Questions Answered by William John Light
Q: Is it illegal to steal an abused dog from their owners while they were in jail?
William John Light's answer
Yes, you are guilty of theft. If the dog is abused or neglected, call Animal Control. You don't get to be judge and jury of anyone's fitness to own a pet.
Yes, you are guilty of theft. If the dog is abused or neglected, call Animal Control. You don't get to be judge and jury of anyone's fitness to own a pet.
Q: A stray dog ran into my property and animal control tranquilzed her while on my Property and trespassed to catch her
William John Light's answer
Probably not. The U.S. and state constitutions prohibit entry into homes without warrants unless a person consents to the entry or exigent circumstances exist. Pursuing a stray dog will often result in the dog entering or crossing private property, as dogs tend to not respect property lines. California has attempted to address this claim by statute. If a dog has strayed and then returned to its homed, but no one is home at the residence, the officer may enter the property to obtain the dog...
Probably not. The U.S. and state constitutions prohibit entry into homes without warrants unless a person consents to the entry or exigent circumstances exist. Pursuing a stray dog will often result in the dog entering or crossing private property, as dogs tend to not respect property lines. California has attempted to address this claim by statute. If a dog has strayed and then returned to its homed, but no one is home at the residence, the officer may enter the property to obtain the dog...
Q: An uber driver hit my car and drove off before I got his license plate number.
William John Light's answer
There is no proof that an Uber driver hit your car, or that s/he was working for Uber at the time of the collision. If you have UM or collision insurance, make a claim with them.
There is no proof that an Uber driver hit your car, or that s/he was working for Uber at the time of the collision. If you have UM or collision insurance, make a claim with them.
Q: We're confused about wrongful death and a survivor's lawsuit - they sound kind of the same to us - is that the case?
William John Light's answer
No. Wrongful death is a case brought by the family members who have lost the love, comfort, society and affection of the decedent. A survivor's action is brought on behalf of the estate of the decedent for the decedent's own damages that "survive" the decedent's death. Consult with a PI attorney for a full evaluation of your case.
No. Wrongful death is a case brought by the family members who have lost the love, comfort, society and affection of the decedent. A survivor's action is brought on behalf of the estate of the decedent for the decedent's own damages that "survive" the decedent's death. Consult with a PI attorney for a full evaluation of your case.
Q: How are fees determined and payed in a legal malpractice lawsuit
William John Light's answer
You can request fee arbitration by contacting the State Bar. http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Complaints-Claims/Fee-Disputes
You can file a complaint with the State Bar, although this wouldn't necessarily affect fees. http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Complaints-Claims
You can consult with an attorney who practices legal malpractice about pursuing a claim, although it is unclear what your damages are.
You can request fee arbitration by contacting the State Bar. http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Complaints-Claims/Fee-Disputes
You can file a complaint with the State Bar, although this wouldn't necessarily affect fees. http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Complaints-Claims
You can consult with an attorney who practices legal malpractice about pursuing a claim, although it is unclear what your damages are.
Q: My dog was stolen from a camp site. Then the next day I find out the truck was stolen and he abandoned my dog and truck
William John Light's answer
It's unclear if you have gone to the shelter to claim the dog and, if so, what the response of the shelter was. That would be a first step.
It's unclear if you have gone to the shelter to claim the dog and, if so, what the response of the shelter was. That would be a first step.
Q: Is it illegal to sell a dog without the owner's permission?
William John Light's answer
Yes, that's larceny and sale of stolen personal property, assuming that the dog was still, in fact yours.
Yes, that's larceny and sale of stolen personal property, assuming that the dog was still, in fact yours.
Q: i moved inw my bf when my mom passed bc no where to go. hes now sabotaging car #3 no hard proof though
2 Answers
| Asked
in
Libel & Slander, Personal Injury, Criminal Law and Domestic Violence
for
California
on
Answered on Oct 6, 2018
Answered on Oct 6, 2018
Q: can a mental health clinic i was refered to send me away and tell me they cant help with suicidal thoughts?
1 Answer
| Asked
in
Health Care Law, Insurance Bad Faith and Personal Injury
for
California
on
Answered on Oct 6, 2018
Answered on Oct 6, 2018
William John Light's answer
Your question indicates that you are in Florida, but you asked your question in the California section. In California, if you are feeling suicidal, there are many options, including hotlines, personal physicians, the police and County Hospitals. If you are a danger to yourself, you can be confined in a psychiatric institution and given appropriate medications for a short period of time which can be extended in certain circumstances. I imagine that Florida is probably similar. Do not fixate...
Your question indicates that you are in Florida, but you asked your question in the California section. In California, if you are feeling suicidal, there are many options, including hotlines, personal physicians, the police and County Hospitals. If you are a danger to yourself, you can be confined in a psychiatric institution and given appropriate medications for a short period of time which can be extended in certain circumstances. I imagine that Florida is probably similar. Do not fixate...
Q: Can I register an 80% pistol frame in California as a semi-automatic pistol?
1 Answer
| Asked
in
Consumer Law, Criminal Law and Constitutional Law
for
California
on
Answered on Oct 5, 2018
Answered on Oct 5, 2018
William John Light's answer
This is a very specialized inquiry involving detailed knowledge of California and Federal statutory and regulatory law. You will need to consult an expert attorney in gun law. A web search should point you in the right direction.
This is a very specialized inquiry involving detailed knowledge of California and Federal statutory and regulatory law. You will need to consult an expert attorney in gun law. A web search should point you in the right direction.
Q: A plumber replaced water heater, but cut the Pipe Bollard, exposing the heater to vehicle damage. Recourse?
1 Answer
| Asked
in
Small Claims, Consumer Law, Real Estate Law and Construction Law
for
California
on
Answered on Oct 5, 2018
Answered on Oct 5, 2018
William John Light's answer
If the bollard needed to be cut to install the water heater, that should be your expense, although the plumber should have given you a written estimate beforehand. If the bollard was cut through accident or negligence, then he should replace it. I think that these pipes are only about $65.00. I doubt that this is worth your time fighting over. Offer to buy the material if he will install it without further charge.
If the bollard needed to be cut to install the water heater, that should be your expense, although the plumber should have given you a written estimate beforehand. If the bollard was cut through accident or negligence, then he should replace it. I think that these pipes are only about $65.00. I doubt that this is worth your time fighting over. Offer to buy the material if he will install it without further charge.
Q: Opposing party's lawyer calling, emailing, texting nonstop... what qualifies as harassment? What can I do?
1 Answer
| Asked
in
Civil Litigation, Communications Law and Legal Malpractice
for
California
on
Answered on Oct 4, 2018
Answered on Oct 4, 2018
William John Light's answer
It appears that you are in Texas, but are asking questions of California lawyers. We are not qualified to answer questions about Texas law. If you are in California, and are representing yourself, it is quite normal for the opposing attorney to contact you, especially if you have documents pertaining to the proceedings. If you don't want repeated phone calls, give them the documents, or insist that they serve discovery for production of the documents, if appropriate.
It appears that you are in Texas, but are asking questions of California lawyers. We are not qualified to answer questions about Texas law. If you are in California, and are representing yourself, it is quite normal for the opposing attorney to contact you, especially if you have documents pertaining to the proceedings. If you don't want repeated phone calls, give them the documents, or insist that they serve discovery for production of the documents, if appropriate.
Q: Who would take a case re: suing Port Hueneme Harbor Patrol for sinking my commercial vessel while under their control?
2 Answers
| Asked
in
Personal Injury and Admiralty / Maritime
for
California
on
Answered on Oct 3, 2018
Answered on Oct 3, 2018
William John Light's answer
You will have to file a Tort Claim with the County of Ventura with 6 months of the date of the loss. After that, your claim may be governed by the Jones Act (not sure about that), which requires a specialty attorney. Do a computer search for Jones Act attorneys in Ventura and you will be guided to the appropriate specialists to assess your case.
You will have to file a Tort Claim with the County of Ventura with 6 months of the date of the loss. After that, your claim may be governed by the Jones Act (not sure about that), which requires a specialty attorney. Do a computer search for Jones Act attorneys in Ventura and you will be guided to the appropriate specialists to assess your case.
Q: we received a samulel love ADA lawsuit for ada non-compliance. we have a liquor store, and rent our space.
William John Light's answer
If you are non-compliant, you will probably have to fix the issue and pay him some bucks. If you want to contest the non-compliance, get a lawyer and prepare to spend a lot more to defend yourself.
If you are non-compliant, you will probably have to fix the issue and pay him some bucks. If you want to contest the non-compliance, get a lawyer and prepare to spend a lot more to defend yourself.
Q: I bought a 2018 pre-owned Toyota Tacoma from a dealership I asked if it was wrecked they said no
William John Light's answer
Fraud is an intentional misrepresentation. If the prior collision had not been reported, it sounds like the dealership didn't know about it and, therefore, did not intentionally misrepresent anything. If the circumstances were such that the dealership should have discovered the collision, then a negligent misrepresentation claim might be allowed. Your damages would be the difference in value between a Tacoma that had never been in a collision versus the value of the Tacoma you purchased....
Fraud is an intentional misrepresentation. If the prior collision had not been reported, it sounds like the dealership didn't know about it and, therefore, did not intentionally misrepresent anything. If the circumstances were such that the dealership should have discovered the collision, then a negligent misrepresentation claim might be allowed. Your damages would be the difference in value between a Tacoma that had never been in a collision versus the value of the Tacoma you purchased....
Q: can I file forgery charges against my personal injury atty ?
William John Light's answer
Your Retainer Agreement may have included a Power of Attorney allowing your lawyer to sign the Release for you, if you consented to the settlement.
It is unclear if you consented and have changed your mind, or if you never consented at all.
If you want to pursue your attorneys, you can file a complaint with the State Bar here: http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/forms/2017_ComplaintFormENG_201701.pdf
You should also consult with some legal malpractice...
Your Retainer Agreement may have included a Power of Attorney allowing your lawyer to sign the Release for you, if you consented to the settlement.
It is unclear if you consented and have changed your mind, or if you never consented at all.
If you want to pursue your attorneys, you can file a complaint with the State Bar here: http://www.calbar.ca.gov/Portals/0/documents/forms/2017_ComplaintFormENG_201701.pdf
You should also consult with some legal malpractice...
Q: How and where do i file wrongful death lawsuit?
William John Light's answer
You need an Idaho attorney. Although you could file in Federal Court in Boise or Pocatello based on diversity jurisdiction. If you chose that, any attorney admitted to the 9th Circuit (of which California is a part) could represent you. This is not a do it yourself project.
You need an Idaho attorney. Although you could file in Federal Court in Boise or Pocatello based on diversity jurisdiction. If you chose that, any attorney admitted to the 9th Circuit (of which California is a part) could represent you. This is not a do it yourself project.
Q: What is the parental liability for minors that accidentally damage a parked car?
William John Light's answer
Parents are generally not liable for their children's negligence, with exceptions:
1. Where a minor, licensed driver causes property damage or bodily injury, the parent is vicariously liable for all harm caused. (Vehicle Code 17707).
2. Where a minor discharges a firearm resulting in injury (Civil Code 1714.3; liability up to $30,000 for injury to or death of one person as a result of any one occurrence, or $60,000 for injury to or death of all persons as a result of any one...
Parents are generally not liable for their children's negligence, with exceptions:
1. Where a minor, licensed driver causes property damage or bodily injury, the parent is vicariously liable for all harm caused. (Vehicle Code 17707).
2. Where a minor discharges a firearm resulting in injury (Civil Code 1714.3; liability up to $30,000 for injury to or death of one person as a result of any one occurrence, or $60,000 for injury to or death of all persons as a result of any one...
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