Civil Rights, Government & Administrative Law
Browse published legal information questions related to Civil Rights, Government & Administrative Law.
Mechanic replaced parts I never approved and won’t release the car unless I pay. What now?
If a mechanic replaced parts you did not approve and is refusing to release your car until you pay, the situation may involve a dispute over authorization, repair charges, and possession of your vehicle. In Michigan, the...
Can I record a conversation with my landlord during a walkthrough if my phone is visible?
In Massachusetts, whether you can record a conversation with your landlord during a walkthrough usually depends on consent and the type of conversation involved. A visible phone by itself does not automatically make reco...
What happens if I missed the annual income recertification deadline for my repayment plan?
If you missed the annual income recertification deadline for a repayment plan, the most common result is that your monthly payment may change, your plan may stop being treated as income-based, or you may be moved out of...
Is it legal for a nanny cam to record audio without telling the babysitter?
In Arizona, the answer can depend on the facts, especially where the camera is placed, whether the people being recorded expect privacy, and whether any state or federal wiretap or privacy law applies. A nanny cam that r...
Is it legal for a landlord to ban guests from staying overnight?
In general, a landlord may be able to limit or regulate overnight guests through the lease, house rules, or occupancy policies, but a complete ban is not always treated the same way in every situation. In North Dakota, t...
Is it legal for a store to refuse to identify the cleaning company responsible for the spill?
In general, a store may be able to refuse to volunteer the name of a cleaning company, but that does not necessarily end the matter if someone was injured in a spill. In Arkansas, the legal question is usually not whethe...
What happens if my business forgot to report unclaimed customer refunds by the state deadline?
If your business missed the Delaware deadline for reporting unclaimed customer refunds, the first thing to know is that the issue usually does not disappear on its own. In general, unclaimed property rules are designed t...
How do I handle a private investigator who recorded my conversation through an open window?
In general, a private investigator recording a conversation through an open window can raise several legal issues, but the answer depends heavily on the facts and on Washington law. The most important questions are usual...
Is it legal for the other driver’s insurer to delay payment for six weeks while they investigate?
In Nevada, a six-week delay by the other driver’s insurer is not automatically illegal. In general, an insurer may take time to investigate a claim before deciding whether to accept liability and issue payment. The key i...
Do I have to pay for replacement value or repair cost in a Minnesota property damage case?
In Minnesota property damage cases, the amount at issue is often whether damages are measured by repair cost, replacement value, or another measure of loss. In general, the answer depends on the type of property, the ext...
What happens if I damaged property during a fight but did not mean to break anything?
In Minnesota, damaging property during a fight can still create legal problems even if you did not mean to break anything. In general, lack of intent may matter a lot, but it does not automatically prevent civil claims o...
How do I prove damages from a viral false post about my business?
If a false post about your business goes viral, proving damages usually means showing a connection between the post and a real loss. In general, that can include lost sales, canceled contracts, reduced bookings, lower we...
A contractor demolished the wrong wall in my house. Do I call insurance or sue them?
If a contractor demolished the wrong wall in your Texas home, the next step is often to think about both insurance and a claim against the contractor, not just one or the other. In many situations, homeowners first notif...
Do I have to get consent if the conversation happened on speakerphone with other people nearby?
In California, the answer may depend on whether the conversation was being recorded or otherwise intercepted, and on whether the people involved had a reasonable expectation of privacy. Speakerphone use by itself does no...
Is it legal for a store to delete security footage after I asked them to preserve it?
In general, a store may not be free to delete security footage once it has notice that the footage may be needed in a legal dispute. But the answer depends on the facts, the type of claim, and whether the store had a cle...