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Q: Can charges be dropped if a victim files a false report?
I am facing charges of theft by receiving stolen property along with my husband. The police report claims that we went to a car lot, filled out an application, and drove off with a car. However, the truth is that the car was shipped from Kentucky to our door in Georgia, and we arranged everything... View More 
Q: What should I expect for a first-time retail theft (<$100) and false info charge in MI?
I am a first-time offender and recently received a ticket for retail theft in the 3rd degree and for giving false information to an officer. The value of the item in question was less than $100. At the scene, I was not arrested but given a ticket to appear in court. I have no prior legal issues and... View More
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James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
Since this is your first offense and the retail theft is for an item under $100, the charge is considered a misdemeanor in Michigan. Penalties could include fines, probation, community service, or restitution to the store. The false information charge can also result in fines or probation,... View More
Q: How can I find pro bono civil rights legal representation for custody and felony charges in Arkansas?
I am seeking urgent legal assistance concerning custody and civil rights issues in Arkansas. Over the past six years, I have worked to protect my children after they were sexually abused while in their biological father's care. Despite assurances that my ex would remain a suspect, he was... View More
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James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
You can start by contacting local legal aid organizations in Arkansas that handle civil rights and family law cases. Explain your situation clearly, including the felony charges, custody issues, and documented health risks, so they understand the urgency. Organizations such as the Arkansas Legal... View More
Q: What can my son expect after a 4th-degree assault arrest in Kentucky?
In Kentucky, my son was arrested for 4th-degree assault with no injury after an argument with his wife, who called the police. The arrest was made based solely on her statement, even though he did not assault her. He is now facing a $6,000 cash bond. There were no witnesses to the incident, and... View More
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James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
The first step your son should take is to secure legal representation immediately. An experienced criminal defense attorney can help him navigate the charges, file necessary motions, and work on reducing or posting the bond. Because this is a first-time incident and there are no witnesses, having a... View More
Q: How to recover funds stolen by a bank employee in Missouri?
I was a victim of theft by a BMO bank employee in Kansas City, Missouri. This employee locked my account so that every time I got paid, the money would also go to her account. She withdrew small amounts like $10, $20, $50, and $100, which added up to over $8,000. I informed the manager, who... View More
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James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
You should first formally submit a written complaint to the bank documenting all unauthorized transactions and attaching any proof you have. Request that they provide a timeline for the recovery of your funds and confirm in writing that they acknowledge the theft occurred and are taking action.... View More
Q: Can a PO require availability outside curfew hours despite work schedule?
Can a probation officer require immediate availability for visits outside of curfew hours, even when aware of my work schedule? My curfew starts at 7 PM, yet calls have come around 11 AM. The probation officer rarely conducts check-ins and often misses scheduled appointments without assisting in... View More
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James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
A probation officer generally has the authority to set check-in times and conditions, but they should take into account your work schedule and other reasonable obligations. Being required to be available at times that conflict with your employment could be seen as unreasonable, especially if it... View More
Q: Should I give consent for the police to search my minor child’s phone for evidence?
My son is 15 and a freshman in high school. Yesterday he was caught showing other classmates nude photos of his minor gf on his phone. They suspended him from school and confiscated his phone. Now the school resource officer is asking me to sign a form giving them consent to search his phone for... View More
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James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
You are not required to give consent for a search, even for your minor child. If you refuse, the police must obtain a warrant from a judge before accessing the phone. This protects both your rights and your child’s, and ensures that any evidence collected is legally admissible.
Before... View More
Q: Am I eligible for a CDL in Texas after a felony conviction?
I was convicted in 2022 for Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens under 8 U.S.C. § 1324(a)(1)(A)(v)(I) and 8 U.S.C. § 1324(B)(i), a Class C Felony with potential penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. I am now looking to obtain a CDL A or B license for the first time in... View More
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James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
Your felony conviction could affect your eligibility for a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in Texas. Federal law prohibits individuals convicted of certain offenses, including transporting illegal aliens, from operating commercial vehicles in interstate commerce for a set period after the... View More
Q: How can I get domestic violence charges dropped if my girlfriend wants them dropped?
I am facing a domestic violence charge of assault on a female involving my girlfriend, with whom I share a child. There is no history of domestic incidents between us. Although my girlfriend wishes to drop the charges, the state has decided to proceed, and she has been subpoenaed to court. The case... View More
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James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
Even if your girlfriend wants the charges dropped, domestic violence cases are often treated as crimes against the state, meaning the prosecutor can continue the case regardless of her wishes. You can ask your attorney to communicate with the prosecutor to explain that the alleged victim does not... View More
Q: Can we reopen a case due to mishandling and no fair trial?
My son was arrested on 10/23/23 due to alleged drug distribution to an officer, who approached him while he was sitting on a wall. Without possessing drugs, he directed the officer to a location and was then given money by the officer to buy drugs, which led to his arrest. The trial was reset three... View More
Joshua Schiffer
answered on Nov 12, 2025
answered on Nov 12, 2025
There are remedies, but many of them are time dependent and the clock is ticking. You MUST obtain a solid Post Conviction Lawyer to process this immediately. Google Leighann Webster, Adam Hames or Andrew Fleischman as they are all colleagues who do excellent work here.
It really sounds... View More
1 Answer
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in
Contracts, Civil Litigation, White Collar Crime and Criminal Law
for
Illinois
on
Q: What can I do if a friend disputes authorized credit card charges for rent?
I allowed a friend to stay at my place for a while, and she verbally agreed that I could use her credit card to pay rent. Now she's disputing the charges she authorized. I have text messages proving she was staying at my place and had a verbal agreement from her to use the card. What actions... View More
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James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
This situation can be very frustrating, especially when you acted in good faith and had permission to use the card. If your friend is now disputing the rent charge, the credit card company may temporarily reverse the payment while they investigate. Since you have text messages showing her agreement... View More
Q: What should I do after receiving a trespass and civil notice for a $70 shoplifting incident?
I was involved in an accident at a clothing store, which led to a civil notice and a trespass notice from the store. The incident involved shoplifting goods worth $70. I would like to know what actions I should take following this notice.
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on Nov 12, 2025
answered on Nov 12, 2025
Were not allowed to give you specific legal advise on this website, but you can contact a lawyer and he can tell you, your best options. Obviously a lawyer will charge you for your time and advise as this is not included in the typical free consultation that some of us offer but at least you will... View More
Q: I accessed exam-related materials via Pastebin during a brief internet access in a game programming exam. What are the legal implications and defense options?
Hello, I want to make it clear that I’m reaching out purely out of curiosity and to learn some legal and procedural terminology that might help me understand my situation better.
Recently, during a Game Programming exam, I made a serious mistake in judgment. The exam was divided into two... View More
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James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
It sounds like you’re dealing with a very stressful situation, and it’s understandable to want to know where you stand. From what you’ve described, the issue is more likely to be an **academic integrity violation** rather than a criminal one. Accessing exam materials or using external... View More
Q: What are the potential consequences of a new HTV arrest while on probation for a previous HTV in Indiana?
I was convicted of HTV and am currently on probation, with my original charge occurring in 2020 following a DUI conviction in 2016. I've recently been arrested for another HTV with six months of probation left, and the new charge will be handled in a different court from the original... View More
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James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
A new arrest for HTV while you are still on probation for a prior HTV can have serious consequences. Your probation officer may view this as a violation of probation, which could lead to a **revocation hearing**. If the court finds that you violated probation, your original sentence could be... View More
2 Answers
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in
Criminal Law, Domestic Violence, Civil Litigation and Personal Injury
for
California
on
Q: What legal action can I take after being assaulted by my stepson in CA?
I was assaulted by my stepson, resulting in a concussion, a retina tear, severe vertigo, and ringing in my left ear. The police came and I gave a statement, but I initially chose not to pursue charges. Now, due to the seriousness of my injuries and the potential need for retina surgery, I want to... View More
Dan Rowan Cortright
answered on Nov 12, 2025
answered on Nov 12, 2025
For the criminal charges, you'll need to file a police report for assault/battery and the District Attorney will determine whether to pursue a criminal case. For the civil case, the first thing you want to be sure of is that the defendant has the ability to either pay a settlement or a... View More
Q: Am I liable for hitting a parked car in a private parking lot in Georgia?
I accidentally hit a parked car in a grocery store parking lot in Georgia. Am I liable for the damage even though it's private property? I didn’t leave a note or try to contact the owner, and I haven't reported it to my insurance or spoken with the store management yet.
Q: Can I request a no contact order during defendant's probation for child abuse?
I'm seeking advice on whether I can request a no contact order for the duration of the defendant's probation. He has pleaded guilty to child abuse after punching my son in the back, in front of his sister. Both of my children were minors at the time of the incident, with my son being just... View More
Tracy Tiernan
answered on Nov 12, 2025
answered on Nov 12, 2025
Certainly a very difficult decision. In a large majority of the cases, the protective order would’ve been encouraged by police and pursued by the victim at the same time that the police report was generated. The tone of your question makes it sound like years might have passed since the incident... View More
Q: How to access State v. Lopez-Reyes case for motion to suppress?
I'm seeking information on the case State v. Lopez-Reyes, 2003 WL 22849479 Neb. Ct. App., Dec 2, 2003, as I believe it is nearly identical to my boyfriend's current situation. He is in jail for trafficking fentanyl and we have filed a motion to suppress evidence due to what we believe was... View More
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James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
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answered on Nov 12, 2025
To access *State v. Lopez-Reyes*, you’ll want to start by checking legal databases that provide full appellate opinions. Westlaw and LexisNexis are the primary sources for Nebraska Court of Appeals decisions, but if you don’t have a subscription, you might be able to access them through a local... View More
Q: Why would a criminal case get a new prosecuting attorney?
In the context of a criminal case, what are the typical reasons for assigning a new prosecuting attorney? Does it generally indicate significant changes in the case, and how might it affect the case's progression?
Patrick Owen Earl
answered on Nov 12, 2025
answered on Nov 12, 2025
Reasons for a new prosecutor on a case.
1) new hire
2) old prosecutor got fired or reassigned
3) new chief prosecutor so a change is made in assignments
4) sickness/family issue
If done early in the process won’t usually effect the preparation. If later... View More
Q: Can consensual hug lead to a sexual assault charge if later regretted?
I have a legal question regarding a situation that occurred on September 26th. My wife and I visited a woman we know through Facebook at her home in Brigham City. After a consensual hug between my wife and the woman, the woman opened her arms, inviting me for a hug, which I interpreted as... View More
Mike Branum
answered on Nov 12, 2025
answered on Nov 12, 2025
In Utah, the crime that most closely aligns with the scenario you've described—a non-consensual physical touching that is not intercourse—is Sexual Battery. Sexual Battery is defined in Utah Code Ann. § 76-5-404. Generally, a person commits sexual battery if the person intentionally... View More
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