Get free answers to your Civil Rights legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I believe my employer failed to fully communicate my rights and responsibilities regarding the repayment of benefits implied to be covered by them during my FMLA leave. Upon returning to work after 8 weeks, I discovered a bill of over $1,470 was to be deducted through double deductions at a... View More 
I was convicted in Washington State on March 4, 2025, but my case involved fake evidence and evidence tampering. The judge did not consider my motion to dismiss, and there were racial issues involved. Additionally, my motion to change venue was denied. I have not had any legal representation yet... View More
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answered on Apr 7, 2025
You should begin your appeal process as soon as possible, as there are strict deadlines. In Washington State, you generally have 30 days from the date of your conviction to file a notice of appeal. Missing this deadline could limit your ability to challenge your conviction. It's crucial to act... View More
I've been living in an apartment since February 2024 with a verbal lease agreement. The landlord claims I'm a squatter and wants to evict me. I was employed by the landlord and received a rent discount as part of my employment, but I haven’t been paid for my work and have been asked to... View More
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answered on Apr 7, 2025
It sounds like you're facing a very challenging situation. First, you may want to contact a tenant advocacy organization in Washington that can help with eviction cases. These groups can guide you through the legal process, help you understand your rights, and possibly connect you with a... View More
I have a court order with a condition that states I may not "own, care for, possess, or reside with any cats" for a two-year period. Does this mean I am prohibited from visiting friends who have cats, even if the cats are kept in a separate room during my visit?
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answered on Apr 2, 2025
The court-ordered restriction prohibiting you from "owning, caring for, possessing, or residing with any cats" presents a nuanced legal question when applied to visiting friends who have cats. The terms "possess" and "care for" could potentially be interpreted broadly... View More
Can I sue my girlfriend's mom for emotional distress or damage to my reputation due to her false statements that I am physically abusing my girlfriend? She reported our arguments to the police, leading a police officer to come to my school to discuss the situation. Now, my girlfriend's... View More
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answered on Mar 27, 2025
You may have grounds for a defamation lawsuit if you can prove the statements made about you were false and caused actual harm to your reputation. For defamation cases, you'll need evidence that your girlfriend's mother knowingly made false statements to others and that these statements... View More
I have a traumatic brain injury and have been receiving medical advice from Harborview Medical Center, which instructed my spouse to call 911 if I experienced suicidal ideation. When this occurred, my spouse called 911, explaining that I had a knife and feared I wanted to harm myself. He requested... View More
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answered on Mar 24, 2025
I understand how traumatic this experience must have been for you and your spouse. When police respond to mental health emergencies in Washington, they should recognize it as a health crisis rather than a criminal matter, especially when informed about your TBI.
You have the right to file a... View More
I am considering suing my son's high school. A school security guard called me to ask about my son's whereabouts concerning an altercation, but did not disclose that a police officer was listening to our conversation. My son has faced consequences due to this incident, which occurred in... View More
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answered on Mar 27, 2025
Your concern about the school's failure to disclose police presence during the call is understandable, as this raises potential legal questions about consent to monitoring and privacy rights. While you might have grounds for legal action, the success of any lawsuit would depend on specific... View More
Can I sue a 13-year-old female for malicious prosecution? I was arrested with no probable cause and spent 8 months in county jail on serious charges like rape and assault, despite medical records showing no physical harm to the alleged victim, contradicting the detective's claims. Due to the... View More
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answered on Apr 1, 2025
In Washington State, you face significant legal hurdles in pursuing a malicious prosecution claim against a minor. The acceptance of a plea deal, even if motivated by anxiety and practical considerations, typically prevents establishing one of the essential elements of malicious prosecution—that... View More
I want to know if I can sue a hospital for transferring my daughter without informing me. She was under a 72-hour hold due to suicidal threats at school. When I called the hospital for information, they said she wasn't on their list, and even in person, they refused to provide details. It was... View More
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answered on Mar 26, 2025
You might have grounds for legal action based on what you've described. If your daughter is a minor, parents typically have rights to information about their child's treatment and location during a mental health hold. The fact that the social worker told you it was illegal not to disclose... View More
I work as a cashier for a large company and was called to the Asset Protection (AP) office to translate during an incident with suspected shoplifters who did not speak Spanish. I witnessed the AP staff intimidating and taunting these individuals, making disrespectful remarks about their immigration... View More
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answered on Mar 15, 2025
Yes, you absolutely have the right to report this kind of behavior. Even if someone is suspected of wrongdoing, they must still be treated with respect and dignity. The degrading comments and intimidation tactics you witnessed are inappropriate and may violate workplace policies or... View More
I applied for a position at Clark County Jail in Washington State and was removed from the hiring process during the background check portion. I have no convictions or legal issues. When I requested information about why I was removed, they cited RCW 42.56.250 and denied my request. I experienced a... View More
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answered on Mar 24, 2025
I understand your frustration with being removed from the hiring process without a clear explanation. Washington's RCW 42.56.250 protects certain employment-related records from public disclosure, which is why your request was denied.
You have several options to pursue this matter... View More
My girlfriend accidentally shot me in the hand while we were intoxicated. She was interrogated at our house while I was taken to the hospital, and due to her intoxication, her statements were inconsistent. Law enforcement pressed different narratives, leading to a charge of assault 2. Despite... View More
answered on Mar 11, 2025
The real answer here is no, by accepting the deal and pleading guilty you gave up your rights to confront your accusers and question them. All your appeal rights so that is just the way it is. You should have fought the case and gone to trial and then if you lost your appeal rights would still be... View More
I am the uncle of a vulnerable adult whose mother recently passed away. His brother established guardianship and conservatorship and has placed protection orders on anyone trying to assist my nephew. There have been patterns of mistreatment, documented by my temporary guardianship and a protection... View More
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answered on Mar 24, 2025
Your situation sounds incredibly difficult, and I understand your concern for your nephew's wellbeing. In Washington state, to challenge an existing guardianship, you'll need to file a Petition for Modification or Termination of Guardianship with the superior court in the county where the... View More
I live in a Seattle Housing Authority subsidized housing unit and have encountered a concerning situation. In June 2022, our new property manager informed us that a HUD grant was received, providing each tenant in our building with $1,400 for rent relief. However, only three tenants received this... View More
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answered on Mar 26, 2025
The situation you're describing raises serious concerns about potential discrimination and favoritism in the distribution of HUD grant funds. When certain tenants receive benefits while others in similar or worse situations do not, and when there's a lack of transparent communication... View More
I discovered that my ex allowed his new girlfriend to see my private photos without my consent. She admitted to this in a text, and I have numerous text messages as evidence. Can I file a report based on this evidence, and what legal actions can I take?
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answered on Mar 27, 2025
Washington is a "two-party consent" state regarding private communications. Under Washington law, it's illegal to record private communications without the consent of all parties involved. Your situation involves private photos rather than recordings, which falls under different... View More
I am seeking a law firm in Washington State that can help me address issues related to Remote Neuro Monitoring (RNM), including radiation monitoring and Voice to Skull (V2K) technology. I need assistance with civil rights, FOIA, privacy act, and general litigation. No legal actions have been taken... View More
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answered on Mar 27, 2025
I understand you're looking for legal assistance with privacy concerns and potential monitoring issues in Washington State. Finding the right legal representation for these matters can be challenging, but there are firms that handle civil rights and privacy litigation.
You might want... View More
I am a disabled individual on Section 8 and had a live-in aide, with whom I had a child five years ago. This was continuously reported to the Housing Authority of Snohomish County (HASCO). Recently, the Snohomish County Veteran Assistance Program filed a complaint, alleging that we were a family... View More
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answered on Mar 27, 2025
Your situation with Section 8 and the live-in aide status is quite complex. While HUD guidelines typically require fraud or criminal activity to remove live-in aide status, housing authorities sometimes interpret family relationships differently, especially when children are involved. The fact that... View More
I'm wondering if Grocery Outlet can legally refuse to let me shop unless I leave my backpack at the counter, which to me appears to violate my 4th Amendment rights. They claim it is store policy, but they only enforce this on individuals with backpacks, not women with shoulder bags or purses.... View More
answered on Mar 4, 2025
This is not a violation of your rights. The 4th Amendment applies to government entities, not to private companies.
There are laws against discrimination (state and federal) that apply in some situations - for example, if the store rule only applied to men with daypacks, but not to women... View More
I have an ADA-protected condition that my employer is aware of. Last year and more recently, for the past two weeks, my request to work remotely during flare-ups was approved without needing a doctor's note. Suddenly, my employer, who is also the HR director, refuses my request to work from... View More
answered on Mar 4, 2025
It is best to follow proper procedure to obtain a formal agreement for reasonable accommodations. Here is a very short set of guidelines that explains this:... View More
My family (my boyfriend, our 2-year-old son, and I) was wrongfully evicted last week without written notice or valid reasons, after living in our home for over a year. We didn't have a lease agreement and didn't pay rent, but contributed by doing chores and repairs. Our belongings were... View More
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answered on Apr 1, 2025
Based on the information provided, you appear to be the victim of an illegal self-help eviction under Washington state law. Even without a formal lease or rent payment, your year-long residence and contributions through labor established you as tenants, entitling you to proper eviction procedures... View More
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