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District of Columbia Gov & Administrative Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Cost to domesticate a foreign name change order in D.C.

I need to know the cost of domesticating a foreign judgment/order in Washington D.C. for my name change court order from the state of Israel, which is already translated and notarized. I was born in D.C., but I currently reside in Israel.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 12, 2025

Washington D.C. follows the Uniform Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Act, which means your Israeli court order can be filed with the Clerk of the Superior Court and will have the same effect as a judgment issued by the DC Superior Court once properly domesticated. Since your order is already... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law and Education Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Can students submit impact statements for a probation review in DC?

I am part of a student-led group at a university in Washington, D.C., concerned about a probation review hearing for a student who has a stay-away-from-campus order due to past heinous actions. With many students and organizations worried about campus safety, we are wondering if community impact... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 11, 2025

Schools and universities often allow “letters of concern” or “victim/community impact statements” to be submitted in student conduct or probation‐review proceedings, even if formal rules don’t label them as such. You’ll want to start by checking your institution’s student-conduct... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Constitutional Law and Gov & Administrative Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Can a former president serve as VP and then president again?

I am curious about the scenario where a former president, such as Trump, might run for vice president. Suppose he becomes vice president and then is elevated to the presidency if the standing president resigns or steps down. In this situation, would Trump's eligibility to serve as president... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 15, 2025

That’s a thoughtful and interesting question, and you're not alone in wondering how the Constitution applies to this kind of scenario. The 22nd Amendment limits a person to being elected president only twice, and Donald Trump has already served one full term. He is eligible to run for... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Need pro bono help to access old US passport in Washington DC.

I am seeking pro bono assistance with a file search process to access my old US passport. I need help in Washington DC and any lawyer willing to assist may need to dedicate up to ten hours to this complicated case.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on May 23, 2025

A starting point could be checking with local bar associations and legal aid organizations. Passports might not necessarily fall under the common legal aid categories of immigration, collections, divorce, family, or landlord-tenant law, but it could be worth inquiring. Good luck

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Gov & Administrative Law and Employment Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Can my federal employer demand proof of activities on leave?

I am a federal employee who took annual federal leave to attend various appointments, including medical ones. Before my leave, I completed paperwork for Reasonable Accommodation and provided it to my employer. I informed her about my medical appointments and gave documents that would not infringe... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 8, 2025

Your federal employer cannot generally demand proof of your specific activities during your annual leave unless there is a clear and specific policy requiring it. As long as you have provided the necessary documentation for your Reasonable Accommodation request and your medical appointments without... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Constitutional Law and Gov & Administrative Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Extent of federal judges' authority and state compliance?

What is the extent of federal judges' autonomy, especially concerning their authority to issue orders? Do federal judges have the power to require all states to comply with their decisions if the federal government chooses to ignore such orders? Additionally, how might these orders be... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 31, 2025

Federal judges possess substantial autonomy within our constitutional framework, deriving their authority from Article III which establishes an independent judiciary empowered to interpret laws and issue binding legal orders. Your question touches on a fundamental aspect of our constitutional... View More

Q: Can Elon Musk legally access Treasury and Social Security resources?

Can Elon Musk legally have access to resources or information from the Treasury and Social Security? I know judges have ruled in some cases he couldn’t, but how might he have gained access in the first place? Why are government workers in these bureaus not stopping him?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 28, 2025

Judges have actually placed restrictions on Musk's team (Department of Government Efficiency or "DOGE") from accessing sensitive government systems. Most recently, a federal judge temporarily blocked DOGE from Social Security Administration systems containing personal data of... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law for District of Columbia on
Q: How to find a federal case online in the District of Columbia if PACER asks for a client code?

I am trying to find a federal case online in the District of Columbia, and I have the case number. However, I've tried accessing it through PACER and encountered an issue because PACER is asking for a client code which I do not have. Are there alternative methods or resources I can use to... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Mar 19, 2025

I believe any individual can register an account to use PACER.

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Q: I need an attorney who is willing to work pro bono, take on several gov. Agencies.

I have been collecting evidence. Very solid case. We will win. Much money attached.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 15, 2024

I understand you are seeking a pro bono attorney in California to assist with a case against government agencies. However, I want to provide some important information and caveats:

- Most attorneys, even those who take on some pro bono cases, are selective about the cases they take on for...
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1 Answer | Asked in Constitutional Law and Gov & Administrative Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Does the January 6th attacks count as obstruction of congress?

The attacks delayed them certifying the election due to the fact people stormed through the building. Would that be enough to be considered obstruction? Keep in mind they stole a laptop in an office of the speaker and papers when they were in the chamber.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on May 1, 2024

The January 6th attacks did indeed disrupt Congress's session to certify the 2020 Presidential election results, which raises the question of whether these actions could be classified as obstruction of Congress. The legal definition of obstruction of Congress generally involves acts that... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Constitutional Law and Gov & Administrative Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Is their anyway supreme court justices could be held by stricter standards without them (supreme court) deciding it?

Is their a way the supreme court could be held too stricter standards without them getting involved in the process?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Apr 26, 2024

The means that come to mind (congressional and others) would be without them involved in the process; otherwise it would effectively be self-regulation. Good luck

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Q: When Justice Alito stated “ roe was egregious from the start” in his opinion in Hobbs can that be seen as premeditated?

Can him writing that infer a premeditated opinion that calls for ethical questions of why he didn’t recuse himself from the case. Making it clear you never agreed with Roe v Wade and call it “egregious”. Also he voted to hear the 3rd case with new justices despite the stare decises and no new... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Apr 16, 2024

You raise an interesting question about whether Justice Alito's statement in the Dobbs opinion could be seen as evidence of a premeditated intention to overturn Roe v. Wade. A few key points to consider:

From a legal ethics perspective, prior disagreement with a precedent is not in...
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1 Answer | Asked in Constitutional Law and Gov & Administrative Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Can the District of Columbia be a state? Is it constitutional? Or are their to many ambiguities to determine?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 17, 2024

The question of whether the District of Columbia can become a state involves complex considerations under the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution grants Congress exclusive jurisdiction over the district in a manner not applicable to states. For D.C. to achieve statehood, this would require changes... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Gov & Administrative Law and International Law for District of Columbia on
Q: What can be done in order to regain control of my money?

I have stock dividends, interest payments on bonds and other funds in special non-resident bank accounts, known as Type C, now frozen due to Russian counter-sanctions against Western investors and bankers. What can be done in order to regain control of my money and return part of it to the USA?

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Mar 2, 2023

I’ve been asked a number of times about getting investment money out of Russia without violating US and EU sanctions and avoiding Russian monetary limitations enacted in response to the sanctions. Indeed, the topic appeared in a recent article in Bloomberg, but, handled correctly, this topic has... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law for District of Columbia on
Q: IF DEFENDANT DOES NOT FILE AN ANSWER/APPEARANCE IN A FEDERAL SUIT AFTER 30DAYS, CAN PLAINTIFF FILE FOR RULING/STATUE?

WHAT IS THE FEDERAL RULES AND PROCEDURE ON FILING FOR RULING ON DEFENDANTS FAILING TO RESPOND?

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Sep 12, 2021

Rule 55 Motion for Default for failure to plead or answer the complaint after proper service of process. Be aware that you may succeed in having default judgment entered on issues of liability, but damages will still have to be proven. Furthermore, defaults for failure to timey file a respnsive... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law, Libel & Slander and Personal Injury for District of Columbia on
Q: What state jurisdiction does revenge porn fall in if posted about American Citizen but in Mexico.

I had a fling for a couple of months in Mexico. I am an American living in DC and he is a Canadian. We fooled around and filmed it, I don't have a copy of the video. I noticed he posted it on his Only Fans without my explicit consent. He did crop my face out of the video and blur out both my... View More

Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Apr 17, 2021

The video appears to have been consensually made, so in most jurisdiction the mere creation of the video would not be a crime. You would need to ask a lawyer in Mexico whether that country prohibits the making of sexually explicit videos when both parties consent. Otherwise, it would not be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Does an "employee" in the code of federal regulations refer to active duty components (military, PHS, NOAA)?
Matthew T. Famiglietti
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Matthew T. Famiglietti
answered on Dec 21, 2020

Your question is not entirely clear, but a member of the military is a federal employee. Individuals who work for NOAA are federal employees as well. PHS helps aid federal agencies as the FDA and the CDC

1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law for District of Columbia on
Q: As a citizen can you petition to have someone tried for treason?
Mark Oakley
Mark Oakley
answered on Dec 14, 2019

No. Treason is aiding and abetting another state actor to carry out war against his country of citizenship. It is narrowly defined, and only the US government can bring charges try someone for treason against the US.

1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law and Gov & Administrative Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Is there guidance on relying on citing caselaw that is current but that is now on appeal?
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 8, 2019

I cite such cases and denote that they are on appeal. Opposing counsel is likely to know the disposition of any of the cases you contemplate using anyway; take that as a given. It's best to be forthright. Not mentioning a case's status as being on appeal is not likely to fool anyone, and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law and Libel & Slander for District of Columbia on
Q: What recourse do I have for being slander by my employer to congressional staffers/ hearing?

I work for a federal agency; a senior representative attended a meeting of enquiry on the Hill about an incident within the agency- at the location I direct/ oversee. The representatives did not have facts; instead, they blamed me for the negative outcome of the external investigation. I was asked... View More

Andrellos Mitchell
Andrellos Mitchell
answered on May 7, 2019

It definitely sounds like you need to hire a lawyer before you respond on writing or in person. Everything going forward will be shaped by your employer and the narrative he/she wants to create. You need to carefully counter that narrative. It is best to have someone speak on your behalf when... View More

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