nobody.

Fortunately for you, you live in a state where weed businesses are legal. You have regulations to comply with and taxes to pay, but if you do so and remain within the bounds of your license, you can do this. It's worth getting a local attorney to help with the licensing step, but it's also possible to [do it yourself](https://mass-cannabis-control.com/licensing/).


Title: "Friend" charged extra night to my company card at hotel and is not coughing the dough

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 You learned a cheap lesson. You should thank this prick and reevaluate who you spend time with.

Oh, and further, don't charge personal stuff on a company card, because beyond being liable you could have also lost your job.


Title: [TX] Alleged 125 in a 65 (motorcycle); first speeding ticket; No arrest - Next steps?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Holy shit.  The technical term is: megafucked.

Yes, you should get an attorney.  Google and start calling first thing Monday.Answer #2: OP, what did you get a ticket for?

Speeding: Well, it'll jack your insurance up, but that's about it. I don't think Texas has a super speeder law.

Reckless driving: Misdemeanor crime, you will need to show up in court. THIS IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE. It will show up on background checks. You need an attorney. You can simply plead no contest via mail and pay a fine.

Racing on a highway: A higher-class misdemeanor. You will need a criminal defense attorney.


Title: Hypothetical: Could a company legally not hire someone for being the fan of a specific sports team?

Answer:
 Yes.

Being a fan of a sports team is not a protected class and therefore has no protection from discrimination.


Title: Apartment Lease ended but I wasn't notified in any way.

Question:
[deleted]
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer:
 They do not need to give you notice. You viewed and signed your notice a year ago. They are a leasing office, not your parents. Answer #2: > Since i wasn't offered a notice I'll speak with a manager in the morning and they'll make sure I don't get charged extra for the month to month cost.

You would be very likely liable for that cost, if they choose to levy it.

> I would assume that meeting counts as my 30 day notice

Likely not.  Your 30 day notice usually needs to be in writing.  If you want to terminate, serve them with that notice in writing.

>  I'm just not sure what legal options I would be able to pursue if things don't go the way I expect

Likely none.  It's on you to handle your business, not on them to remind you of your duties.  You're liable for rent until you move out, given at least 30 days notice of termination.Answer #3: Why would they ever need to remind you about a date clearly spelled out in your lease? You signed it, right? Answer #4: It's your responsibility to remember the details of your lease, not theirs.


Title: (Melbourne, Australia). Next door neighbor entered our apartment at night without our permission.

Question: My housemate and myself live in a small apartment building which houses 9 apartments in total. The entrance to the building requires a key, so typically when home we don't lock our front door. Last night, at around 9:30 I noticed noises coming from inside our apartment. I was in my room writing but was getting up constantly to get water and snacks. I assumed the noise was my housemate and thought nothing of it. When I went out into the loungeroom, perhaps 20 minutes later I found a note on the back of one of our utility bills which read, " You guys have no fucking security. If I was a murderer you would be dead". This was left in the middle of the loungeroom. While we have not approached our next door neighbour yet, we are quite certain it is him, given that he has admitted to opening our door when we weren't home prior. Granted we don't always lock the door, is there anything we can threaten him with, or at least dissuade him, because I feel like it's surely trespassing, especially if I am home. Thanks

Answer:
 Tell him next time he enters without your permission, you will notify the police.

Start locking your doors, not only to prevent this from occurring but for your safety and the safety of your personal items.  EDIT:  Just because it requires a key to get in the building, you don't know when a neighbor will just let some random person in.  The system is only as good as the people who use it.  Doors can also easily not close or be kept from latching completely, allowing access to anyone.Answer #2: Call the police

Locked or unlocked that's still break and enter.

I'm going to guess that it's probably too much to ask that you haven't touched the note yet?

But call the police.


Title: [MI] Are you at fault for setting up a drug deal as a buyer, only to call the police on the seller once they’ve agreed rather than show up?

Question:
Topic:
Drug Possession

Answer:
 I dont know about the legality, but that's a really shitty thing to do and you will definitely have negative repercussions from people higher up than him. If you aren't an undercover cop, I'd stay out of it. Not your job, not your problem..

What's your reasoning for doing such a thing anyways?Answer #2: You may be at fault for ruining months of investigative work...

Don't try to be Batman. If you suspect a crime report it to the police. If they want to set up a sting, they will do so in a controlled manner to ensure the best chances of a conviction.


Title: Looking to open up a private lot for drifting.

Question: I've asked the local chp how I can legally open up my piece of land in California for the public to drift in and they didn't have an answer. I want to do this hoping that this would fix the ongoing issue of sideshows. Anyone know the legalities of this?

Answer: Insurance and liability are the two big things. So you need to talk to an insurance company and a lawyer about a liability waiver. And talk to your local city ordinance department about the legality of opening one and where it can be zoning wise


Title: Landlord assigning chore schedules for a shared house

Question:
I live in a shared house in London, and my landlord has given all of us chores to do round the house every day, for the shared areas, as he thinks we are unable to keep the house clean. However, none of the tenants actually think the house is that dirty, especially since there's 7 people living in the house, so it's impossible for it to be immaculate. On top of that, the house is clean a majority of the time, as we clean the whole house a couple times a week. However he's mostly only seen it when it's dirty, when no one's cleaned for couple days.

So he's decided to write us all a list of chores we have to do everyday, which amount to us deep cleaning the whole house every single day. Also, he's said we're responsible for each other; so for example, if someone's left the sink a mess (which for him, means leaving anything, even just one mug, in the sink for more than an hour), then the person who's responsible for cleaning the sink that day has to snitch on who left the mess to the landlord, otherwise the person who didn't snitch is going to get in trouble.

Just for clarification, the common areas really don't ever get that dirty, the standards he wants us to maintain the house in is just not realistic at all. Also, he didn't mention any of this to us when we first moved in. He also drops by randomly with no warning, and has said he's going to be doing it even more to make sure we're doing everything. And if we this doesn't work out he's going to kick everyone out the house. Additionally, most of the people in the house can't follow the schedule due to work and other responsibilities. Is this even legal, how do we get him to stop treating us like we're in primary school without getting kicked out??

Answer:
 > He also drops by randomly with no warning, and has said he's going to be doing it even more to make sure we're doing everything.

Not legal. English law means he has to give 24 hours' notice unless it's an emergency, which "mug in the sink" definitely isn't. But I recommend /r/legaladviceuk.Answer #2: London, UK?

You'll find better luck over at r/legaladviceUK


Title: [MD] Am I under any obligation to allow my former employer access to my PC after quitting?

Question:
After quitting a software job in MD (at-will),  am I under any obligation to allow my now former employer access to my personal computer so he can "make sure I don't have any of his intellectual property?"

Edit: I signed no contract saying they have my permission to do this

Answer: Did you agree to this as part of your employment contract?Answer #2: Only if you signed an agreement permitting them to do that after ending your employment. Otherwise, tell them they don't have that right.Answer #3: Make a counteroffer. Tell him if he can fit a cactus in his anus, you'll give him 10 minutes.


Title: Just moved into an apartment 2 months ago with my wife and 7-month-old infant son. Just found black mold on windowsills. What do I need to be documenting in the event they try to blame it on us?

Question: [deleted]

Answer: There is black mold and mold that is black. First take pictures then talking to the landlord about it and give them a chance to fix it


Title: [SC] Wife and I are divorcing. I am in Chapter 7 and she is in 13. I had a paralegal say that sometimes courts won't increase if parties are in Bankruptcy. Is this true?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Child support obligations are not dischargeable under bankruptcy, and are given priority over other debts.  So the bottom line is that bankruptcy generally does not affect child support orders but can sometimes affect the repayment schedule of past-due support obligations.

Edit:  typo


Title: NY - My brother is in prison (5 years) and was changed to another location. Kept there until he takes risperdal. He's afraid of the side effects. What to do?

Question:
Hello everyone,

My brother has been in prison for 5 years, and he told me he had to get in a fight with the person sharing his cell because it was the only way to change him to a different one, claiming it was unbearable.  He didn't give me the details, afraid of repercussions.

After the fight, they tested him and they diagnosed him with schizophrenia.  I don't know if I'm being blinded by my love for my brother, but he has never shown any signs of schizophrenia.  They transferred him to another section of the prison with more people with mental problems.

He tells me they've offered to give him Respidral if he wants to go back to the general area.  After reading the side effects (Gynecomastia (Male Breast Growth) being the biggest one), he declined for obvious reasons.  It's been months now, and they still won't let him go back.  Is there anything that can be done about this? is it something I should talk to a lawyer about? I can't even afford a lawyer, but that's a different issue.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Answer:
 >  Is there anything that can be done about this?

Your brother does not have the right to be held in a cell of his choice.  So no, unless he's being actually abused, there's not really anything that can be done here.


Title: Child Pornography Question

Question: A friend of mine was sexting a girl in December of last year.  In march 2014 he got busted using acid while on probation.  They took his phone to try and find out who he bought it from.  He still had pictures of her on his phone and she might have been underage.  He was 19 at the time.  Recently a detective called her and asked about the pictures on his phone of her.  Could he be getting in trouble for Child Pornography?  Also could she be getting in trouble for Child Pornography?

Answer:
 If he had pictures of child pornography on his phone, and the police find them during  a legal search for other information, then of COURSE he can be in trouble for child pornography.

If she distributed child pornography then she can be in trouble as well, even if it was just of her.


Title: Can my public university ban my organization, which is recognized by the university from having closed door Private meetings in a school building.

Question:
I attend a public University in New Hampshire. This year the school instituted a policy that banned organizations from having private meetings in school buildings. The school stated that to use their rooms the meetings have to be public. Is this allowed?
Topic:
School Related Issues

Answer: Yes. Why wouldn't it be? It is school property. They can regulate use


Title: Our wedding wedding venue is up for sale less than 9 months before the wedding

Question:
Would love some advice. About a year ago we booked our date at our wedding venue for October of 2020. We put down the required 50% deposit to secure the space/date. Today we came across some articles that the building/business is for sale.

We're a little spooked and are considering backing out of the venue while there's still time. While there's a good chance it won't sell between now and then it's still possible someone can buy it and gut the place. My question is

Are we in any position to get our full deposit back should we cancel the contract? Looking it over, if it's 90 days or over there's a 25% fee. We've reached out yesterday and haven't heard back but the advice we've been given is get a lawyer just in case they refuse a full refund.

Answer:
 There really isn’t any reason to believe that, so long as the venue remains committed to your booking, that you’re entitled to a refund.

You might contact them. Perhaps they’d be relieved to give you your money back and shed the contractual obligation.Answer #2: You could check your contract to see if there is an assignment clause.  Sometimes, these clauses state that the parties can't assign the contract to another without the other party's consent.  It's unlikely this is in there, as the venue owner most likely added that they can assign if they want to.

Since it's staying as an event space, there's not much you can do.  But, you should also not worry too much, as I bet it will turn out fine.  There's no reason to think that the new owner will run it into the ground.


Title: [NJ] My Mom might be losing her job offer after taking CBD oil and failing a drug test.

Question:
Some background info:

CBD oil is an over the counter product derived from hemp that is non psychoactive. She was originally told to take it by her nutritionist after fracturing her wrist to help with pain and aid in healing.  Prior to taking the drug test she informed her employer that she was taking CBD oil and that it could cause her test to come back positive.

A few days after receiving the results of her test she told me her job offer was retracted.  She talked to the company that administered her drug test was told that CBD oil was not considered an "alternative excuse", and they could do nothing to help her.

After talking to her potential employer again, they have told her that her offer hasn't been retracted, but that they are looking for a prescription or other form of documentation to prove that she was taking the oil.   Her nutritionist has agreed to write them a letter, but my mom is concerned that without a prescription they'll retract the offer again.

What options does she have right now?  Is a letter from her nutritionist enough?  If not is there anything she can do to keep the job offer?

Answer:
 A couple of things here:

1. A nutritionist is not a doctor. Don't take medical advice from people who aren't doctors. The nutritionist's letter will do nothing.
2. A workplace can choose to make CBD oil not acceptable even though it is legal just like they make alcohol not acceptable even though it's legal.
3. Your mom has no real options other than hoping the company decides to violate their own policy.
Answer #2: > CBD oil is an over the counter product

Even though some states have legalized or decriminalized CBD oil, it's still illegal on the federal level. Answer #3: "People who use legal CBD oil" are not a protected class. Her employer may legally discriminate against them, at least in New Jersey: it's not one of the states that restricts employers from attempting to control out-of-work legal behaviour.

If her potential employer is satisfied with a letter from her nutritionist, then they may still hire her, but if they're not, that'll be the end of the matter.


Title: Someone rear-ended me and now her insurance is paying for my repairs and for my rental car. Why, though, am I responsible to pay Enterprise the $50 security deposit out of pocket, rather than her insurance covering it?

Question:
I'll call Enterprise tomorrow just to be sure this is correct, but I wanted to hear your thoughts. Does this sound right to you?

Location: Texas, Bexar County

Answer: Yeah, it’s legit. It’s a deposit in case you bring it back filthy and on fumes. You’ll get it back.


Title: Alcohol purchase

Question:
Utah. Throwaway account.

I turned 21 a month ago and haven’t yet renewed my driver’s listener to the ‘above 21’ license yet. I tried purchasing alcohol with my ‘under 21’ license today at a gas station and got rejected from their scanner. I explained that my license was expired but the clerk told me I could get in big trouble for trying to do what I did.

I’m over 21 and am legally allowed to purchase alcohol I just tried doing it with an expired license. Do I need to worry about anything? Will they get the police involved potentially? Even if the police do get involved is there any law that I’ve even broken?

Answer:
 You should, obviously, get a current license.  Having a current valid identification is a requirement for lots of things.

Since you are in fact 21, and this is in fact your ID, although expired, presenting it is not illegal.

That being said, it is very likely against local alcohol regulations, and possibly even a criminal offense for them to accept an expired license as proof of age.  In this instance, the store would be the ones breaking the law.Answer #2: You shouldn't take legal advice from a gas station attendant. You're 21, legally old enough to purchase. However, their policy did not allow them to accept an expired identification.


Title: Custody fears and child endangerment? (IL)

Question:
Okay, so here's the deal. Me and my ex-wife have been divorced since 09/11 (separated 2 years prior to that). And we have a 7 year old daughter. Due to a missed court date down the road the mother was awarded sole custody.

I have since remarried and have 2 more kids. My daughter (with the ex-wife) has lived with me for the past 1.5 years (started 2014 school year with me and is currently enrolled at her school living with me) despite her having full custody as we determined I have a more stable enviroment and my daughter is happier here.

Now without throwing too much shade, She lives in a very bad neighborhood in a very bad side of town. She is marrying and living with an ex-con with a quite a sheet of violations, and his friend is also living there on house arrest (paroled to that address)

I have recently found out that the mother and her fiance have left my daughter home alone a lot. Sometimes in the care of her 10 year old brother. My daughter messaged my wife via facebook to let us know as she was home alone and left with a cell phone. Upon returning home after her Christmas time we were informed that it happens all the time. And the mother found out about the facebook messages and hit my daughter with a belt and told her the next time she leaves her there she will be taking the phone.

Also, for what its worth she admitted to my wife to have hit my daughter with a belt along with her other kids for jumping on a bed one of which was only 3 (she has 4 kids and is currently pregnant, all with different dads)

So my question is, even though I do not have custody can I take this information and fight for custody? I spoke with an officer by calling the police dept. and he told me that is very illegal and told me to save the messages from Facebook and the next time she does it to call the police. My main concern is that by even filing for custody or saying anything that the mother will just take her back as she has sole custody.

I appreciate any help/advice and can answer any questions or fill in any blanks.

Answer: You can certainly file a motion for a change in custody.  You should not take any other action to force it until or unless the order is changed.  If you believe a crime has been committed, you can report it to the police.Answer #2: Yes, you can absolutely take this evidence and fight for custody. Gather your evidence and get a lawyer.


Title: Our cars were broken into and stolen from a supposedly "safe" apartment complex. Given our concern for our safety, is it possible for us to break the lease without penalty?

Question:
My wife and I live in an apartment complex which is supposed to be safe and in a safe neighborhood by all accounts. However, within two months of moving in, my car has been broken into, and my wife's car was stolen. We were planning to leave the complex at the end of our lease term, but we are thinking about breaking the lease and leaving early for our own sake - either we are being targeted or we are the unluckiest tenants in the entire complex. Is it possible for us to break the lease and leave the apartment early without penalty?

Fresno, CA

Answer: No. People breaking into your car isn't a reason to break your lease.


Title: [OH][US] Can an employer claim intellectual property made in one's free time using a work laptop?

Question: Hey all, I was wondering if in the state of Ohio it is possible for employers to claim a piece of software made outside of work hours and not related to software being produced by the company but using a piece of hardware given to me by my employer. I've been asking around my workplace and people keep replying with "oh, don't worry about it" but I 100% don't want any apps I make at home to be claimed.

Answer: Yes, they will have a claim. You are using their reseources.


Title: Not that I ever would, but is it legal to show up to high school intoxicated?

Question: If someone were to down a few beverages before school, but not have any alcohol in their possession during school, what type of consequences could they face in the state of Pennsylvania?

Answer:
 There are two potential issues.

First, there's criminal law. Public intoxication is illegal, and an intoxicated minor is the sort of thing the authorities may want to follow up on to see if you have a drinking problem that needs treatment, whether you're not receiving proper supervision from your parents who should be stopping you from showing up to school drunk, whether you drove to school, etc...

Second, there's the issue of school rules. If you search through your school's handbook, school or district policy manuals, or other such documents, there's likely something that says it's against the rules to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at school. Even in the absence of such a policy, schools have wide discretion to deal with students who are disruptive, not in a fit state to learn, and/or endangering themselves.

What would happen could involve anything from nothing to getting some combination of being sent home (or to the hospital even), school discipline, alcohol assessment and treatment, child protective services involvement, police investigation, juvenile court, etc... I suppose it would depend a lot on the circumstances and how your school wants to handle it.


Title: Child hurt while at daycare - South Carolina

Question:
I went to get my 3yr old son from daycare and he was pale, had dark circles around his eyes and told me he felt sick. Skin felt cold and clammy. I picked him up along with my other son and took them home. On the way home he looked completely out of it and wasn't saying much at all (not his personality). I asked him what was wrong and he said a boy jumped on his head at daycare. When I got home I had to carry him inside because he said he didn't feel good and I laid him on the couch. I asked him if he would like some water and he said yes but was too tired/weak so I had to again, pick him up and take him over to our kitchen to give him some water. He then told me he needed to vomit and then proceeded to vomit 4 consecutive times in a row. While this is all happening I'm contemplating whether or not it's a stomach bug (24 hr virus) or a concussion. I was speaking with my wife and she said he felt a little warm the day before so we though it was solely coincidence. After he vomited he went to lay back on the couch and practically slept from 6:30p to 6:30a. We had to wake him up briefly to get him to take a bath. My wife had to lay him across her lap to undress him because he was too weak to stand and undress himself. After the bath he went straight back to sleep. I e-mailed the daycare asking several questions about how this could happen and asking why I wasn't even notified. I was told that an incident report had been filled out but I left before they could give it to me.

Next day he seemed fine and was somewhat back to himself and I was informed by my wife that he (we kept him home the next day) told her that the same boy was sitting on his back bouncing on him "like a trampoline" and hurt his back also. I contacted the nurse on call and explained the situation to her and she strongly recommended that I take him to be evaluated. We were fortunate enough to get an appointment within a few hours and was seen by the doctor. The doctor stated that a GI bug was going around but given the symptoms my son had (vomiting, lethargic, out of balance wanting to sleep, cold/clammy, loss of appetite and not wanting to drink) he felt strongly about it being a concussion.

I met with the director and she said she was going to talk with his teacher to make sure this "doesn't happen again". She acknowledged that the teachers socializing amongst themselves and not fully paying attention to the kids has been an issue. She also said that the incident report was filled out. Later that day my wife went to pick up my other child (after school care) and asked the teacher about the incident report and she stated it was not ready. This of course conflicts with what I was originally told. I sent another e-mail to the director requesting the incident report that night (yesterday) and never heard anything back. I went to get my son today (day 2) and looked in my youngest son's folder and still no incident report had been completed.

The day before, I went to pick up my boys and my youngest son (same one that had his head jumped on) had gotten into a fight with another boy over a toy and the boy was in my sons words "squishing" his neck (choking him). The teacher asked if I wanted an incident report for that and I looked at her dumbfounded  that she even had to  ask and said yes. My son's neck was cherry red and there were scratches on the back of his neck where the boy's nails had dug in.

Summarizing, in 2 straight days my 3yr son has been subjected to a choking incident (received incident report after asked) and likely received a concussion because of childcare neglect (teacher's were not paying attention to the children and what was going on). Is this something that should go to court? If so, who would I contact regarding the case for something like this?

Answer:
 Is it a licensed facility? If it is, you can report to the licensing body. They would possibly pull in other departments, like CPS, to investigate negligence.

If you decide not to escalate to a governmental body, you should still kick up a fuss. A head injury and a neck injury are serious, and you should have been called when it happened. If it isn't policy, it should be. 3 year olds do some bad shit to each other, because they don't always know better/can't always stop themselves. But that level of aggression is not normal, and you deserve to know how the school deals with it (in general terms, since they can't tell you about the other child).

Source: 10 years as an early childhood educator.Answer #2: It might vary from state to state, but in Colorado you have to fill out an incident report for almost anything that could be perceived as injury. It doesn’t matter if it’s not a bad injury, I’ve filled out incident reports for scuffed hands and paper cuts. If it bothers a kid enough to mention it or we see it, it gets a little report. I mean the parents never really cared about little ones like that but it was policy. I was assisting kindergarten at a public school, so I’d bet it’s a legally regulated practice. Check into their license and check into the laws about childcare, and honestly it might be helpful to go to a free consultation with an attorney just to weigh out your options


Title: [CA] Is there anything I can do to stop my local Wal-Mart from harassing me for my receipt at the door every time I shop there?

Question: Every time I shop at Wal-Mart, the clerks try and stand in my way, scream at me for my receipt, imply that I am stealing, because I don't show my receipt, etc.    They do it to my husband too because we refuse to show our receipt.  They stopped and stood in front of him for a half hour one time.  I am so sick of this.  Otherwise, you can't find a clerk anywhere when you need them.

Answer:
 Yes in fact there is something you can do. Something many Americans and in fact all over the world have made a conscious decision to do for a variety of reasons. You can stop buying things at Walmart.Answer #2: You are not required to show your receipt, as they are not a “private club” such as Costco where you agree to it in the membership agreement. That doesn’t prevent them from banning you from shopping at that Walmart, or the company as a whole, if you refuse.

If this is the hill you want to die on, have fun. Otherwise, show your receipt or shop elsewhere.

Answer #3: They are not harrasing you. They are a private business, if you don't like the policy then don't shop there. If you choose to shop there then you need to abide by their rules and show your receipt. Answer #4: You are legally free to ignore them. They are free to ban you from the store or call you names.

Is this a hill you really need to die on?Answer #5: Seriously? Just show the damn receipt. Answer #6: They are legally allows to require you to show your receipt before leaving, so standing there refusinf is only going to get you banned from shopping there. Why would you spend a half hour arguing with them instead of fifteen seconds letting a minimum wage worker who doesn't make the rules check your receipt and be on your merry way.

If you don't like the policy, you are free to shop elsewhere, but you don't have the right to leave without showing your receipt like you seem to think you do. Answer #7: Seriously?  Just have your receipt out and show them, it'll take maybe 5 seconds and you're done.Answer #8: /u/LocationBot recall


Title: My neighbor wants to sue me for flooding his yard.

Question: [removed]

Answer:
 > Since he wants to be a douche about it

Um, I have some bad news for you: He's not the douche in this situation.


Title: Current vehicle has open recall and stop sale on it. Dealership are lowballing the trade-in value. Do I have any recourse with BMW?

Question:
Location: Massachusetts

I own a 2012 BMW 328i xdrive that is effected by an airbag recall. After over a year since the official recall announcement no timeline for a fix has been established (they until May 2020 to replace all airbags). Because of this recall there is a stop sale on my vehicle (as well as many others). Due to this stop sale dealerships have been lowballing the crap out of the trade in value of my car ($3k-$5k below kbb). I understand where they're coming from since they have sit on the car until BMW/takata (airbag manufacturer) fixes the problem.  Legally I can't sell this car on the private market because of the stop sale.
Do I have any recourse with BMW? My life has changed quite a bit since I got the car and it's time for me to move onto something different, but I can't really afford to take such a financial hit right now.

Article On recall: http://www.autonews.com/article/20160324/OEM11/160329900/bmw-gets-5-month-extensions-on-takata-airbag-fixes

Answer:
 You should be able to sell the vehicle privately. Unless MA law prohibits the sale?

>The resale of used vehicles  subject to a safety recall  is not  prohibited  by the Act.   49 USC 30112bAnswer #2: The stop sale has made the KBB value moot.  Nobody wants these cars for what they used to be worth because they are unsafe.Answer #3: This is what you get with a BMW, lots of maintenance/repair costs and poor resale value.

If you think they are low balling you, then sell the car yourself on a website like www.cars.com

**You can still legally sell the car since it is used.** I dont know why you think you cant sell it.
>The resale of used vehicles subject to a safety recall is not  prohibited by the Act. 49 USC 30112(b).


Title: [AL] landlord won't remove garbage left by evicted neighbors.

Question: I moved into an apartment in August of 2017. Our unit has a very small, shared back porch with the unit next door. The day we moved in we noticed it had some garbage on it, and that made us concerned, but we had no idea it would turn into this. From starting in September we look out back to find about a dozen garbage bags stacked on their side of the porch. I immediately took a picture and sent it to the property management company. It took over a month for them to get it taken care of. Then in late November, I start seeing roaches. We keep our place clean, so I immediately went and looked out back. Sure enough, dozens of nasty, not even closed garbage bags! I send emails and pictures week after week and get told it will be taken care of. Eventually the neighbors got evicted in December (probably for other issues), but the garbage is still there. When I email the property managers, they just tell me they're in the process of getting it taken care of. All they've done is send pest control out to spray, but that will only help so much with the piles of garbage right outside pur back door! Is there something I can do to MAKE them get this done? A letter from a lawyer? Anything?

Answer:
 You could contact the county health department about it, or code enforcement.  A local landlord/tenant attorney can also give you a free consultation to discuss options. If you live in a city/county that actually has a tenant rights board, you can also contact them.Answer #2: Best to get rid of the garbage yourself.  You shouldn't have to live with this health hazard.

Keep the receipts and negotiate a reduction of rent after documenting how many times you called the property manager.Answer #3: Alabama landlord/tenant law [states that](https://www.alabamalegalhelp.org/files/A2447EEE-F644-D86C-0EED-38CCDA102137/attachments/D58BDF76-AA86-6292-7911-61454C8CF743/352501ADecentPlacetoLiveTenantRightsinAlabama122006.pdf) the landlord must do three things relevant to this situation:

-Maintain electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating &
air conditioning systems in good working order.

-Make sure the rental unit meets health & safety codes.

-Keep common areas clean & safe.

IANAL, but it does sound like they're breaking [Section 359-9A-204](http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/alison/codeofalabama/1975/35-9A-204.htm)

Write your landlord, include pictures, and state that this is impacting your peaceable enjoyment of your unit and violating the law. State how long this has been going on with dates. (Example: on X date, I spoke with  Lauren Landlord who stated that. On X date, I spoke with Y regarding the issue, and was told Z.)

Alternatively, a letter from an attorney specializing in LL/T law may help as well.

If you choose to send the letter, send it certified so that you have proof they received it.


Title: Friend's dad was kidnapped as a child and has no birth certificate.

Question:
Nobody ever fought it back in the 80's, but he was trying to get a job as a police officer and has no real birth certificate. He managed to get by with a passport when he got his single job 20 years ago, but now that won't fly and getting that legit again won't work nowadays. Is there anything he can do to get one? Nobody knows where he came from or who his real family is.

Edit* I really can't get into details how shady his childhood was. There's some FBI people involved with a part of it at the moment since my fiance has been pushing certain things. Her dad has really helped me out a lot in the past few years and, while it's not much, I'd at least like to help him do the job he's been wanting to do for forever.

Answer: How did he get a passport without a birth certificate in the first place?


Title: Former boss fabricated documents to fire me

Question:
Saskatchewan, Canada
I was "laid off" in November from my job, in the termination meeting my manager said that my recent job performance was lacking, and with no prior warning was let go immediately. Now, the owner just gave my local Labour Board copies of phony written notices dated from July to November that I never received to get out of paying me severance. The law says that I am entitled to 4 weeks pay in lieu of notice, but those fake notices have the power to give "just cause" to firing me. I was never warned ever about possible termination at any point working there.
How should I continue from here? And can this guy get away with forging documentation to get away with not paying me proper severance?

Answer: How are they phony? They're phony because you never received copies?Answer #2: Did they forge your signature?  Usually the notices are given in person with a witness and signatures. Are you saying this never happened? Like do the docs have any signatures or witnesses?


Title: Help with terminating parental rights

Question:
I live in California. I got married and have been taking care of my husbands son since he was 10 month old, he’s now 2 1/2. His birth mother has had no contact with him since he was about 6 months old. She has said that she has no problem with me adopting him and that she wouldn’t fight it. That was last year. Now she is saying that the only way she’ll sign the papers is if we allow her visitation and that she wants to come see him. This isn’t the first time she’s said that but she never makes definitive plans. Can she make this adoption more difficult for us? She lives in South Carolina, has no license and no car. I’ve seen from her Facebook she doesn’t lead a life that I would feel comfortable having him around. I’m the only mom he knows now and I don’t want her to take him from me.
Topic:
Custody Divorce and Family

Answer:
 > Can she make this adoption more difficult for us?

If by “more difficult” you mean “assert rights afforded to her under the law as the biological mother”, of course she can.


Title: [Nebraska] Landlord "found evidence of weed" now being evicted. Help!

Question:
Hello! I live in an apartment complex in NE and I have recently received a notice of eviction. Apparently my landlord saw a jar of marijuana out during an inspection (which was planned). Obviously this is against my rental agreement, but this is my first infraction.. Is there anything I can do? I would like to not be evicted considering the recent national trend of legalisation. :(
Am I SOL? Is there any action I can take? Any advice appreciated!

Answer:
 he could evict you even in a state where its legal.  There have been a ton of cases here in Oregon where the landlord wants a medical marijuana patient evicted from his property and the tenant is claiming they were just using prescribed medication.

AFAIK, the landlords have won so far.


Title: Ex-wife is engaged and living with her new fiance, but I'm still paying spousal support.

Question:
As the title reads. My ex and I had a dissolution at the end of 2018 (no-fault divorce as it's called in some states), and I'm currently paying roughly $1700/month combined child and spousal support.

I'm not concerned about the child support number as I'm all for supporting my kid, but $900 of that is spousal support which quite honestly is becoming a huge financial burden. As the order currently stands, I'm on the hook for it until June of 2020, but I'd really like to move on with my life and this feels like a giant obstacle to get over.

She verbally agreed several months ago to start giving some of the money back each month (around $400) starting in September. I agreed at the time to allow both of us to avoid court, but I brought up the topic with her today and now she's claiming she can only afford to give me half of that amount.

With the cohabitation situation, is it worth going back to court to get this reduced/eliminated, or should I just wait it out for the next 8 months? For what it's worth, I'm in Ohio.

Answer: What does the divorce decree say about cohabitation and re-marriage? Does the decree include a retention of jurisdiction to modify spousal support?


Title: Employer put a stop payment to check

Question:
So today I get a text from a private investigator saying that a check I cashed had a stop payment done on it. He said that if I don't pay it back within 24 hours they're gonna put a warrant out for my arrest.  I had cashed this check around 5 months ago and the employer put a stop payment to it(probably because they got robbed around that time) .
I have contacted my former employer about it and am waiting for a reply, can they actually put a warrant on me? Is there anything I should do? I live in USA, texas

Answer: This is a common scam.Answer #2: Its also a scam because nobody does these things via text.