Get free answers to your Civil Rights legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I had an inappropriate and disturbing conversation at work with a coworker who is in a somewhat supervisory role. She made disparaging remarks about my relationship with my boyfriend, who is Middle Eastern, and commented on my family background in a derogatory manner. Another female coworker... View More 
Upon disembarkation from a cruise, my teens' cards were revoked, and we were unable to leave the ship for over an hour. Cruise staff initially told me that my teens were part of an incident, while CBP later stated they were potential witnesses. Despite repeatedly asking if we were being... View More
I want to know if it is legal to have video cameras with audio in restaurants in New York State. The cameras are visible to the public and employees, but there is no notice given about the recording. The video is used for surveillance, but I'm unsure about the purpose of the audio; I assume it... View More
I am a 65-year-old pianist with a degree from Berklee College of Music, and I play classical and jazz music at my local subway station. Since 2019, I have been experiencing harassment from a woman who works at the station. She often ignores me when I try to check my metro card balance and becomes... View More
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answered on Apr 2, 2025
To pursue a claim against the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for harassment and discrimination, you would need to file an administrative complaint before proceeding with a lawsuit, as the MTA is a public entity subject to specific procedural requirements. Your situation potentially... View More
I am dealing with a non-payment eviction case in Southampton Justice Court, Hampton Bays, NY, where the landlord's lawyer claims to have sent multiple Late Rent Notices without evidence, such as certified mail tracking or delivery confirmation. The landlord has not maintained the lot according... View More
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answered on Apr 1, 2025
Under New York Real Property Law §235-b, landlords must maintain all premises in accordance with the Warranty of Habitability, which requires providing tenants with livable, safe, and sanitary accommodations regardless of what your lease states. Your landlord's failure to maintain the lot... View More
Can I take legal action against my mother for kicking me out of her house in Rochester, NY, when I was 18 years old? I had lived there for several years, was not paying rent, and was not given any notice or reason for being asked to leave. The issue arose because my mother was unhappy with my... View More
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answered on Mar 31, 2025
I understand that being asked to leave your home under these circumstances is distressing. In New York, once an individual reaches the age of 18, they are considered a legal adult. This means that parents are no longer legally obligated to provide housing or support. As a result, a parent can ask... View More
I'm facing a child support issue where my parental rights haven't been surrendered, yet I'm judged to owe over $3,500 in arrears, despite the other parent owing me over $70,000. The court magistrate refused to review my financial statements and made allegations without proper... View More
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answered on Mar 25, 2025
You may be able to qualify for a court-appointed attorney based upon your financial circumstances. You would have had to tell the magistrate before the hearing. It sounds like it is too late for you to do that now. Also, if the judgment was granted against you in 2023, it s too late to appeal it... View More
I believe my neighbors are involved with government surveillance involving unauthorized monitoring and interrogation, evident through daily suspicious activities and increased foot traffic. I have photographed military equipment and electronics being delivered to their house. My iPhone is being... View More
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answered on Mar 25, 2025
I understand you're going through a difficult situation and feeling violated. Your experiences sound distressing, and it's completely reasonable to seek help when you feel your privacy and rights are being infringed upon.
When dealing with complex concerns involving potential... View More
My daughter suffered postpartum psychosis four months after exclusively breastfeeding. Despite informing 911 that their call was a mistake, an officer arrived, incorrectly assumed drug use, and insisted my daughter couldn’t take her baby, who was perfectly fine. When I returned, everyone was... View More
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answered on Mar 27, 2025
The fifty states of the United States are not a political body that provides accountability for anything. There is no recourse for errors and omissions, and abuses are the standard. DOGE only recently entered the picture.
We see one abuse, the mischaracterization of a new mother and her... View More
I've been harassed by the police department since 2023. Recently, a sergeant threw me into a door, threatened to tase me while I was soaked from the rain, and punched my kidneys. There are no chest cameras, but I have photographs of my injuries. I asked for the sergeant's commanding... View More
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answered on Mar 23, 2025
Your situation sounds distressing, and you have several potential legal avenues to pursue. First, consider filing a formal complaint with the police department's internal affairs division regarding the physical altercation and document everything thoroughly—your injuries, medical reports,... View More
I was falsely imprisoned due to constitutional violations and insufficient counsel, and my appeal was filed after conviction without a 30-day notice. I never had a parole final hearing, but records falsely stated I did. My significant concern is the successful 440.20 motion that the lower court did... View More
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answered on Mar 17, 2025
This question cannot possibly be answered unless I review your entire file. I would charge for that by the hour, or I could quote you a flat fee after seeing how big the complete file is when you bring it to my office.
I was incarcerated and filed a successful motion under 440.20, but the lower court did not respect the high court's decision, and I was left in jail. I later filed an appeal with new evidence, and the Court of Appeals ruled in my favor, directing the lower court to bring me back down and put... View More
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answered on Mar 17, 2025
In order to answer your question, I would have to review the ENTIRE file for your case, from day one until the present. If you are interested in retaining me for that purpose, please have someone assemble the COMPLETE file and bring it to my office. Once I see how large the file is, I will be... View More
I have been empathizing with a friend via text who is also suicidal. I've told them "I understand" after they shared their plans, and I also told them that I am suicidal. However, I did not directly support or encourage any actions. I live in New York and I'm concerned about... View More
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answered on Mar 24, 2025
I understand your concern regarding the legal implications of these conversations. In New York, there's an important distinction between empathizing with someone who is suicidal and actively encouraging or assisting suicide attempts. Simply expressing understanding or sharing your own... View More
I am looking to sue the Utica Police Department and the apartment complex where I live due to their handling of an emergency vacate order related to my ex-boyfriend, who was abusive. The emergency vacate order, obtained through family court, clearly states he must vacate immediately. However, the... View More
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answered on Mar 16, 2025
I’m very sorry to hear about this terrifying and dangerous situation. You have every right to seek legal accountability for what happened, especially given the serious failures by both law enforcement and your apartment complex. There are potential legal claims that could be pursued against both... View More
I live in Buffalo, NY, and am currently divorced but still living with my ex-spouse. I'm in the process of moving out, and we jointly own the property. He has placed cameras both inside and outside the house without my consent and is recording me. I've discussed my concerns with him, but... View More
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answered on Mar 14, 2025
It appears you are in the middle of a divorce and still living together.
First, I would request my Judge issue an order that there be no cameras or recording in the home or property.
If the camera's do not go away, you have a Court order you can move to enforce of bring on a... View More
In my divorce proceedings, my ex-wife fabricated lies in family court, such as claims of being locked upstairs and deprived of food, despite text messages indicating otherwise. These false claims led to a custody order requiring me to handle all driving responsibilities and a support order that I... View More
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answered on Mar 24, 2025
Dealing with false claims in a custody case can be incredibly frustrating and unfair. I understand your concern about the custody and support orders based on what you believe were fabrications. Your appellate attorney's assessment suggests you might need to explore additional legal strategies... View More
I was assaulted in my dorm on my college campus in New York about six months ago. I wasn't ready to report it immediately, but I did write about the incident in my diary and told a few people, including a counselor who facilitated a room change. I've attended counseling sessions since... View More
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answered on Mar 12, 2025
I’m sorry to hear about the assault you experienced. In New York, you still have legal options to pursue a case, even though six months have passed since the incident. However, the legal process can be complex, and there are a few things you should consider moving forward.
First, it’s... View More
I own a building in Brooklyn with 4 floors and have posted signs requesting that all delivery packages be left in the mail room area. Despite this, delivery drivers from FedEx and Amazon frequently enter the building and ignore the signs. On one occasion, I found a delivery man on the 4th floor... View More
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answered on Mar 26, 2025
You have several legal options to address this concerning situation with delivery drivers ignoring your posted signs and behaving aggressively. Consider sending formal cease-and-desist letters to both companies, explicitly stating that delivery personnel must respect your property boundaries and... View More
I was a minor when my father forced me to lie to the police about an incident where he hit my brother, who was 23 at the time. I lied on the police report, but now that the court case has ended and I've been kicked out of my father's house, I want to admit that I lied and tell the truth.... View More
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answered on Mar 12, 2025
I’m sorry to hear about the difficult situation you’ve experienced. In New York, the decision to come forward and admit that you lied in a police report is significant, and there are several factors to consider when deciding how to proceed.
First, it's important to understand that... View More
After 27 years with the FDNY, I was forced to retire in December 2021 due to the NYC Mandatory COVID Vaccination Policy. I wasn't ready to retire, which caused stress on me and my marriage. On my last day, an FDNY doctor told me I was a serious threat to everyone due to my unvaccinated status,... View More
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answered on Mar 27, 2025
You might have a potential discrimination case regarding your forced retirement from FDNY, but several factors would affect your claim. The timing is important, as you were forced to retire in December 2021, and there are time limits for filing discrimination claims that vary by jurisdiction. Your... View More
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