Civil Rights, Government & Administrative Law
Browse published legal information questions related to Civil Rights, Government & Administrative Law.
What happens if I confessed before the officer told me I had the right to remain silent?
In general, a confession made before a police officer gives Miranda warnings is not automatically thrown out. The most important question is usually whether you were in custody and being interrogated at the time you spok...
How do I prove I asked for a lawyer during police questioning?
In general, the most important thing is whether you clearly asked for a lawyer and whether that request can be shown from the evidence. In police questioning, a request for counsel is usually strongest when it is direct,...
What happens if I secretly recorded my boss during a closed-door meeting about my final paycheck?
In Florida, secretly recording a closed-door workplace conversation can raise serious legal issues, especially if the meeting involved an expectation of privacy. In general, Florida is a two-party consent state for oral...
A neighbor’s basketball hoop is partly in the street and damaged my car. Who do I contact?
If a neighbor’s basketball hoop was partly in the street and damaged your car in North Carolina, the first contact is often the neighbor or the homeowner who controls the property where the hoop sits. In many situations,...
My Wedding Venue Closed Without Refunding Deposits — What Can I Do?
If a wedding venue in Florida closed and did not refund your deposit, the first question is usually what your contract says and whether the venue actually canceled, breached the agreement, or is going through a bankruptc...
How do I challenge statements made after hours of questioning without food or sleep?
If a statement was made after hours of questioning while a person was deprived of food or sleep, it may be possible to challenge whether the statement was voluntary. In criminal cases, courts usually look at the total ci...
Is it legal for police to arrest me without saying Miranda warnings first?
Yes, in general, police can arrest you without first reading Miranda warnings. Miranda warnings are not usually required before an arrest itself. They are generally required only before a person is subjected to custodial...
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...
How do I challenge a confession made after police ignored my request for an attorney?
In general, a confession may be challenged if police continued questioning after you clearly asked for a lawyer and the request should have stopped the interrogation. In North Carolina, as in other states, the details ma...
What happens if a collection agency sues me but serves papers at my old address?
If a collection agency files a lawsuit against you but serves the papers at an old address, that can create serious notice and service-of-process issues. In general, a lawsuit must be served in a way that gives the defen...
Can I get forgiveness if I worked at a tribal government office for six years?
Maybe, but it depends on what kind of forgiveness you mean and which program applies. “Forgiveness” is not one single legal benefit. People often use the term to mean student loan forgiveness, debt settlement, tax relief...
Do I have to pay a debt buyer if they cannot show the original contract or account statements?
In general, a debt buyer may still try to collect a debt even if it does not have the original contract or detailed account statements in hand. Whether you actually owe the debt, and whether the debt buyer can enforce it...
What are my rights if police say the damage is over $1,000 but the shop estimate is only $650?
In Minnesota, the difference between a police statement that damage is over $1,000 and a shop estimate of $650 may matter a lot, but it does not automatically decide the legal issue. In general, police reports, witness s...
Is it legal for a landlord to charge pet fees for a service animal?
In general, a landlord may not charge a pet fee, pet rent, or pet deposit for a true service animal because a service animal is usually not treated as an ordinary pet. Under fair housing rules, assistance animals are com...
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...