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Q: Should I take legal action after my dog was killed by an unleashed dog in Maryland?
I live in Maryland, and my dog was tragically killed by an unleashed dog. Multiple witnesses were present, and I reported the incident to animal control, resulting in the other dog being seized. I incurred emergency vet fees and lost a dog valued at $3,500. Should I pursue this as a small claims... View More 
Mark Oakley
answered on Jul 14, 2026
answered on Jul 14, 2026
I am very sorry for the tragic loss of your beloved dog.
The decision to sue is of course yours to make. Because damages in Maryland for injury or death of a pet caused by another person’s negligence is limited to the pet’s “fair market value” and the reasonable vet bills incurred,... View More
Q: Should I hire a private attorney or use a Public Defender for my Maryland court case?
I have multiple pending court cases in Maryland District Court, primarily related to mental health issues. For my current case, I am considering whether to seek private legal counsel or continue with a Public Defender to manage postponements. My main goal is to have the charges dropped. Could an... View More
Scott Scherr
answered on Jul 14, 2026
answered on Jul 14, 2026
There are pros and cons to each. A Public Defender knows the judges, had a great deal of experience in handling criminal cases, and has a good relationship with the prosecutors. They are also free. However, they have a huge caseload and may not be able to meet with you in advance of your court case... View More
Q: Should I hire a private attorney or use a Public Defender for my Maryland court case?
I have multiple pending court cases in Maryland District Court, primarily related to mental health issues. For my current case, I am considering whether to seek private legal counsel or continue with a Public Defender to manage postponements. My main goal is to have the charges dropped. Could an... View More
Mark Oakley
answered on Jul 14, 2026
answered on Jul 14, 2026
I agree with Mr. Scheer’s excellent answer. I would add that, if you are facing multiple charges of a similar nature, all of which arise in some way out of a mental health issue, and if the county you are in has a mental health court established, then it is often possible to consolidate all... View More
Q: Can an F-1 OPT visa holder in New York donate plasma for money?
As an F-1 OPT visa holder in New York, can I safely donate plasma for money? I'm concerned about any potential legal implications or impacts on my visa status or my ability to adjust my status in the future.
Remzi Guvenc Kulen
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answered on Jul 14, 2026
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answered on Jul 14, 2026
As an F-1 student on OPT, you must be careful with any activity that looks like compensation for services. Donating plasma for money is a gray area that can raise immigration concerns because the payment may be treated as compensation, even though it is not traditional employment.
For... View More
Q: What happens if false info on a visa application is discovered during a marriage petition?
I reside in New York and I'm planning to marry my partner who currently lives in Guyana. He previously applied for a U.S. visa twice, but his applications were denied. On his last application, he falsely stated that I am his cousin, whereas in reality, I am his girlfriend. This misinformation... View More
Remzi Guvenc Kulen
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answered on Jul 14, 2026
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answered on Jul 14, 2026
This is a serious issue. If your partner falsely stated on a prior visa application that you were his cousin when you were actually his girlfriend, USCIS or the consulate may view that as misrepresentation.
The key question is whether the false statement was material. In immigration law, a... View More
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