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Q: Can an affidavit help me in a Georgia shoplifting charge?
In Georgia, my friend and I have been charged with felony shoplifting. She told me we would get an employee discount because her friend worked there. I was gathering items and giving them to her, and I never left the store with anything. I wasn't aware she was stealing. Can she sign an... View More 
Serge Jerome Jr.
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answered on Jul 12, 2026
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answered on Jul 12, 2026
Getting caught up with a shoplifting charge can be very distressing and disruptive to your life. The affidavit from your friend will definitely be very helpful to you. If the affidavit is well written and hits all the key points the prosecutor will review it for candor. If the prosecutor believes... View More
Q: Can we seek compensation for vaccine-related illness in PA?
My adult daughter has been experiencing severe illness since receiving the third COVID vaccine in 2024/2025. One of her doctors has indicated that her condition, which has made her previous mononucleosis symptoms resurface, is related to the vaccine. We have medical records supporting this... View More
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 12, 2026
answered on Jul 12, 2026
A Pennsylvania attorney could advise best, but your question remains open from last week. I'm sorry this happened to your daughter. Because of the urgency applied in the development of the vaccine, the federal government granted broad immunities to vaccine makers. There are some limited... View More
Q: Can a lawyer appear on my behalf for a hearing in NY Supreme Court?
I am a Pro Se defendant in a case in New York County Supreme Court, with Index number 157267/2019. I am seeking a lawyer who can provide limited scope representation for an Order to Show Cause (OSC) filing in Room 315 and a TAP calendar appearance in Room 300 on July 14, 2026, at 9:30 AM. Due to... View More
Thomas Anthony Sirianni
answered on Jul 14, 2026
answered on Jul 14, 2026
I am a New York attorney with 27 years of practice on Long Island, and court appearance coverage is a service many of us provide.
Yes. New York permits limited scope representation, meaning an attorney can be retained solely to cover a specific appearance or filing without taking over your... View More
Q: When is a non-paying non-relative no longer a resident in NY?
In New York, at what point after someone who lived in my residence leaves are they no longer considered a resident, especially when they haven't paid rent and aren't a relative? This person stayed for 2 years without any verbal or written agreement, left 2 and a half weeks ago, and has... View More
Steven Warren Smollens
answered on Jul 12, 2026
answered on Jul 12, 2026
Dear Wellsville Homeowner:
This is a tough question. You may believe that because the resident/occupant/person did not pay rent, that's all a lawyer needs to know. That's a problem because your relationship with this person is described as a tenant-landlord relationship since they... View More
Q: When is a non-paying non-relative no longer a resident in NY?
In New York, at what point after someone who lived in my residence leaves are they no longer considered a resident, especially when they haven't paid rent and aren't a relative? This person stayed for 2 years without any verbal or written agreement, left 2 and a half weeks ago, and has... View More
Thomas Anthony Sirianni
answered on Jul 14, 2026
answered on Jul 14, 2026
I am a New York landlord-tenant and real estate attorney with 27 years of practice on Long Island.
Someone who lived in your home for two years without paying rent was a licensee, an occupant with your permission, and ordinarily removing a licensee who has been there more than 30 days... View More
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