Title: Neighbor threatening to sue

Question:
Recently I got a note taped up to my door that said she’s going to sue.

Should I verify that it was really her before taking a lot of legal action?

Answer:
 I dunno.

You wanna provide some context there champ? Sue for what?Answer #2: Thousands of people threaten to sue. Few ever do.

No need to be "taking a lot of legal action" unless you get served.


Title: Hey Reddit, could I get into legal trouble if I delete my company Instagram?

Question:
Virginia, US

When I started working for my company, they didn't have a social media account for Instagram. Since being hired, I have set one up for them and have been solely responsible for taking the pictures, captioning them, posting them and managing the account. In fact, our company's IG account is linked to my personal email, and I access it through my personal phone.
The workplace culture here is an absolute nightmare. I am close to walking out (I know, shitty thing to do, but you would understand if in my shoes) and I am contemplating deleting all of the work I've put in here. Obviously I'm not trying to get sued after doing it. I tried Googling it. Nothing for my specific circumstance came up.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

TL;DR: I am about to walk out on my job and want to know if I could be in legal trouble for deleting the company Instagram account I created.

Answer:
 > In fact, our company's IG account is linked to my personal email

You've got that backwards. Your email address is used to unlock a corporate asset. This is a Bad Idea and there's no reason at all for that to be the case.

>I am contemplating deleting all of the work I've put in here.

Definitely illegal. Do not vandalise your employer's social media account.Answer #2: Yes, you would be in legal trouble.

You created that work FOR your employer, and it belongs to them.  Just like they can't take back your paychecks if they decide you suck, you can't take back the work they paid for.

Change the email for the Instagram account, and it over to someone else, and walk away.


Title: [UK] Curry's are making my girlfriend work 09:00-18:00 and only giving her a 10 minute break. Is this legal?

Question:
[removed]
Topic:
PII

Answer: As a 16-18 year old it's not legal to work more than eight hours in a day, and you're entitled to a 30 minute break if you work more than four and a half hours. See [here](https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/young-people/young-people-and-employment/#h-hours-of-work-and-rest-breaks)


Title: Sexual Harassment in the work place, I need some advice!

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 I'm sorry this happened to you.

You are welcome to consult a local plaintiff's employment lawyer to discuss whether you have a case.   If you want to do this, you should probably do it quickly as there is a ticking clock to file a mandatory EEOC claim.

The thing is, even if you can prove all the other elements of a sexual harassment claim, you state that you left the job for multiple reasons.  You don't mention that it ever caused you demotion, reduction in pay, etc. while you were there.  IMO, you would therefore have a tough time proving damages as a result of the harassment.

The employees who are still there can contact the EEOC or the MN equivalent, or work together to find a lawyer.


Title: Ex-Boyfriend and Small Claims Court

Question:
Hey, throwaway account - from Brooklyn, NY.

In 2013 my boyfriend and I had planned to visit my family for Thanksgiving. About a month in advance I purchased both plane tickets, and my boyfriend reimbursed me for his ticket in short order. Over the course of the next month our relationship fell apart, I broke up with him, and he didn't wind up coming with me to visit my family.

I was just informed that he has filed a claim in small claims court to try and recoup the cost of his plane ticket. He can't possibly have legal ground to stand on, can he? He *did* ask that I pay him back for the ticket when we broke up, but the ticket was non-refundable. It's not like I pocketed his money - in the eyes of the law, didn't he buy a plane ticket through a third-party (me) and simply opt not to use it?

Help a girl out, thanks! Feel free to ask any clarifying questions.

Answer: Seems to me like he received what he paid for - a plane ticket. He simply chose not to use it.Answer #2: Did you give him his ticket?Answer #3: Couples make purchases all the time with the expectation that the relationship will continue.  Things change.  That doesn't give rise to a claim of promissory estoppel.  It's not reasonable to assume that you'll have a claim for damages if a purchase you make on the hope that you'll still be dating the other person ends up being a mistake because the relationship turns sour.


Title: After multiple floods, I got a property manager agree to let us out of the lease with no termination fee (and recorded her saying so), and just woke up to $4000 early termination charge. What are the next steps?

Question:
Like the title says, I'm having a bad morning. I live in Northern Virginia.

&#x200B;

The apartment I'm leaving has flooded 7 times over the past 9 months. And every single time, its from something that has been out of my control - the foundation cracked, the upstairs neighbor's water heater broke, MY friggin water heater broke. I've lost every single one of those work days, and a lot of personal items.

&#x200B;

After the 6th flood I turned the recording on my phone, walked in and demanded to be let out of the lease. I have an autoimmune issue and can SEE mold building up in spots (they claim to have tested and the tests are negative). The property manager I spoke to said she would make it so we didn't pay the early termination fee, we just had to give them 30 days notice.

&#x200B;

We found a new place and decided to move forward, as the apartment flooded once again, this time taking all my books with it (we have renter's insurance). We gave our notice, and thought everything was normal - until today, a week before we move out, we are hit with this termination fee of $4,000. On a day in which the entire company is closed and we can't even ask "What the hell?"

&#x200B;

My question is, what are the options? What's the next steps? Everyone's reaction seams to be "sue the hell out of them in small claims" but I wanted to check with people who aren't our friends.

Answer: Did you get it in writing...? That’s the real question. Answer #2: It could just be that there was a miscommunication between the property manager and the corporate office or whatever. Call on Monday and explain and see what they say. If they are not cooperative, you should talk to an attorney about what can be done in light of the serious condition problems. Make sure you take photos of all you can before move out.


Title: [MA][VT] Restraining order for letters?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 It's possible. 15 months? Holy crap leave her alone and move on. There are plenty of fish in the sea.

>  and the best course is likely to say nothing ever again and let this go away.

The best course is to never contact her ever again.


Title: Violation of parenting time

Question:
I am a minor and my mom is a sociopath and my mom has me weekdays and dad weekends and they are divorced and sometimes I try to escape to my dad’s house and on weekdays and she will call the cops and most of the time they will drag me back to my moms. My dad is never defiant he just doesn’t do anything about me going over to his house. The problem is that my mom does the same thing and we never call the police on here but today it has been hours and she is refusing to take us. My dad doesn’t really have a form of transportation and I know he’s supposed to pick us up but my mom is also supposed to pick us up when I’m at my dads and sometimes she will make us take the bus back to her house or walk 5 miles or she will take away our stuff or beat us and yell at us so it’s not fair at all. I called 911 and clarified it wasn’t an emergency (I only called them because this happens too much and my mom calls the cops on us) and the dispatcher said because I’m a minor I can’t do anything about it and my parents will have to deal with it. I can’t contact my dad because my mom has blocked his number on my phones because he calls her crazy and she calls it harassment.

What can I do?

Answer:
 OH. You’re the same one from a few weeks ago that wanted to know if a minor had the right to their possessions and called your mom a psychopath (also not a valid diagnosis) and said your dad had bipolar disorder.

You really should stop armchair diagnosing your parents, especially your mother with disorders that don’t exist in the DSM. Answer #2: You can ask your father to go back to court to have your custody arrangement changed.

In the meantime, keep your head down and stay at your mom's as you are required to. If she abuses you, talk to a counselor at work and ask to make a CPS report.


Title: [Florida] My sister got a ticket for doing 27 in a 25. Should she fight it?

Question:
My sister was driving through a very wealthy little town in Central Florida when she was pulled over for doing two miles over the speed limit.  (This town's police are known for being particularly bad with tickets; there is next to no crime there and the police have nothing else to do.)  Her and the officer got into a bit of an argument over the reason he stopped her, and he proceeded to write her a ticket for failing to obey a traffic control device ($160, I think). He also mentioned that he might not have, had it not been for her attitude.

I told a friend of mine who is a sheriff's deputy, and he told me that this was the stupidest thing he has ever heard.  He said that she couldn't have been given a speeding ticket, because the lowest ticket is 6 to 10 mph over.

I've gone to court for tickets before and plead "no contest" to avoid the points.  She'll at least do this, but should she consider fighting it? Does she have a case?  She technically was not obeying the traffic control device, but my deputy friends has been working for 15 years and swears he has never even heard of that citation being issued for doing less than five over.  (He said that it *is* often given in lieu of a speeding ticket, but only to sort of cut the driver a break, as the speeding ticket would cost more.)
Topic:
Traffic and Parking

Answer:
 Sure she can fight it but since she put up an argument over it she will be remembered and most likely the cop will show up to court tell the judge how she acted and will most likely lose the case because technically she was breaking the law by going 2 over. Answer #2: You can get a citation for 1 to 5 MPH over, according to [Florida Statutes Section 318.18](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0300-0399/0318/Sections/0318.18.html).   Those citations are warnings, and do not carry a fine.

But from your story she was not cited for speeding, but rather for another traffic violation.    Was the "traffic control device" a speed limit sign, or something else like a stop sign or a yield sign ?

Your deputy buddy's experience and his agency's policies are irrelevant.

Your sister can make her own decision on whether she wants to burn a nolo contendere on this citation, based on her current driving status.

I personally have been cited for 26 in a 25 MPH zone, on a five-lane central arterial, because that's how things go in some towns.   I paid it, because that's how things go in small towns.


Title: TN - SisIL arrested for shoplifting

Question:
First pardon formatting I'm on mobile.

My  sis in law got caught at Walmart under $500 (not sure the actual amount). She is from Ohio they are booking her in jail at the moment. What can I do to get her out tonight and what other information can you guys give that be helpful? I am from WV and know nothing about Knox County legal system any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks reddit folks.

Answer:
 She will likely just be released and given a court date after she is booked. If not, you can pay her bail when it is set. If you do pay her bail be aware that if she skips out on court you're on the hook for the entire bail amount.

She's going to need a lawyer.Answer #2: DO NOT act too good for a public defender. That has happened a couple of times here and it is really stupid. Those guys are real attorneys (I've seen a couple of posts in LA saying things like "I don't have a real lawyer, just a public defender," which is a remarkably stupid attitude to have). If you can hire your own, that's great, but the PD's are probably just as good, they're just overworked.

Find an attorney and the public defender is a perfectly acceptable attorney. Make sure that SIL does not speak to anybody but the attorney about this. Especially people working for the prosecution.


Title: Accused of physical/sexual abuse that never happened. Accuser was sexual partner of apparent victim, who strong-armed me into cancelling a gig/event that resulted in fiscal and personal loss.

Question: [deleted]

Answer: Seems like you have a defamation case for slander and that you may have suffered an economic loss. Although it may prove difficult to show the latter before a court. If you seriously intend to do something about this you should gather as much evidence as possible. Whether that be a record of what you have discussed with your psychologist and any actual evidence that you can gather from people who have witnessed the defamatory remarks. This may be in writing, or recording. The thing is, these people may not wish to become involved in a court case and therefore your evidence may be reasonably weak. On a side note, life is short. You should try and concentrate on the greater things in life and try not to let things get to you. Easier said than done but it sounds like you are letting some crazy woman get in your head.


Title: An underage sex scandal

Question:
A few month ago one of my best friend confided in me the reason he returned to Michigan (he lived in Baltimore.) To make this long story short, he broke up with his fiancée because it came out he had a sexual act with her little brother (they masturbated together, and a sex toy was used on the little brother by my friend). The little brother told the parents (who told authorities) my friend did all this against his will in some way. The little brother was underage at the time, so I believe "consent" wasn't possible? Yet my friend claims the boy was coming on to him and enjoyed this act. Ephebophilia is what my friend called it after getting charged. His final trail is next month and here are the counts he's looking at:

Charge 1: Unnatural Or Perverted Practice
Charge 2: Sex Abuse Minor: House/Fam
Charge 3: Sex Offense Fourth Degree
Charge 4: Sex Offense Third Degree
Charge 5: Assault Sec Degree

 My question is what could ultimately happen to him? While I wasn't there I do believe whatever they did they both initially agreed to. I know a sex registry will probably happen, but what about possible jail time? Thank you for any clarification.
Topic:
Criminal Law

Answer:
 §3–322.     Unnatural or perverted sexual practice
(b)     A person who violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $1,000 or both.

Can't find 2 what's the exact statute number.

Same with the others.

Or just look for yourself here: https://www.dpscs.state.md.us/onlineservs/sor/sor_crimes_article.shtml


Title: Fiancé's contract stipulates all disputes must go through Beth Din of America, a Jewish court system?

Question:
My fiancé has been offered a teaching position at a Modern Orthodox Jewish private school and when she was reading over her contract it stipulates that all legal disputes must go through what appears to be a Jewish court system called Beth Din of America. Is anyone familiar with this organization?  Is it really what it sounds like, a court system based on Jewish law? How could that possibly be unbiased and impartial? Does this actually prevent her from suing the school in the U.S. legal system? Appreciate the help!

Edit: Thanks for the responses. You all have been very helpful!

Answer:
 It is technically arbitration, and while there are numerous issues raised by critics with it, it is in general legal. There are even several different Beth Din.

They aren't terribly fair or impartial in issues that they feel violate their views of Jewish law. One court called one of them irrationa even. They are rather feared in Jewish divorce proceedings.

Still, if things go really crazy there generally are various outs to secular courts, which can overturn anything that violates public policy, or basic fairness.

However, that is a lot of work, and a higher hurdle than the normal justice system would impose. Your fiance should carefully think as to whether or not this is a route they want to be mostly bound by.


Title: A letter to my molester’s neighbors (NY)

Question:
I confronted my molester earlier this year with my fiancé present to find out that his wife confessed that he had this problem before. I tried contacting the police and cps and they were no help.

I want to write a letter to everyone on the block I grew up on (except the molester) warning them to keep their kids away, especially before halloween.

What issues could I run in telling my story to my past community?

I was molested around the age of 5-6 (about 25 years ago) and the memories just started coming up. Life has been rough but trying to turn my pain into progress by helping others.

Thank you!

Answer:
 He could sue you for defamation and you would have to defend yourself in court.Answer #2: >What issues could I run in telling my story to my past community?

You'll be sued for defamation.  This is a bad idea.Answer #3: Unless he has been convicted of a crime, this is a bad idea. Answer #4: Turn your pain into progress by seeking counseling. Not by sending poison pen letters to an entire neighborhood that can and will have civil repercussions.Answer #5: Generally, accusing someone of a crime is defamation *per se*. That is, they don't even have to prove damages because damages are presumed when one is accused of a crime.

You will have to prove your allegations are true. This is a very bad idea.Answer #6: There aren't many things that will actually get you convicted of defamation. This is one of them.


Title: [NYC] Landlord keeps lying to me; I'm worried he won't return security deposit

Question:
I'm renting an apartment in Manhattan, New York. The landlord has lied to me just about every time we've interacted since I signed the lease, and I learned very quickly to do everything over email so that there's a written record of what we've discussed. I intend to move out when my lease is up. However, I've already paid him my last month's rent, and 2 months of security deposit (I know, these should have been red flags, but this is the first apartment I've rented in Manhattan, and I didn't know what was normal here), and am now concerned that he might not return the security deposit. What can I do now to prepare for any problems that might arise when I move out? Is this something I should get a lawyer for? If so, what sort of lawyer should I get and when is an appropriate time to do so?

I suspect he won't return the security deposit because although I've taken reasonable care of the apartment, he has several reviews on Yelp (who knew Yelp reviewed landlords? I sure didn't before signing the lease) from former tenants complaining of the same problems I've experienced and then ending with the guy refusing to return their deposits. Thanks in advance for the advice!

Things I have been lied to about:

- The apartment was gut renovated before I moved in: brand new floors, kitchen appliances, cabinets, bathroom, etc. Landlord wanted to start the lease on June 1, I talked him into starting June 15. With an extra 2 weeks before the lease started, I expected all renovations to be done by the time the lease started. When I picked up the keys on June 15, the landlord's assistant told me that it was nearly ready and would be finished by the end of the day. I asked if I could get a small discount on my rent because the apartment wasn't ready, and she said no. I went to the apartment the next day, and it was still missing a refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, microwave, kitchen drain, bathroom faucet, living room radiator, and bedroom radiator, and the apartment was full of busy construction workers. I have pictures of this. I wrote to the landlord, who replied that everything would be finished that day. That evening, I was still missing the 'fridge, stove, and bathroom faucet, and wrote to the landlord about it again. He said everything would be finished by the next day. By the evening of the next day, all I was missing was the stove. I wrote to him again, and he assured me that it would be installed before I moved in on June 25.
- By the evening of June 24, the stove was not installed. I lost my temper and wrote an angrier email than was prudent, saying I'd lost confidence that it would be installed by the next morning, and asking when it would actually be installed and whether I could get a discount on the rent (this was the second time I had broached the rent topic, and the first time since I'd picked up the keys). The landlord replied that we had discussed the stove, he had offered me a temporary one, and I had declined because I didn't need it until I moved in, and it would be in by then. He also wrote "I find this email offensive both in its tone and the request for a reduced rent. If this is the way it's going to be, I suggest you not move in and come by the office and I will gladly refund every dollar you paid and rent the apartment to someone else but I will not entertain this nonsense any further." I replied that I had neither recollection nor record of that stove conversation, pointed out that everything we had done since I picked up the keys was over email so I had records of it all, and that to the best of my knowledge this conversation had not taken place. I consulted with some friends, whose consensus was that the offer of returning my money if I don't move in was probably another lie, and I should not accept it. I would gladly have accepted it  and moved elsewhere if I thought the offer was genuine.
- I moved in on June 25. A temporary stove was installed that day, and a permanent one was installed June 26. On June 27 I fixed the gas leak, but that's another story.
- I have asked several times over several months to have my name listed on the building intercom. Every time, he has replied that he'll do it soon. It has now been over 8 months, and I've given up trying to get my name on the intercom.
- According to page 9 of the [New York Tenants' Rights Guide](http://www.oag.state.ny.us/sites/default/files/pdfs/publications/Tenant_Rights_2011.pdf), "Landlords of buildings with six or more apartments [my building has approximately 20 units] must put all security deposits in New York bank accounts earning interest at the prevailing rate. Each tenant must be informed in writing of the bank’s name and address and the amount of the deposit." After two months, I had not received this information, so I wrote to the landlord asking for it. He did not reply. A week later, I emailed him again, and he claimed he replied to my previous email and asked for details of what I wanted. I pointed out that I had neither record nor recollection of his reply. I showed him the PDF I linked here, and he emailed me the address of the bank and wrote "You will receive a year end statement in January showing the balance of your security deposit."
- I did not receive a year end statement in January. In mid-February, I emailed back asking where it was, and got no response. A week later, I emailed again about it, and have gotten no response again. I visited the bank, but they refused to let me see an account statement because I was not the account holder (which is probably the right response on their part).

Not sure if relevant:

- In the lobby of the building is paperwork describing the fire equipment for the building, but it is clearly paperwork for a different building. This is north of 100th street, and the paperwork claims that the fire escape exits onto a street south of 90th. It also claims that there is a fire sprinkler system in the building but not in the common areas, but no apartment in the building (that I've seen) has a sprinkler in it.
- My apartment did not come with a smoke detector in it, even though [page 21 of the Tenants' Rights Guide](http://www.oag.state.ny.us/sites/default/files/pdfs/publications/Tenant_Rights_2011.pdf) says they are supposed to. The guide also says the landlord can charge me $50 to install one, so I didn't bother mentioning this to him and bought my own for $10.
- There is a laundry room in the basement of the building. It has 2 washers and 2 dryers. When I moved in, one of the dryers was broken and had a sign on it asking people not to plug it in again until it was actually fixed this time. I know the super was aware of this problem, and I believe he had informed the landlord (though I did not speak to the landlord about this myself). It took 6 months for the dryer to be plugged in, though I have not tried it out for fear of wasting my time and money on a dryer that is still broken.
- The apartment is not rent controlled nor rent stabilized.
- This is a pre-war building with something like 18 or 20 apartments in it.
- I have heard that it is not uncommon in Manhattan for people to get their security deposit "back" by not paying their last month of rent. However, I have already paid my last month of rent, and the security deposit was 2 months of rent, so it's a pretty sizable amount.
- In my opinion, I'm a model tenant. I've rented apartments for the past decade, in California, North Carolina, Queens, and now Manhattan. I've never had a noise complaint, and I've always gotten my security deposit back in full. In the past 5 years, I've never paid my rent late, and although I paid rent late twice before that, I quickly paid the late fee as well as the rent (and my excuse is very lame: I could afford the rent no problem, and just lost track of what day it was).
- My lease requires that I inform the landlord of my intention to move out 2 months ahead of time. Given his propensity to make up conversations we haven't had, I'm unsure whether to do this via email, handing him a letter in person, or using certified mail.
- I quickly became paranoid of interactions with the landlord, so I have pictures of every rent check I sent him, every envelope I mailed the checks in, and usually a picture of me at the mailbox with the letter. but this has not been an issue so far.

(thanks for letting me vent)
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer:
 Send him a certified letter so he receives it two months in advance. Clean the place completely and make sure to take a ton of pictures and/or video documenting every single thing and its condition on move out. Keep a copy of all your correspondence.

I'd leave that $10 smoke detector though, it totally wouldn't be worth the headache trying to prove it was missing when you moved in.


Title: Can I cash a check sent to me, but meant for my brother?

Question:
As the title says, a company sent a check meant for my brother to me. It has my name and address. Am I under any legal obligation to return the money? I live in Missouri.

I've already voided the check, ripped it up, and thrown it away. This is a question of legalities, not morals.

Answer: It isn't your money, you don't get to keep it.


Title: Legal advice to escape abusive parents

Question: [removed]

Answer:
 Major issues:

* What countries are you a citizen of?
* What countries have given you leave to remain/granted you permanent resident status?
* What countries do you nominally hold a visa for?

If you are an Irish citizen or permanent resident, I would reach out to the [Irish Consulate, in Muscat](https://www.embassypages.com/missions/embassy9527/). They may be able to return you to Ireland if you're being held out of the country against your wishes. (In fact, I'd contact them anyways, if possible - see below.)

I have no way to vet this, and no way to verify that they're actually able to help, but some Google searches turned up [the Omani Women Association at Al-Mudhibi](http://www.owam.net/default.asp?LngID=en). (Edit: on further review, that may have been a long shot.) If you know someone who can vet them, consider reaching out for help. More generally, if you were in Ireland and the situation were reversed, finding a local womens' shelter would be my _first_ suggestion, so hopefully there's some organizations in Oman who do the same work of protecting vulnerable women. Maybe someone at the nearest university knows something, or can connect you with your colleagues in Ireland to try to get you help from that end.

You may be eligible for refugee status in a number of countries if you are facing a forced marriage or if you are facing violence, execution, or other persecution in your home country. If you can get to a phone, or if you have friends you can trust, start contacting embassies and consulates and ask. The worst they can do is say no, especially if you take precautions not to identify yourself until you confirm you can receive assistance and will not be turned over to your father or to local authorities.


Title: Obtaining a prescription in my name and giving it to my wife.

Question:
**Oklahoma, USA**
**TLDR; Wife fucked up and got her klonopin pulled by pretty much doctor shopping. She actually needs the klonopin, and the situation is that I would go get a prescription in my name for her while she looks for/waits for her Psychiatrist's appointment for her own script.**

Well, here is the issue reddit.
Wife is on Klonopin 4mg daily, and recently her docs dropped her because she'd been on Suboxone for opioid addiction nearly two years back, and didn't tell either doctor like an idiot.. So naturally the both dropped her and pulled her scripts.

She's on rapid withdrawal from the suboxone, and has been tapering the past couple of months to get off of it anyway- the klonopin is a different story. She's prescribed it because of panic attack disorder/anxiety disorder, and it helps her. I check her pills frequently, and she isn't abusing it.

She's seen a couple of new family practitioners and they say they don't prescribe pain medication or benzos I assume because she's probably been flagged now for doctor shopping..
She has an appointment with a Psychiatrist on March 3rd to discuss the Klonopin and her issues, but she's going to run out of her script long before then and be in withdrawal.

My question is, if I were to go to her old doctor and get Klonopin prescribed to me and give it to her- what kind of legal trouble am I looking at, if any.

I'm feeling like I would basically be considered a dealer, but I don't want her to have to go through withdrawal while she's trying to get a drug that helps her through the right channels.

What am I looking at here?

Answer:
 What your wife actually needs is to go to rehabilitation to deal with her suboxone withdrawls and soon to be klonopin withdrawals.

After she's shown to have physical and mental stability, she can seek out a doctor who may or may not determine that she needs medication.Answer #2: Giving drugs to someone is called drug trafficking. Edit: the chance of a doctor who knows your wife giving you a script is pretty small due to her doc shopping


Title: Put house on market over 1 year ago, pulled it after less than a month, entire family is getting random phone calls about the property.

Question:
Location: Texas/California.

I live in Texas, about a year ago I put my house on the market looking to move out of state. I pulled it after about 2 weeks because the job I had started out of state just wasn't for me. In the following weeks and months go by, my wife and I get countless phone calls (probably 6-12 per day) "Hey, I'm calling about the property on [my address], is it still for sale? What's going on with that property? Did you ever sell it? Is it still your property? Who lives there? etc etc" So my wife and I repeated every time "Take it off your list, take our number out of your system, we aren't interest, it's not for sale, it's not your business, [insert NO here]"

Well of course this didn't work at all even the slightest little amount. So in addition to telling them NO and stop calling, we started blocking these numbers. SLOWLY slowly but surely, the calls dwindled down, and we get about one or two a month.

Fast forward to today, I get a text from my parents who have always lived in California "Are you selling your house"? I said "No why?" although I was pretty sure of the reason for this question. Sure enough, my parents have been getting phone calls from these assholes harassing them about my fucking house. My parents have *nothing* to do with my house. They aren't on the mortgage or title... *nothing*. I bought this house on my own. Their phone number isn't even connected to any paperwork regarding the house, and I haven't lived at their address in over 15 years.

What legal recourse do I have? What are my options to stop this?

Additional information: We had this conversation with our realtor when it first happened, he is an honest guy who we trust. He sold us the house and was never pushy either selling or the short period when we were buying. He said he has seen this happen a handful of times and agrees it's a scummy tactic of desperate people, so I have a good amount of trust he wasn't involved in giving our information out.

Answer:
 Google your address, and I'll bet you find a ton of real estate sites with your home listed for sale/rent. Some may be reputable, some...less so. You can contact them and try to get the listing removed. That may slow the calls.

But it won't stop them. You can put your phone number on the national do not call list. Keep being firm when these people call, even demanding to speak to a supervisor or manager to get your number removed.

It may help a little, it may not help at all. But there's no legal magic wand to wave here.


Title: Would a textualist argue "free speech" applies to spoken words only?

Question: According to Merrian-Webster, speech is related to spoken words only, not to books, music, art, clothes or objects burning. Other countries have freedom of expression, but the US says has freedom of speech. Would a textualist really defend that? Maybe people are partly textualist only?

Answer:
 Well, the place that guarantees 'free speech' also guarantees 'freedom of the press.'

So there's that.


Title: Asked to Resign

Question:
I live in NY and work for a company in CA; both 'At Will' states.

I have been working as a remote employee for my company for 6 years and was told 2 months ago that remote employees were no longers going to be supported.  I would either need to move to the corporate office or I would lose my job.  Unfortunately moving is not a viable option for me.

Today I was given my final day of employment and asked to submit a letter of resignation.

I've been told that because they offered me a position I have no choice but to resign.  But if I do that I lose any chance to request unemployment.  I have yet to find a job in my area; and the one job I was offered pays $55k less than what I am making now.

Should I hire a lawyer?  I have been in good standing with my employer throughout my entire tenure and continued to perform my job without any complaint or causing any drama after I was told that my employment was ending.

Thanks for any help!

Answer:
 > I've been told that because they offered me a position I have no choice but to resign.

Or what? They'll fire you? Not offer the severance package that they're apparently not offering anyway? You have absolutely no incentive here to resign. Make them fire you if that's what they want and file for unemployment.


Title: GA: Leaving employer day that I’m to return from deployment. Can they come after my pay while I was gone?

Question:
Long story short; employer started to discriminate against me when I notified them of my Reserve deployment that I would be gone for a year. Trying to be forced out of my position after notified them.

Manager came up with false accusations about my job performance after I got a glowing review a week before. USERRA was avoided after I went to the HR manager.

HR manager pretty much brokered a deal where I’ll come back through my anniversary date and I could leave. Apparently they get a tax break or something.

The main questions are: I was paid while I was away, if they get shifty could they request to be paid back? I vest on the day I get back but is there any legal issues with this.

Note: I know it seems shitty on my part but the lack of empathy is what is driving this decision.
Topic:
Labor Law (Unions)

Answer: Im not aware of any legal requirement that says you must be paid while on deployment... someone has royally messed up here. They have to retain an equal position for you on return but not pay you while you are gone.


Title: [Central FL] Final injunction ordered against me because I didn't attend a hearing I was told was rescheduled .

Question: [deleted]

Answer: INAL but you should get your own lawyer to handle this for you at this point. I'm wondering if the work visits are actually being done by the right people and not friends of your ex to screw with you. If it is your ex messing with you then there will probably be hell to pay for the impersonation and interfering with the courts.


Title: More landlord drama

Question:
http://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/2wdo3p/landlord_refusing_my_rent/
http://www.reddit.com/r/legaladvice/comments/2wleoc/landlord_threatening_illegal_eviction_what_can_i/

So when I checked my phone on the way home from work today there were 4 voicemails and 11 text messages, all from my landlord, as well as 3 different emails.  All of them said basically the same thing - that I owed him money (none of them said for what) and that he was coming by tomorrow afternoon to collect.  There was a bunch of stuff in the later messages about how I was ignoring him and whatnot.

Sure enough when I get home he was standing on the porch steps.  Told me that I owed him and that I had until this evening to pay up and if not he was throwing me out.  I said I wouldn't talk to him and he looked like he was about to hit me for a minute but eventually let me in.

Later that evening he knocked on the door, then let himself in.  When I asked what he was doing there he said he thought he heard water running, and proceeded to check through the whole place for water.  He then kind of backed me into a corner, put both hands on either side of me and repeated that he'd be over for his money tomorrow.

I'm honestly getting kind of scared.  What should I do here?  I don't know anyone in the area to go to and I don't have a lot of money to go stay at a hotel.  I should mention he's at least twice my size, I'm a very small woman and he's a big guy who works as a handyman.  He...it's hard to explain but he acts like he's one moment away from hitting me and he could probably knock me out.

Regarding the last post, I did get a cage and a padlock for the cat.

Edit for people who don't want to read: The landlord has been trying to fine me for being up too late.  I offered to find a replacement tenant but he said I'd have to sign something that basically said I was on the hook for until he found a new tenant who he wouldn't look for until after I moved out as well as an extra month's rent.  These fines aren't in the lease at all and I don't think I'm making an unusual amount of noise.

Answer:
 This guy came into your home and threatened you. This isn't just civil anymore. Call the cops.Answer #2: Call the police right now. He cannot let himself in without notice unless there's an emergency. It's harassment and potentially assault/battery if he backed you into a corner (if he threatened/touched you).Answer #3: CALL. THE. POLICE.

He does not have the right to enter your home and threaten you. He is absolutely harassing you, and you need to start making records of this. IANAL but you might be able to work out a restraining order through all this, but I'll wait for someone official to show up and give you the specifics.


Title: [VA] Car dealership forged my wife's signature.

Question:
Last Thursday my car started to have some engine problems, so my wife drove the car to the local dealership repair center where they only asked for a copy of the extended warranty (It was purchased at another dealership we bought the car at) and the keys, she did not sign any paperwork. I was there to drive her home and can verify.

Today she gets a call stating the repairs are all done and to come pick up the vehicle. Upon arrival they state the repairs will be $240 that is not covered by the warranty. We questioned why we were not contacted before doing repairs that wouldn't be covered, the dealership pulled out papers stating the repairs that needed to be made and the amount they would cost ($240) and my wife's name at the bottom, and a signature that was NOT my wife's. We responded that that was not her signature and we haven't even been back since dropping off the car so there was no way she could have even been there to sign it. The worker was confused and left to go talk to their manager. The manager came back apologized for the confusion and stated that all repairs were covered by the extended warranty, the amount due was for the warranty company and that there would be no charge to us. Then had my wife sign new documents with the repairs done and a total of $0.

While it worked out that we do not owe, this seems really sketchy and not legal, is there anything we can do to report this dealership for foraging my wife's signature? Or is it not worth and and just move on?

Answer: IANAL, but I would call the corporate headquarters for whatever car manufacture this is and letting them know what happened.  Car companies do not mess around with dealerships pulling anything shady. Answer #2: File a police report for forgery. This smells of a scam to me.


Title: [Texas, USA] I have a little problem with my high school and I want to know if I can take them to court.

Question:
Hello Everyone,

I hope all of you are having a wonderful Tuesday. Lately, I have been having some issues at my high school because the principal is punishing me for a simple mistake (mind you, I am not a trouble maker). The mistake I made was one in which I decided to not go to a senior luncheon being hosted at a church. The principal released all seniors, myself included, right before sixth period. At first, I had intended to go home to change into formal clothes (I did not want to look bad at the luncheon); however, I have been on the outs with religion and God so I decided not to go. I stayed home, since the principal did NOT state that I had to go back to school if I decided to not go to the church luncheon.
Well, the next day he pulled me and a another student, who did not go either, into his office. He told us that we had to serve lunch detention for the rest of the year or go to Saturday school because we had to back to school if we did not go to the luncheon at the church. I immediately told my parents about it (he did not even try to contact them). They learned about it after I told them myself.
Now, he did change the rules off the game prior to it and I knew about them. All parents, however, were not informed of that change, which is something that school has to do according to their own handbook. This is not the only problem have had this year, but that was let go because the teacher who started it is losing her husband to health problems. So, I thought it was too mean to take her to court. I digress.
The other student who got in trouble served his time but my parents did not want to me to serve my sentence just yet. Also, the superintendent told my parents that I was NOT to be punished for anything (he went back on his word today). The principal did not listen to him and continued to talk to me about Saturday school. Then, he had two teachers talk to me about attending Saturday school. (Fun Fact: He now denies talking to one of them about my Saturday school sentence, which is a lie because the teacher told me that my principal had told him about telling me about Saturday school.) That is everything pertinent to my question. So. . . do I have a case here? I just want to know if it is worth my time, my parent's time, and a lawyer's time.

Best Regards,

D.L.

Edit: I am in a public high school. Sorry for excluding that bit of information.

Edit: I was only absent for one class. He let my class go right before sixth period. I DID go back to school after sixth period was over. I didn't just skip the rest of the day. That would be stupid.
Topic:
Juvenile and Youth Law

Answer:
 It's absolutely a waste of time to try and pursue this.

Schools have a wide latitude to disipline students. You made a mistake, now you have to take your punishment for it.

They can't force you to go to a church lunch, but you still skipped school at that point.


Title: FERPA violation, college notified my parents of drug use

Question:
Last week, I deal Ritalin more than usual because there was high demand. Some other students who live in the same hall as I do started getting nosy. They asked me to sell them some, and I said no because I didn't know them well, and I don't sell to strangers. They got pissed and told the RA. The RA texted me to have a talk with him. I ignored it for several days. Then he went up to my room, knocked on the door, then opened it without my permission. So yes, there were drugs everywhere. I told him to leave, and he said he had to report this, and I said ok. He stepped out of the room, so I closed the door and locked it and dissolved the powder drugs I have in water. I got high on U-47700 and put on loud music and tried to sleep.

Next thing that happens is that he unlocks the door with the RHD (person in charge of the RAs), and I was nodding, so I didn't care. They both interpreted it as a suicide attempt, and I got transported to the hospital. They also reported me to university police, and searched my room, and confiscated some weed and paraphernalia but missed everything I dissolved, so they don't have anything against me except reports of me selling Ritalin. I was not charged with anything by actual police. The doctors kept asking me if I did heroin and asking me what I did, and I told them I didn't take anything. But they told whoever that I said I was using heroin, so then my college notified my parents that I had overdosed on heroin. I was not fucking using heroin.  Now my parents think I use heroin, and everyone is e-mailing me about mandatory meetings and how I have the option of bringing counsel and how they will make decisions about my future at this college. I've ignored all of them, and they can't do shit about it because the semester is almost over.

I don't care that much about what actions the university tries to take, but I'm annoyed that they told my parents about it. I did not sign the FERPA waiver, so my college had no right to tell them. Also, I don't think the hospital had any right to report to my university that I was using heroin especially when I wasn't.

I'm going to LA in a week anyway with friends. I don't really give a fuck about any of this. My only concern is that some combination of events from this will lead to a warrant for my arrest. They were implicitly making those threats in the e-mails.

Answer:
 > FERPA also permits a school to disclose personally identifiable information from education records without consent when the disclosure is to the parents of a student at a postsecondary institution regarding the student's violation of any Federal, State, or local law, or of any rule or policy of the institution, governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance.

[Source](http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/students.html)

Even if this was a violation (which it is clearly not), it would not have any affect on whether or not they can issue an arrest warrant for your drug dealing and possession.


Title: My dad (71 years old) sued a large newspaper group for liable and won in small claims court. They have appealed and hired a big time lawyer, do we have a chance?

Question:
I'm posting this on a throwaway account to keep somewhat privacy, even though I realize it would be very easy to look this information up and get names. I'm late to post this, court is today. I didn't want this story going further out into the internet, but I think we need any help we can get.

My dad and another board member were originally sued for sexual harassment over a year ago by two women from the reclamation district he volunteers in for 1.5 million dollars, even though the reclamation district hired an investigative attorney for and found that both he and the other board member did absolutely nothing wrong. The claim from my dad's side was that he would say things like "Hello young lady, you're looking gorgeous today" and when asked how he's doing "Much better now that I've seen you" which is absolutely true, but he says that to almost everyone he sees on a regular basis, even when he's with my mom (who attends the board meetings). The original lawyer the two girls hired quit soon after and it was a joke of a case. They ended up getting another lawyer to take the case, we went to mediation and did not settle for any amount of money. It then was  turned over to the insurance company and they settled for $25,000 together (pennies on the dollar), as long as the remaining woman would no longer work there (the other had already quit).

Before all of that happened though, the two girls went to a newspaper and got an article published on the FRONT PAGE that went to 11 neighboring cities where all of our friends and family live and everyone saw the story from the two women's side. When my dad attended bingo (he did so almost every month with his mother) a regular there came up to him and said "How does it feel to be a child molester?" which made my mother burst into tears, and we didn't go back after. Lots of other things happened, this ordeal was long and drawn out and we kept being told we couldn't talk about it until everything was settled, and was a tough thing to have running in the background for such a long time.

Now that you have the backstory:
Another part of the claim the girls filed that was that the other board member (my dad's friend) told one of the girls to "grow a pair", and that quote was printed under my dad's picture and name on the newspaper. We sued the newspaper in small claims court and won the maximum awardable amount ($10,000) because of a law stating "reckless regard for the truth" by the newspaper, which the judge agreed applied in this case. The newspaper has now appealed the decision and it is being brought to a superior court. We have looked the judge up and saw reviews that he has a high tendency to rule in favor of "super lawyers" and generally makes up his mind before entering the courtroom. Although I know you can't believe everything you read online, it makes us nervous because the newspaper has literally hired 2016 attorney of the year.

[1802.] California Civil Jury Instructions state:

1. The [defendant] publicized information or material that showed [plaintiff] in a false light;
2. The false light created by the publication would be highly offensive to a reasonable person in [plaintiff]'s position;
3. There is clear and convincing evidence that [defendant] knew the publication would create a false impression about [plaintiff] or acted with reckless disregard for the truth;
or
That [defendant] was negligent in determining the truth of the information or whether a false impression would be created by its publication;
4. That [plaintiff] was harmed;
5. That [defendant]'s conduct was a substantial factor in causing [plaintiff]'s harm.

Any advice?

EDIT:
The judge ruled against us, he did not even let even let my parents get through their opening statement.

Answer: On what grounds is the news publication appealing?


Title: Roommate installed hidden camera!

Question: (Wisconsin) I recently discovered a hidden camera in my room and also the bathroom! I want to go to the police and so do my friends who believe they've been recorded but there's one issue...he(my roommate)has me on camera(and some of my friends as well) smoking marijuana and using cocaine periodically. I know that it's illegal for camera's to be in a bathroom and according to W.I. statute 942.08(2)(d)3 it seems to be illegal in my bedroom as well. A few months prior to this he attempted to gain remote access to my computer on 2 seperate occasions-I took screen shots and then removed his device. He pawns himself off as a "computer guy" and he's always "fixing" peoples laptops...however, now I believe he's probably gained remote access to quite a few peoples computers. He's a creep, I want him held accountable for this and I'd like to prevent this from happening to anybody else. Please help!!!!

Answer:
 So, video evidence of apparent drug use isn't enough to cause you legal problems.  You could be really into snorting crushed calcium supplements and smoking hand rolled *cigarettes* and *loose leaf tobacco* out of fancy, blown-glass *water pipes*.

But, you know, make sure there's not any drugs in the house, take pictures of the hidden cameras.  Don't touch anything and don't give your roommate any indication that you know about the cameras.  Contact the police.Answer #2: I would make sure you don't have any illegal drugs or paraphernalia in your residence or possession and then contact the police.   Answer #3: The police are NOT going to care about some casual drug use compared to the violations you describe. Report this immediately.Answer #4: It's illegal to posses drugs, not to have done drugs in the past. If you're totally clean when you make the report it won't matter. They probably won't care either


Title: Ex accused him of molesting their daughter (Mississippi USA)

Question:
My husband has been accused of molesting his daughter by his ex girlfriend (the mother of his child). They had shared custody, but she has recently been trying to get sole custody. Unfortunately for her, they signed some legal document when they separated agreeing to mutual custody and he doesn’t want to give that up. We believe that is why she is accusing him of this. Why that specific accusation? Because it’s so much likelier to be successful given that is he is a registered sex offender (convicted of molesting a minor when he was 12, the case was put aside until he was 16 and could be charged with it). He is  now 32.
He was arrested and is now currently out on bail, awaiting the case to be brought before the people who decide whether it is going through to court. That could be in as much as 2 years from now.
We can’t currently afford an attorney, and certainly not to keep on hold for 2 years (though I’m not sure how that works exactly). I’d like to know what we need to collect in terms of evidence to have ready by the time the case goes to court. In advance is better than last minute, and if we have this long to prepare, better make use of it.
Any suggestions?

Answer:
 > We can’t currently afford an attorney,

Ugh. Yes your can. Can you afford your husband going to jail as a child toucher? You can afford an attorney. Call around. Get a loan, ask friends, sell something. You need an attorney months ago. You are wasting time. Get one. You can sue her after for false reports etc. etc. if theres nothing behind it but you and your husband are not equipped for this. If you truly can't afford an attorney go now to your public defenders office tell them your tale and if they say they can't help you have them direct you to where you need to go.Answer #2: You damn well need a lawyer, given the consequences of this. Get the money however you can. Charges of this magnitude are not something to cheap out on. Answer #3: Im no lawyer, but get one immediately, and dont be cheap about it


Title: 4th Grade Child Accessed Hardcore Pornography on School Ipad.

Question:
[USA]My spouse and I recently discovered our child has been accessing hardcore pornography on their school ipad in class. We were going through our child's search history and found searches such as "naked girls". When we asked our child about this, they admitted they had been shown a way to bypass the school web filters by another student in class. This student also showed our child the website "redtube.com" which is a hardcore pornography website. Once our child was shown this, they accessed this website multiple times over the past couple of months.

The way they found they could bypass the web filters is by using an app that the school requires them to have installed on the ipad. The intended purpose of this app is for the children to do math work. They found a web search function within this math application.

Tomorrow will be the first day back at school since we discovered this. The first thing we would like is for this loophole to be fixed so that these children don't have unrestricted internet access. How should we go about doing this? We have considered writing an anonymous email to the school. Ideally we would like to sit down and discuss this with the teacher and principle, but are concerned this may backfire on our child. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Answer:
 > How should we go about doing this?

Just report it to the school. They would obviously want to fix it. If they don't understand what you're describing (tech ignorance) then you might need to sit down with them and demonstrate.


Title: Do I need to pay for services at a winery at which I was harassed and (I believe) unduly cut off from service?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 No, of course you can't charge back the money you spent there. Answer #2: I don't see any recourse.  You paid for a service that was granted to you.  You voluntarily left on your own accord.  The establishment may have a legal duty to prevent overserved customers from harming you in that state, but name-calling doesn't really count as harm and you will have a rough time showing damages.

Many credit card issuers have protections for extended warranty, theft, and even price protection on qualified items.  However there is no protection for a refund on stuff you decide you didn't like.

Unless the state you live in has a law against shitty wineries, then you'll have to eat the cost and chalk it up to experience.


Title: Can I use someone else's name in a demeaning song about them

Question:
Hello,

I'm writing a song about someone that I don't like and, as I don't like this person, it's a very mean song. I want to scream "Fuck you [Person's name]" in the end, but I'm concerned about using it due to legal ramifications. There's some very cruel lyrics in it that basically tell this person to kill himself. So if this person wanted to, could he build a legal case against me, could he?

Thanks

Answer:
 Hi Owen,

One way to think of this is to rephrase your question:

>_"I want to say very cruel things publicly to someone and basically tell them to commit suicide.  If they do commit suicide after my bullying - could I be legally liable for my part in bullying them to the point of suicide?"_

There are probably many other reasons why you might choose not to bully someone -  but there is certainly precedent for prosecuting someone who tells other people to commit suicide.  Look at Michelle Carter for one example.  What is your plan for if they do commit suicide and leave a public note directly pointing to you and your song as being a major factor?

You talk about your feelings about bullying in other posts - so perhaps you may choose a different course of action.

Good luck - I wish you well,

-- MacAnswer #2: In all seriousness, you might want to consider a more productive route like counseling. Nothing good will come out of this.Answer #3: You're asking whether someone could sue you or press charges against you based on the lyrics to a song no one here has ever read? The answer is "maybe."Answer #4: Eminem did that a million times. He was sued many times I think, but the only case I know of for sure was when D’Angelo Bailey sued him and it went in Em’s favor. Different state though.


Title: CA - Need advice dealing with very very expensive legal fees

Question:
NOTE: since I'm a third party I'm not too sure about the specifics but I have a general understanding of the timeline of events.

A little bit of background - parents entered a civil litigation between them and a landlord that ended in a settlement. Originally hired a small firm, but the lawyer decided to bring (or I think he said he needed to partner(?) with a larger firm) in a team of lawyers from another firm since the case was difficult. The head lawyer seemed kinda smarmy and pushed my parents for a settlement since he said that if the litigation dragged on, the cost of winning the litigation would far greater. Parents caved and settled for half of the original (paid out 12 grand instead of 25).

Afterwards we received the last invoices of the large firm and the cost is much greater than that of the settlement. My parents are very upset and felt like they were cheated and can't really afford the fees and don't really want to pay.
I tried to convince them that they should, since I assume that our lawyer can take legal action of his own in retribution.
Which brings me to my question: what are the ramifications of not paying your lawyer? Any advice is appreciated, and apologies if my writing seems a bit ramble-y.

Answer:
 > Which brings me to my question: what are the ramifications of not paying your lawyer?

They sue you.  Which they're apparently pretty good at.


Title: Lawyer is extremely rude and I would like some alternate advice for retail theft case (PA)

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 No one is going to second guess your lawyer who has the full facts of the case available.

If you want a second opinion, consult another lawyer in your area.Answer #2: Lawyers often come across as rude.  It's not because they are rude as people, but because their job means answering the same pretty basic questions over and over again.

And despite years of experience, a grueling course of studies, and tens of thousands of dollars in tuition and fees up the wazoo, folks who don't know better than to not steal $50 worth of stuff and not get caught still question their professional judgment.  Every. Single. Day.

I don't know how they keep from leaping across the desk and strangling some clients from time to time.

Bottom line, you aren't paying your lawyer to be friendly.  You are paying them to be logical, factual, and very efficient with their time (because they bill by the hour, not by the compliment).  Finally, they have learned by practice that when you sugar-coat a message, it gets misinterpreted.

So if you don't like your lawyer, pick another who has a good reputation. If you don't know a good lawyer, ask a court clerk who they would want defending them.  Then do exactly what that lawyer tells you to do.  Even if it sounds rude.


Title: Inconsistency with lease agreement and caged animal policy

Question:
My girlfriend's apartment building allows cage animals without a fee and dogs with a deposit.
The lease form says no animals of any sort are allowed, but one of the employees who rents out the apartments says caged animals are okay without any fees and that dogs require a fee, saying that the form they are providing to sign is just a generic one used nationwide.
We have two rabbits, and my girlfriend just got an e-mail saying that no caged animals are allowed in the apartment after receiving a noise complaint (she was chasing them back into their cages after they escaped).
However, there are other residents there who clearly have caged animals and have had them for longer than their lease stated 24-hours.
We are located in Tennessee.
I don't know if this is something that belongs in this subreddit, but I was wondering if someone could provide advice on how to proceed.

Thank you!

Answer:
 If the lease states no animals, then the rule is no animals.  The apartment complex is free to make exceptions to this rule.

Just because someone next door has a caged animal doesn't mean you have automatic permission to also have a caged animal.  The proper course of action would be to approach the complex management and inquire about permission to have a caged animal, at which point they may present to you an addendum to your lease stating that you're allowed to have a caged animal.


Title: [BC] Employer gave me a bigger allowance for moving than I was supposed to get

Question:
I got a new job with the federal government that is supposed to start in September.

With my offer, they said I would have moving expenses covered.

My liaison with the employer tells me I qualify for a full move and proceeds to list the kinds of expenses I can incur. They include a house hunting trip, spousal job placement services, and they'll even cover overlapping rent for 1 month at the destination if I find the perfect place. They even take care of hiring movers who will do all the packing and moving for me.

So, I use these services. I spend 4 days hunting for a new place in Vancouver, and I found the perfect one.

A week or so ago, I get an e-mail saying they fucked up. In fact, I wasn't supposed to be entitled to all these perks. I was only going to have a maximum of $5,000 reimbursed. Any costs I incurred that go over that amount are my issue now. Whoopsie daisy :)

I'm really confused and concerned now because I spent money that I expected to get reimbursed. I signed a lease for a place I couldn't even occupy yet because I expected it to get reimbursed. I was specifically coached about the kinds of costs I could incur, and all these would have equalified. I had to find movers last-minute, and let me tell you that comes at a premium! I'm not even engaging them for packing services anymore. Altogether, my expenses with the movers and everything else comes out to about $12,000!!!

Am I suddenly on the line for $7,000 because of their mistake? Do I have any recourse? I don't want to create a sour relationship with my new employer at the get-go, but I really feel bamboozled here. I was following their advice at every step of the way only to have the rug pulled out from under me, leaving me holding the bill.

Separate question... do I contact my future union? I've not officially started, so I don't even know if I'm a union member yet.

Answer:
 How did they inform you your moving expenses would be covered? If there is a paper trail that could be very useful in the future.

And if you do happen to be a union member in the future, 100 percent bring this up to your Union rep. Odds are they will be familiar with these expense situations and other union members.

Not a bit of legal advice just life advice for Vancouver: it sucks because you are in a hell hole of a housing market. If you can move into the suburbs rather than Vancouver proper. Housing there is condiserably cheaper.

Best of luck


Title: Cant get insured due to neighbors' plants

Question:
Location: CT

So I have a property in the New Haven area which I am trying to get insured. However, the insurance company sent someone over and denied the request as they saw plants/tree that were touching the building that were growing from the neighbors side. I spoke with the neighbors and asked if they or I can fix the problem. However, they denied all requests and said if we dared to touch the plant, they would call the cops and sue us. I contacted the city's departments (building and zoning) but they kept passing me to each other basically giving the message that either of them would not help me. The building department then told me I should look into air rights but told me that they don't know who has jurisdiction over air rights. I am not quite sure what I can do at this point. What are my options so that I can get my property insured?

Answer:
 Your neighbor’s plant is touching your building?

You can likely trim that portion of your neighbors plant extending over your property so long as doing so doesn’t harm the plant.


Title: I made a mistake and lost my job. Now I don't know what to put on applications under "reason for leaving".

Question: I was the teller on hand during a sizable sale that resulted in credit card fraud. I checked the identification of all parties involved and matched them to the cards in use, was able to remember at least one for the police report, but I was given termination papers. Technically, part of the paperwork referred to it as voluntary leave for breaking store policy involving the transaction and its size and my lack of suspicion (one of the involved had been in in the past and gotten moderately large sales and never flagged for fraud, so I was stupidly less suspicious), and I signed it. So, in a sense, I signed papers offering my resignation for this mistake, but it felt a lot like a firing. The manager told me to use her as a reference because I am a good employee. What do I put in resumes and applications, however?

Answer: This is not a legal issue.Answer #2: This isn't a legal issue. Ask /r/advice.


Title: My Mom Did My Taxes and Had My Return De posted in Her Account. What Can I do?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 For future reference, start doing your own taxes for now on. You're 27 (my own age), for goodness sake.Answer #2: You can sue her.

If you are living with her, expect not to be anymore if you take this course of action


Title: Dry Cleaners lost 10 dress shirts and 3 suits. What can be done to get them to compensate for my loss?

Question:
I've been using this Dry Cleaning shop in Dallas for a year now, and this fear of mine actually came true. The first time I came to pick up my clothes, they blamed the delivery driver claiming that he mistakenly took my clothes to their other branch on the other side of town, and told me to come back.
I came back two days later and they still couldn't find it. This time they're claiming that a homeless person that chronically enters the back door of the shop, stole clothes (the back door is where the drive-thru pickup is, so it's always unlocked), and saying that my clothes could have been stolen with the others.

What can be done to get them to compensate me on what would've been their fault?

Answer: Write up an invoice of the replacement value and take it to them. Ask them, cordially, to compensate you. If they refuse, take them to small claims court.Answer #2: I would bring a itemized list of the clothing and its value and ask for them to reimburse you. If they do not, I would let them know you will sue them and then do so.


Title: Was my old dad manipulated at the dental office?

Question:
If anyone can offer advice, it would be awesome. I'm new to this subreddit.

&nbsp;

My dad went off to a dentist he's never been before the other day because he had emergency pain. The performed some treatment on him that day and gave him prescriptions.

&nbsp;

(maybe important to note my dad has age-related problems communicating and decision making skills)

&nbsp;

Later, he told me that he had also "signed papers" for dentures and some extractions. Totaling $6,000. Red lights went off in my head. I know dentures are expensive, but...

&nbsp;

I called the dental clinic. They told me he had actually not just signed with them, but with a financing company. They already had his payments scheduled and everything. This all occurred within 24 hrs. When I asked my dad directly, he didn't understand. Like he didn't understand what he had signed. The lady at the clinic insists he did know.

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I tried to ask if he could just pay for the work already done, but because of the financing deal the dental office says he would have to pay 35% of the total if he cancelled.

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Another thing I found disturbing is that he was given those prescriptions without them knowing what other medications he was on. About 5 other medications.

Additional info:
My dad is retired, has Medicare, lives in California. If I should post additional info, let me know. Thanks for reading!
Topic:
Healthcare Law including HIPAA

Answer:
 If you are arguing your dad no longer has capacity to enter into an agreement, which may be true, yes you can have this taken car of. You will need to contact an Elder Law attorney to get started.

I wouldn't worry about the medications, thats truly why we have pharmacies.


Title: [WI-Madison] Current Landlord notified us that her and the new tenants are coming over to "take room measurements". Would just like to know my rights.

Question:
The Landlord did give us reasonable notice, but based off what I found the law states that they can only come in for Inspection, Repair, or to show the apartment off to perspective buyers or tenants. I believe that it is neither of these, but don't know how ambiguous that inspection one is, even if I have an email saying it's just for measuring.

My goal isn't to fight my current landlord, but just to know if things like these are even allowed. We replied back saying that we are moving out 10 days early (the 20th as opposed to the 30th) and if they could just come after that and the landlord just responded that they would rather come earlier. I do need to find my lease just to verify there isn't anything in there. We are in the process of packing so everything is in dis-array, which is another reason we don't want them there.

Just curious. If I am posting incorrectly or this isn't allowed, please let me know.

Answer: I mean I could see this under the guise of inspection. If you don't want to fight with your landlord and they gave you reasonable notice just let them do it.


Title: (IN) Friend has access to their ex's text messages through kid's tablet. Is this legal?

Question: My friend pays the phone bill for all parties in this situation.  The ex setup their son's tablet with their account and their text messages show up on that tablet.  My friend likes to read those text messages unbeknownst to the other party.  I told them this was unethical and possibly illegal, but I'm looking to the experts in this sub to verify.

Answer:
 If all of these devices are under the same plan this is legal.  It would be muddy if the plans were separate but just paid by the same person.

I won't get into the morality of the matter but I would share the opinion that this should be disclosed.Answer #2: It is 100% unethical.

On the legal side I would say your friend is on thin ice at best. The [Indiana statute on computer trespass](http://iga.in.gov/legislative/laws/2018/ic/titles/035#35-43-2) states that:

> (b) A person who knowingly or intentionally accesses:

>(1) a computer system;

>(2) a computer network; or

>(3) any part of a computer system or computer network;

>without the consent of the owner of the computer system or computer network, or the consent of the owner's licensee, commits computer trespass, a Class A misdemeanor.

There are also relevant federal statutes such as the [Computer Fraud and Abuse Act](http://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=(title:18%20section:1030%20edition:prelim\)).

This [article in the Columbia Law Review](https://columbialawreview.org/content/norms-of-computer-trespass/) gives an overview in how these statutes are commonly interpreted and prosecuted (tl;dr: opinions are divided).


Title: (CA) Marine friend (24M) was accused of sexually assaulting his ex-wife (22F). We were all roommates and she drunkenly confessed to me(22F) she made it up.

Question:
I moved in with this couple in early 2017. We split rent 3 ways so it really worked out for me.

They started the process for divorce 6 months after I moved in. "Stacey" cheated on "Brian" and it went south fast. Brian does not have proof but I heard Stacey come home with the other guy multiple times.  Brian and Stacey had a giant fight and Brian ended up leaving the house. Shortly after Stacey moved back to her home state.

Before she moved I was helping her pack and we were drinking. She was pissed about everything with Brian and that he didn't want to work things out and she started talking about trying to ruin him. It freaked me out but I chalked it up to her drinking.

Brian was supposed to get out of the marines but Stacey accused him of sexually assaulting her the month before I moved in. So now Brian can't get out. I met up with her when she came back to CA to visit friends and she drunkenly told me she made it up.  I didn't find it funny and reacted poorly to her telling me. I kind of got mad and yelled at her to tell the truth to his CO. She refused and said he deserved it.  We had a big blow up fight and she blocked me on everything.  I regret yelling at her but I stand by that her actions are disgusting.

I didn't know Brian was in trouble for sexual assault, I thought he wasn't able to get out because of something with his divorce I just did not know what.

I am not super close to Brian but I brought it up when I saw him. He is generally very stoic but he cried when I told him.  He told me he was embarrassed to tell me and he didn't do it etc. He apologized but said HE HASN'T TOLD ANYONE because he's embarrassed.  He is facing dishonorable discharge.

No offense to Brian but he is really inarticulate.  He and I went over what he can do. Right now the military won't give him a lawyer because of the nature of the case.  I don't think I can testify because she said it happened before I got there.  It's in Southern CA and we are looking at pro\-bono lawyers.

There are also some other major things about Stacey I am leaving out for brevity.  She "accidentally" killed one of their dogs after the fight between us but it was under really suspicious circumstances. I would be happy to describe more in comments if anyone is interested.

Is there anything else he can do? I would be happy to testify if I could. I have been trying to support him in other ways.

Answer:
 >Right now the military won't give him a lawyer because of the nature of the case.

That doesn't make sense if Brian is facing a dishonorable discharge. A DD or a Bad Conduct Dicharge can only be awarded by a courts-martial, which is the same as a criminal court. All the same procedures and rules of evidence apply. If Brian can't afford his own attorney, he should be able to get an appointed JAG lawyer easily.

>Is there anything else he can do? I would be happy to testify if I could.

You can try getting in touch with JAG at his command.Answer #2: >Right now the military won't give him a lawyer because of the nature of the case.

What "case," exactly?  This doesn't make sense.


Title: ADA question. Can you kick out a service animal for smelling bad?

Question:
I work at a public (municipal) building. We are generally pretty relaxed with our policy towards service animals. We ask people if it is a service animal and what it is trained to do, but we generally accept their answers no matter what.

Someone has been coming in with a dog and they say it is a service animal. Fine. But the dog clearly rolled in a dead animal and it smells AWFUL. Can we legally ask them to leave and wash their animal before they come back.

Answer:
 This is a touchy subject area, and because it's a public building, you will absolutely want to kick this up the chain rather than making a decision about it yourself. Do not do anything with this owner until you receive clear direction, in writing, from above, or from an attorney, unless you're tired of having this job.

The basic principle is that you can exclude a specific service animal because it is disruptive, just as you can exclude specific patrons because they are disruptive, without running afoul of the ADA. The classic example is banning a service dog that persistently shits on the floor: you're not banning it for being a service animal, but rather because you reasonably require that nobody shit on your floor.

What's not clear to me is whether a foul odor would rise to that level. The consequences for getting this decision wrong can be pretty severe, too - as I said, you'd likely be fired to protect your department from a lawsuit, and the policy would likely be clarified for everyone else in response as well.Answer #2: There's two questions you can ask an owner, is it a service animal and what specific trained task does it perform for you. It might not even be a service animal if it's poorly taken care of. However public building so CYA


Title: Daughter slid into transformer. Homeowner wants money for Keurig and microwave

Question:
This morning my daughter drove to visit her friend. She had never been there before and is s new driver.

It was raining and the final approach to the house was a steep dirt driveway. Near the top, her car lost traction and slid backwards, hitting a transformer box.

We gave insurance info to the electrical company, but now the owners of the house have contacted me saying that their Keurig machine and microwave are "dead".

Are we in any way liable for this?

Should these items be covered under their homeowner's insurance?

Do *I* have any right to compensation because the condition of the driveway is what it is and the accident was not caused by driver error?...I never would have thought twice about this possibility until they contacted me wanting this money.

Thanks. Sorry if formatting is horrible, on mobile.

Answer:
 Definitely don’t give them any money. They need to go through the proper channels of insurance and/or court if they think they can prove you are liable. You have no way of knowing if their Keurig and microwave were even functioning prior or if this is just them seizing an opportunity. Answer #2: > Do I have any right to compensation because the condition of the driveway is what it is and the accident was not caused by driver error?

No. Your daughter failed to maintain control of her vehicle and hit a stationary object. There is virtually zero way that makes this not her responsibility.

Whether or not the damage she did is directly responsible for the broken appliances is debatable. If you don't want to pay them let them go through their insurance, who will likely sue you.Answer #3: Lol, no you are not entitled to compensation. The home owners insurance may be liable to pay, they would then sue you for the money they are out.


Title: Accidentally sold cigarettes to a minor.. please help

Question:
Let’s just start off by saying i work in a convenience store where cigarettes are sold. I check for any and every ID. That being said a couple days ago a male walks in, and I politely ask for an ID he shows it to me, he was born in 1999 and his birthday was in a couple of days. Being the genius I am it completely skips my mind that he has yet to turn 18 and I completely and accidentally sell him these cigarettes. Instantly as he walks out I realize he hasn’t turned 18 I fucked up, and that’s when tobacco control walks in. I am now sitting with a citation in hand freaking out. The ticket has yet to enter the system. Does anyone know what I’m looking at as far as charges? Jail time? Court? How much of a ticket I’m looking at? Thanks a ton, I feel awful

EDIT: I am 18 and in the US

Answer: Penalties for selling tobacco to minors vary depending on state law. Some penalties include fines ranging from $100 to over $1,000. Repeat violations can result in a criminal misdemeanor. Additionally, your employer may be heavily fined, which may result in you losing your job.


Title: Can I legally keep my kids away from my ex wife?

Question:
First time poster here, but there is a wall of text behind this back story. To save you the emotionally ridden parts of it. For what it's worth, we live in Missouri. My(25m) ex-wife(26f) has three children. Two of which are biologically mine and one of which is not, but has known me as her father for 6 of the 7 years she's been alive. We've been divorced for two years. My ex hasn't been the best parent, when she divorced me, she said opted for only having our children every other weekend with thursdays included, provided we live within 50 miles of one another(which we do). Back in april she decided she wants to let myself and my current wife adopt the 7 year old, so we're currently in that process.

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As of about an hour ago, her ex boyfriend (who lives with her) and Her mother (who lives with her), reached out to me and told me that my ex wife is currently pursuing a sexual relationship with a 16 year old. They both have seen her in bed with him at the house. I have screenshots from them(my ex and the 16 year old) talking about performing sexual acts with one another. I also know and have screenshots of her admitting to being high. Her mother and ex boyfriend told me that she has been smoking weed with the children at the house, after they go to bed. On top of this, the 16 year old is in foster care and is currently on-the-run. The cops have been called on my ex wife, so I guess she's considered the "kidnapper"? I don't know, this has all been a whirlwind.

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Anyways, I have screenshots confirming her talking about performing sexual acts with a minor and her admitting she was high. I have text testimonies of what her mother and her ex (the two who live with her) have seen. When the inevitable happens this Friday (her weekend) and I tell her she is NOT taking our children to the mess she's creating, what do I need to do to protect our children? I know some people swear up and down pot is great and not bad, but we can agree to disagree, I don't want the kids around it or her poor choices.

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Side note: The lawyer I used for our divorce is also doing the adoption for the 7 year old. I tried reaching out to him and got blown off until tomorrow, which I know(from past experience) will result in them forgetting.

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Thanks all.

Answer: Call them back tomorrow and request an urgent hearing to change custody.


Title: My gf's father is threatening to call the police because she sent me nude photos of herself and I'm a legal adult (18f)

Question: my girlfriend sent me nudes that I did not ask her for, her parents found out and now her father has called the police on me about it. I told them I didn't ask for the pics and that she herself technically  sent me unsolicited child porn but they didn't care. They have called me once so far leaving a message asking me to work this out with the family or else they'll have to prosecute me, but I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG! I didn't ask for the pics. I didn't even respond to the pics. What do I do??? We've had no other sexual contact whatsoever! Texas

Answer:
 Un hun. And, let me just make sure really quickly, you've met your girlfriend before, haven't you? Like, physically, in person? Not on CL or something...?

Edit: is your user name a reference to FFX2? I mean, it has to be. Really.


Title: Was the ban on dancing in Footloose actually enforceable/constitutional? Did it not violate Freedom of Expression?

Answer:
 Footloose was loosely inspired by an _actual_ dancing ban enacted by the city of Elmore City, OK. That ban was never challenged in court, but was repealed in 1980. (With a population under 700 in 2010, it's not surprising that it was never challenged: there's a good chance everyone in the city either agreed with the ban, or opted to keep their head down.)

_Most_ actual dancing bans, including New York City's now-repealed cabaret laws and Seattle's Teen Dance Ordinance (also repealed), serve to restrict event venues and set conditions on liquor and food licenses, rather than banning dancing directly, specifically to avoid this issue. Appropriate conduct rules in zoning ordinances for businesses and industrial spaces are much easier to enforce, as to engage in otherwise-legal conduct forbidden by a zoning or licensing rule, all one has to do is leave the premises and go home.

^(Why don't Baptists have sex standing up? Because it might lead to dancing.)


Title: Traffic speeding ticket

Question: Cop says I was going fast but I saw on the ticket he put my height wrong and my wrong license plate number  and vin number wrong also he put were the incident occurred on the wrong street. Can I get out of the ticket this is in California.

Answer: Clerical errors don't invalidate tickets. If you challenge it in court, the cop will just correct the information and you still have to pay.


Title: Unmarried, no custody order in place, babymama intends to move across US

Question:
My ex-girlfriend, with whom I'm currently living in CA, will be medically discharged from the military next month. She's already co-signed a lease on a house in GA with her boyfriend, and intends to move there with our son (20 mo.) as soon as she's out.

She's adamant that she wants me to move nearby ASAP; both for our son, and also because we've been rekindling lately. When asked about her boyfriend, she insists he will "have to deal with it".

What-...I honestly don't even know where to begin here. What can I even do? I'm currently between jobs and in no position to be custodial parent while I'm finishing training for a machinist position. Advice?

Answer:
 You've got three choices: (1) You can let her move and you can figure out what you want to do at a later point, (2) You can quit your job and move to GA to be near your son, or (3) You can petition the court for custody/visitation of your son and request that she not move from the state.

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Title: [VA, US] Doctor Admits Drug Use On FMLA Form To Employee, Am I Screwed?

Question:
Throw away account of course. I have a brain injury and have had it for awhile due to a car accident. I get migraines every once awhile. Recently I got two back to back. One had an aura to it which isn't normal for me. I decided to see a Neurologist. I moved a few years back and hadn't bothered to find a new neurologist. I found one in the area that could see me. I decided to take FMLA paperwork in case down the line I need to take any more days off due to migraines. When at the doctor's office the form asks if I do any drugs, I admit that maybe once a month or even less I smoke weed . I truthfully didn't even think that would be mentioned on my FMLA form. When I speak to the doctor she states because I am a first time patient, they won't fill out the form. I am frustrated but I understand. Fast forward to not even a week later I get a phone call to confirm my address so they can send me the filled out form. I am excited thinking I can file for FMLA. I get the form in the mail and I realized they printed out my answers and put it with the form.  "Drug Use: Yes" right under it, it states marijuana. Even worst they already faxed it to my employee.

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So my question is with FMLA were they suppose to include that kind of form that I filled out? I was honest with the doctor because I figured something like that could interact with any medication I might be prescribed. The company I work has a zero drug policy. Can they fire me for admitting Ive smoked pot? Are my answers protected under HIPPA?

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I feel like a complete dumb ass for being honest and admitting I smoke.

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TL;DR: I went to a new doctor admit I smoke pot every once and awhile and she put it on my FMLA form to my employer.

Answer: That form shouldn't be sent with the FMLA form.


Title: Pennsylvania - My girlfriend sent nudes to her then boyfriend when she was 16. She is now 19 and we found the underage pictures posted online. We want to go to the police but we are afraid she may get in trouble for taking the photos. What can we do?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 She needs to talk to a lawyer, and then go with her lawyer to the police to make a report.Answer #2: She can report to the police but you are right to be concerned that there could be consequences to her.

If this is any mainstream porn site they will have a reporting function where she can flag the image as CP


Title: Garbage truck hit my car, they claim it's impossible. NM

Question:
Garbage truck came by about a month ago while my husband and I were outside cleaning our trailer out and I noticed the operator was having issues with the truck because of our tree so I stopped to watch. Our tree overhangs the road (been trying to find an arborist for it... unimportant atm) so the arm of the truck that comes out to pick up the trash and put it in the back was hitting the lower branches.

Incase of trouble, I kept watching, expecting him to break a branch. Boy, did I get that one wrong. Instead he finished getting the trash and clipped our car parked on the side of the road. I looked in horror as our car made a stout bounce and heard a loud clunk. Our back driver side bumper had a noticeable scratch that extended into the side of the car's paint.

I showed the husband as the driver ran off like nothing happened. We tried to get a plate to no avail, he rounded the corner and took off. We heard him in the area and knew he had to finish the street so we waited and got the plate when a truck returned.

Called waste management, they immediately sent out 3 guys to get photos, statements, etc. Asked what part of the truck hit since there was a visible white paint transfer, I did not know the exact part of the truck as I was on the opposite side of the car at the time and only knew it was hit because of the sound and visible bump it took.

Gave a statement, insurance, and photos I took immediately after the incident of damage and trash can location showing we had ample space give away from the car for him to get the trash without having to get near us, etc.

They took everything and never got back to us despite telling us to call their insurance and they're update us.

Fast forward to today, we have a letter saying "there's no way possible the truck did this, the tire would have hit before anything white could do the transfer" and made it sound as if we lied about the whole thing.

It says we can report it to our insurance to try to claim repairs, but they told me when they were taking our insurance info they were sending them a letter regarding that so I thought everything was wash and dry and they'd covered it all for me.

Where do I go from here? Since they pushed it off as they;re not at fault, will this mean I have to have my insurance cover it and have no recourse against them for causing the damage?

Answer: Is there a reason you haven't called your own insurance? I would call them and let them handle it.


Title: Screwed out of $25000. Do I have any options?

Question:
I live in Nova Scotia Canada. When I was 19 my mom put all our bills and credit cards in my name because she couldn't get any credit. She said it was okay because she would pay for it all. But, of course, she stuck me with $25,000 in debt and won't pay for any of it now. I am considering bankruptcy. Do I have any legal options?
I would appreciate any advice
Thank you kindly

Answer: If you authorized this it's your debt.  If you didn't it's identity theft and it is not your debt IF you are willing to report the theft and see your mother jailed for her actions.  If you aren't then you just effectively authorized it and it's your debt.