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District of Columbia Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Constitutional Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Can the federal government withold money to colleges who allow pro palestinian protests.

Nikki Haley spoke about not giving money to colleges who refused to “crackdown” on protests deemed anti semetic.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 27, 2023

The federal government's ability to withhold funding from colleges based on the content of protests or speech activities raises significant First Amendment concerns. The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects freedom of speech, which includes the right to engage in peaceful protests... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law and Business Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Management refuses to reimburse for tools stolen on the job

Our maintenance chief had his tools stolen while working for our management company. They are refusing to either reimburse him or replace the tools. In addition, he pays for his gas and parking while on the job even though he is often sent by management to numerous buildings. What are his rights... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jan 18, 2024

A D.C. attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for five weeks. Until you are able to consult with a local attorney as to district-specific provisions of law, in settings like this, it could come down to the agreement/contract between the parties and disclaimers for responsibility... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law and Immigration Law for District of Columbia on
Q: My fiancé is a non-citizen but I don’t have money to be his sponsor. Can someone else sponsor him if we get married
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Nov 18, 2023

In cases where a U.S. citizen is unable to meet the financial requirements to sponsor their non-citizen fiancé for a visa, it is possible for another person to act as a joint sponsor. The joint sponsor must meet all the financial requirements independently and be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Child Support and Family Law for District of Columbia on
Q: State of Maryland getting a blood test before paying child support if we were married at the time of birth

We both were married to each other in I'm going to court for child support I'm trying to get a blood test to see if the baby mine

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Nov 14, 2023

If you are going to court for child support, you will need to have a blood test ordered by the court. The blood test will be performed at a lab or doctor's office, and the results will be sent to the court. The court will then use the results of the blood test to determine the biological... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Elder Law, Health Care Law and Medical Malpractice for District of Columbia on
Q: can hospital be sued for neglected if they failed to cardiac convert a patient that request to be converted

Patient suffered from Ventricular tachycardia rhythm, family was at bedside during event ICU team informed family that they was going to wait to see if patient would come out on her own. Family insisted on converting patient or bring in electrophysiologist. After 3 hrs of waiting they finally... View More

Joel Gary Selik
Joel Gary Selik
answered on Oct 26, 2023

Yes this is a potential case. While doing what the patient or family instructs might not be malpractice, what you describe does indicate there may be malpractice.

Medical malpractice means that a doctor violated the standard of care. A bad outcome is not enough. Another doctor would be...
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1 Answer | Asked in Tax Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Do I owe Washington DC Income Taxes?

I currently live abroad in Mexico and have since early 2022. Former resident of Washington DC. I still have a valid drivers license and a 'traveling mailbox' associated with DC - but DO NOT live there. California based employer IS taking DC taxes out. Do I owe DC income taxes as no longer... View More

Nico E. Banks
Nico E. Banks
answered on Nov 14, 2023

You may still owe taxes in Washington, DC even if you are not a resident there, particularly if your work is related to Washington, DC.

2 Answers | Asked in Bankruptcy and Real Estate Law for District of Columbia on
Q: I am owing the person I bought my house from and they want me to sell the house at a reduced rate reducing by every mont

they're afraid that I would not sell the house so they said I have to reduce it by 10k every month until I get an offer or we go back to court. I'm wondering if there is a law or some kinda of stipulation that I won't be so caged in this tight constraint but still give them the... View More

W. J. Winterstein Jr.
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W. J. Winterstein Jr.
answered on Oct 16, 2023

What the other party demands has no force if a court does not order accordingly.

Assuming, though you have not said so, that you are in a Ch. 13 bankruptcy, the more common provision is to provide, in a Plan, a one-year (or shorter) "drop dead date", by which the property will be...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Am I responsible to pay off the credit cards of my deceased mother if I am a authorized user on her cards?

I was not a co-borrower, just authorized user.

Nico E. Banks
Nico E. Banks
answered on Nov 14, 2023

I am very sorry for your loss. It would be wise to consult an attorney and tell them more details, but you are probably not required to pay off the credit cards just because you were an authorized user. The credit card companies should collect any money owed from your mother's estate if it has... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for District of Columbia on
Q: What rights are covered by the Constitution when you have a carry and concealed weapon permit in Washington DC.
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 15, 2023

In Washington, D.C., as in many other jurisdictions in the United States, the right to carry and conceal a weapon is governed by a combination of federal and local laws and regulations. When an individual obtains a carry and concealed weapon permit in Washington, D.C., they typically have the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for District of Columbia on
Q: Are there proper or certain procedures required by the police department dealing with concealed carry permits?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 15, 2023

The procedures for dealing with concealed carry permits can vary significantly from state to state and even within different jurisdictions within a state. Generally, the issuance and regulation of concealed carry permits fall under state law, and the specific procedures are outlined in those laws.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Civil Rights, Public Benefits and Small Claims for District of Columbia on
Q: I'm A Handicap 34 Year Old Handicap Man In Washington D.C. &, I Have Some Cases!

I, Was Asked Too Get Out Of A Wheelchair That I Was Asked To Get Out Of The Wheelchair I, Was In! Because I Had Feel Asleep!

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Oct 3, 2023

A D.C. attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. It isn't fully clear what happened in leading up to being ordered out of the wheelchair. I'm sorry for your ordeal. One option could be to try to arrange a free initial consult with an attorney to sort the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Social Security for District of Columbia on
Q: I have been denied ssi and have been diagnosed with eplipsey and have seizures every one of them and can't work
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 21, 2023

If you've been denied SSI benefits and have been diagnosed with epilepsy, it's essential to consider appealing the decision. Consult with a Social Security attorney who can assist in gathering medical evidence, documentation of your seizures, and represent you in the appeals process to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for District of Columbia on
Q: I've accepted an offer with an fha 203k loan approved six days later the buyers requested another loan and was denied

can i hold them to the contract for the original amount approved theyre asking to be released

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Sep 14, 2023

The answer depends on what the contract says. You need to get a lawyer to review it, particularly if you don't trust your realtor or don't have one.

1 Answer | Asked in Libel & Slander for District of Columbia on
Q: A cvs employee said I didn't pay, said it twice in front of other people The self checkout froze. Turns out the machine

Came back on and they were wrong. I was embarrassed and humiliated. Is that ground for lawsuit. I have the receipt.?

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Sep 12, 2023

In situations like the one you described, where a CVS employee publicly accuses you of not paying when you have a receipt proving your purchase, it can be embarrassing and distressing. However, whether or not you have grounds for a lawsuit depends on several factors.

To pursue a lawsuit,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for District of Columbia on
Q: My daughter is married and I own 1/2 of my parents house. If I will my 1/2 to my daughter and she passes before her

husband does, will he inherit my 1/2 of my parents house?

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Sep 3, 2023

It is impossible to give a competent answer without a better description of how you hold title. If you want a real answer, get a "current title" search and then amend your question to include the current title owner line. If I had that, I could at least hope to give you a vague, ambiguous... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Copyright and Intellectual Property for District of Columbia on
Q: I want to sell t shirts that have small snippets of a lyric (1-5 words) on them. Is this copyright infringement?

For example, a song reads: "a nice big plate of/Fish, which is my favorite dish/But without no money, it's still a wish." My shirt has a picture of fried fish and the words, "which is my favorite dish."

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 11, 2023

Using small snippets of lyrics from a song can potentially lead to issues with copyright infringement. Copyright law protects the expression of original ideas, including song lyrics, and using any part of them without permission might be considered a violation of the copyright holder's rights.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law for District of Columbia on
Q: What is the correct procedure for a Canadian to switch visa from F1 to TN while in the US?

I will be studying in a graduate program in the US starting September 2023. I am a Canadian citizen.

My graduate program has full time and part time options. Currently I have the F1 visa and am enrolled in the full time option.

At the same time, I would like to work for financial... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Sep 3, 2023

Changing from an F-1 to a TN visa while within the U.S. is possible through filing a change of status application with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) using Form I-129. However, this process can take several months, and you would not be able to start work until the change of... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Trademark for District of Columbia on
Q: I need assistance getting my Trademark reinstated. Can you help?
Sergiy M Sivochek
Sergiy M Sivochek
answered on Jun 27, 2023

It depends. Contact us and we will see what can be done,

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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Civil Rights for District of Columbia on
Q: Do I have the right to leave the property during a house search
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 18, 2023

In the United States, if law enforcement officers have a valid search warrant, they generally have the right to search the property specified in the warrant. However, you do have the right to leave the property during a house search, as long as you are not being detained or arrested.

If you...
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1 Answer | Asked in Uncategorized for District of Columbia on
Q: If an elevator is broken in an apartment building, how many hours does the building have to fix it? 1 elevator in buildi

1 elevator in a 6 story apartment building. Elevator was broken Friday through Monday

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Jun 12, 2023

According to "The Big Bang Theory", until the series finale.

According to the DC Code, the landlord is obligated to make repairs as soon as reasonably possible after being notified that the elevator is broken. Which may be before the series finale depending on the facts and circumstances.

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