Civil Rights, Government & Administrative Law
Browse published legal information questions related to Civil Rights, Government & Administrative Law.
Do I have to pay a credit repair service that guaranteed results in writing?
In general, a written guarantee from a credit repair service may matter a lot, but it does not automatically mean you must pay every charge the company claims. In Maine, as in other states, the answer usually depends on...
How do I get my deposit back from an event venue that canceled my party two weeks before the date?
If an event venue in Indiana canceled your party two weeks before the date, you will usually want to start by reviewing the written contract, any cancellation policy, and all messages between you and the venue. In genera...
Is it legal for my landlord to shut off utilities to force me to leave?
In Alabama, a landlord generally should not shut off utilities as a way to pressure a tenant to move out. In many situations, turning off electricity, water, heat, or other essential services to force a tenant to leave m...
Can I get student loan forgiveness if I work for a state university?
In general, working for a state university may make you eligible for some student loan forgiveness programs, but it depends on the program, the type of loans you have, and whether your employment fits the program rules....
How do I dispute a $980 charge from a hotel that claimed I smoked in a non-smoking room?
If a hotel charged you $980 for allegedly smoking in a non-smoking room, the dispute usually turns on the hotel’s terms, the evidence it has, and whether the charge was authorized. In general, hotels may impose smoking f...
Do I have to use an income-driven repayment plan to get PSLF credit?
In general, no. For federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness, an income-driven repayment plan is often one of the most common ways borrowers make qualifying payments, but it is not necessarily the only way to receive PSLF...
What Evidence Do I Need to Sue Over Excessive Dog Barking in Arizona?
In Arizona, the evidence needed for a civil claim over excessive dog barking usually depends on the specific legal theory, the facts, and whether the barking is interfering with your use and enjoyment of your property. T...
How do I ask a judge to exclude a recording made without two-party consent?
In Washington, asking a judge to exclude a recording usually means asking the court to keep it out of evidence because it may have been obtained illegally or in violation of state privacy rules. In general, this is done...
Is it legal to record a private conversation with a school administrator about my child?
In Pennsylvania, whether it is legal to record a private conversation with a school administrator about your child can depend on the circumstances, especially whether the conversation is considered private and whether th...
What happens if I made 120 payments but some were under the wrong repayment plan?
If you made 120 payments but some of them were made under the wrong repayment plan, the key issue is usually whether those payments still count toward the forgiveness or loan-relief program you were trying to qualify for...
Is it legal for a state to sell the contents of an escheated safe deposit box?
In general, yes, a state may be allowed to sell the contents of an escheated safe deposit box after the property is treated as unclaimed or abandoned under the applicable state law. In Hawaii, as in many states, the stat...
Can a Hotel Charge a Smoking Fee If I Never Smoked?
In general, a hotel may charge a smoking fee if it believes a room, balcony, or other hotel area was smoked in or smelled like smoke, even if the guest says they never smoked. The key issue is usually not only whether th...
My Neighbor’s Security Camera Points Into My Bedroom — Is That Legal?
In Florida, a neighbor’s security camera pointing into your bedroom may raise serious privacy concerns, but the answer usually depends on the camera’s placement, what it captures, and the facts surrounding the recording....
Is it legal to use AI to restore an old copyrighted photo and sell the restored version?
In general, using AI to restore an old copyrighted photo and then selling the restored version can raise copyright issues. The main question is usually whether the original photo is still protected by copyright and wheth...
How do I calculate damages for online defamation against my small business?
For a small business, damages in an online defamation claim are usually about showing the money loss and other harm that may have flowed from the false statement. In general, the starting point is to identify what was sa...