Civil Rights, Government & Administrative Law
Browse published legal information questions related to Civil Rights, Government & Administrative Law.
What are my rights if a school bus door closed on my child’s arm?
If a school bus door closes on your child’s arm, the situation can raise both safety and legal concerns. In general, the first priority is getting medical attention and making sure the injury is documented. Depending on...
Is it legal for my spouse to track my phone during the divorce?
In Arkansas, the answer usually depends on how the phone is being tracked, who owns the device and account, and whether there is consent. In general, a spouse may not be allowed to secretly monitor your phone if that inv...
Can I bring a claim if a dog chased me and I fell off my bike?
In West Virginia, a dog chase that causes a cyclist to fall may sometimes lead to a legal claim, but the details matter a lot. In general, the law looks at whether the dog owner or another responsible party acted neglige...
What happens if I accidentally recorded someone’s private conversation on my phone?
In California, accidentally recording someone’s private conversation can raise legal concerns, but the consequences usually depend on what happened, how the recording was made, and what you did after you realized it. A b...
I Requested Defensive Driving but Got a Failure-to-Appear Letter — What Should I Do?
If you requested defensive driving in Texas and then received a failure-to-appear letter, that usually means the court or agency believes something in the process was not completed, not received, or not accepted. In gene...
Can I file for harassment if the person only threatened me once but the threat was serious?
In Washington, a single serious threat may sometimes be enough to support a harassment filing, depending on the exact words used, the surrounding facts, and whether the threat would reasonably make a person fearful for s...
How do I get a subpoena for records from a social media platform?
In general, getting records from a social media platform usually involves a subpoena, but the exact process depends on the type of records you want, the platform’s policies, and the court rules that apply in your New Mex...
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...