Civil Rights, Government & Administrative Law
Browse published legal information questions related to Civil Rights, Government & Administrative Law.
Do I have to explain why I am invoking my right to remain silent?
In general, no. If you are in Mississippi and you are being questioned by law enforcement, you usually do not have to explain why you are choosing to remain silent. The purpose of the right to remain silent is to let you...
What are my rights if a customer at my job keeps coming in and asking for me by name?
If a customer keeps coming in and asking for you by name, the situation may range from harmless to uncomfortable or even unsafe depending on the facts. In general, Washington workers have rights to a workplace that is re...
What are my rights if my landlord changed the laundry room hours after I signed the lease?
In general, a landlord cannot casually change an important rental term after you sign a lease if the lease gives you a right to use the laundry room during certain hours or as part of the tenancy. Whether you have a lega...
What are my rights if a contractor leaves hazardous materials on my property?
If a contractor leaves hazardous materials on your property, you may have several possible rights under Alabama law and general contract, property, and tort principles. In general, you may be able to demand that the cont...
What happens if I miss the hearing for my antiharassment protection order?
If you miss the hearing for your anti-harassment protection order in Washington, the court may still go forward without you. In general, that means the judge can hear from the other side and make a decision based on the...
What happens if my student loan servicer applied my extra payment to future bills instead of principal?
If your student loan servicer applied your extra payment to future bills instead of principal, the practical effect is usually that you may not reduce your loan balance as quickly as you expected. In many situations, the...
Can I record audio on my home security cameras if contractors are working inside my house?
In Massachusetts, recording audio on a home security camera may raise legal issues because audio recording can be treated differently from video recording. In general, people are often more comfortable that video of acti...
Can I take a moving company to court for holding my items hostage over extra fees?
In general, a moving company may not be able to keep your belongings indefinitely just because it says you owe more money, but the answer depends on the contract, the shipment type, the facts of the move, and whether sta...
Is it legal for police to stop me just because I left a bar parking lot late at night?
In Florida, police usually cannot stop a driver just because the person left a bar parking lot late at night. In general, a traffic stop or detention needs some lawful reason, such as a traffic violation, a visible equip...
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...