Legal Q&A Topics
Browse published legal information questions. Pages are sorted by recent reader activity.
What happens if the landlord files in court before the notice period is over?
If a landlord files a court case before the required notice period ends, the filing may be premature. In general, that can matter because many eviction or possession cases depend on the landlord first giving proper notic...
What are my rights if a detective says asking for a lawyer will make me look guilty?
If a detective says that asking for a lawyer will make you look guilty, the safest general rule is that you still have the right to ask for a lawyer. In the United States, a request for counsel is generally a protected c...
Can I Break My Lease Because the Elevator Has Been Broken for Weeks?
In Maryland, a broken elevator may be a serious housing problem, but it does not automatically let a tenant break a lease. In general, the legal question is whether the problem is severe enough to make the rental unit or...
Can I record audio on my home security cameras if contractors are working inside my house?
In Massachusetts, recording audio on a home security camera may raise legal issues because audio recording can be treated differently from video recording. In general, people are often more comfortable that video of acti...
What happens if I was charged with DUI but my blood test came back under the legal limit in Colorado?
In Colorado, a blood test result under the legal limit does not automatically mean a DUI case goes away. Prosecutors may still try to prove that alcohol, drugs, or a combination of substances impaired your driving, even...
What happens if I bought a used car yesterday and the check engine light came on during the drive home?
If the check engine light came on during the drive home after you bought a used car in Iowa, that does not automatically mean the seller did something unlawful, but it may raise concerns about the car’s condition, the se...
Can I challenge a will in Alabama if my sibling pressured my mother to change it?
In Alabama, a will may sometimes be challenged if someone believes the testator was pressured into changing it, but the legal issue is usually framed as undue influence rather than ordinary family conflict. Pressure, per...
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 handle a crash caused by a driver who swerved to avoid an animal?
In Iowa, a crash caused by a driver who swerved to avoid an animal is usually handled as a negligence and insurance question, but the answer depends heavily on the facts. In general, the key issue is whether the driver a...
Do I have to prove emotional distress in an online defamation case in Mississippi?
In general, emotional distress can be relevant in an online defamation case, but it is not always the only thing a person must prove. Whether you need to show emotional distress depends on the type of defamation claim, t...
Can a Business Charge My Card Again After I Disputed the First Charge?
In general, a business may try to charge your card again after you dispute the first charge, but whether it is allowed depends on the facts, the payment method, the business’s policies, and any agreement you made. A seco...
What happens if a roommate secretly installed a camera in our shared bathroom?
If a roommate secretly installed a camera in a shared bathroom, that can raise serious legal and safety concerns in Texas. In general, a bathroom is one of the most private places in a home, and secretly recording people...
What happens if I recorded a roommate admitting they stole money but did not ask for consent first?
In California, recording a conversation without asking for consent first can raise serious legal issues, even if the other person appears to confess to theft. California is generally a two-party consent state for confide...
Is it legal for a dealership to add a $1,995 protection package after we agreed on the price?
In Colorado, a dealership usually cannot simply change the deal after you and the dealer have already agreed on the price, but the answer depends on what was actually agreed to, what was written, and whether you had alre...
Is it legal for a landlord to charge a move-out inspection fee not listed in the lease?
In Arkansas, the answer usually depends on what the lease says, whether the fee was clearly disclosed, and whether state law treats the charge as a permitted rent-related cost or an improper extra fee. In general, a land...