Civil Rights, Government & Administrative Law
Browse published legal information questions related to Civil Rights, Government & Administrative Law.
Do I have to include my spouse’s income for income based student loan payments?
In general, whether you must include a spouse’s income for income-based student loan payments depends on the repayment plan, how the loan servicer counts household income, and whether you file taxes jointly or separately...
My HOA Approved My Fence Then Fined Me After It Was Built — Can They Do That?
In Florida, an HOA may be able to fine a homeowner after approving a fence if the association believes the fence still violates a rule, covenant, architectural guideline, or approval condition. An earlier approval does n...
How do I sue a contractor who left my kitchen unfinished after taking full payment?
If a contractor took full payment and left a kitchen unfinished, there may be several possible legal claims, depending on the contract, the work performed, and the facts of the dispute. In Massachusetts, people often loo...
Can I use a secret recording in small claims court if it proves the repair shop lied?
In California, a secret recording may sometimes be used in small claims court if it is relevant and the court allows it. But the fact that a recording exists does not automatically mean it will be admissible or persuasiv...
Do I have to answer questions about where I was last night after Miranda warnings?
In general, no. If police have given you Miranda warnings and you are in custody, you usually do not have to answer questions about where you were last night or other questions that may connect you to a crime. The warnin...
Do I have to keep paying my loans while my forgiveness application is under review?
In general, you may still have to keep making payments while a loan forgiveness application is being reviewed, unless the loan program or servicer has placed your account into an approved pause, deferment, forbearance, a...
What are my rights if the driver who hit me had no insurance and I only have liability coverage?
If you were hit by a driver who had no insurance and you only carry liability coverage, your options are usually more limited than if you had collision or uninsured motorist coverage. In general, liability coverage pays...
What are my rights if my ex secretly recorded me during a custody exchange conversation?
In California, secretly recording a custody exchange conversation may raise privacy and family-law issues, but the answer usually depends on the exact facts. If the conversation was truly private and you did not consent,...
What happens if the online statement was partly true but included false details?
In general, a statement can still create legal problems even if part of it is true. In Connecticut, as in many states, the legal issue is often not whether every word was false, but whether the overall message was mislea...
What happens if I stayed silent but did not say I was invoking my rights?
In general, staying silent during police questioning does not always mean the same thing as clearly invoking your right to remain silent. Under U.S. law, the effect of silence can depend on the context, what the police a...
Can a court settlement payment become unclaimed property if the law firm cannot reach me?
Yes, a court settlement payment can sometimes become unclaimed property if the money cannot be delivered to you and remains unclaimed for a period of time. In general, when a law firm or other holder is trying to distrib...
What happens if my ex hid a camera in my apartment after we broke up?
If an ex hid a camera in your apartment after you broke up, that may raise serious privacy, criminal, and civil law issues in Michigan. In general, secretly recording someone in a private place can be illegal, especially...
How do I handle finding a camera disguised as a phone charger in a vacation rental?
Finding a camera disguised as a phone charger in a vacation rental can be alarming, and in Georgia it may raise both privacy and criminal-law concerns depending on the facts. In general, the safest first steps are to avo...
Do I have to pay a locksmith $475 when they quoted $95 on the phone?
In Ohio, a phone quote of $95 does not always control the final bill, but it can matter a lot. In general, if a locksmith clearly quoted one price and then charged a much higher amount without explaining extra work, part...
What are my rights if my borrower defense claim has been pending for three years?
If your borrower defense claim has been pending for three years, you may understandably be frustrated, but the specific rights available to you usually depend on the status of the application, the federal student loan pr...