Civil Rights, Government & Administrative Law
Browse published legal information questions related to Civil Rights, Government & Administrative Law.
Can a Tow Company Charge Storage Fees While I’m Disputing the Tow?
In Illinois, a tow company may be able to charge storage fees while you are disputing the tow, but that usually depends on the type of tow, the agreement or notice provided, and whether the charges are otherwise authoriz...
Can I ask for an antiharassment order if a stranger keeps showing up outside my apartment building?
In Washington, a person who keeps appearing outside your apartment building may sometimes be the kind of conduct that supports an anti-harassment order. Whether that is true usually depends on the facts, including what t...
Can My Ex Keep a Dog We Bought Together During the Relationship?
In West Virginia, a dog is usually treated as property for legal purposes, even though many people see a pet as part of the family. That means a court or other decision-maker may focus on ownership evidence rather than o...
What are my rights if a neighbor used a device to listen to my conversation inside my apartment?
If a neighbor used a device to listen to a private conversation inside your apartment, you may have legal rights under California law. In general, people have a strong expectation of privacy in their homes, and secretly...
Is it legal for a subscription service to charge me after I canceled during a free trial?
In general, a subscription service may be allowed to charge you after a free trial if the terms said the trial would convert to a paid subscription unless you canceled by a certain date or method. The key question is usu...
Can a School Charge Me for a Laptop My Child Says Was Stolen?
In general, a school may try to charge a family for a laptop that was issued to a student if the school believes the device was lost, damaged, or not returned as required under school policy. But whether the school can a...
Is it legal for a mechanic to begin crash repairs before I approve the final estimate?
In general, a mechanic or auto body shop should not begin significant crash repairs without some form of customer authorization, but the exact rule can depend on the paperwork you signed, the shop’s policies, the insurer...
Do I have to hire a lawyer for an RCW harassment protection order hearing in Washington?
In Washington, you usually do not have to hire a lawyer for an RCW harassment protection order hearing. These hearings are often handled in civil court, and many people represent themselves. That said, having a lawyer ca...
Is it legal for someone to repeatedly call my phone from blocked numbers after I asked them to stop?
In Washington, repeated calls from blocked numbers after you asked the caller to stop may be unlawful depending on the facts, the caller’s purpose, and whether the conduct rises to harassment, stalking, threats, or anoth...
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 a Gym Charge Me After I Tried to Cancel My Membership?
In general, a gym in California may still charge you after you tried to cancel if the cancellation was not completed in the way the membership contract requires, if the gym had a lawful right to bill for a notice period...
Can a landlord deny me housing because of my credit score alone?
In general, a landlord may consider your credit score when screening rental applicants, but the answer depends on the facts and on whether any fair housing or consumer credit rules apply. A credit score by itself is not...
Do I have to send due diligence letters before reporting abandoned checks from my company?
In general, whether you must send due diligence letters before reporting abandoned checks depends on the type of property involved, the reason the checks are considered abandoned, and the unclaimed property rules that ap...
What are my rights if my landlord recorded our maintenance dispute and posted part of it online?
In Illinois, your rights may depend on what was recorded, how the recording was made, and what the landlord posted online. In general, a landlord is not automatically allowed to record private conversations or publish th...
What happens if a repair shop charges storage fees without notifying me?
In Massachusetts, a repair shop that charges storage fees without telling you first may face a dispute over whether those charges are valid or collectible. In general, a business that keeps your vehicle or other property...