Get free answers to your Consumer Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Your current state is Virginia
Can a high school principal legally confiscate my personal device (a Chromebook) without returning it to my friend who originally owned it? I am over 18 years old, and there was no explanation on how long it would be kept, nor am I aware of any school policy against having such devices.
I purchased a medical-grade device from a business that did not verify whether I have the proper license to use it. The company claims you don't need a license to own it, but industry standards and my research indicate that a license is required for business use. They provided minimal... View More

answered on Feb 14, 2025
If you can establish they were prohibited by law from selling it to you perhaps you have an argument. Admitting you have been using it illegally is a problem that would likely have consequences. For you to be absolved of any responsibility for not knowing you had to be licensed seems very unlikely.... View More
I have recently opened a new account with Citibank and received my second direct deposit. When attempting to transfer $2,150 to my Capital One account, I received an alert indicating that my access was locked. Upon calling Citibank's fraud department, I was informed that an investigation was... View More
I am homeless and was living in my car in Washington. The vehicle was towed about a month ago and is scheduled for auction on February 19th. I have not been able to retrieve my belongings from the car because the tow company requires registration proof, which I cannot afford due to my situation.... View More
I went to a New Jersey car dealership based on a used vehicle they advertised online for $30,995, plus taxes and fees. However, the total rose to over $41,000 because they required me to pay for a $3,500 warranty and $2,995 in dealer preparation fees, with the promise to waive the warranty if I... View More
I registered for a computer IT training academy in 2021, paying about $2000. The promotional materials promised "a lifetime of community support" and "instructors, mentors, and advisors ready to work with you one-on-one until you find your dream job (and beyond)." However, I... View More

answered on Feb 14, 2025
Based on what you've described, there appear to be multiple potential contract violations and concerning practices by the IT training academy. The initial promise of lifetime support and the subsequent introduction of expiration terms after your contract signing could constitute a material... View More
I'm dealing with a hostile neighbor who has installed surveillance cameras aimed at my property, including my basement, sunroom, and just recently, an upstairs bedroom door. He behaves dangerously, like driving too fast when kids are playing outside. Despite involving the police, they've... View More
I am currently staying at a hotel where there is a regular cockroach infestation. The bugs have not only been crawling on my clothes and bed but also on my skin. I have reported the issue to the hotel staff and am yet to receive a satisfactory resolution. I have taken photos and videos as evidence,... View More

answered on Feb 14, 2025
It is likely that you can sue for the food you had to discard. It may be difficult to prove that you had to discard dishes, which can generally be washed. Now that you are aware of the infestation, you have a duty to mitigate your damages. I would not bring food into the hotel room and I would... View More
I bought a used car with a clean accident history and later discovered a dent in the hood. In August 2020, I paid $500 to an autobody shop to fix it. They repaired it, but in March 2023, the hood cracked at the previous repair site. The shop agreed to repair it for free in June 2023 but noted in... View More
I am the victim of a fraudulent ACH chargeback dispute filed by my mother, who had agreed to assist me with my bills for 6-8 months. She gave me access to her bank account with verbal permission to use funds to pay my bills. Due to a separate issue, she threatened to reverse all funds by filing... View More

answered on Feb 14, 2025
Under federal law, potential liability for your mother and the bank in this ACH chargeback dispute involves multiple legal considerations:
1. Your Mother’s Potential Liability
Your mother may be liable for fraud or unjust enrichment based on the following factors:... View More
My car was towed from my driveway by the police department because I was charged with theft. I owned the car outright, and it has been with the tow company for a year. The charges against me have been dismissed, as I never committed the crime. Now, I'm trying to retrieve my car, but the tow... View More
I recently purchased a 2014 Jeep Patriot from a Jeep dealer, and I am currently financing it. After noticing the transmission started slipping, I discovered through online research that there is a recall related to the CVT transmission. The dealer, being an official Jeep dealer, should have known... View More
My autistic son was on a school bus that encountered a minor rock slide. While there were no injuries or damage to the bus, I had him taken to the hospital via ambulance where he was seen by a doctor. I obtained the accident report for $20. Although he appears better now, he experiences emotional... View More
I have a car registration that is over three years late because the state website changed, and I did not receive any notices. The vehicle was operational during this time, and I recently tried to pay online. During a traffic stop, I was cited for expired registration and having no insurance,... View More
I paid a deposit for an apartment, I got a check back that the bank did not accept on the suspicion of fraud, I delivered the check as I got it. They canceled my account and still have my money ($4000), it’s been 5 months and nothing has changed. The management of the building can’t issue a new... View More
I purchased a refurbished TV from Amazon on February 9th. When I tried to set it up, I discovered the website required for setup doesn't work or exist. Amazon refused to issue a refund because I discarded the original packaging, even though the TV can't be set up as sold. I have the... View More
I have a concern regarding my 27-year-old son's auto insurance policy with Progressive. Although he resides elsewhere, he still uses our home address in Ypsilanti, MI for mail. The insurance company insists he lists all family members living at this address on his policy, including us, his... View More
I enrolled my children in an online school based on their confirmation during a Zoom session that studying outside the United States was possible, as they already had some students doing so. After my kids traveled out of the country with their mother, the school withdrew them, stating it's due... View More
I would like to know if I am legally obligated to cover ongoing medical debts incurred by my adult homeless relative, who has refused to live with their elderly parents who are residents of Ohio and do not have much money. The person in need is not eligible for Medicaid or other health benefits.

answered on Feb 14, 2025
The answer, unfortunately, is "it depends."
You described the other person as an adult "relative," but you didn't indicate what your relationship is to that person. Are you their parent, child, grandparent, third cousin? The degree of relationship may matter,... View More
I am the owner and beneficiary of my grandson's life insurance policy. The insurance company paid benefits directly to a funeral home without my permission. I have not made any prior agreements with the funeral home, nor was I informed by the insurance company before the payment was made. Is... 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 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.