Civil Rights, Government & Administrative Law
Browse published legal information questions related to Civil Rights, Government & Administrative Law.
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 accept store credit instead of a refund for a defective product?
In general, whether you have to accept store credit instead of a refund for a defective product depends on the store’s return policy, the type of product, what was promised at the time of sale, and any applicable Arizona...
How do I handle a pet sitter who lost my dog during a walk?
If a pet sitter lost your dog during a walk, the first priority is usually to search, notify local shelters and animal control, and preserve all communication with the sitter. In Hawaii, as in many states, the exact lega...
Can I record a threatening phone call if I am afraid the person will deny it later?
In Massachusetts, the answer usually depends on whether recording the call would comply with state and federal privacy laws. Massachusetts is generally considered a two-party consent state, which means it is often illega...
Is it legal for a family member to record a private phone call about an inheritance dispute?
In California, the legality of recording a private phone call often depends on whether all parties to the call consented to the recording. California is generally treated as a two-party consent state, which means a perso...
Do I have to pay for damage in a rental car if I bought the company’s collision waiver?
In general, buying a rental car company’s collision waiver may reduce or eliminate your responsibility for certain damage to the rental vehicle, but it does not always mean you owe nothing in every situation. The exact a...
Can a gym renew my annual membership automatically without warning me?
In general, a gym may be able to automatically renew an annual membership if the contract clearly says so and the renewal terms are disclosed in a way that is not misleading. In Massachusetts, however, auto-renewal terms...
Is it legal for the insurance company to follow my social media after I make an injury claim?
In general, yes—an insurance company or its investigator may be allowed to look at public social media after you make an injury claim. If your profile, posts, photos, comments, or videos are visible to the public, they m...
What happens if I caused a minor accident and then got arrested for DUI in Connecticut?
If you caused a minor accident and were then arrested for DUI in Connecticut, you may be facing more than one type of problem at the same time. In general, there can be a criminal DUI case, possible motor vehicle consequ...
What are my rights if my car insurance denies coverage due to a technicality in the policy?
If your car insurance company in Michigan denies coverage because of a policy technicality, you generally still have rights. A denial letter does not always mean the insurer’s decision is final or correct. In many situat...
How do I handle a pet boarding business that lost my dog’s medication and then charged me full price?
If a pet boarding business in Hawaii lost your dog’s medication and still charged you the full amount, the situation may involve contract issues, business practices, and possibly a dispute over damages or service quality...