Civil Rights, Government & Administrative Law
Browse published legal information questions related to Civil Rights, Government & Administrative Law.
Is it legal for a store manager to record a private back-office conversation with an employee?
In California, whether a store manager can legally record a private back-office conversation with an employee usually depends on the facts, especially whether the conversation was confidential and whether everyone involv...
How do I handle a moving company that lost my $2,200 TV during a cross-state move?
If a moving company lost your TV during an interstate move, the first step is usually to gather every document connected to the move and the missing item. That often includes your bill of lading, inventory list, estimate...
What are my rights if I asked for a lawyer but detectives kept questioning me?
In Illinois, if you are in police custody and you clearly ask for a lawyer, detectives generally must stop asking you questions until a lawyer is present. This rule is based on the idea that a person should be able to en...
Do I have to file a claim in the state where I live now or the state where the account was opened?
In general, the right place to file a claim depends on several things, not just where you live now or where the account was originally opened. The answer often turns on the type of claim, the contract or account terms, w...
What happens if I missed court for a misdemeanor charge in Alabama?
If you missed court for a misdemeanor charge in Alabama, the court may treat it as a serious problem. In many situations, failing to appear can lead to a warrant for your arrest, forfeiture of bond, and the case moving f...
Is it legal for someone to contact my family members after I told them not to contact me?
In general, it may be legal for someone to contact your family members even after you told that person not to contact you, but that depends on the facts and the reason for the contact. In Washington, as in many states, a...
What are my rights if I got an eviction notice after joining a tenant union?
If you received an eviction notice after joining a tenant union, that timing may raise a concern about retaliation. In general, landlords are not supposed to punish tenants for engaging in protected activity, and joining...
What happens if someone says they are recording after the conversation already started?
In California, whether a recording can be made after a conversation already started often depends on the facts, the setting, and whether the law requires consent before recording. In general, if a person announces that t...
What are my rights if a salon burned my scalp during a chemical treatment and will only refund the service fee?
If a salon burned your scalp during a chemical treatment in South Carolina, you may have more than just a right to a refund of the service fee. In general, a refund for the treatment itself does not always address other...
How do I handle student loans if I became permanently disabled and cannot work?
If you became permanently disabled and can no longer work, there may be relief options for your student loans, but the right path depends on what kind of loans you have, who services them, and whether the loans are feder...
What are my rights if a car wash damaged my side mirror and the sign says they are not responsible?
If a car wash damaged your side mirror in Montana, a sign saying the business is “not responsible” does not always end the issue. In general, a business cannot always avoid responsibility just by posting a notice, especi...
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,...
What happens if a business records calls for training but never gives customers notice?
In California, recording customer calls without notice can create serious legal risk. In general, California is a two-party consent state for confidential communications, which means a business usually cannot record a ca...
What happens if my parked car was hit in my apartment lot and the complex has camera footage?
If your parked car was hit in an apartment lot in New Hampshire and the complex has camera footage, that footage may help show what happened, who was involved, and whether the other driver can be identified. In general,...
Is It Legal for a Store to Refuse Cash Payments?
In general, a store in Virginia may be able to refuse cash payments, but the answer often depends on the type of business, the store’s policies, and any laws that apply to the specific transaction. For many everyday reta...