Civil Rights, Government & Administrative Law
Browse published legal information questions related to Civil Rights, Government & Administrative Law.
Is it legal for a landlord to charge an application fee and deny me without explanation in Rhode Island?
In general, yes, a landlord in Rhode Island may be allowed to charge an application fee and may also be allowed to deny an application without giving a detailed explanation. That is often true in ordinary rental screenin...
How do I report a hidden camera found in a tanning salon room?
If you find what appears to be a hidden camera in a tanning salon room, the safest general approach is to treat it as a possible privacy and criminal issue and report it promptly. In Minnesota, as in many states, the exa...
I ordered a custom dress and it looks nothing like the sample. Can I refuse it?
In general, maybe. If a custom dress is materially different from the sample, the finished item may be treated as nonconforming to the agreement, which can give the buyer a basis to complain, refuse acceptance, or seek a...
Can I make a claim if a road rage driver intentionally hit my car?
Yes, you may be able to make a claim if another driver intentionally hit your car during a road rage incident. In general, an intentional crash can support civil claims for property damage and, depending on the facts, pe...
Can I sue someone who recorded my private conversation and sent it to my coworkers?
In California, you may have legal options if someone recorded a private conversation and shared it with your coworkers, but the answer depends heavily on the facts. In general, whether a claim is available can turn on th...
Can I still file an insurance claim if the other driver admitted fault at the scene but now denies it?
Yes, in general you may still be able to file an insurance claim even if the other driver later denies fault after admitting it at the scene. In California, an insurance claim is usually evaluated based on the available...
Can I apply for forgiveness if my federal loans are in default right now?
In general, being in default on federal student loans does not automatically mean you can never pursue forgiveness, but it can make the process more complicated. Whether forgiveness is available usually depends on the sp...
A contractor demolished the wrong wall in my house. Do I call insurance or sue them?
If a contractor demolished the wrong wall in your Texas home, the next step is often to think about both insurance and a claim against the contractor, not just one or the other. In many situations, homeowners first notif...
Do I have to stop recording if someone says they do not agree to be recorded?
In California, the answer may depend on what kind of recording you are making, where you are making it, and whether the law requires consent from the people being recorded. In general, if a recording law applies, a perso...
Can a collection agency report the same debt twice under different company names?
In general, a collection agency should not be able to make a debt look like two separate debts just by using different company names. If the same account is being reported more than once, that may be a sign of duplicate...
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...
What happens if I bought a car from a private seller and later found out the odometer was rolled back?
If you bought a car from a private seller in Colorado and later learned the odometer may have been rolled back, that can be a serious issue. In general, an odometer rollback can affect the vehicle’s value, the accuracy o...
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...
Do I have to get everyone’s consent before recording a Zoom call with a contractor?
In California, the answer is often yes if the Zoom call is a confidential communication. California is a two-party consent state for certain recorded conversations, which means all parties may need to agree before the ca...
How do I know if a voicemail message counts as consent to record the rest of a call?
In general, a voicemail message does not automatically count as consent to record the rest of a live phone call. Whether it counts usually depends on what the speaker actually said, whether the statement clearly allowed...