Get free answers to your Civil Rights legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I'm experiencing daily harassment from my landlord, which has increased my anxiety. I live alone and am disabled. My landlord often visits unannounced, yells, and even enters my apartment without permission. My home needs repairs due to neglect, including water damage, and he often complains... View More 
I was appointed an attorney who had poor communication and seemed uninterested in my case, so I fired her. The judge appointed a new lawyer, but he only had 20 days before the next court date. Despite trying to hire private attorneys, they all said 20 days was not enough time to prepare. My new... View More
At 15 years old, I purchased my own phone, and my name is the only one listed on the contract. I also pay for the phone myself. Can my parents legally take my phone away in this situation?
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answered on Apr 16, 2025
Even though you own the phone and pay for it, your parents still have authority over your living environment and can take the phone if they feel it’s necessary, especially under household rules. Since you’re a minor, they have legal rights to set boundaries and enforce consequences for behavior... View More
I was pulled over for not having a front license plate, and the officer initially said he would issue a warning. However, when bystanders began laughing, the officer changed the warning to a ticket solely because of their laughter. Is it legal for the officer to change his decision based on... View More
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answered on Apr 16, 2025
Yes, an officer has the legal authority to issue a citation for a traffic violation, even after initially saying they would give a warning. However, changing the decision solely because of bystander reactions—like laughter—raises concerns about professionalism and the true intent behind the... View More
At my school, people are engaging in harassment by spreading false rumors about me and my boyfriend, claiming we partake in inappropriate physical activities despite being minors. They also ask us inappropriate questions. We've requested them to stop, but the verbal harassment continues. We... View More
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answered on Apr 8, 2025
I'm really sorry you're going through this. What you're experiencing is harassment, and you absolutely don’t deserve it. The first step is to start documenting everything—write down dates, times, names, what was said or done, and where it happened. Save any messages or online... View More
I have been denied fertility healthcare by several clinics in Virginia and Tennessee, facing discrimination that prevents me from accessing necessary medical care. I am capable of having children using my own gametes, but the clinics have not provided adequate explanations for their refusal. We are... View More
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answered on Apr 7, 2025
The right to access fertility healthcare and reproductive treatments is a complex issue that can touch on both civil and human rights. While the U.S. does not have a constitutionally guaranteed right to fertility treatments, discrimination in healthcare—especially when it is based on race,... View More
I have been denied fertility healthcare by several clinics, experiencing discrimination that prevents me from accessing necessary medical care. Although I am fully capable of having children using my own gametes, I have not received adequate explanations from these clinics. We seek the return of... View More
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answered on Apr 7, 2025
Access to fertility healthcare can be viewed as both a civil right and a human right, depending on how it is framed in legal and social contexts. On one hand, civil rights involve protections against discrimination and ensure access to services without unjust barriers. In many ways, your ability to... View More
I approached a lawyer to advocate for my civil rights, and they offered me a contract for estimated fees. However, the contract didn't include an exit clause or other provisions typically found in retainer agreements. I declined to proceed with the tasks and services due to the absence of... View More
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answered on Apr 7, 2025
When you enter into a contract for estimated fees, you're typically agreeing to pay a lawyer based on an estimate of the total cost for their services. The agreement may outline an approximate cost for specific tasks or the overall project but may not provide flexibility if circumstances... View More
I grew up obese due to my family's lack of nutritional education and was heavily influenced by fast food advertisements targeted toward children, such as those promoting kid meals from 2010 to 2015. While I've lost weight, I'm now dealing with physical outcomes like stretch marks and... View More
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answered on Apr 2, 2025
You raise an important question about accountability for fast food marketing practices that target children without adequately disclosing health risks. From a legal perspective, pursuing claims against these companies faces significant hurdles, primarily because courts have historically been... View More
I'm looking for unique legal arguments against qualified immunity, possibly backed by relevant statistics, to strengthen my debate position. I'm interested in perspectives or data that are not commonly discussed.
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answered on Mar 23, 2025
You might strengthen your debate position by exploring how qualified immunity creates a procedural catch-22: courts can dismiss cases without determining if a constitutional violation occurred, preventing the establishment of precedent needed to overcome future immunity claims. Research from UCLA... View More
In 2016, my neighbor called the police on us 13 times in 6 months due to barking dogs, but we hadn't had any contact since then. Recently, she started driving by frequently while I was having tree work done. I sent her a humorous email with a suggestion to save gas instead of driving by. Can... View More
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answered on Mar 24, 2025
While your neighbor could technically file a lawsuit for almost anything, a single humorous email suggesting they save gas likely wouldn't provide grounds for successful legal action. The courts generally require substantial evidence of harassment, defamation, or intentional infliction of... View More
I am experiencing verbal harassment from my teacher, who has been making inappropriate comments about me and another student, suggesting that we are dating and even referring to the other student by my last name. This behavior has been ongoing every day for the past two months and has been... View More
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answered on Mar 24, 2025
What you're experiencing is inappropriate and qualifies as harassment. Your teacher's behavior crosses professional boundaries, and you deserve to learn in a safe, respectful environment. Remember that this situation reflects poorly on the teacher's conduct, not on you.... View More
I am having an issue at my middle school where rumors are being spread that I'm dating someone, and it's affecting my self-esteem. The rumors started among my friends, and despite asking them to stop, they continue. Additionally, some teachers are spreading the rumors to other teachers.... View More
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answered on Mar 24, 2025
Dealing with rumors at school can be incredibly challenging, and it's completely understandable that your self-esteem is suffering as a result. While you've already tried asking your friends to stop, sometimes a more formal approach becomes necessary when personal requests aren't... View More
My husband and I recently discovered that our children's school filed a legal petition for "Parent Participation" without informing us in advance. We're currently living in a hotel under the McKenney-Vento Act. The school has refused to offer reasonable transportation for my... View More
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answered on Mar 24, 2025
Your situation is challenging, and I understand your frustration with both the school's legal petition and transportation issues. Under the McKinney-Vento Act, your children have the right to attend their school of origin regardless of where you're temporarily housed, and the school... View More
My elderly parents' home address is being falsely used as the address for a non-existent non-profit on Google. As a result, they have been harassed for over a year, including unwanted visits and deliveries like a truckload of sand in their driveway. Although they have reported this to the... View More
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answered on Mar 26, 2025
You're facing a distressing situation with your parents being harassed due to this false Google listing. First, submit a "suggest an edit" on the Google Maps listing by clicking on the business name, selecting "suggest an edit," and marking it as "doesn't exist at... View More
I'm a college student planning to write an op-ed about the unfairness of students being falsely accused of using AI, highlighting how AI detectors are faulty and may flag specific words, causing smart students to dumb down their work. I won't name any company, university, or professors.... View More
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answered on Mar 24, 2025
Publishing an op-ed about false AI accusations and flawed detection systems falls squarely within your right to free speech, especially since you're avoiding naming specific individuals or institutions. Your perspective as a student experiencing this firsthand brings valuable insight to an... View More
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answered on Feb 12, 2025
Law enforcement officers have just as much right as any member of the public to knock on your front door, observe your house, and take photos from public areas. Search and seizure issues are extremely fact-specific. Whether there's a fourth amendment violation for an illegal search will depend... View More
We need a lawyer who will advocate and negotiate on our behalf with the fertility clinics. We need the lawyer to respect our religious beliefs and our family planning goals. We need safe healthcare. We need an attorney with knowledge of healthcare who will advocate for us as we deal with the... View More
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answered on Feb 8, 2025
Finding an attorney who aligns with your specific needs is crucial. In the Lovettsville, Virginia area, several family law attorneys may be able to assist you.
By carefully evaluating potential attorneys, you can find a professional who will advocate for your rights, respect your beliefs,... View More
I'm talking no involvement what so ever. Wasn't at her residence, she didn't know anything that allegedly occured has zero involvement, she didn't provide anyone anything she didn't have anything at all to do with the case what so ever in literally any capacity. They just... View More
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answered on Feb 4, 2025
I would guess someone misunderstood what the judge did. The judge can decide whether or not to even give a bond, they can put no contact conditions etc. I would imagine someone here misunderstood what the judge actually did.
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answered on Feb 8, 2025
Proving mental incapacity to justify a missed deadline requires strong evidence showing that you were unable to manage your affairs during the relevant time period. Medical records from doctors, psychologists, or hospitals can help demonstrate that your condition severely impaired your ability to... View More
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