Lawyers, Answer Questions  & Get Points Log In
Questions Answered by John Michael Frick
2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights for Delaware on
Q: Is it possible to have a polygamous marriage in the United States under the first amendment?

I googled where I could get a polygamous marriage and it appears to be illegal but I don't see how that is possible due to the first ammendment allowing freedom of religion

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 20, 2023

In Reynolds v. United States, 98 U.S. 145 (1879), the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that religious duty is not a defense to a criminal indictment for polygamy. It determined that while the First Amendment protects an individual's right to believe in polygamy, it does not prohibit Congress or the... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Divorce and Family Law for Texas on
Q: Texas DIY divorce to finish already filed petition with lawyers?

We currently have a divorce petition filed in Texas and a draft decree proposed. Both of us agree of the draft, however both of our lawyers are dragging the process out ( we believe for monetary gain) and we are wondering if we can file the DIY paperwork ourselves and if we have to wait another 60... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 20, 2023

Unless you have no children and no assets of any real value, it is never advisable to do a DIY divorce unless you have substantial legal experience in family law cases (for example, if you were a paralegal in a family law practice).

A typical agreed divorce can be completed for under...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Legal Malpractice, Family Law and Child Custody for Mississippi on
Q: I have printed the complaint form for professional misconduct but should I submit this without representation now?

I need to file against the attorney and her firm. She was fired, no one informed me. She appeared to court hearings without informing me but instead told me that I did not have to appear since I am in another state and the other party was not doing what the judge wanted. Her law firm took over... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 19, 2023

To file a complaint against a lawyer for professional misconduct in Mississippi, see this website:... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Small Claims and Consumer Law for Georgia on
Q: Hi, I live in GA. Is a warranty valid if you never received it?

I purchased a shed last Oct. that is now leaking and has caused mold. It has 1yr builder warranty. I'm now being to it's not covered because I had the shed finished. I never received the warranty in person, verbally, via email or mail. Is it still valid?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 19, 2023

Yes. If a Seller gives a warranty on its goods, the warranty is valid and enforceable even if the consumer never read or even received a printed copy.

Under the Magnuson Moss Act, the Seller must make the warranty available upon request. Back in the day, Montgomery Ward Department Store...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Civil Rights for West Virginia on
Q: I was fired today for Violating Drug and Alcohol Policy for taking a hit off a delta 8 vape pen which is LEGAL

Can I take action for being terminated for violating drug and alcohol policy for taking a hit off a delta 8 Vape which is LEGAL and not a controlled substance in West Virginia. I was not warned, was not drug tested, but was terminated

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 18, 2023

Due to growing safety concerns, on June 8, 2023, Delta-8 became an illegal Schedule 1 controlled substance in West Virginia.

Putting that aside, an employer can fire you for violating its own drug and alcohol policy and is free to include Delta-8 in its policy regardless of whether it is...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law for New Mexico on
Q: Can an employer in the state of new mexico ask you why you need a certain day off
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 18, 2023

Obviously yes. There are certain reasons for which the law requires an employer to give an employee a day off (for instance, Family Medical Leave, jury duty, religious reasons, etc. Whether an employer will give an employee a day off for other reasons depends on the parties' employment... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for New Hampshire on
Q: Is it possible to force a co-owner to sell or refinance?

2 years ago I purchased a home with the partner I’d been with for 8 years, both our names were put on the deed and mortgage (though I put in more than double the money he did and it was MY great credit that got us it). We separated shortly after and he has since REFUSED to sell it, refinance, buy... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 18, 2023

Unless it is his homestead, this sounds like a job for a suit to partition by sale. Co-owners of real property (called co-tenants in common in law) can petition the court at any time to partition the property by sale. The court will balance the equities based upon each party's contributions... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning for Washington on
Q: Should I give my bank login information to the person I have made executor of my will before I die?
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 17, 2023

I always caution against giving bank login information to anyone. Even if the person is entirely trustworthy, you have no idea how securely they will maintain such information to prevent third parties from accessing it.

I have created a written list of my passwords which I store with my...
View More

View More Answers

3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Federal Crimes and Immigration Law for Illinois on
Q: Can an undocumented person get deported for accidental theft of a small $300 item at Walmart self checkout?
John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 15, 2023

There is no such thing as an "accidental" theft. The crime of theft requires the mens rea of "knowingly" and, in the most common instances, the specific intent to deprive the owner permanently of the use or benefit of the property.

An accidental taking of property--for...
View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law for California on
Q: Are you aware of any published decisions on legal errors?

A complaint for a cause of action goes to trial. At trial, prior to any testimony, defense motions for judgment on the pleadings. The court finds that the elements to support the cause of action are not met but nevertheless denies the motion.. The defense had centered its case on the complaint... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 15, 2023

Trial amendments like this are commonly made to conform to the evidence. Unless they are a surprise to the defendant and the defendant objects and moves for a continuance, trials often proceed on the merits of the claim as amended because both parties are ready to get their case over with, neither... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support, Child Custody and Family Law for Nevada on
Q: Is it possible to argue you do not owe child support arrears?

My ex and I divorced in Nevada, there was an option to not have income withholding which we elected. He's now claiming I owe 4 years of child support becuase I asked for a modification of custody as a way to finically penalized me. I have no real proof I paid it. I receive large cash tips in... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 15, 2023

Child support in Nevada is collected and disbursed through the Child Support Enforcement Office that keeps records of all amounts received from the Payor or the Payor's employer(s) and disbursed as child support. Any direct payments from the Payor to the recipient are memorialized by an... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Civil Litigation and Probate for Indiana on
Q: Is it unethical for an attorney to not disclose they represented your brother when both you and him need an estate attor

My mom passed away. Both my brother and I hired an attorney to handle her estate. My brother was represented by this firm in a criminal case. I did not know this before we hired this firm to handle my mom’s estate. Is this unethical and should I file a complaint with the Indiana Bar Association?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 14, 2023

No, it probably is not unethical. The previous criminal case is most likely not "substantially related" to the estate case. Both you and your brother's interests ought to be aligned in probating your mom's estate.

Now if your brother's criminal case was for...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law on
Q: I know the other person doesn’t want this court trial to continue but how do I make it so it doesn’t ?

I am the accused and the other party does not want this to continue and rather put it in the past as it has not affected them whatsoever and are okay. How can the charges and case be dropped by either parties?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 14, 2023

In a criminal case, the "other party" is the State, Commonwealth, or United States bringing the criminal charge against the defendant, and is represented by the district attorney, prosecutor, or US attorney. If they do not want to continue the case, they can file a motion to dismiss the... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Elder Law for Rhode Island on
Q: Some years ago, my aunt put her house in my father's name. She recently died and my father now owns the house.

He wants to sell the house to my son (his grandson). We are being told that the house must be sold at "fair market value". Can he not sell the house at whatever price he chooses?

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 14, 2023

While I think Mr. Gallo's answer is correct based on the question as phrased, I sense a Medicaid look-back issue. Whether such an issue exists depends on whether your aunt received long-term care benefits through Medicaid, which is not mentioned in your question. When a Medicaid recipient... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Family Law for Texas on
Q: Is there a reason parents are not charged with 'child endangerment ' when a child brings a gun to school ??

If parents /guardians were charged for bringing a weapon to school ,would this NOT end or slow such action ??

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 14, 2023

Probably because it would be very, very difficult to convict a parent, particularly if the child is attending a public school during school hours and not an extracurricular activity. Now if there is evidence that the parent knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly sent the child to school with a... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law, Criminal Law and Gov & Administrative Law for California on
Q: if some one had an appeal and lost but two years later new evidence is realized what do you do to have case reheard?

Title 2 ADA FITS MY CASE TO A TEE DISCRIMINATION, AND IT IS JUST FOUND THAT FEDERAL LAW STATES IT IS ILLEGAL TO TAKE A CHILD BASED ON METHADONE THIS IS NEW FOUND EVIDENCE AND INFORMATION THAT WOULD OF DIRECTLY EFFECTED OUT COME OF CASE EXAMPLE PERJURY BY PLAINTIFF JUST FOUND IN ORIGINAL... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 14, 2023

This is actually a very real issue:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/29/magazine/pregnant-women-medication-suboxonbabies.html

but one which likely will require legislation to fix. What you describe is not "new evidence." It is a legal argument based upon a law that could...
View More

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation and Consumer Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can you recommend a law firm who would take my case probono? I live near Philly, PA. Should I sue them or counteroffer?

A fortune 500 company charged me almost $800.00 for a cell phone I had returned almost a year ago. Apparently, the store manager who I gave my cell phone to, either sent it to the wrong location or did not follow the proper procedure to return my phone to the warehouse.

I have since been... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 14, 2023

While I doubt an attorney would handle a small consumer claim on a pro bono basis, my first question would be how do you calculate $20,000 in compensatory damages based on what happened? Is the fair market value of the missing phone $20,000? Was there some sort of trade secret saved in electronic... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Health Care Law for Texas on
Q: If information was apart of the texas health and human services data breach through maximus can I sue .

The other day I got a letter in the mail from Maximus it says my social security number my birthday all this stuff has been stolen. They are a contractor for Texas Health and Human Services it says data was took from MoveIt software. They only compensation they offer 2 years of credit monitoring... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 14, 2023

If you have suffered compensable legal damages from someone using the information obtained in the data breach, you very likely have a valid legal claim for more than just two years of credit monitoring.

I recommend you collect as many documents as you can showing your compensable legal...
View More

3 Answers | Asked in Employment Law and Business Law for New Jersey on
Q: Hi, I have been audited by the NJ Dep. of Labor and they have concluded sub-contractor does not meet the requirements

NJ State auditor concluded:

Individuals do not meet the requirements of Section 19(I) (6) (A) (B) (C).

As such payments to such individuals are determined to be taxable for New Jersey UI/DI/FLI taxes.

My Sub-contractor is an employee of your business entity. He must be on... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 14, 2023

Under New Jersey law, a worker is considered an employee unless an employer can satisfy all three of these criteria:

1. Such individual has been and will continue to be free from control or direction over the performance of such service, both under his contract of service and in fact;...
View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law and Landlord - Tenant for Massachusetts on
Q: My lease reads no dogs. My tenant told me after the lease was signed on September-1-2023 she has a ESA dog for emotional

and stress. Can I do anything about this now. The tenant told me I could not. She Lied on the lease.

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 14, 2023

It is illegal under federal law to discriminate in providing housing to any disabled person because they have an emotional support animal. You can request appropriate medical documentation from the disabled tenant confirming that they are actually disabled and that they require the services of an... View More

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get 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 you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, 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.