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: Can sleepwalking and medical history be used as a defense in a misdemeanor case?
I have been charged with a Class A Misdemeanor for vehicle burglary and a Class B misdemeanor for theft less than $500. Due to head injuries from being hit by a truck, I suffer from memory loss and severe insomnia. At the time of the alleged incident, my insomnia was particularly severe, and I was... View More 
Mike Branum
answered on Jun 30, 2026
answered on Jun 30, 2026
I am not sure you will get much of a chance to present a significant defense for misdemeanor charges. Trials are rare and brief. The defense you are talking about would require expert witnesses and the public defenders' office does not have the budget to hire experts for misdemeanor... View More
Q: How to address co-parent violating decision-making in Arizona?
In Arizona, I share 50/50 decision-making with my co-parent, and our baby primarily resides with me, visiting the other parent on weekends. Recently, the co-parent gave our baby an awful, botched haircut without consulting me, which also resulted in a rash. Although the court order doesn't... View More
Mike Branum
answered on Jun 30, 2026
answered on Jun 30, 2026
I tell clients all the time that the court system cannot make your ex a better human. Absent actual harm to your child, you are going to find it exceedingly difficult to get the courts to intercede. As difficult as this is to hear, the burden of raising a healthy child is likely going to fall much... View More
Q: Can I sue a California hospital for administering Narcan despite being on methadone?
I was treated at a local hospital in California while enrolled in a Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program using methadone for opioid addiction. When I went to the hospital for third-degree burns, the staff was informed of my methadone treatment, as it was documented in my patient files.... View More
Joel G. Selik
answered on Jun 30, 2026
answered on Jun 30, 2026
I am so sorry for what you have been through.
The first steps in suing a hospital are 1. Obtain all your medical records. 2. Hire an experienced medical malpractice attorney.
To hire a malpractice attorney you can search online and review attorneys’ experience and practice area.... View More
Q: Can I own 5 lbs of black powder in NH for flintlock musket use?
Can I legally own 5 lbs of black powder in New Hampshire for sporting use with my flintlock musket? I'm also concerned about safe storage and ensuring compliance with any required permits or licenses related to firearms and explosives. I haven't had prior communications with local... View More
Leonard D. Harden
answered on Jun 30, 2026
answered on Jun 30, 2026
Yes, you can generally lawfully possess 5 pounds of commercially manufactured black powder in New Hampshire for sporting use in a flintlock musket without a federal explosives license or permit, so long as the powder falls within the federal exemption and you comply with any applicable state and... View More
Q: Can I get a Real ID in New York if I owe child support?
I am currently in the process of paying up my child support arrears. However, I've been informed that I cannot obtain a Real ID due to my child support debt. What steps can I take to resolve this issue and secure a Real ID? Are there any specific provisions in New York that address this situation?
Thomas Anthony Sirianni
answered on Jun 30, 2026
answered on Jun 30, 2026
I am a New York family law attorney with 27 years of practice on Long Island.
In New York, significant child-support arrears can lead the DMV to suspend or deny your driver's license, and while that support hold is in place you generally cannot get a Real ID either, because the Real ID... 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.
