Civil Rights, Government & Administrative Law
Browse published legal information questions related to Civil Rights, Government & Administrative Law.
What are my rights if an app recorded audio during a support call without clear notice?
In California, a call recording without clear notice can raise privacy and consent concerns, but the legal answer usually depends on the facts. The most important questions are whether the call was actually recorded, whe...
Do I have to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company?
In Pennsylvania, you usually do not have to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company unless you have a legal or policy-based reason to do so. In many situations, the other insurer is asking becau...
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 happens if my employer refuses to sign the PSLF certification form?
If your employer refuses to sign a PSLF certification form, it usually does not automatically end your chance at Public Service Loan Forgiveness, but it can make it harder to document your qualifying employment. In gener...
What happens if the person harassing me says their messages are just free speech?
In general, saying “it’s free speech” does not automatically make harassment lawful. Under U.S. law, people have strong speech protections, but those protections are not unlimited. Communications that cross into threats,...
What happens if I was hurt by a dog while pet sitting for the owner?
If you were hurt by a dog while pet sitting for the owner, the legal question is usually who may be responsible for the injury and what insurance, if any, may apply. In Delaware, as in many states, the answer often depen...
Do I have to get a model release if AI creates a realistic image of a person who looks real?
In general, maybe. A model release is most commonly discussed when you use a real person’s likeness, but AI-generated images can raise similar issues if the image is realistic enough that people could think it depicts an...
How do I file a small claims case in Alabama over a contractor who took my $2,500 deposit?
In Alabama, a small claims case may be one way to ask a court to decide a dispute over a contractor deposit, including a claim involving $2,500. In general, small claims courts are designed for lower-dollar disputes and...
Can a Neighbor Legally Trim Branches From My Tree?
In Massachusetts, a neighbor may usually trim branches or roots that cross onto their property, but only up to the property line and generally at their own expense. In other words, a neighbor typically does not have the...
Do I have to pay a dentist for a procedure that failed and needs to be redone?
In general, you may still owe money for a dental procedure even if it did not work as expected, but that does not mean the dentist can always charge you the full amount without question. In New Jersey, as in many states,...
What happens if the harasser lives in Oregon but keeps contacting me while I live in Washington?
If someone in Oregon keeps contacting you while you live in Washington, the key issue is usually not where the harasser lives, but where the effects of the conduct are felt and what kind of conduct is happening. In gener...
Do I have to listen to the full Miranda warning before saying I want a lawyer?
In general, no. If you are in a situation where Miranda rights apply, you usually do not have to wait for the officer to finish reading the entire warning before saying that you want a lawyer. A clear statement asking fo...
Can a store use hidden cameras in dressing rooms to prevent shoplifting?
In Ohio, a store generally should not place hidden cameras in a dressing room or other area where a customer has a strong expectation of privacy. Dressing rooms are usually treated as private spaces, and secretly recordi...
Can a Security Guard Legally Detain Me After I Showed Proof of Purchase?
In Utah, a security guard may sometimes stop or hold someone briefly, but only within the limits of the law and the guard’s authority. Showing proof of purchase may resolve the immediate concern, but it does not automati...
Can I sue over defamatory comments made during a livestream?
In general, yes, it may be possible to sue over defamatory comments made during a livestream if the statements meet the legal requirements for defamation. But whether a claim exists usually depends on what was said, how...