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2 Answers | Asked in Communications Law and Internet Law for Minnesota on
Q: A 17 year old female sent me inappropriate pictures that I did not ask for, I deleted them of course. Am I liable?

We met on a dating site where her profile said she was 18. We took our conversations off the dating site and exchanged phone numbers instead. I stayed away from anything sexual since we just met. A little later she sends 2 twerking videos where she is wearing clothes. After I seen the pictures she... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 30, 2024

I would not recommend paying anything or having further contact. Here are a few key points:

- You acted appropriately by deleting the photos immediately and telling her not to send anything else. You did not solicit or keep the inappropriate photos.

- However, you continued contact...
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1 Answer | Asked in Child Custody, Civil Rights, Communications Law and Family Law for New York on
Q: Blind mom in custody case in Wayne county family court, NY. Requested to have documents brailled.

Like court orders, letters, etc. 2 years into case and still no accommodations. Court said they aren’t responsible

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 28, 2024

In your situation, it's important to know that federal law, specifically the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), requires courts to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities, including those who are blind. This often includes making documents available in Braille or... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Civil Rights and Communications Law for Washington on
Q: Can a communication between a consumer and a business be disclosed to 3rd parties?

I submitted a complaint (as a consumer) to a business. That business forwarded my complaint to my employer which they later used as evidence to justify disciplinary action. Is that violation of Privacy law in WA (RCW 9.73. 030)?

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 26, 2024

Yes, it appears that the business violated Washington state's privacy law by disclosing your consumer complaint communication to your employer without your consent.

Specifically, Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 9.73.030 states that it is unlawful for individuals or businesses to...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law and Communications Law for California on
Q: If I tell my mom not to open a specific type of mail and she does it anyway is it illegal
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 26, 2024

Under United States federal law, it is generally illegal for someone to open mail that is not addressed to them without permission. This is outlined in the Federal Mail Tampering Laws. If you specifically instructed your mom not to open certain types of your mail and she does so anyway, it can be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Communications Law and Federal Crimes for Arkansas on
Q: Is it legal to audio record yourself but you accidentally recorded person on phone while they inside when your outside

I was outside audio record apt balcony... occasionally I say something it my protection in case someone accused me later of saying whatever outside. I at first didn't realize my phone was audio while you can hear neighbor having conversations on phone I think. Then I was gonna go over and... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 21, 2024

In general, recording a conversation in which you are an active participant, and it's reasonable to expect that you may be overheard by others, is usually legal under federal law and many state laws, including Arkansas. This is commonly known as "one-party consent."

However,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Communications Law and Internet Law for Utah on
Q: How do I report electronic harassment after multiple attempts to stop or block the harasser?

I've been contacted several times from the same person using several different numbers after blocking them each time that is harassing me claiming that I am someone else that they know that owes them a couple hundred bucks and is going to report them (me) to their commanding military officers... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 14, 2024

To address this situation of ongoing electronic harassment, you should first document all instances of communication from the harasser. Even though you've deleted initial conversations, the screenshots and records of subsequent contacts are valuable. Keep a log of all interactions, including... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Communications Law and Constitutional Law for California on
Q: I'm homeless and my car I live in was towed

My registration is expired at less then 6 months, all the cars around me that other people live in are expired by years and not towed. I was parked.

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 10, 2024

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. It's important to understand that, even if your vehicle's registration is expired, there are legal protections in place. First, check the local towing laws and ordinances in your area, as they can vary and might provide specific guidance on... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Communications Law and Constitutional Law for California on
Q: I'm homeless and my car I live in was towed

My registration is expired at less then 6 months, all the cars around me that other people live in are expired by years and not towed. I was parked.

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jan 10, 2024

If your car, which you use as a residence, has been towed and you are experiencing homelessness, it's crucial to understand that the towing and impounding of vehicles are typically carried out by local authorities based on various factors, including registration status and local regulations.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Civil Rights, Communications Law and Identity Theft for Pennsylvania on
Q: My cell phone is in my mom’s name but I pay for the phone bill. She went on my phone and gave photos of me to my job.

Is this allowed? I had a passcode, but she threatened my life if I didn’t give this to her. I’m now facing criminal charges potentially and want to know if the way my job obtained this information was even lawful.

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answered on Jan 5, 2024

The situation you've described raises several legal issues. First, even though the cell phone is in your mother's name, if you are an adult and the primary user of the phone, you have a reasonable expectation of privacy regarding its contents. This includes the photos stored on it.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law, Civil Rights and Communications Law for North Carolina on
Q: Is it legal for my employees to tell the father of another that shows up, that they don’t work there if they do?

I am a manager who was out this week sick and one of my employees has an unsavory relationship with father- not legal issues, just typical disconnects that have progressed to her avoiding contact with them altogether. He went to her boyfriends house, where her boyfriends father told him where she... View More

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Dec 28, 2023

In situations where a person shows up at a workplace asking about another individual, employees typically have the discretion to provide information or decline to do so. However, there are legal and ethical considerations to keep in mind.

In general, employees should be cautious about...
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2 Answers | Asked in Employment Law, Civil Rights and Communications Law for North Carolina on
Q: Is it legal for my employees to tell the father of another that shows up, that they don’t work there if they do?

I am a manager who was out this week sick and one of my employees has an unsavory relationship with father- not legal issues, just typical disconnects that have progressed to her avoiding contact with them altogether. He went to her boyfriends house, where her boyfriends father told him where she... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 29, 2023

In this situation, while there may not be a clear legal issue with your employees telling someone that a coworker does not work there, it does raise concerns about workplace policies and privacy. There are no specific laws in North Carolina that directly address this scenario, especially since it... View More

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Q: How can the police stop cyber/normal bullying, computer/communications interference if the plaintiff cannot identify who

I am being stalked in every aspect of my life but could not possibly identify any one

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answered on Dec 25, 2023

Addressing cyber or normal bullying, and computer or communications interference can be challenging, especially when the identity of the perpetrator is unknown. However, police and other law enforcement agencies have tools and methods to investigate such cases. They can employ cyber forensics to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Communications Law for Tennessee on
Q: TN Law - I've stated that I will press harassment charges against a company/"company" if they continue to call me.

I've been making that statement for years, but I'm guessing I should know what I can and can't do. If there is a telemarketer/company rep/spam call and have hung up on them more than 1-2 times, I will notify them that I will file harassment charges if they continue to call me. So... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 24, 2023

In Tennessee, the laws regarding harassment typically apply to behavior that involves threats, intimidation, or repeated unwanted contact that causes emotional distress. When it comes to telemarketers or companies continuously calling, this can be a nuisance, but it may not always meet the legal... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Communications Law, Landlord - Tenant and Civil Litigation for Georgia on
Q: How long does a lot owner have to give a mobile home owner to remove the mobile home from the lot?

Mobile home was left to my sister and I by my late father in 2021 and the land owner never communicated any expectations, demands, etc to my sister or I after inheriting the mobile home following the death of our father, the original home owner. Now he's threatened to remove the home himself... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 21, 2023

In Georgia, the specific time frame a landowner must give a mobile home owner to remove their property from the land can vary based on several factors, including the terms of any lease or agreement and local regulations. However, if there's no existing lease or agreement specifying this,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Communications Law and Banking for Florida on
Q: Can I record a phone call w/ customer rep if I receive a notice that "This call will be monitored and recorded"?

I live in Florida. Can I record the phone conversation with multiple customer service representatives (within the same single call) of a large bank, if prior to speaking with customer service I receive a notice that "This call will be monitored and recorded"? A representative lied about... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 15, 2023

In Florida, the law concerning the recording of phone calls requires the consent of all parties involved in the conversation. This is known as a "two-party consent" law. However, if you receive a notice that a call will be monitored and recorded, this typically implies that the other... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Communications Law, Constitutional Law and Internet Law for South Carolina on
Q: Can a private investigator hack into my laptop and make copies of what legal public websites I view.
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answered on Dec 12, 2023

In South Carolina, as in other states, it is illegal for a private investigator or anyone else to hack into your laptop without your consent. Hacking, which includes unauthorized access to someone's computer or digital accounts, is a violation of both federal and state laws.

The...
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1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Civil Litigation, Communications Law and Small Claims for Pennsylvania on
Q: Can someone ask the court to issue a subpoena for their own phone records in Philadelphia, PA?

I am a private investigator. My client's son is classified as an endangered missing adult. He vanished on October 23, 2023, has never gone missing before and has a mental health condition that meets the criteria for "endangered." My client resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, while... View More

Anthony DiUlio
Anthony DiUlio
answered on Dec 6, 2023

Generally speaking, once litigation is commenced, attorneys have subpoena power. They can subpoena 3rd parties for information they can't otherwise get. In your situation, I see no reason a subpoena couldn't be issued for the records you need and since the phone is in your client's... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Communications Law, Internet Law and Libel & Slander for Georgia on
Q: Router hacked by neighbors.

Router,computer,phones,tv's,camera's has been hacked for years. I pulled up router, started to look up Mac addresses the neighbor next-door neighbors name was tied to one of the Mac addresses. Her name came up associate with a Mac book. These people has been harassing,slandering,having... View More

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answered on Dec 5, 2023

If you believe your router and electronic devices have been hacked by your neighbors, you may want to consider the following steps:

Document Evidence: Keep records of any suspicious activities, including dates, times, and descriptions of what you've observed. This will help establish a...
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1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Criminal Law, Civil Rights and Communications Law for North Carolina on
Q: So if The person recording everything about a day is the only person knows that they're recording it still legal

My wife wants me to record everything that happens at work if I'm not on call with her, is that still legal if I'm the only person who knows that they're recording is there and I'm the only person consenting to it but no one else knows is that even legal

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answered on Dec 5, 2023

In North Carolina, the legality of recording conversations hinges on the state's consent laws. North Carolina is a "one-party consent" state, which means that as long as you are a party to the conversation, you can legally record it without needing to get permission from the other... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Employment Law, Personal Injury, Civil Rights and Communications Law for New York on
Q: I was in a private meeting with my staff and she recorded our conversation. I was terminated for saying something bad.

My staff recorded me without my knowledge and it was used it to terminate me. I said something inappropriate and was used to terminate me. Is this lawful, can I sue my employee?

Mr. Douglas A. Petho
Mr. Douglas A. Petho
answered on Dec 4, 2023

New York is a one-party consent state meaning that you can record conversations if you're physically in the state and are a party to the conversation or if you have permission from one of the parties in the conversation. If neither of the parties to the conversation have consented then it is a... View More

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