Title: Pregnant girlfriend's job is making her enter a hoarders house that is riddled with cat feces and urine. (IL)

Question: My girlfriend is 15 weeks pregnant and she works as an in-home care giver for a large Healthcare provider in our area. She has a note from her OB doctor stating she should not be anywhere near such an environment but her workplace is telling her she isn't allowed to refuse to assist a client despite how ungodly filthy the home may be. Just wondering if she is protected under any type of Pregnancy and You in the workplace type of laws or regulations or if she needs to raise a little more hell with her boss's boss. Thanks for any input!

Answer: You want OSHA.  Review the fact sheets on their website https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/home_healthcare/index.html  and call to report a violation if the conditions she is required to report to meet their definition of a violation.  Your GF should be protected from a retaliatory firing if she reports.


Title: When I had a complaint at a local McD loacation, the staff encouraged me to wait for the GM to come to the counter. After 20 mins of encouraging me to stay, the police arrived with claims that I was trespassing. The entire incident is on video. Can I take legal action?

Question:
A brief background:
-My Drive Thru order was incorrect so I called the location to tell them I wanted a refund.
-GM told me to return to the location with my food in order for a refund
-I then stupidly used the term "fucked" to describe my order.
-GM hung up , took the phone off the hook

-I drove back to location to recieve refund, asked to speak with GM, staff said she was too busy to talk and if I waited, she would be with me soon
-After 15 mins of being encouraged to stay and wait by several staff members (all on video), I told them I couldn't wait any longer and that I'd be satisfied with writing an incident report form to document what had happened.
-Another staff member ( a supervisor) informed me that the GM was the only person who could get Incident Report form, encouraged me further to wait.
-After 20 mins, 2 police cruisers arrived (on video) to arrest me for trespassing.
- Luckily, the police saw an opportunity to move on after they had seen that I wasnt a threat.  The officer informed me that in the call, the GM described me as hostile, threatening and using profanity in the location. (video shows this to be untrue)

-I called the franchise owner the next day and everyday since last Friday, no response, no call back.

-Left several messages with corporate, I must abide to their process which gives franchise owner 2 opportunities to return my call.

I feel humiliated and cheated.  I was lied to and the police were lied to by this location for the sole purpose of entrapping me for arrest.

I can't help but wonder if there is a legal term for what happened and if my situation is subject to a lawsuit of any type.  I'm not trying to get rich or anything, I just don't want this location to get away with this kind of behavior and feel taking legal action is the only way to get them to take me seriously.

Any advice would be much appreciated.  Also, I promise, promise, promise that I am not omitting anything from my recount.  Where I am in the wrong was when I dropped the F-Bomb over the phone, besides that, I was in no way threatening.

I have a video of the incident from the point where I entered the building to the conversation with police in the parking lot.

I am not willing to post it until McD has had a chance to talk to me specifically about the incident.  Although, as the days go by without a response, I am growing more willing to post it.  If you would like the video in order to give better advice, I can link you to it through PM.

Thanks all!

Answer:
 Ok, so they screwed up your order, you called and used profanity then went back to the store to get a refund, and they called the cops on you. You were not arrested or charged with anything but also never received a refund.

If this is all correct, the extent of your damages are probably less than $5. I suppose you could sue for that $5 or whatever it was, but it's really not worth it. Answer #2: > I was lied to and the police were lied to by this location for the sole purpose of entrapping me for arrest.

This isn't entrapment.

Your narrative is a bit unclear, but it sounds like you weren't arrested, right?  Do you have any other damages?

If not, you're basically out of legal options.  I'd encourage contacting McDonald's Corporate as well as the franchisee.


Title: FLSA - am I entitled to these hours?

Question:
I am a full time employee with an IT agency and am contracted to work for a large company. I worked a period of over a dozen hours over a weekend to provide coverage for a support email box. During this time we were required to observe the box "every X hours or as needed". I typically watch the box the entire day and respond as needed which is frequently more often than "every X hours".

My supervisor at the location (not at my agency) is disputing this time and does not want to approve my hours for this coverage weekend due to the "every four hours or as needed" language on the spreadsheet used to divide our time for coverage.

I do not agree with that assessment because I could not fully utilize that time to my personal benefit, was not able to leave home during this time, and could not enjoy personal pursuits such as having a beer because I cannot be intoxicated while providing support.

I have previously claimed the entire block when we have done these weekend coverages in the past. That time has never been an issue before and I have never been questioned about that time before today. I assume this is due to budget concerns, but that is not my problem.

I attempted to contact the DOL but the woman who answered at the local office seemed confused and was NOT familiar or versed in their own law and did not seem to know what I was talking about when I began quoting the FLSA.

Please advise, am I entitled to these hours? Should I press this issue?

I intend to get full clarification of policy in writing and will not be agreeing to any further off hours support if I am not entitled to pay for the time I was unable to spend outside my home while I sit and wait in-between email check-ins. There is not much that I can do when I have to check the box, respond to users for an hour or so, and then be ready to check the box again in an hour or two. While I can "run down the street to get McDonald's" I cannot fully utilize my time while "on call" in this manner.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

I am located in Pennsylvania. I prefer to not be more specific in the unlikely event there is any DOL complaint or lawsuit.

Edited to obscure identifying details.

Answer: No, you're entitled to time actually spent working. Time you have to do what you want is not working time. It's only if your activities are overly restricted that you have to get paid. But I have a feeling this "watch the box" is little more than glance over at a computer screen while you do something else. Once you start to respond to an email or a ticket then you're working but not before then.


Title: Goin’ pretty fast (Spotsylvania, VA)

Question:
Last night on my way home from my friend’s house I got clocked doing 102mph in a 70mph zone. I was given a “Virginia Uniform Summons” to show up for court next month. They cited law section 46.2.682 (Reckless Driving).
I’ve discovered in my research that this could potentially result in up to a $2,500 fine, license suspension for 6 months, or even up to year of jail time.
Considering the circumstances, what is most likely to happen? I have never gotten a ticket, a warning, anything. My record is totally clear; as was the weather. It was almost 2:30am. I’m 19 years old.
Edit: I don’t have money for a lawyer.
Topic:
Traffic and Parking

Answer:
 Virginia takes traffic offenses *extremely* seriously, and yeah, jail is on the table. You need to hire an attorney. Answer #2: That is a class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia. Virginia takes speeding 20 or more over the posted limit and/or greater 80 mph regardless of posted limit *extremely* seriously. It is the most harsh state in the union for extreme speeding.

You are looking at up to a $2500 fine and/or 12 months in jail. While the maximum is unlikely, his is still an actual criminal offense that will follow you for the rest of your life.

This is considered the same category as of crime as assault and battery on Virginia. You need a criminal defense attorney, **NOW**.


Title: My entire college savings has been stolen and am currently trying to figure how to get it back. (VT)

Question:
I literally found out about this tonight.  I'm 19 y/o currently attending the University of Vermont going into my sophomore year.
My parents have been saving money for my education in a 529 plan through VHEIP (Vermont Higher Education Investment Plan).  This money was obviously going to be used to help pay for my  college fees.

The money was in my parents account and we were planning on transferring it into my account as I am now an adult. But yesterday when my father called to make the transfer he was told the balance of the account was 10% of what it should've been. So he looks into it and sees that in June, someone made a withdrawal of 90% of the money to have it written to him as a check somewhere in the Bronx of New York City. Now in order to do this the thief must have had my father's social security number, the account number of 529 plan and open a bank account in my name to transfer the money into. And in order to open an account in my name he had to have a government issued ID of me to do so.

To make things more complicated I am currently taking a summer class at a community college here in Vermont. So when we went to pay for the class back in May of this year we tried to use the money from the 529 plan to pay for it. But when we went to withdraw the money we were declined because the money couldn't be taken directly out of my father's account because I am now an adult. Thus begins the process of trying to transfer it into my account.

In this in between time of me setting up my account was when the thief did his thing and somehow pulled off transferring the money into an account in my name and somehow withdrew most of the money even though you can only spend it on educational fees. He somehow hacked into my father's account online and did all of this. When my dad tried to transfer the money he did it over phone. This clearly indicates there was a lack of security in the online site and we believe VHEIP should be held responsible for the lost money and we should be reimbursed.

As for the next steps we took, we contacted the state police and the 2 banks. We were told to fill out a forgery form and mail it to the bank. As clearly the thief forged my name on the check when endorsing it.

We don't know what is going to happen next but without this money I won't be able to continue my education at UVM.

Any advice at all or any help is greatly appreciated.

Also apologies if the story is hard to follow. I'm having a hard time making sense of it myself right now.

Answer: Sorry to be that guy, but like, are you 100% that your parents are on the up and up?Answer #2: You’re doing all the right things but it will take time to sort out. In the meantime you either need to apply for financial aid, withdraw from school, or take out loans for the upcoming semester/year. I hope it’s all sorted out successfully soon.Answer #3: Bring a police report to the school’s financial aid office, and ask about how to apply for loans or other financial aid.Answer #4: On top of what everyone else said, consider reaching out to your local state rep/senator's office, as this was a state program that messed up. Not sure how much they can do, but there may be a way they can intervene.Answer #5: Get that forgery form to the bank ASAP with proof of sending it.  Make copies.   Unbelievable that a bank can cash a large check like that without seriously vetting it.  I had a bank call me when I wrote an $800 check to a friend.Answer #6: I'm so sorry I hope you get it back and you get it in a timely manner


Title: My ex-wife wants me to go to mediation for our custody agreement with my daughter, what are my options?

Question:
My ex-wife and I have an 8 year old daughter that we have joint custody of. We have a pretty straightforward agreement about who had her what days, what the plans are for notice and things of that nature. No child support on either side.

She has recently become upset about the agreement and would like things to be further explained/hashed out. I don’t know what she is after exactly, she won’t say. There is no court order to go to mediation, but she has a mediator that she chose that is trying to set up an appointment for us to go in a month. Our divorce agreement mentions use of mediation in the case of differences before court.

I would like to know the following: am I forced to go to this person under this circumstance? Do I have to pay my end? I have a fiancée that I feel should be included, can she attend this mediation if my ex doesn’t agree?

Answer:
 You should absolutely go to mediation if there's an issue.  It's cheaper and faster to resolve things through a mediator than through court.  If you don't want the mediator she picked, suggest another one.

You should absolutely *not* bring your fiancee.  She has zero legal standing, no right to attend, and it's a surefire way to infuriate your ex.


Title: I drew a lightbulb and was told I drew a fat lady pulling up her pants....

Question: [deleted]

Answer: Your coworkers mom should stay out of law.


Title: Overpaid by former employer (TN)

Question:
I left a corporate job in September, with my final paycheck coming on 9/1-9/15. There were no more payouts to come: no vacation or PTO, no bonuses, reimbursements, etc. However, I continued to receive my normal paycheck via direct deposit for the next three pay periods. Once I discovered it (the funds were going into my old employer credit union account which I no longer used), I alerted my former manager so that we could resolve it.

The company is demanding that I pay back the full gross amount. I believe, and after doing some research and speaking with my current  HR and payroll, that I am only supposed to pay back the net amount (including both employer and employee 401k contributions). The company said I would get the portion paid for taxes as part of my refund, but I don't believe this is true, nor will it make me whole. I think they just don't want to do any work to fix it.

I'm not trying to keep any of this money; I've been trying to resolve this issue for months but I also don't want to have to pay for their mistake. The amount isn't trivial either, it's over $3k.

At this point, since the tax year is about to close, I want to just send them a certified check for the amount I believe I need to repay, but I'm worried this will just go into a black hole and cause problems later.

Any advice? Do I need to contact an employment lawyer?

Answer: Not a lawyer but seen this before on here. I believe you are only obligated to return money you received. They will have to file with the IRS or other tax agencies for what got paid out in taxes.


Title: FL No breaks - developed a kidney infection

Question:
[removed]
Topic:
Employment Law

Answer:
 You should be able to file a worker's comp claim with your company. Go to your HR / manager and explain that you believe one of the conditions of work caused a work-related injury and would like to have it evaluated.

They are allowed to laugh at you, but they still have to take the report and open a worker's comp claim because they aren't qualified medical providers.

If they aren't helpful, you can call your company's worker comp insurance company directly. Their information will be posted with other mandatory (eg minimum wage, etc) posters, usually in the lunch or break room.

Worker's comp SHOULD cover the cost of treatment if it's found to be work-related (judged by a doctor who is boarded in Worker's Comp).


Title: Being Falsely accused of statutory rape

Question: Hello... throwaway for a reason. Living in North Dakota. My mother has falsely accused me of sexually assaulting my best friend of 2 years. I am 21 and she is 17. We have never engaged in any sexual behavior what’s so ever. I do not live with my mother as well. Her claims are that when I lived with her she heard me have sex with my friend. My friend and friends family both know this is not true. A detective was called to look into the case. He had called me and my entire friends family. We all told them the truth that nothing bad ever happened.. but my mom still insists that I had a sexual relationship with a minor to the detective. There is no proof to support her claims. Should I be worried. What should I do? Am I in trouble? Will the “case” go away?

Answer:
 >What should I do?

Stop talking to the police without a lawyer present. That's all you need to do.Answer #2: Your next step is to call a lawyer. And when they tell you to not say another word to the police without their counsel, listen to their advice. Answer #3: >Am I in trouble?

If its your moms word and literally nothing else, it's hard to imagine you would be.

>Will the “case” go away?

Probably, but theres nothing you can do right now except tell the police you will not answer any further questions without a lawyer, period, if they contact you again. If they ask you to "come down" to give a statement, say no. If they arrest you, invoke your right to silence and right to an attorney and say nothing else. That's all you can do unless you want to hire a lawyer preemptively, which isn't a bad idea if you can afford it.


Title: My director of nursing is telling me to come into work when I’m quarantined

Question:
Throw away account for anonymity. I am in New Hampshire

Last week I presented symptoms of COVID-19. I work in a nursing home. I called out, and called the hospital. I was told to quarantine for 14 days. I called a walk in clinic, who told me it was okay to come in. I tested negative for flu and strep throat. They told me I need to quarantine myself, and if in seven days time my symptoms were gone, I would be cleared to go back to work.

My director of nursing called me that day and lectured me for causing mass hysteria at work, and told me I should not be self quarantined because “there is absolutely no way you have Coronavirus”. The medical staff heard my DON saying this to me, and tried calling them. I went home and continued to self quarantine, along with the rest of my house.

Fast forward to today, and I still have symptoms. We’ve had a confirmed case in our city now. My DON and HR called me today, and told me that our policy has changed, that I need to come in for my next shifts and wear a mask, because “we are no longer doing a 14 day quarantine”. I asked if I’m supposed to come in even though two medical facilities told me to quarantine. They said yes, they will be leaving a mask at the front door for me.

I am afraid of going in and exposing my residents to this. I don’t know if I have it, I could or I could not. I’m afraid of getting fines or charges for breaking quarantine like other countries are doing to those who break quarantine.

Is this legal? Who do I call about this? I have no idea what to do

Answer: I believe the FFCRA Bill that was signed yesterday by the President makes you protected from retaliation. If you are exhibiting symptoms stay at home.


Title: Child is missing baseball practice because of mother

Question:
Location-Michigan.

My step son (10) has baseball practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which are days that he goes to his moms for a few hours (practice time). My s/o has majority custody and son lives with us. He just started baseball and has missed 3 out of the 4 practices they’ve had because his mom was supposed to take him. He said she says they need family time and won’t take him to practice. He knows he needs to practice and is frustrated. His practice usually starts at 6pm, she picks him up at 5:30pm. Can we take him to practice to make sure he goes? Or something we can do quickly so he doesn’t keep missing practice? Thanks
Topic:
Custody Divorce and Family

Answer: Yeah I’m not sure why you pick an extracurricular activity that occurs during her time especially since it seems like the only time she gets him. If mom won’t switch times, can he switch teams?


Title: The legality of police using a bomb to kill the Dallas shooter?

Question:
This is not legal advice for me, obviously, but I thought this might be an interesting place to discuss it.  The situation as I understand it.  A lunatic, after having killed several police officers holed himself up in a parking garage and claimed to have IEDs.  He was then killed by a remote controlled robot with a bomb on it.

Is that... legal?  Yes, the man was a lunatic and a bad person but what about due process of law?  His claim to have bombs turned out to be false but that was not known in advance.  Given the fact he was besieged essentially and not under fire or shooting at the time, was there sufficient immediate threat to kill him in that manner?

I am interested in your thoughts, whatever they are.  This is a charged and highly emotional topic and I would like to remind everyone to be respectful.  What are the legal ramifications of what happened?  I don't see any obvious problem that it was a bomb instead of a gun though that is certainty... unconventional.  In what ways does it matter that a bomb was used instead of a gun?  Does it matter? What if a tomahawk missile or military drone was used instead?

Answer:
 As far as "deadly force" is concerned, legally an explosive is as good as a gun fired from a bullet.

As far as legality of any secondary casualties, I am pretty sure an argument could be made for removing qualified immunity because AFAIK this is not a standard accepted police practice, and is probably not in any defined department policy. This was some of the on scene officers probably coming up with an idea out of necessity and executing it. If things had gone differently, we could be seeing liability up the chain of command.


Title: I (28m) am seeking advice on if i have the ability to win full custody of my (2f) daughter against my (22f) ex.

Question:
(Canada, MB) My ex bailed on our relationship. I feel as though if i don't take the opportunity to take her for full custody now, she will do so to me in the future when she has stabilized her life. Heres the details:

- she emotionally and probably physically cheated (no proof) while still living under my roof

- she was forced to move back home with her parents and will be for an undetermined amount of time

- has creditors coming for her for $1000 which she is going to be forced to borrow from her parents (if they will)

- owes me and my family $1000 for multiple expenses

- she's addicted to smoking weed

- she has no vehicle and has to borrow her parents

As for myself, i have my own vehicle, living in my grandfathers house alone with my daughter ( house is under my mothers name, but it's agreed i'll be buying it off of her), i have full-time work, no debt, and no past legal issues.

It kills me to consider doing this but due to my exes actions and especially her lying, i have to consider what she may be capable of in the future if i don't act now. I'd never keep my daughter away from her mother, i just can't say the same for her. I have to go over all of my options. Any advice, opinions, or questions are more then welcome.  This is my very first post(unfortunately) so i apologize for any errors, formatting mistakes and such.

Tl;dr - manipulative ex bailed on the relationship. Owes money, has no vehicle, living with parents, smokes weed. Can i win full custody??

Answer:
 > Owes money, has no vehicle, living with parents, smokes weed. Can i win full custody??

Probably not.  Courts are VERY resistant to the idea of cutting out one parent from their child's life.  There needs to be pretty compelling evidence of serious potential harm to the child for that to even be considered as an option.  But you could have a shot at primary custody (where the child lives with you and the other parent has visitation) if the court agrees that it's in your daughter's best interest.  But be prepared for a prolonged custody battle.  Get on the phone with a custody attorney ASAP.


Title: Got stabbed but dont want to press charges. Options?

Question:
Two days ago I got in a fight over an drunken incident I had with his wife the night before and he stabbed me in the heat of the moment. I was not severly injured but had to go to the hospital. A neighbour of mine saw everything and called the police who wanted to question me in the hosptial, but I refused to speak to them. However, I just recieved a call to come in for questening tommorow. Do I have to go? And if so, do I have to tell them anything? I already spoke with my friend and we decided we are even now.

I am located in NH, not American (from Europe) but a legal resident.

Answer:
 You do not have to go.

The police may investigate without you, and the person could be charged even without your assistance.

It's possible (but unlikely) that the case will wind up in court.  If you are subpoenaed to testify, you are obligated to appear and honestly answer the questions they ask you.


Title: When do you have to pay taxes on online art commissions?

Question:
When selling original art online via PayPal or another money transaction service, at what point do you have to tax your services and how much do you need to pay to the government?

I live in New York, USA
When researching this I got the results of if you make more than $2,000 this way you must tax it. Is this correct?

On top of this, if this gig is off the grid, will any repercussions take place if you don’t obey taxing rules?

Answer:
 You are required to report your income on apr15th. You might be required to send in quarterly taxes, do the 1040 ES work sheet

It's self employed work **so if you have no other income,** it's reportable at $400


Title: How do I lure out a hiding landlord who has not worked on our house in years?

Question:
Over the pass year, my family has been trying to find our landlord to pay rent, have him fix up the house, and agree on where to sent said rent. A bit of backstory, my family started to rent the current house we are in 8 years ago. Never once we have seen the landlord. Over time, our house has broken down. The sink, an ant infestation, then the big one, the A/C breaking down. We haven’t been able to contact him to fix it, and in the area my family is, summers are bad. Also, the “company” he owns has gone off grid, moving buildings and not responding to tenets. So, we have stoped sending him checks to pay for rent. We have contacted all city, state, and government options. Is there anyway to bring him out so he can fix out problems and possibly sue him? Any help is good help.
Topic:
Landlord Tenant Housing

Answer: I'm not sure exactly how to answer your question...   But not paying rent for 8 months could become a liability for you, despite the other issues.  It might be worth depositing checks in an escrow account, should LL ever resurface.


Title: Hook up buddy pregnant. Wants me to sign away rights to child.

Question:
I live in Georgia and need some serious help. Please, no judgements as I already struggle with depression and know this is all my fault.

I met the girl on Tinder (I know), and we hung out every now and then at her place. I am 22, she is 20. We had sex a few times. She messaged after about a week without talking, saying she was pregnant and wanting to talk about it. She has crazy parents, and wanted to hear my opinion and decide with me together. We did and decided on an abortion. She ended up not going through with it.

I haven't heard from her in about 5 months until the other day. She wants to meet and have me sign over my rights to the child. I assumed she ended up having an abortion, or never wanted to talk to me again, which was wrong.

She says to meet, and sign and she will bring a notary to sign as well. If I won't sign, then I will need to pay child support. I need some serious help understanding the legality of all of this.

1) Don't we need to DNA test first?
2) I can just sign my rights away to my unborn child?
3) How does child support work if I have rights/don't have rights?
4) How will this affect me or them in life?

I am 22, a unemployed college dropout due to my struggles with severe depression, and currently living at home as it has gotten worse if that matters. I just want to do the best thing for the baby, even if that means I am not involved. Please help, I could really use any solid advice on all my options here. Thank you so much.

Answer: No matter what you sign, you'll still need to pay child support if she pursues it or seeks state assistance. Answer #2: You should get a DNA test before you do anything. You cannot sign anything that will free you from support obligations. If you want contact with the child get a lawyer and file for custody/visitation. If you do not want contact with the child then do nothing, when she files against you for support get a lawyer


Title: Two male police officers showed up at my apartment last night at midnight to question me about a robbery. Do I have any grounds to file a complaint? NY State

Question:
Two nights ago somebody broke into my nextdoor neighbor's apartment. We share a front door but I have my own separate door inside as well and my apartment wasn't robbed. The cops were there until midnight taking pictures and asking questions. They asked for my name and address as well as birth date and phone number and said they would call me if they had any more questions regarding the robbery. I told them I'm 19 (female) and I live here alone. Last night, rather than calling me like they said they would, two armed male officers knocked at my door at 11:55 while I was sleeping and essentially accused me or my boyfriend (who was spending the night, thankfully) of robbing my neighbor. I was already nervous because I'm now scared of any noises at my door that late, but it doesn't seem okay for them to just show up that late to question me. Is it?
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer:
 I have spent too much time with police officers, particularly dealing with issues of misconduct. So take this with a grain of salt. If you were a flabby 45 year old guy I would still think this is probably an odd time to be doing an investigation. As a young female that gives me a bit of pause. Although oftentimes patrol officers do some or whole parts of investigations, generally detectives do it during business hours.  And this wasn't the night of the break in it was two days later. So the time seems slightly off although it could just be related to their shifts and perfectly innocuous.

If you are a reasonably attractive 19 year old female I might be a little suspicious of their motives. Not that you should be afraid of anything, its just that they may have been hitting on you. so try and evaluate the conversation that took place. You know the difference between an ordinary conversation and a dude hitting on you. If it was an uneventful fairly professional conversation no big deal. If it was not that then you need to decide if you want to talk to the Chief or Sheriff. I am pro law enforcement to a fault. But I also know there are enough testosterone monsters in the ranks for this to be possible. Good luck.Answer #2: > it doesn't seem okay for them to just show up that late to question me. Is it?

It's perfectly fine.


Title: Employer is Padlocking Emergency Exit Door [NJ]

Question:
I feel lost. I will try to keep this short.

I have worked for my current employer for eight of my twelve employable years. The other four years I lived out of state. I started at entry level worked my way to middle management and resigned back to an entry level position with seniority perks for personal and financial reasons. I love my job. I always have. I have been verbally disciplined once in the time that I've worked there.

For my job we need a door to the parking lot in order to load customers' cars with product. This doubles as an emergency exit for our retail business. It is marked on emergency exit plans throughout our store.

Sometimes the electronic/magnetic/key lock does not function properly. I'm not sure of the specifics. Under normal function it arms and locks/disarms and unlocks with the turn of a key located directly next to the door. Since it has been malfunctioning, management has been using a chain and padlock during overnight hours when we are not servicing customers.

However employees are in the building and this specific room 24 hours a day. It only recently occurred to me how unsafe and illegal padlocking the door is. I brought my concern to my union representative and HR (Union Rep coincidentally was in my store that same day.) They seemed to take it seriously and told me that it would be addressed immediately.

The next morning the chain and lock are on the door when I come to work for my early AM shift. I refused to start work until it is unclained. Immediately after this I happen upon two upper level managers. I ask them if they know about the issue. They appear to take it seriously, jot down notes, and tell me that the head of security will be in that day (again coincidental). I am ecstatic when Head of Security shows up within hours and asks questions about the door. My concerns are being taken seriously!

When I'm about to leave for the day, my direct supervisor asks where I put the lock. I had placed it in one of our storage drawers because I thought it would no longer be used. My bad, they're putting it back on that night. I deflate and tell her where it is.

On my way out, I pass one of the upper level managers that I had spoken with earlier. I feel defeated. I ask if they're "really putting the lock back on" overnight? He responds that I am "being mean". I "need to stop". "It will be fixed tomorrow." I can't get out the door and away from the store fast enough.

After composing myself and driving home, I call my union rep. I have worked for this company for most of my life. I have never contacted my union before recently.

I tell him what has happened which also involves some other 'he said, she said' harassment from my owner/upper management. Also my direct supervisor is falsifying food temperature logs and isn't talking to me because I reminded her how illegal that is. Union rep recommended that I move back to my overnight shift to "lay low and avoid management". I'm totally ok with this. The door will be fixed tomorrow. I won't be chained inside hell and experience a firey death charred against the door. I feel like kin to my slightly off, grave yard shift coworkers. I have a love/hate relationship with daywaking people anyway. (If you haven't worked an overnight job, try it. You will at the very least meet very interesting people.)

I go to work my last day shift for the week/foreseeable future. I have an anxiety attack as I tell my direct supervisor I want to move back to overnight shifts. I do my best to make it thru the day. She unearths a shred of humanity and sends me home. I'm not scheduled until I'm back on overnight shifts.

I go in for my first overnight shift.

The door is padlocked shut. My chest tightens.

I call my dad. He tells me to stick out the night. I want my Mom. I do not particularly like my mom, but when I want her comfort, I know shit is bad. That door being sealed is driving me over the edge. There are a lot of things left to be desired at my job. Coworkers who can count and ABC for instance. The complete disrespect I feel right now is overwhelming. Do I not have a right to be reasonably safe in my work place. The sign on the next set of inside doors that says "Safety First" feels like a dagger. I feel so insulted. I cry on my way to work. I spend as little time as possible in "the chained room" which is my home department. The latest I've heard they don't plan on fixing the door until they remodel in the next couple months.

I am aware that I can call my union rep again. I can call my local fire department. I can call OSHA. Even if someone else calls, management will believe it was me. They will watch me like a hawk. They will find a reason to fire me. They will find a reason to fight my unemployment. They recently fired a long time former manager/aquantince of mine for "stealing time" aka taking too long of a shit. They also fired another long time employee/former manager for doing her job as she was trained and using white out. In April they fired my boyfriend for taking his planned and approved vacation time (He was found to be eligible for unemployment because of approved leave time.) The bombs are dropping closer and closer to home. I am terrified of losing my job.

I feel like everything is spiraling out of control here. I don't know how to protect myself. Help me, please.

Answer:
 Call the fire department. The fire marshall doesn't like it when this happens.

And for heaven's sake stop getting so emotionally invested in your job that you lose your shit.Answer #2: Call OSHA and the fire department. If a padlocked door makes you feel like you're "trapped in hell" (your words), who cares if they fire you? It's time for another job. Answer #3: Call the fire department first, then call a mental health crisis line and get yourself some assistance. You need to take care of yourself if you're going to be able to care of Pops, so find some way (a therapist, for example) to work through this anxiety. Answer #4: >I've been plagued by thoughts of night club fires and charred bodies piled at the door.

I don't know how much walking around you do during a normal shift, but if you are reasonably stationary it could give you some piece of mind if you kept a bolt cutter underneath your desk.


Title: [Colorado] Just bought a car from a private owner, advertised as clean title, tried to purchase insurance on the vehicle and was rejected due to Salvage Title

Question:
As the title says I just purchased a used vehicle from a private owner in Colorado. The vehicle was advertised as having a clean title and the physical title signed over to me did not have “Salvage” stamped on it. Everything g looked good.

When I went online to purchase insurance on the car, I got a message that the vehicle has a Salvage title and cannot be insured.

Was it legal to sell the vehicle with the title showing no salvage? What are my options now?

Answer: You can demand your money back from the seller or sue them.


Title: My boss is making me uncomfortable at work/potential sexual harassment- what to do?

Question:
I work for a large company, and recently switched job locations. Over the course of two months my new boss has said some strange things and it’s gotten worse.

My first day- I asked the policy for wearing makeup, he said “Aww did you do your makeup just for me?”

Other instances, calling me adorable, offering me rides to the front of the building (totally unnecessary) keeping me in his office for hours on end for excessive small talk, calling me attractive and saying the other men can’t control themselves around me, patting me on the arm, and also saying “want to go out for a drink” and then saying he’s testing me to see how I would react if a coworker asked something inappropriate. Not to mention he’s also been going out with the lead supervisor (who is under him) outside of work and we’ve seen them leaving in the same car late at night. - seems like he’s abusing his power

Overall just genuinely making me not even want to come in to work, and I feel like I can’t tell him to stop because he is my boss. I know this seems juvenile so I don’t want to make the wrong decision. The only steps ive made is contacting my previous account manager to tell him, I want to leave this position but stay with the company and let him know all these things my current boss has said.

Answer:
 Does your boss have a boss?

This is not at all juvenile and you are absolutely the victim of sexual harassment in the workplace. He is being very inappropriate.Answer #2: > calling me attractive and saying the other men can’t control themselves around me

This is the point in your narrative where I switched from "creepy and alarming" to "possibly actionable sexual harassment." Speak to your boss' supervisor, or if they don't have one, to HR, or if that doesn't exist, to your boss directly, and make it clear that their behaviour is inappropriate and that you will not put up with them making any further comments on your appearance or any further invitations for a date.

If it doesn't stop promptly, talk to a local attorney. This isn't quite "take your employer to the cleaners" territory, but it _is_ the sort of thing human rights attorneys deal with depressingly often.Answer #3: This isn’t juvenile. Unwanted touch is sexual harassment-no one should be patting you on the arm or be saying things like that to you. He’s creating a hostile work environment. Does your company have HR? If so, go to them first thing in the morning. Advocate for yourself, this cannot continue because you don’t deserve it. Write all of this down also, try to include dates and details.


Title: LA - Can a Private School (Christian/religious) require job seekers to be a certain faith in order to be hired?

Question:
Louisiana, not Los Angeles,I recently interviewed with a local Private School. It struck me as weird and also not so weird that the interviewer explicitly said that she wanted to hire someone of the same faith and religious values as those in charge. She also asked if I would have a problem with finding and attending a church on a regular basis.

I was under the impression that only churches can skirt federal law protecting discrimination of religion. Can Private schools do it too?

Answer: Yes, they can.


Title: How can I replace ID without any proof of identity?

Question:
The ID is for my teenaged daughter. Several important papers went missing during our last move, and we need to replace them. So: lost birth certificate; lost social security card; never had photo ID of any sort; homeschooled since elementary school, so no current school records.  To complicate things further, we've recently moved to another city to live with family so I have no utility bills in my name to prove residency, also no easily accessible medical records. Basically, I have my driver's license with my old address, and a copy of the unsigned divorce decree that my lawyer emailed me to digitally sign. I haven't worked in over a decade, so I have no idea where my social might be and no pay stubs either.

Does anyone have any idea where to start? We live in Texas. As far as I can see online, it looks like photo ID, birth certificate, and social security cards all require each other to replace them. I can get her doctor to mail us her medical records, but other than that I'm feeling stuck. Help?

Answer:
 This almost sounds like a tutorial request for identity theft!

I'd suggest contacting any of these respective agencies for help since it sounds like a pretty crazy situation. There has to be a precedent for it since people certainly experience situations like fires and other natural disasters in which identification materials are lost.


Title: [KY] Sister's Boyfriend refusing to work/support child, exhibiting disturbing behavior.

Question:
My younger sister and her boyfriend have been together for around 5 years, and 6 months ago had a daughter together. Her boyfriend refuses to work, pay for any bills, or support her financially in any way. She works around 30 hours a week, and our parents, and our youngest sister take care of the baby while she works. His family enables him, and pays for him to live. They have used their connections to get him jobs on multiple occasions, but he quits going within a few weeks.

While he has never been physically abusive, he has a temper, has thrown and broken his phone, his brothers ipad, and a plate (at his home, not ours). He also is extremely passive aggressive and dedicates lots of his time to say things designed to annoy/frustrate my sister and to make her feel bad. He has also threatened to kill himself on numerous occasions, generally in an attempt to manipulate (something we have documented proof of). He has also repeatedly done potentially dangerous things with the baby that he was asked by multiple people not to do. Each time he would try to do the same thing and go as far as he could without being reprimanded for it. My sister has tried to get him to go to therapy for his numerous issues, offering to support him or go with him, but he refuses, and we can't force him. My sister has started to see a therapist both to help her deal with the pain/anxiety this is causing, and also to try to find a good way forward.

He currently lives with my sister and parents, and the situation is becoming unbearable. She no longer wishes to be in a relationship with him, but is afraid that if she ends things and kicks him out that his family will try to take them to court for custody (he has no money, but his family is wealthy and ours is not). She saw a custody lawyer and was told that in Kentucky, it was very likely that they would be granted dual-custody, and so the baby would only be with her half the time. This is a situation she wants to avoid, not only because she'd be away from her child, but because she fears for his temper and the environment that exists in his home (he and his brother yell and demean their parents, cussing them out in front of his brothers young child). The custody lawyer also told her that since she works and he doesn't, that if he is granted half custody, that she may be required to pay child support.

Talking with his family is not a great option, as they are massively in denial that their 42 year old son not working, not paying for medical bills/expenses, is a problem. Furthermore we are worried that upsetting them will lead to legal action where they have a financial/resource advantage. We don't want to escalate things but the status quo seems untenable.

What are our options and what would you recommend that we do? Thank you.

Answer:
 Basically the only viable option is to break up with him. She needs a family lawyer.

He probably will have some legal custody and visitation but she may have physical custody. It's probably not viable to completely exclude the father, but a family lawyer will help get the best outcome and tell you what's realistic in the circumstance.


Title: If Ford has a trademark registration for the name MUSTANG, how are sports teams allowed to be named "Mustangs"?

Answer: Ford doesn't have exclusive rights to the word Mustang. There are mustang guitars, the ww2 fighter plane, the mustang ranch, at least 2 movies I can think of, and the animal.


Title: [CA, USA] Second DUI, blew a 0.07

Question:
I'm posting this on behalf of my brother with the information he gave me.

He was pulled over last night at a stop light (he had his eyes closed and the police officer believed he was sleeping) and blew a 0.07. He was taken to the city jail and stayed there for a few hours until someone was able to pick him up.

This is his second DUI. His first was smoking marijuana in his car while driving. He does not have a lot of money to spare on anything (nor do I), so from what he's told me, hiring a lawyer is out of the question, and a public defender would not "fight" for him.

What can we do and what is the best course of action? Thank you very much for your time.

Answer:
 > His first was smoking marijuana in his car while driving. He does not have a lot of money to spare on anything

Yet can afford weed and alcohol.

Best course is to find an attorney who will get you on a payment plan. Have anything, like that car he was in, he can use as collateral?

> (nor do I)

I get this is your brother, but realize this is not your problem. Answer #2: If he can't hire a lawyer, then he needs a public defender. I don't get this bad rap that public defenders get, they handle these types of cases on a daily basis and are well versed in the system. There's great lawyers and shitty lawyers, just like  there are great PD's and shitty PD's. I'd have no problem being defended by a PD if I couldn't afford a lawyer.

He can still be charged and convicted of a DUI under .08 if it can be proved that he was driving impaired. A second DUI hurts even more than the first one, so representation by a lawyer or PD is pretty essential


Title: [NY] Pled not guilty to "failure to dim lights" (for flashing my lights at a cop after a speed trap!)

Question:
Hello!

In April I was pulled over for flashing my lights at an oncoming motorist. I had just passed a speed trap and the next car that passed me was a police cruiser. It was nighttime, so I did not know that it was a cop while I flashed. I flashed my lights in quick succession: one, two, three. Done.

Cop pulls me over and asks for license and registration, asks why I flashed him. Told him he appeared to be too close to my side of the road. Chuckles, says, "Yeah? That's the story you're gonna stick to?" and I said, "Yes," and he returned to his car. Wrote me the ticket, did not make mention of any other reason that I was pulled over -- no suspicion of DWI, no extended drug questioning.

I looked up the law and realized that, since 2009 (People v. Rose), it is illegal to stop a car for flashed lights alone, as using one's headlights in this way is **not** sufficient grounds for a traffic stop.

http://www.courts.state.ny.us/reporter/3dseries/2009/2009_08412.htm

Brought it to pre-trial motion. Prosecutor acts like the $50 fine he's giving me is manna from heaven; I tell him I'd like a trial. He has a mini-fit in the courtroom, and the judge adjourns and tells the prosecutor that I can present my evidence at a later date. I turned down the ticket out of principle.

I've done some research on how to proceed at a traffic court trial. I am a well-educated man (my graduate degree is English with a focus on argument and rhetoric), but I have little experience in this realm.

Here is my plan. Critiques welcome:

1) discover the cop's notes via mail (for preparation)
2) argue (in trial) that the police officer made no mention of a crime being suspected, nor any other traffic violation having been committed before the stop (hence only receiving one ticket)

(I'm going to have to cross-examine the police officer)

3) argue that because People v. Rose has already determined that the flashing of one's headlights alone is not grounds for a traffic stop, the ticket should be dismissed

"The People presented no testimony at the hearing concerning the distance between defendant's vehicle and the oncoming vehicle, and there was no evidence that defendant's flashing of the high beams interfered in any way with the driver of the approaching vehicle. Indeed, because the officer mistakenly believed that flashing of the high beams for no particular reason was unlawful irrespective of the distance between vehicles, the officer did not concern himself with the distance of the approaching vehicle. Thus, the stop of defendant's vehicle was based on a mistake of law. "Where the officer's belief is based on an erroneous interpretation of law, the stop is illegal at the outset and any further actions by the police as a direct result of the stop are illegal" (Matter of Byer v Jackson, 241 AD2d 943, 944-945 [1997]; see People v Smith, 1 AD3d 965 [2003]; see also People v Gonzalez, 88 NY2d 289, 295 [1996])."

Answer:
 The problem is that *People v. Rose* does **not** establish that flashing one's high-beams can **never** be grounds for a stop.  It only says that the state failed to provide evidence that the oncoming vehicle in that case was close enough for the stop to have been valid.

Basically, the law is that you cannot use your high-beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle.  In *People v. Rose* the state did not provide any evidence to show that the oncoming car was within 500 feet and, therefore, did not have sufficient evidence for the stop.  As long as the officer says that he or she determined that the distance between your two vehicles was less than 500 ft, it's perfectly legal, even under *People v. Rose* for them to stop you.  Similarly, as long as the officer provides evidence that the flashing was to such an extent that it interfered with his or her ability to operate their vehicle, they've got a case.  While "mere flashing" may not be enough, it's not clear whether flashing three times crosses over a threshold or not.

I wouldn't call your argument a slam dunk, but it should be interesting.


Title: My local town council is charging me for minutes of council meeting - is that right?

Question:
My local council in England holds meetings (as you do) - the entire year of 2016 are missing (every other year is available)

My local mayor is telling my there is a charge to see copies of the missing minutes - is that right?

Also missing are certain months meeting agendas and register of members interests
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer:
 My guess: They didn't take the minutes, or they've lost them. I'd pay the charge just to see the look on their fface when I did...Answer #2: Generally, inspecting the records should not have a charge. They should have them on file, and you can check them out in person. In the US, cost only attaches when you want copies of the public records. Answer #3: You'd want to ask /r/legaladviceuk.Answer #4: What is the fee?Answer #5: I don't know how it works in the UK, but in the US they're generally allowed to charge the cost of producing those records (well, theoretically, in practical terms it's a predetermined fee schedule).

So it may not necessarily be a charge for the minutes, but a charge for the time it takes to get the minutes and the cost of the paper, ink, and printer lifespan to get a physical copy of those records to turn over to you.

Is it a significant fee per page?  If you're looking for the entire year, then that's probably a lot of documents.Answer #6: The Data Protection Act allows a company to charge an administration fee of up to £10 for a subject access request. Though why minutes of a council meetings wouldn't be publicly available is beyond me. You could get around the charge by specifically submitting a Freedom Of Information request. Councils are subject to FoI requests.


Title: Store claims to not want to use pennies, rounds down change given to customers

Question:
One of my students told me today that the bike shop that he works at has a policy to not use pennies. The store has a sign that says that they think the penny is a waste of time and energy and therefore don't use them. They will then round down the change given to a customer if pennies are required.

The student said that a customer got really heated with them because they felt that it was robbery to NOT provide the right change in a transaction and that if they felt that way about pennies they should round UP so its at the companies expense, not the customer.

My student was very upset and said he got yelled at and ended up finding pennies in his own wallet to satisfy the customer. His boss ended up getting angry at him that he did not stick to the store policy. Me student asked me if this was legally Ok and I honestly have no clue (I'm a science teacher... this is not my area of expertise). Can a store round-down the cash given to a customer?

Thanks!

Answer:
 If the practice is not CLEARLY disclosed to customers in advance, it probably could be construed to be an extra hidden charge and hence a deceptive trade practice, the sort of thing a consumer protection lawyer (say, at the Attorney General's Office) might make into an issue. "We won't use pennies" is not clear; "we won't use pennies so we round down your change to the nearest nickel" probably is.

I'd ask the student how the store handles monies due: if the bill is $19.82 and the customer wants to pay with exact change, is that $19.80 or $19.85? If the store is consistently rounding in its own favor, the store isn't being principled and high-minded; they're money-grubbing. Answer #2: So we gave up pennies a few years ago in Canada, but the rule is that transactions rounded down at 1 or 2 cents over, and up at 3 or 4.  So it balances out.  Tell the store to do this, or to always round in the customer's favour.

Also; for years before that every store I ever shopped in had a little dish near the cash register where people would leave their pennies, or take them if they needed  - I like to say they were basically public property for a long time before we gave them up.


Title: Pennsylvania. Unsolicited calls/text from business.

Question:
I attended a free tour of a newly constructed apartment building. Each individual who completed the tour would received a $10 voucher for a local restaurant.

The person asked for our names and phone numbers.

Since the tour, I have received multiple phone calls and email messages from this company soliciting me to sign up for an apartment. I never agreed or was told this is what my information would be used for.

Are their any applicable laws that restrict this? What would be my course of action?

Answer:
 No.

They gave you the tour and voucher so they could try to get you to sign up.

It's called advertising.

Have you tried asking them to stop calling or emailing?


Title: Need help on removing a person from property. Pennsylvania

Question:
Hello, I am trying to help out my Uncle, and desperately need pointed toward the right track.

To simplify. He was in a relationship with a woman. Their relationship is now over, and she will not vacate his home. This has been ongoing for months, and he's quite honestly at his wits end.

She pays for nothing in the home (and never has paid for anything through the course of their lengthy relationship). Her name is not on any of the bills, or on anything at all to do with the home, property, or vehicles. Her address has already been switched to a PO Box as well. He has spoken to a lawyer in hope of trying to legally give her a proper notice to leave, as him just asking her to leave gets him absolutely nowhere. The lawyer has stated that he can do this on his own, and that all he needs to do is write up a letter giving her a date that she must vacate by.

This is where he's asked for my help, and I'd like to help him properly without causing any setbacks. He's asking me to compose that letter, and I'm running in circles trying to find the correct legal way to word it. As she has never paid rent, or anything else, everything that I'm finding online doesn't seem to apply to just removing an ex from the property. Any help at all would be highly appreciated.

Answer: Just google PA notice to vacate you will find a template.


Title: Employer making statements that I feel are discriminating against people who have medical issues, mental or otherwise.

Question:
I live in Tennessee, USA, and my employer is doing a few things that I find not only annoying, but possibly against my privacy and discriminating against others.

I work at a call center and along with normal grading criteria we have a system of logging what we're doing by using different "states" on our phones. One state for regular breaks, one for meetings, etc. However there is one that I find menacing, that being the state we go into if we need to use the restroom and it's not a "normally" scheduled one. It's called an "emergency break" and if we go into that state without telling your immediate supervisor, someone will come try to find you in the bathroom or otherwise to "make sure you're okay".

Is it okay for them to track what I'm doing and come looking for me if I don't tell them I won't be on the phones?

The second issue is an email that was sent out today by our site manager. He was listing off reasons that using unplanned time off the phones was bad, which I completely agreed with until he stated that people shouldn't use them for "mental health days".

Is this a discriminatory remark? It's not as if someone suffering from anxiety or depression, etc. have a choice on which day they will be triggered or can't seem to stop crying or what have you.

The other part is that I like to play small flash games while I'm talking to customers. My job is completely repetitive and I can do it with my eyes closed. However, I've been stopped by a few managers claiming that I shouldn't be doing this. My problem with this is that a lot of people bring things in to do while they're on the phone with customers. Doing crossword puzzles, word searches, playing cards, reading, knitting, scrolling through phones, and a few other things that I've seen.

I just don't understand why I'm being targeted for something that everyone else is doing.

Just looking for some opinions. Maybe I'm completely wrong. Would like to know what you guys think. Thanks in advance.

Answer:
 \>  However, I've been stopped by a few managers claiming that I shouldn't be doing this.

Most people get the hint after one manager stopping by once.Answer #2: >"mental health days".

When people say that they are taking a mental health day they almost never mean "I have a debilitating mental illness and need a day off to seek professional help". They mean they want a mini-vacation to destress.

In any case, it is not discriminatory and certainly not illegal for him to say that. It is also fine for him to track your whereabouts while on the clock and to prohibit you from playing computer games.


Title: [MO] I passed a stopped school bus. How much trouble will I get into?

Question: It was totally unintentional. I felt like an idiot. This happened 5 days ago. A trooper just called me and said he wanted to meet me tomorrow morning before I go to work (I work at the school in town).  Why does he want to meet?? If it was just a ticket, wouldn’t i just get it in the mail? Is it possible my license could be suspended?

Answer:
 Do not speak to the police without a lawyer present.

The punishment for passing a stopped school bus with lights flashing could be license suspension, steep fines (~$1,000), or possible jail time (though unlikely).Answer #2: He wants you to confess. Decline to meet. It's possible he doesn't have enough evidence to cite you. Answer #3: Do not speak with the trooper.  Did he specifically say it was about passing a school bus?

Did you already agree to it?  If so, tell him  you're sorry, but you're unavailable.

Literally no good can come from that.  Anything you say will be used to incriminate you.


Title: [NY] Doctor's negligence + thyroid cancer

Question:
I'm 17 F and pretty much I was just diagnosed with thyroid cancer. For the past two/three years I have been feeling off and had previously told my doctor I was feeling depressed and extremely tired--having lots of trouble with sleeping and energy (I was a swimmer at the time). This summer I started getting really bad itchiness, and my doctor simply said it's probably nothing and just said to make an appointment with allergist. My mom last year asked her blood tests, especially for every visit, because I started sleeping for far too long. Turns out I have Hashimoto's and pretty much it was undiagnosed for so long that I now have cancer. Hashimoto's symptons are everything I listed: low energy, trouble sleeping, depression, hair thinning, memory lapses, joint pain (another thing I described to her), itchiness. I feel that if she remotely looked at what was going on, or realized that each visit I would tell her what I was feeling, she would have put me in for bloodwork at least. She also refused to get blood tests done for me even when my mom requested. She said I was fine and waved it off.

I know my parents will be handling it after my surgery and I'm not too well-versed in law practices, but could there be a case for negligence? I feel that if I was diagnosed with Hashimotos earlier,  there could have been a chance I would not have to get my whole thyroid removed.

Thank you so much for looking at this.

Answer:
 Medical Malpractice is incredibly fact specific and well beyond the scope of this sub.  In order to come anywhere close to answering these questions you would need to speak with a medical malpractice attorney.  Thankfully most medical malpractice attorneys offer free consultations and many also take cases on a contingency basis (you only pay if you win) if your case has merit.  Calling your local bar association, or recommendations from a trusted friend/family member are generally the best ways to find an attorney.
Answer #2: This is going to be beyond the scope of this sub. Your parents should contact a medical malpractice attorney.


Title: A Golf Course is using part of my grandfather's property for their 18th hole tee- what should we do

Question:
Hey everyone,

I recently learned about somewhat of a legal issue that my grandfather has with the golf course intruding on some of his home property with their 18th hole tee's setup.

I don't have the exact measurements but let's say there is a 20' by 60' piece of land where golfers tee off from on the 18th hole of the course. According to the zoning paperwork that we just retrieved, my grandfather definitively owns a third of that land that the golf course has been using since the late 80s.

In a nutshell, the golf course has been intruding on part of my grandfather's property for almost 30 years now for their 18th hole. What should we do to the golf course? Should we sell them the land, rent it to them, sue them?

Please let me know if more info is needed.

EDIT: This is in New Jersey. Thanks for all the responses here.

Answer:
 Is there an easement for the golf course to use the land? Because there may be now. Answer #2: This is a great bar exam question by the way.Answer #3: If it has been there since the 80's you are pretty much SOL. Adverse possession would mean that the golf course now owns that piece of property. It sounds like it meets all the elements:

Continuous
Hostile
Exclusive
Open and Notorious
Actual
And for the prescribed period of time 7 years for protection and 20 for outright possession in my state. What state are you in?
Answer #4: I'm not just saying this because I'm a golfer, but the golf course would be likely to prevail in any action brought against it because it has acquired title to the property by [Adverse Possession](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adverse_possession).  Boiling this very fact-specific and convoluted law down to its essence, if the rightful property owner sleeps on their rights to kick the intruder off the land, the intruder can acquire title if enough time passes.  The amount of time varies by jurisdiction, but it's usually around 20 years.


Title: [USA / PA] Hit a teenager, who was walking, with my car (lightly). He was fine. Drove him to his parents. Wondering what I should have done / about possible outcomes.

Question:
To make a long story short some teen walked out as I was pulling out of an intersection. I was going less than five mph, bumped him against the side of the car. My mirror broke, he claimed he was fine and just wanted to walk away.

I insisted in the heat of the moment to drive him home at least, and we chatted. He seemed completely fine, actually apologized to me. Said I made his day exciting. He was coming from work, a place I had worked my first job and we talked about that and I mentioned where I currently work. Also when I asked where he lived to drive him home he asked where I lived and I told him.

So the point of my saying that is this - he could find me. I'm worried his parents are going to be angry and want to press charges or something like that.

Could they? What would happen? If I hadn't been panicked what would the correct way of handling that situation have been so as to avoid legal trouble?

And to answer the questions I'm sure may be asked - I was sober. He walked in front of my car when I was pulled way forward to see oncoming traffic past the sidewalk - he definitely should have walked behind, not in front of my car, but kids are dumb. But so am I for not seeing him.

I don't know. I'm shook up but and calming down and wondering what should have been done different and if the police are going to come knocking on my door or to my job looking for me.

Answer:
 >Could they?

Theoretically they could report you to the police, and the police could, again theoretically, take action. What would happen could be anything from absolutely nothing to you going to jail for a very long period of time because it turns out you've also been killing hookers and hiding them in your basement.

You did the right thing, don't worry about it.


Title: Neighbors are intentionally dooring my car

Question: We have had problems in the past with our neighbors. Anyway, I live in a place where there is assigned parking. I noticed there is over 20 marks on the rim of my passenger side of my car and on the back passenger car. Most of the marks are white, however there is one deep mark that is the color of their vehicle. I tend to not drive my car a lot and park in the middle of my parking spot. When I do drive, I tend to park a way from cars or hug the drivers side line. My driver side has only 3-4 really noticeable scratches while my passenger side (where they park) is covered with dings, dents and scratches. Also, above my rim has 3 nice dents from their vehicle. They hug my line and each time I tend to move over, they move over. I took pics of my car and their vehicle just in case. Would it be worth to go to the police station to ask them what I could legally? If I was to do that I was going to explain somethings they have done in the past that involved us (not going to get into it here). Also, I’m not going to talk to the neighbors because they go run and hide when we go outside.

Answer: I recommend getting a dash cam (there’s some cheap ones on amazon for 40-50 bucks) and hopefully get a video of them doing it. That way you’ll have evidence against them if they refuse to pay and you take it to small claims court.


Title: Friend of mine being sued by other party, despite the insurance finding him (the other guy) at fault for a traffic accident in NY.

Question:
Last year a friend of mine was driving to work early in the morning when a Mercedes disobeyed a red light and totaled his car, and damaged another car that was parked in the carwash close to the intersection.

Police state that the Mercedes was at fault for the accident in the police report. Insurance paid my friend for the loss and even reimbursed him they deductible after they won the case against his insurance.

Now the Mercedes guy is suing my friend for the damage despite the insurance and the police report finding him at fault.

Is there anything my friend should be cautious about? Should he counter sue for damages and medical bills?

Answer: He should let his insurance company handle it. This is why you have insurance. He can absolutely sue for medical bills. Why hasn't he already done that?


Title: Arrested for cocaine, was not cocaine.

Question:
 So I have been arrested for felony possession of cocaine. The substance was not cocaine, but another schedule 2 drug. When the police field tested it the result turned blue, indicative of cocaine. I did not say anything but told them to send it to the crime lab. The arrest report simply states I was in possession of cocaine.
 Can this be dismissed on technicality or anything else? Or am I screwed anyway when the lab results show it was different yet still illegal drug? I cannot find any information on google.

Location- U.S.A.  N.C.

Answer:
 So what you've learned here is that whatever you bought also had cocaine in it. Not surprising.

This is why street drugs are bad. You never know what you're getting.

When we send X or Molly to the crime lab, it's amazing what the report comes back with. Its almost never pure, and is almost always adulterated with meth or coke. Answer #2: They will charge you with whatever it is.Answer #3: Regular usage of a "crime lab" is an invention of TV and movies.  An officer's field test to determine the identity of a substance had been deemed both credible and admissible in Court.  You can ask to have the substance retested, but that is something the DA would oppose without some sort of evidence or testimony that the officer performed the field test incorrectly or his equipment was working properly.  By asking it be retested, even if it comes up as whatever substance it actually was, the case won't get thrown out completely.  The charge would just get amended to reflect the proper substance.  Keep in mind that lots on controlled substances share the same properties so they will test positive the same.


Title: Boyfriend charged with assault on a female (NC)

Question: [deleted]

Answer: I hope he is actually your ex boyfriend. Answer #2: Being held without bond is neb bet a good sign. You can get him an attorney but your money is better spent on a therapist for yourself.


Title: [PA] Is it illegal to sell pictures of myself (over 18) to someone else (over 18) under the assumption that I'm under age?

Question: I have a very young looking body but am over 18, and am in a situation where someone thinks I'm underage, and clearly seems to get off to that. Is it illegal to sell him pictures of myself?

Answer: Yes. Max Hardcore did hard time for just that. Look it up.


Title: [USA] Is using the image of a character/person for a yard sale sign copyright infringement, or fair use?

Question: [deleted]

Answer: I highly doubt Disney cares enough to send goons out to shake up your garage sale.


Title: Lawyer missed the filing deadline resulting in a Default Judgment...what can be done now?

Question:
Long story short, being sued in a civil case, my lawyer “thought” he had 30 days to reply to an amended complaint but actually only had 20 days. Judge ruled in favor of plaintiff granting a default judgment. Is there anything that can be done at this point?
Arkansas Civil Court.
Topic:
Other Civil Matters

Answer: Your attorney (or a new attorney, or you *pro se*) could file a motion to set aside the default judgment.


Title: [OR] I was prescribed ativan by my MD. Will this cause some facilities/hospitals to not hire me or fire me?

Question:
I have always been an anxious person, and while going through nursing school, I had several panic attacks, but nothing that I couldn't handle. Now that I am working as an RN at a hospital, my panic attacks have been happening on a daily basis, at least 3 times a day. My symptoms range from palpitations to SOB and they last for approximately 45 minutes. My MD has prescribed me ativan 2 weeks ago for my panic attacks. I have only taken it twice (0.5mg) so far during my days off. I refuse to take it on the night before I work and especially on the days that I work since it makes me so drowsy. I have a follow up appointment with my MD in a month to re-evaluate my anxiety and to see if I really do need ativan PRN. I am also doing other things to help with my anxiety, such as exercising more and picking up a hobby (I started taking piano lessons) in order to distract me.

I am currently looking for a 2nd job to help pay off my loans and I am really worried that being me prescribed ativan, which is a benzodiazepine (schedule IV drug) will cause a hospital to not hire me. (This realization actually sent me into a panic attack but I chose not to take my PRN ativan for fear that I will be turned down if this shows on my drug screen.)  My other fear is that my current job will use this as grounds to fire me should they have me do a drug screen, despite this medication being prescribed to me. If I remember correctly, it takes days for ativan to completely clear the body so if I test positive on a drug screen, it will be hard for me to prove that I was not under the influence of the medication.

Can someone please advise me on this topic?

Thank you!

Answer: Have you and your provider considered SSRI and cognitive behavioral therapy for you anxiety? I am also a nurse with severe anxiety and in my hospital you can be drug tested at work randomly if others consider you to be acting impaired. A positive drug test at that time even if you took the medication the day before when you were off would still make you appear impaired. you can not work on the floor legally impaired which Ativan would do for the average person ( you as well since you say it makes you drowsy) Benzos, even legally prescribed, put nurses in a very difficult position. I’d consider talking to EAP at work and ask them in confidence about your concerns and see what resources they have and what nurses in your scenario can do. I’m sorry that you are struggling this way, a lot of us a r/nursing get it and commiserate regularly come join us.


Title: My friend scraped her stepmom's work-given vehicle in an unavoidable scuff, and her father is forcing her to pay out of pocket instead of using insurance

Question: This is in georgia, and has developed over the past several days. My friend, while backing out of her driveway to go to school, was faced with the possibility of tardiness or a chance of scraping 2 cars that were in her way. She opted to try and get out quickly, and she scuffed the side of her stepmother's work vehicle. I should note, the stepmother did not move it there, it was my friend's grandfather. Days later, she came to me saying her father is forcing her to pay everything she has for bodywork on the car (they aren't the richest people around). What can be done to remedy this?

Answer: your friend will  have to pay for it.  Reporting it to work might get the step mom in trouble or raise your friend's insurance rates or whoevers rates who owned the car she was driving.


Title: Are my parents legally allowed to kick a 17 year old from their house?

Question:
My mom threatens to forcefully kick me out of the house but is she allowed to? And am I allowed to punch her back if she punches me first? For self defence?

I am in Ontario
Topic:
Canada

Answer: Call child protective services, man. A kid should never be afraid their mom will punch them.


Title: College CC'd 60+ Special Populations students, essentially leaking our names to everyone in the email. Was this legal?

Question:
I live in Georgia, USA. I signed up for accommodations last semester, and recently they have been sending out a "Special Populations Newsletter" each month with resources for us- for which I am grateful. But I noticed there were more than 60 people CC'd, and I thought that that couldn't possibly be other students. We were told getting accommodations was confidential and no one would have to know besides our teachers, unless we disclosed the information to our peers if we wanted to. I decided to open the CC'd emails and.... they all had student in the email address. I recognized two names on the list before I closed it back out, one of which I had already known about her accommodations because she told me. The other I didn't know about, and I shouldn't know about. I decided to reach out to the SP coordinator to ask why it was sent like that. In order to shorten the rather long string of emails, I'll list the info I gathered in bullet points.

* Not everyone in SPops is disabled! Here is our list of services \_\_\_\_\_\_\_. No one will know you're here because you are disabled!
* We did say it was confidential, but only your specific disability is confidential, not the fact that you utilize special populations.
* My boss has mentioned that maybe we should BCC instead, but we aren't very strict about it as no one is complained and we don't see it as an issue.
* Don't worry, its only a list of other people in special populations, it doesn't tell them your specific accommodations information!

She ended up calling personally to apologize, but it felt more like "we're sorry your feelings got hurt" than a genuine apology. I was just going to let it slide but I felt like she was more worried about deescalating than the fact that our names are visible to everyone in the email. I get that only other people in special populations can see it, but that's not the point. I was led to believe no one would be made aware, and that did not end up being the case. I feel betrayed.

I don't even know where to begin on trying to find out if there were any legal issues here. I just want to do something so this doesn't keep happening, because they didn't take me seriously. They spoke to me as if I was a child and said that they would do better in the future, as if 60+ of my peers don't already have my name and potentially know I'm in SPops when they shouldn't. Any pointers would be appreciated, even if it's letting me know I'm overreacting and there's no legal issue at hand. I just want to know where to go from here.
Topic:
School Related Issues

Answer:
 Maybe a FERPA or ADA violation.

Regardless, get in touch with the Dean of Students and possibly the Ombudsman. They are one stop shops for weird problems. This certainly counts.


Title: [US] I think I found child porn, but I'm not sure if what I saw is enough cause for an investigation

Question:
I was helping a friend with computer issues via TeamViewer, and when I connected to him, it was on his desktop, I happened to see a folder next to the rest named "Kiddie". I know this person doesn't have kids, so I don't know if just seeing a suspiciously-named folder is enough probably cause for police in their area to investigate (I'm in WA, they're in NC) so I need advice on whether or not something can be done.
Topic:
Juvenile and Youth Law

Answer:
 > just seeing a suspiciously-named folder is enough probably cause for police in their area to investigate

It's not. If they ever got a search warrant based on that alone an attorney could quash that like a bug so they wouldn't even try.  It could be any number of innocuous things and is not by itself even close to probable cause.


Title: [OH] Upstairs neighbors (and their dogs) are loud and taunt my pets. Can I do anything?

Question:
I recently moved into a downstairs unit in a four unit building. My landlady is very nice and had no issue with me having three dogs, as she has several animals herself. Before I rented, I asked how sound carried. She used to live in my unit several years ago and she assured me that the neighbor upstairs had lived here for 25 years and she'd barely heard a peep out of him.

I really didn't believe her, but I didn't have many other options but to rent here, as no one really wants to accept pets. I was lucky, though, as I only have under-30-pound dogs and that was the weight limit.

It turns out that she was mostly right about the way sound carries here. The neighbor upstairs could barely be heard, and he in return was shocked that I had three dogs as they were so quiet. It all was working out perfectly and I loved it here.

Well, about two weeks ago, the neighbor upstairs bought a house. Two people about my age (mid-20s) moved in with their two golden retrievers. The first two days were hell (actually, it's still hell, now that I think about it). They were slamming and stomping until probably 4 in the morning, not to mention the incessant barking on the part of the dogs.

I love dogs. I really, really do - so I can't get too mad. But it doesn't seem that the neighbors have any interest in controlling their dogs when they get too out of control, which is often. I study and work from home, so it's stressful. Additionally, I'm pretty annoyed that my landlady originally was telling us an under 30 pound dog rule, but now these quite chunky, albeit cute, dogs are flopping around upstairs.

I thought maybe everyone upstairs would settle down once they got used to the new apartment, but that's not the case. My previously quiet, well-behaved dogs, bark CONSTANTLY because of the dogs upstairs. By no means am I saying my dogs are perfect, but as I said, the previous neighbor had no idea they were here. Furthermore, I do not expect other people's dogs to be perfectly behaved, or for there to be NO noise...but I have my limits. On our lease, we do have a quiet enjoyment clause, but there are no defined quiet hours.

So, here's the main issue. I'm pretty sure that the neighbors are purposely taunting and agitating my dogs. The upstairs unit has two exits, as does mine. There's a set of stairs that go directly outside and there's another set that goes out into a small landing that is directly by my kitchen door (the kitchen door is my second exit). Hopefully you can imagine that. The door has quite a large gap in it from the floor, so you can hear a lot that is going on in that landing and it carries through the apartment.

The neighbors REFUSE to use their exit that goes directly outside. They're going in and out the exit by my kitchen door all hours of the day. 3 AM, loud and drunk. 5 AM to walk dogs, which wakes my fiancé and I up, wakes my dogs up, etc. They stop for 15 - 20 seconds by the door and allow their dogs to stick their noses under the door gap and slam into it, etc. This, naturally, is very upsetting for my dogs. They see two other dogs peeking through, hear all the noise and commotion, etc.

This has caused two of my dogs to get very distressed and get in a fight. It took me forever to break it up, I'm yelling, "Oh no! Please stop!" and the neighbor and the two dogs stood there on the other side of the door, showing no interest in hurrying outside to slightly alleviate the situation.

The reason I'm writing right now is that a fight just happened for the second time, and I could hear the neighbor on the other side barking back at my dogs and egging them on. A few days earlier, I'm also I'm pretty sure he was yelling at my dogs through the door.

I don't get why they won't use the exit that doesn't come in direct contact with my apartment. They hear me trying to calm my dogs, break up fights, getting annoyed, and they still do it. I would never dream of disturbing someone else! I would try to talk to them - but they go back inside their apartment the second they see me outside. Or, they give me a nasty look and walk the opposite direction. I'm pretty sure they're actively avoiding me. The other day, the male neighbor was walking their dogs outside the complex, and the dogs lunged at my dog, trying to attack him. The muzzle nearly came off one dog and they pulled the neighbor to the ground; he seemed pretty pissed at us....

Do I have a right to be annoyed? What should I do? Thanks, everyone.

TL;DR: New upstairs neighbors and their large dogs are loud all hours of the day. Neighbors constantly use exit that comes in direct contact with my apartment, despite there being another exit that is discreet. Neighbor taunts my upset dogs from the other side of the door, and allows their dogs to hit the door and stick nose under door. Neighbors are avoidant of me and I don't know how to proceed. There is a quiet enjoyment clause on our lease.

Answer:
 Not legal advice, but you can deal with the gap under the door by fitting a door sweep to the bottom of it. As well as stopping enquiring noses from doing their thing, it will also help to keep out drafts, smells and critters that will otherwise enter your apartment unimpeded.Answer #2: You are responsible for the behaviour of your own dogs and the upstairs tenants are allowed to walk around and close door anytime of the day. They are also allowed to use whichever entrance they want.

If their dogs are barking too much or they are being excessively noisy (beyond normal living activities) then complain to your landlord.Answer #3: Not legal advice but I have a couple ideas of things you could do to make things better. First, there are a number of smells that repel dogs but aren't harmful. I'd pick on and make sure you put it down at the bottom of the door so it's no longer interesting to the neighbor dogs. Second, does your kitchen have a narrow enough entrance for a baby gate?  If so, put one up so your dogs can't get in the kitchen. Or use a puppy pen to stretch across a wider opening. Answer #4: NAL, but I think you should file a complaint to the landlord. Try to get evidence of the taunting.


Title: [VA] Neighbor built a walkway onto our property and refuse to remove the offending portion

Question:
So as the title states, my neighbor bought some concrete blocks from Home Depot and placed them along a slope between our properties because they noticed their basement tenant was trampling the grass and causing erosion when he accessed his basement "apartment". I recently had a surveyor come out and mark the property line and the majority of their "walkway" was on our property. [https://imgur.com/a/ch1XV1c](https://imgur.com/a/ch1XV1c)

I want the neighbors to of course remove the offending blocks as well as rehabilitate the suffocated grass underneath each block. I offered them the option of picking a contractor of their choice and then having those spots re-sodded. For some reason, the neighbor is refusing even though they are at fault.

I did some research and read up on Virginia encroaching laws, but all of those seem to do with tree branches and roots encroaching on our property. Adverse possession also seems to do with fences, etc. Haven't found a specific ordinance, etc that has to do with this situation. Since the neighbor is refusing, I'm pretty sure we can't get the police involved as this is a civil matter. Similarly, through other posts here on legaladvice, I read that I can't just go removing the neighbors blocks and relocating them either? (Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong)

Thanks!

Answer:
 Imposing on your property is one thing, but you have a lot of nerve demanding they rehabilitate your shitty lawn.Answer #2: > their basement tenant was trampling the grass and causing erosion when he accessed his basement "apartment"

Agree with other comments about "move the pavers and move on," or just kind of ignore it and live with it.

That said, I'd wonder if a basement "apartment" is even legal in your neighborhood, given zoning and what-not.Answer #3: Your neighbor appears to have left some extra pavers on your property. Pick them up and stack them on the pavers on their property.


Title: Sexual Relationship with Teacher

Question:
A friend of the family (F16) came to me a few months ago and confided in me that she had been having sex with her male teacher for over a year. I went to her mother and ended up taking them both to the PD to file a report the next day.

Long story short, it never left the school and there were never any communications outside of the school. So evidence is all but none. He refused a polygraph, lawyered up and mentioned her by name when they initially questioned him.

She got a call today saying the case has been dropped, but will remain open in the event of future victims or other evidence. She's naturally upset, to say the least. The school has been less than helpful throughout all of this. Is there anything I can do to shine light on this? Maybe there are other victims? Maybe someone else saw or heard something? Any advice would be appreciated.
Edit: we're from a small town in New England

Answer: No. The police investigated, no charges were filed. So either your friend lied,or there was not enough evidence.Answer #2: For the record, polygraphs are pseudoscientific bullshit.  They're as accurate as reading tea leaves.Answer #3: Even if the evidence was overwhelming, there's no way to force a district attorney's office to pursue charges. It's called prosecutorial discretion.


Title: [NJ]Can I put a microphone on my surveillance camera outside of my house if I put a audio recording sign out side in plain sight?

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 Is this the guy who you have been recording over your back fence?  And who you've been told to stop bothering?  Aren't you currently facing harassment charges over recording this guy and threatening to kill his dog?

I am going to give you practical advice.  You have a mental issue.  I am not saying this to say you are a bad person.  You are acting irrationally.  I know to you it seems like you are in the right because you can't see how this looks.  Please leave this person alone.  They could be the worst human on the planet but that still wouldn't justify the lengths you are going to to involve yourself in his life.  Sending 60 hours of footage a week to the police of one person isn't normal behavior.  This isn't how mentally sound people act.

As to your question specifically you have been told to stop recording him, trying to create some kind of loophole using a sign is not going to be looked upon favorably.


Title: Is my husband misclassified as 1099? What can we do?

Question:
Short and long of it - I highly suspect my partner is misclassified as a 1099 employee. He works remotely as a programmer for a company on the west coast.

Some specifics:

-He must "log in" and be present and working in the developer chat/skype during set hours, monday-friday. He virtually 'clocks in' this way. This is required, no exceptions.

-He must request and get approval for time off. He has 1 week of paid vacation per year.

-He has worked full time at this company for about 4 years. There is no contract length, nor hiring for a specific project, no contract renewals, nada. He was hired and works as a normal w2 employee would be.

-He answers to two direct supervisors - one in his department, and the CTO. They provide direction on his daily tasks and project assignments.

-He is paid salary on a weekly basis, a set amount per year via 1099. He does not receive any quarterly 1099 statements from his employer.

-This is the muddy part I suppose - because he does work remotely from home, he provides his own computer, internet connection, etc. However, the company provides certain software licenses, etc.

And lastly, this is the real doozy. Recently, the CEO of his company found out my husband had done a side job working on some back-end development for a website for someone he knows. This was done outside of the regular 'hours' he is supposed to work for his employer.

 The CEO absolutely blew up at the concept that my husband do any 'side jobs' for anyone else and told him he was forbidden to take these types of jobs as long as he worked there. Now I'm no expert, but I'm fairly sure this alone kind of destroys the concept that he is a 1099 freelance employee in any way, shape, or form.

I guess my question is.. am I right? Is he misclassified? Where do we go from here? What are his options and rights in a situation like this?

Answer:
 Yeah, that very much sounds like a misclassified 1099 employee.  Many of those points scream out that's the case.

now I hate for the overly broad direction to go, but [this](https://www.dol.gov/whd/workers/misclassification/) link will be your first step to learn about the problem and steps you can take.


Title: Going in and getting rejected for a kiss - possible trouble

Question: [deleted]

Answer:
 > Prior to any sexual encounter I always put my phone on record (there is one party consent law in NY) to prevent any issues, so I have a brief 11 minute recording of the night prior to me attempting my kiss that basically recants the above.

Wow, that is creepy.  And you might be violating some kind of voyeurism law if your are recording sexual encounters.

>Can this be interpreted as sexual assault or battery in NY?

I can't imagine.

> Also if she does claim rape, can my recording be used as alibi?

Alibi, no; evidence of your side of the story, probably.Answer #2: Recording of a sexual encounter without the consent of both parties is a class D felony in New York. I suggest you stop this habit of recording "for consent". Answer #3: Well, I'm now completely convinced that everyone under 25 nowadays is living somewhere on the autism spectrum and unable to read common social signals. Answer #4: If the girl is potentially crazy enough to make false allegations, is it really worth getting drunk with her on your own? I'm struggling to understand why you'd put yourself in this position with someone you think is untrustworthy to such an extent. Yikes.
Answer #5: I see. If she goes to the cops because you were pulling skeevy shit, like recording her in her own home without her knowledge, SHE's the crazy one...

Nah, bruh. That would be you.

Also, stop mixing booze and sex with women you barely know. Really. Bad. Idea.


Title: Roommate keeps turning the heat off in the freezing cold, do i have any recourse?

Answer:
 If it is truly freezing your roommate might be creating a risk that water pipes freeze inside your residence. If that happened you both could be liable for repairs that could be expensive.

Short of that turn the heat back on. This is an interpersonal problem not a legal problem.


Title: Tenant is bringing in bedbugs, what can I do about it?

Question:
Hello everyone,

We have just discovered bedbugs in new tenants furniture. He had left a table or sorts out side because he wasn't able to move it in himself.  We saw this we decided to help him, and found multiple bedbugs. Our home does not have any bedbugs, and I am worried that here might already be bedbugs that got in through our tenants clothing and furniture.
We asked him if he was aware of the bedbugs, he responded saying that he has a bedbug issue in his previous home.
I was wondering what I can do about this as the landlord, we don't want an infestation. Who is liable, can we take any action if the problem becomes bigger(infestation). Any and all advice would be helpful. I live in New York.  In addition I would like to add that we live in a house and we have rented the 2nd floor, my family and I live on the first floor, so we share the building with the tenant, making the chances of a full on infestation being a huge possibility.

Answer:
 I hate to tell you this, but if you found bugs on a wooden table, there's an excellent chance that they're already in your house. Bedbugs like enclosed, dark spaces near their victims, usually within 10 feet or so. If they're on a random piece of furniture, they're almost certainly on his bed/in his clothing.

I don't know NYS law, but NYC law requires the landlords to foot the bill for extermination. You should probably talk to a lawyer.Answer #2: NAL. Every lease I've signed has had a bedbug addendum stating that if I knowing bring bedbugs into my new place of residence, I will be financially responsible for getting rid of them. Not sure if it would ever hold up--they'd have to prove I was the one who brought the bugs into this 50-unit building, and they'd have to prove I did it knowingly, but still it in theory provides some protection to my landlord.

Maybe too late now, but talk to a lawyer about a similar addendum in the future?