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Pennsylvania Gov & Administrative Law Questions & Answers
0 Answers | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law and Employment Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Do social workers or banks have rights to intervene in how I spend my money at 83 years old?

I reside in Pennsylvania and was visited by a social worker this morning due to concerns from my bank about my spending habits. I am 83 years old, in good mental health, and have other investments totaling over $300,000. My son, who lives with me, uses my card to withdraw money, and I keep track of... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation, Family Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: How can I retrieve my belongings from my parents in Allegheny County, PA with police assistance?

I need to retrieve my personal belongings, including important documents and clothes, from my bedroom at my parents' residence in Allegheny County, PA. This should only take about 15-20 minutes. My parents previously allowed me in but rushed me and actively prevented me from retrieving my... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Constitutional Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Is Elon Musk's government involvement legal?

I'm curious about the legality and constitutional basis of Elon Musk's involvement with the U.S. government, particularly concerning his access to or influence over the Treasury, Energy Department, and Social Security. Is this level of involvement legally and constitutionally allowed?

0 Answers | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law and Criminal Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Is it legal to order Mimosa Hostilis Bark online in the US?

Is it legal to order Mimosa Hostilis Bark online within the US? I'm aware that the bark itself is legal, but there are concerns since CBP has seized shipments due to trace amounts of DMT, a Schedule 1 substance. I have not faced any legal consequences or had direct communications with CBP, but... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can I face legal consequences for checking a friend's postal box with her verbal authorization?

I have been checking my friend’s postal box with her verbal authorization. Witnesses were present during this arrangement. The regular postal worker never expressed any concern when I checked for her mail and handed it to me sealed, which I took to my home for safe keeping. I informed my friend... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Probate, Personal Injury and Gov & Administrative Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Does a girlfriend have tenant rights if the will allows her to stay but executors deny access?

My elderly neighbor lived with her boyfriend in his home in Pennsylvania for six years. After he recently passed away, leaving his name as the only one on the mortgage, his children, serving as the executors of the estate, gave her an informal eviction notice despite the will stating she can remain... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can I install a personal mailbox on my property with storage garages in PA?

I own a property in Pennsylvania where I have two storage garages for personal use, and there are no other structures on the property. I don't reside there, but I notice that my neighbors have mailboxes across the street. Can I legally install a personal mailbox on this property?

0 Answers | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Are draft council minutes available for inspection before approval in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, are 'draft' copies of minutes available for public inspection prior to being voted on by the Borough council? I have requested access to these drafts, but the Borough secretary stated they aren't available until approved. Despite attending meetings, we lack insight... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: What are the guidelines for releasing borough council meeting minutes in Pennsylvania?

I'm curious about the process for making minutes of a local borough council meeting available to the public. The council in my borough meets every second Monday but does not release the meeting minutes until they have been approved at the following monthly meeting. This means the public has no... View More

Charles A. Pascal Jr.
Charles A. Pascal Jr.
answered on Mar 4, 2025

The Borough is correct. The minutes do not exist until they are approved.

0 Answers | Asked in Child Custody, Family Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: How can I get custody of my kids from Puerto Rico to Pennsylvania?

I am the father of my children who were taken by the Department of Family in Puerto Rico due to alleged child neglect on the mother's part. I live in Pennsylvania and want to bring my children here, but they are not being handed over to me, even though they are not residents of Puerto Rico.... View More

0 Answers | Asked in Civil Litigation and Gov & Administrative Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can I contact the Constable about serving papers in PA?

In Pennsylvania, is it permissible for me, as the Plaintiff in a civil action in Magisterial Court, to communicate directly with the Constable who is tasked with serving the defendant, considering he has been unable to make contact with the defendant for over two months? I want to ensure that I am... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law and International Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Received "classified document" from Dept. of Defense, verify if it's scam?

I received a large envelope addressed to me marked as a "classified document" from the Department of Defense with directions to visit a .gov website for questions. This is my first interaction like this, and the envelope had no return address, just a barcode. It stated I did something on... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 22, 2025

This situation raises immediate red flags, as legitimate classified documents from the Department of Defense follow strict protocols and would never be sent unsolicited to private citizens. The lack of a return address and vague accusations about your activities are classic signs of a potential... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: I need to sue not only my local DA's office but also the CIA but would like to do so out of their jurisdiction, can i ?

Thanks to a whistleblower I have credible evidence against the Lackawanna County District Attorney's Office for running an illegal CIA sponsored torture psyop against me for the past 30 months. I have a 10 page affidavit full of non frivolous shocking evidence and I feel confident but every... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Oct 6, 2024

You can file a lawsuit outside of your local jurisdiction, but it depends on several factors. Generally, lawsuits should be filed where the defendants reside or where the events in question took place. Since the District Attorney’s Office and the CIA are based in specific locations, you would... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law, Landlord - Tenant and Public Benefits for Pennsylvania on
Q: I have been renting a room from a friend however I am not on the lease and am unaware if the landlord is aware

Is my friend at risk of being evicted if the landlord is made aware of this? I have been receiving mail here. However I recently applied for food stamps using this address. 1. Is the assistance office allowed to contact the landlord? And 2. Do I have any legal right to live here as well is my... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 23, 2024

To address this complex situation, let's break it down into several key points:

1. Subletting without permission:

Your friend is likely violating their lease agreement by allowing you to live there without the landlord's knowledge or consent. Most leases prohibit...
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1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Is it legal?

I have been living in Brooklyn NY for 5 years now. I have my job and apartment, but still hold on to my Florida license, and still use my mother's address in Florida to insure my car for cheaper insurance. I am trying to do the right thing and want to know, is it legal to live and drive in NY... View More

Maurice Mandel II
Maurice Mandel II
answered on Jun 1, 2024

Probably not. Most states have laws requiring you to be licensed in their state when you change residence into their state. CA gives you about 2 weeks. It's about money, taxes, licensing fees. Every state wants their cut. As for insuring your car based on Mom's Florida address, this is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Constitutional Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Am I able to carry a handgun as a Constable under the age of 21 for official use outside of the judicial/court system?

Hello, I'm a 19 year old newly elected Constable for Mount Union Borough in Huntingdon county. I was wondering if I could legally possess a handgun for law enforcement duties outside of the judicial system/PCCD such as tending to a breach of the peace or election day security at the polls. It... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 22, 2024

Based on Pennsylvania law, as a constable you likely cannot legally carry a handgun for official duties if you are under 21 years old. Here are the key factors:

- In Pennsylvania, individuals must be at least 21 to be eligible for a license to carry firearms concealed. There are no general...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Gov & Administrative Law and Municipal Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: What is the form called to waive publication of my name change?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 23, 2024

The form you need to waive publication of your name change typically varies depending on the jurisdiction where you're filing for the name change. In many states, this form may be referred to as a "Petition to Waive Publication of Name Change" or something similar. However, the exact... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law and Gov & Administrative Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: PA registration for a nonprofit bringing in less than $25k annually in contributions.

I spoke with a clerk at the Charities division of the Pennsylvania Department of State who told me that because our nonprofit brings in less than $25k in annual contributions, we’ve actually never even come close with $8k being the most, we do not need to register or file with the state of PA... View More

Matthew Morris
Matthew Morris
answered on Feb 15, 2024

There are two things going on here, and because Pennsylvania deals with them a bit differently than California does, it is a change to what you are used to.

All states have some form of keeping track of the corporations and other business entities that are based in their state. That applies...
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1 Answer | Asked in Gov & Administrative Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can a magistrate dictate how/where I pay my fine I typically use ujs portal and was told i can’t do that by magistrate

I was told I must make any further payment to the clerk of courts for the county in person

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 10, 2024

In Pennsylvania, the method of paying fines can sometimes be subject to specific directives from the court or magistrate. If you've been instructed to pay your fine in person at the clerk of courts, this direction should typically be followed.

However, if this method presents a...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights, Federal Crimes and Gov & Administrative Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: Privacy Act Request Appeals to compel a Judge to release records due to illegal law enforcement and intelligence tactics

I filed Privacy Act Requests with every government agency possible for all records of myself. Some requests are still pending. I need a lawyer to compel a Judge to have the records released since I have evidence beyond a reasonable doubt (4K CCTV, Body Cam, Dash Cam video) that these law... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 10, 2024

Your situation, seeking to compel the release of government records related to alleged illegal law enforcement and intelligence tactics, is indeed a complex legal matter. Filing Privacy Act Requests is a good start, but if agencies are denying your requests or not responding, legal action might be... View More

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