Appeals, Mediation & Legal Ethics
Browse published legal information questions related to Appeals, Mediation & Legal Ethics.
How do I get a statement suppressed because Miranda warnings were not given?
In general, a statement may be suppressed if it was obtained during a custodial interrogation and the police did not give Miranda warnings before asking questions. In Massachusetts, as in other states, the key issues are...
My Wedding Venue Closed Without Refunding Deposits — What Can I Do?
If a wedding venue in Florida closed and did not refund your deposit, the first question is usually what your contract says and whether the venue actually canceled, breached the agreement, or is going through a bankruptc...
How do I handle police asking me to come to the station for a voluntary interview?
If police ask you to come to the station for a “voluntary interview,” the most important thing to understand is that voluntary does not always feel optional in practice, even though you may not be under arrest. In genera...
Do I have to prove the person knew the statement was false?
In general, it depends on the type of legal claim and the facts. In some disputes, proving that the speaker knew a statement was false can be important. In others, the law may focus more on whether the statement was fals...
Do I Have to Pay HOA Fines If I Never Got the Violation Notice?
In general, whether you have to pay an HOA fine after not receiving the violation notice depends on the HOA’s governing documents, how notice was supposed to be delivered, and whether the association can show it followed...
How do I challenge a confession made after police ignored my request for an attorney?
In general, a confession may be challenged if police continued questioning after you clearly asked for a lawyer and the request should have stopped the interrogation. In North Carolina, as in other states, the details ma...
Can I Press Charges for Fake Evidence and Reputation Damage in Georgia?
In Georgia, the answer usually depends on what happened, who made the fake evidence, and how it was used. In general, a private person does not personally “press charges.” Criminal charges are usually handled by law enfo...
Can I qualify for forgiveness if I work for a nonprofit but my paycheck comes from a management company?
In general, the answer may depend on who is considered your employer for the forgiveness program, not just on the day-to-day work you do. If you work for a nonprofit but receive your paycheck from a separate management c...
What happens if I waived my Miranda rights because I felt pressured?
If you waived your Miranda rights because you felt pressured, the most important question is whether the waiver was actually voluntary, knowing, and intelligent under the law. In general, a court may look at the total ci...
Can police use my silence against me after I asked for a lawyer?
In general, once a person clearly asks for a lawyer during a custodial police questioning, police must usually stop questioning until counsel is present or the person reinitiates the conversation. But what happens next c...
How do I ask a judge to exclude a recording that was made without my consent?
In California, asking a judge to exclude a recording usually means asking the court not to admit it as evidence. That request is often made through a motion or objection, depending on the stage of the case and the type o...
Is it legal for police to arrest me without saying Miranda warnings first?
Yes, in general, police can arrest you without first reading Miranda warnings. Miranda warnings are not usually required before an arrest itself. They are generally required only before a person is subjected to custodial...
How do I get a subpoena for records from a social media platform?
In general, getting records from a social media platform usually involves a subpoena, but the exact process depends on the type of records you want, the platform’s policies, and the court rules that apply in your New Mex...
What happens if I stayed silent but did not say I was invoking my rights?
In general, staying silent during police questioning does not always mean the same thing as clearly invoking your right to remain silent. Under U.S. law, the effect of silence can depend on the context, what the police a...
Can police use my answers if I was handcuffed but told I was not under arrest?
In general, yes, police may sometimes use your answers even if you were handcuffed and told you were not under arrest. The key question is usually not the handcuffs alone, but whether your statements were voluntary and w...