Have legal questions? Justia Ask A Lawyer lets you get free answers to your legal questions from experienced attorneys. Whether you need guidance on family law, criminal defense, personal injury, immigration, employment law, real estate, or another legal matter, you can ask your questions anonymously and get the answers you need.
Justia Ask A Lawyer
Free Answers From Lawyers to Your Legal Questions!
View Questions by Practice Area
View Questions by State
Lawyers, Answer Questions & Get Points
Log In
Recent Questions & Answers
Q: Will an expunged petty theft charge affect a new charge in Oklahoma?
I was charged with petty theft from a retail store for $85 today in Oklahoma. I had a similar charge 17 years ago, which was expunged after I completed community service. Will my prior expunged charge affect the current charge? I haven't been to court or sought legal advice yet.
Tracy Tiernan
answered on Jul 16, 2026
answered on Jul 16, 2026
That’s a great question! Without knowing more specific details, it’s hard to give you an answer with any amount of confidence. hHwever, there are certain factors that sometimes cause a prior similar charge to play a role in what type of offer the government makes in a new misdemeanor case... View More 
Q: How to stop a wind farm in Michigan harming wildlife?
I am concerned about a wind farm project in Michigan that may be harmful to local wildlife, including the tufted titmouse. How can I legally stop or challenge the development of this project? Are there specific environmental regulations or legal actions that residents can take to address these... View More
Kenneth V Zichi
answered on Jul 16, 2026
answered on Jul 16, 2026
First of all, get professional advice from a bird specialist. My understanding is that small birds (like tufted titmice) are rarely impacted by wind turbines -- its the large raptors like eagles and hawks that are most impacted.
Secondly, keep in mind that ALL human structures have an... View More
Q: Can I trademark 'ATERNAL' for clothing if used for supplements?
I own the domain ATERNAL.com and plan to use it for a clothing brand. There's an existing trademark for "ATERNAL," which focuses on dietary supplements and is associated with an LLC named ATERNAL LLC. I want to know if I can legally obtain a trademark for "ATERNAL" for my... View More
PREMIUM
Pavel Kolmogorov
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jul 16, 2026
Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Jul 16, 2026
Trademark rights are generally tied to specific goods and services, not to the word in the abstract. The fact that "ATERNAL" is registered for dietary supplements does not automatically bar you from registering the same word for clothing. The USPTO examines applications under a... View More
Q: What are our legal options for a pharmacy's medication error in NY?
I am seeking legal advice due to a medication dispensing error involving my mother-in-law at a pharmacy in Flushing, NY. Her doctor prescribed Vitamin D, but the pharmacy mistakenly gave her sleeping medication. She took this medication for two days, experiencing extreme drowsiness and excessive... View More
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Jul 16, 2026
answered on Jul 16, 2026
Sorry to hear about your mother-in-law's experience. In any malpractice action, you need to demonstrate 1) a departure from the standard of care; and 2) bodily harm caused by the departure. Given the cost and complexity of malpractice actions, they only make sense when the departure results in... View More
Q: Can stepfather adopt my son in GA without biological father's consent?
I live in Georgia, and my husband wants to adopt my 9-year-old son, who is his stepson. My son's biological father was never legitimized, is not on the birth certificate, and we've never been married. The biological father has had no contact with us since my son's birth, and we... View More
Alake Colwell Furlow
answered on Jul 19, 2026
answered on Jul 19, 2026
Before the stepfather can adopt the minor child you have to terminate his parental rights. When you file to terminate someone's parental rights you do have to have them properly served. Even though he has not participated in the child's life, he still has to be served with the petition... View More
Justia Ask A Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get free answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask A Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.
The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between Justia and you, or between any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions and you, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask A Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.
Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.
