Civil Rights, Government & Administrative Law
Browse published legal information questions related to Civil Rights, Government & Administrative Law.
Is it legal for police to restart questioning the next day after I invoked my right to silence?
In general, police may sometimes try to question a person again after the person has invoked the right to remain silent, but there are important limits. The main issue is whether the earlier request was honored and wheth...
What are my rights if I signed a waiver without reading it carefully?
In general, signing a waiver does not automatically mean you lose every legal right connected to the situation. In Idaho, as in many states, a signed waiver may be treated as evidence that you agreed to its terms, even i...
What are my rights if I was burned by hot coffee because the lid was not attached correctly?
If you were burned by hot coffee because the lid was not attached correctly, you may have a potential claim under Maryland personal injury or product liability principles, depending on what caused the injury and who may...
Can a hospital refund check become unclaimed property if I moved and never received it?
Yes, a hospital refund check can sometimes become unclaimed property if it was issued to you but never cashed, deposited, or otherwise claimed, including situations where you moved and did not receive it. In general, unc...
Do I have to consent to being recorded during a telehealth appointment in California?
In California, the answer is often yes if someone wants to record a telehealth appointment that includes your voice or confidential medical conversation. California is generally considered a two-party consent state for r...
What are my rights if I am accused of damaging property because of someone’s race or religion?
If you are accused of damaging property because of someone’s race or religion, you generally have important rights, including the right to remain silent, the right to understand the accusations, and the right to defend y...
How do I dispute an auto repair bill when the shop replaced parts I never authorized?
If an auto repair shop in Florida replaced parts you never authorized, you may have a basis to dispute the bill, but the best response depends on what you approved, what the shop documented, and whether the parts were tr...
Do I have to pay a fee to claim money that was escheated to the state treasury in New York?
In New York, you usually do not have to pay a fee just to search for or file a basic claim for unclaimed property that was turned over to the state treasury, often called escheated property. In many situations, the state...
Is it legal to record a customer service call in California if the company says the call may be recorded?
In California, the fact that a company says a call may be recorded does not automatically mean you are free to record the call yourself. California generally has strict rules about recording confidential communications,...
Can my insurance deny coverage because my roommate was driving my car during the accident?
In West Virginia, an insurer may try to deny coverage if your roommate was driving your car during an accident, but the answer usually depends on the policy language and the facts of the situation. Many auto policies cov...
Do I have to send a cease and desist letter before suing for online defamation in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, you usually do not have to send a cease and desist letter before filing a lawsuit for online defamation. In general, a defamation claim does not have a universal legal requirement that you first demand a...
How do I prove my old employer was a qualifying nonprofit if it no longer exists?
If an old employer no longer exists, proving that it was a qualifying nonprofit usually means reconstructing the organization’s status from records that still exist in government databases, tax filings, corporate filings...
What are my rights if my elderly parent fell at a nursing home and broke a hip?
If your elderly parent fell at a nursing home and broke a hip, you may have concerns about safety, medical care, and whether the facility may be responsible. In general, nursing homes have duties to provide reasonable su...
Is it legal for my tax refund to be taken because of defaulted student loans?
In general, yes. A tax refund may be taken, or offset, to collect certain past-due debts, including defaulted federal student loans, depending on the facts and the type of debt involved. This is a common collection tool...
Can I qualify for forgiveness if I work at a nonprofit nursing home?
In general, maybe—but it depends on what kind of forgiveness program you mean and how the employer is classified under the program’s rules. A nonprofit nursing home may sound like the kind of job that should count, but m...