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Q: Can I legally use an expired logo for a recall protest without facing legal action?

I am working on a recall election initiative under Florida Statute 100.361 against the city's mayor. We created bumper stickers with a slogan using our municipality's logo, which had a trademark that expired in 2013. The city still uses the logo and denied us permission to use it, citing... View More

Sean Goodwin
Sean Goodwin
answered on Apr 22, 2025

There are 3 types of trademark protection: federal, state, and common law.

Federal law protects your registered trademark in all 50 states.

State law protects your state-registered mark within the boundaries of that state.

Common law protects the geographic area within which...
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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Constitutional Law for Rhode Island on
Q: How can I restore my gun rights in Rhode Island after a felony conviction?

I was convicted of assault with a device resembling a weapon in Rhode Island in 2014. I have completed all terms of my sentence and have had no legal issues or convictions since then. How can I get my gun rights restored?

John  Larochelle
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John Larochelle
answered on Apr 15, 2025

The answer to your question is complicated and uncertain.

In Rhode Island, whether a resident with an expunged felony conviction can legally possess a firearm depends on both state and federal law, as well as the specifics of the expungement.

Rhode Island State Law

•...
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3 Answers | Asked in Communications Law and Constitutional Law for Tennessee on
Q: Is warrant validity affected by delay in obtaining GPS phone data from April 13, 2024-present?

I am involved in a legal case where electronic surveillance search warrants for cellphone location data were granted on August 13, 2024, and August 20, 2024, by the same judge. The warrants are supposed to cover GPS phone location data from April 13, 2024, to the present date. The officer who... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Apr 15, 2025

What kind of legal case are you in? Criminal would involve an indictment and you might file a motion to suppress evidence elicited through the SW. But going after both SWs as illegal will probably fail as they sound based on probably cause. Your lawyer needs to start representing you. You... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Constitutional Law for New Jersey on
Q: Charged with possession but nothing found; search warrants not properly authorized.

I have been charged with possession of CDS, distribution, wandering, and possession on school grounds. However, nothing was found on me. During the process, the city police confiscated my girlfriend's car and executed a warrant to search my mother's home, but nothing was found at either... View More

H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on Apr 12, 2025

You need to do the only thing you can do when you are charged with a crime: hire a lawyer. The State feels its so important that you have a lawyer they will even pay for one for you, called the public defender if you make 125% or less of the poverty level. If you can afford a lawyer set up one... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Minnesota on
Q: Falsely accused of trespassing at a shelter, what are my options?

I was falsely accused of trespassing and discriminated against by a staff member at a homeless shelter. The staff called the police on me, and I was threatened with jail time by both the staff and police, even though I didn't sign any documents or have my side of the story heard. There were... View More

Robert Kane
Robert Kane
answered on Apr 9, 2025

You don't mention why you believe you had authority to be there. A shelter is certainly not a facility where just anyone can walk in. Any establishment can prohibit any one from entering its property. Feel free to contact some discrimination attorneys. I am not a discrimination attorney.

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2 Answers | Asked in Constitutional Law and Traffic Tickets for Oklahoma on
Q: How to sue for 4th Amendment violation in Oklahoma?

I was pulled over in Mount Park, Oklahoma, for having people ride in the back of my truck inside the truck bed. I believe the officer violated my Fourth Amendment rights as, from my research, it's not illegal in Oklahoma to have people ride in a truck bed. Additionally, I was issued a ticket,... View More

Charles Watts
Charles Watts
answered on Apr 7, 2025

4th amendment protects from unwarranted searches and seizures. From initial observations, Mountain Park has a municipal ordinance prohibiting this, that is why you did not see it in the Oklahoma Statutes. Furthermore, if the passengers were minors who were not "secured" properly, they... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in DUI / DWI and Constitutional Law for Texas on
Q: Can an officer force me to take a blood test during a Texas DWI stop without a warrant?

During a DWI stop in Texas, I was informed of my rights and did not refuse any tests, even offering to take a breathalyzer. However, the officer insisted on a blood test without showing a warrant or explaining why a blood test was necessary. He stated that he didn't need to show me a warrant.... View More

John Cucci Jr.
John Cucci Jr.
answered on Mar 27, 2025

NO!

The only way that officer is correct is if you had a car wreck and someone was hurt.

Even then, he needs a warrant.

If they took your blood and are prosecuting you for DUI, you must object and have your attorney know what you have asked here.

If it was my case,...
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3 Answers | Asked in DUI / DWI and Constitutional Law for Texas on
Q: Can an officer force me to take a blood test during a Texas DWI stop without a warrant?

During a DWI stop in Texas, I was informed of my rights and did not refuse any tests, even offering to take a breathalyzer. However, the officer insisted on a blood test without showing a warrant or explaining why a blood test was necessary. He stated that he didn't need to show me a warrant.... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 28, 2025

The officer cannot legally require a blood test under the circumstances without a warrant.

He can ask you for a blood sample. The State can suspend your drivers' license under our implied consent law if you refuse. But the officer cannot legally take a blood sample from you without...
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2 Answers | Asked in Immigration Law and Constitutional Law for Illinois on
Q: Will a 2012 civil ordinance violation affect my naturalization process?

I was arrested in 2012 and received a civil ordinance ticket for drug paraphernalia as a green card holder in Illinois. I want to apply for naturalization but am concerned about whether this civil ordinance violation will affect my application. I never faced a court date, jail time, or entered a... View More

Symantha Rhodes
Symantha Rhodes
answered on Mar 27, 2025

A 2012 civil ordinance violation for drug paraphernalia, while seemingly minor, could potentially impact your naturalization process. USCIS considers your moral character over the statutory period, typically the five years preceding your application. While a single, isolated incident without a... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Constitutional Law, Criminal Law and Juvenile Law for Georgia on
Q: Is it a constitutional rights violation if police forcefully obtained a cell phone password from my son?

My son is being accused of a crime committed when he was a teenager. Recently, at age 19, he was brought in by police for questioning. He informed the detective that he would not speak without his lawyer present, and his lawyer was already in contact with the office. Regardless, the officer claimed... View More

Glenn T. Stern
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answered on Mar 25, 2025

It very well could be. If the questioning and the demanding of the cell phone password occurred after your son invoked his right to counsel, then it's potentially a violation of his 5th and 6th Amendment rights. However, an experienced attorney would need to review the evidence before drawing... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Constitutional Law, Appeals / Appellate Law, Civil Litigation and Personal Injury for Texas on
Q: Does Texas Tort Act violate due process in body parts' sale case?

In Texas, the Tort Claims Act states that a government entity does not need to disclose details or the extent of its insurance coverage. I believe this violates my constitutional right to due process according to both the U.S. Constitution and the Texas Constitution. The University of Texas Medical... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 24, 2025

There is no constitutional right that requires a government entity or other party to disclose the extent of its insurance coverage. In cases like your, the existence or non-existence of insurance coverage will almost always be inadmissible as evidence. This is particularly true if, as the... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Constitutional Law, Gov & Administrative Law and Federal Crimes for Tennessee on
Q: Can I carry a gun in TN after rights restored?

I am a felon whose citizenship rights have been restored pursuant to T.C.A. § 40-29-101 and T.C.A. § 40-29-107, including the right to vote, serve on a jury, and eligibility to possess a firearm under T.C.A. § 39-17-1307(b)(1), effective as of March 7, 2025. My charges included 2 counts of... View More

Anthony M. Avery
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answered on Mar 23, 2025

It is possible that your firearm disability in TN is removed. But since the conviction is not expunged, anytime you are accosted by LEOs, with a firearm, you will be at least detained if not arrested. There are also age requirements involved, and possibly some other incident in your life may... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Communications Law, Internet Law and Constitutional Law on
Q: Is it legal to use AI to flag illegal content and store it for review on a US-based free-speech platform?

I own a free-speech, privacy-first platform where users can upload various files, including images. The website uses Artificial Intelligence to detect and flag potentially illegal content, such as CSAM, to prevent uploads or flag for manual review. The flagged content is stored for 24 hours for the... View More

Jeremy Malcolm
Jeremy Malcolm
answered on Mar 21, 2025

Great question! Flagging the content for 24 hours for review is not going to trigger liability for you, because at that point the legal status of the content is still pending verification, and you haven't obtained actual notice of anything illegal. But once you do verify it and find that it is... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law and Constitutional Law for Virginia on
Q: Is it illegal search and seizure if evidence was found without a warrant or arrest?

While camping on a river, a game warden approached me and suspected us of trespassing. During our conversation, I was getting a cigarette from my pack when he demanded to see it and subsequently found an illegal substance. He searched without a warrant and based on his suspicion that we were... View More

David G. Parker
David G. Parker pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Mar 22, 2025

You have a lawyer, so explain the circumstances of the encounter to your lawyer. They'll be able to review the officer's account of the interaction and compare it with your own recollection. If they determine that there was a possible 4th Amendment violation they can file a motion to suppress.

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2 Answers | Asked in Constitutional Law and Appeals / Appellate Law for Florida on
Q: Recent rulings in Marcus Mays PRR case by Florida Supreme Court?

I am looking for recent rulings in the Marcus Mays case by the Florida Supreme Court concerning the unconstitutionality of the PRR, which might make his sentence illegal. This is important to me because I am facing a similar situation.

Jeffrey H. Garland
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Jeffrey H. Garland
answered on Mar 19, 2025

I looked at the Marcus Maye decision in the district court and listened to the recent oral argument before the Fla S Ct. The DCA opinion reviewed the denial of relief filed by a person whose case is from 2003. The DCA said PRR sentence was good. Fla S Ct oral arguments dealt with issues such as... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law, Appeals / Appellate Law and Civil Litigation for Texas on
Q: Seeking options for pro se Fair Housing Act case vs. City of McLendon Chisholm.

I am Rhonda K Davis, representing myself pro se in a case against the City of McLendon Chisholm and multiple defendants, filed under case number 3:2023cv01994 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. My complaint involves issues under the Fair Housing Act, including fake... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Mar 19, 2025

It is highly unlikely you will receive pro se assistance on an FHA case against a City or any government employees. The City itself, and any employees of the City sued in their official capacity or for actions taken in their official capacity, are most likely immune from a suit under the FHA.... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Family Law and Immigration Law for Oklahoma on
Q: Can I pursue bigamy charges if my son's father married someone else while living with me in Oklahoma, a common-law marriage state?

I live in Oklahoma, and my son's father recently married another woman, seemingly committing immigration fraud. We have been living together for several years, sharing a home and finances, and Oklahoma recognizes common-law marriage. I have evidence of our cohabitation, like shared bank... View More

Charles Watts
Charles Watts
answered on Mar 17, 2025

Oklahoma is & is not a common law state -- There are still requirements to be met for the 'non-ceremonial' marriage (which is the closest thing to common-law) - Based on the limited facts you stated, it would be hard to meet the burden of proof to actually depict such. Having a child... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Criminal Law, Family Law, Constitutional Law and Municipal Law for Oklahoma on
Q: Are sheriff’s deputies required to give their name and badge number upon request?

The Fairview Police Department was called for a disturbance within city limits, the sheriff’s office was never dispatched or notified for assistance, yet they interjected themselves anyways. They refused to identify themselves while body cams were being used and only once a third party recorded,... View More

Charles Watts
Charles Watts
answered on Mar 13, 2025

I assume you are speaking of Major County sheriff deputies as you mentioned Fairview. A common misconception is the only law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction within city limits is the city themselves. However, this is incorrect. The City of Fairview is located inside Major County;... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Criminal Law for New York on
Q: How much time do I have to file a civil rights case after a Fourth Amendment violation?

I believe my Fourth Amendment rights were violated on October 4, 2024, when public safety officers beat me, refused to give me water, and scarred my face. I'm currently involved in a criminal case related to dumpster diving, which is being handled by a public defender. I haven't taken any... View More

Stephen Bilkis
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answered on Mar 12, 2025

I'm sorry to hear about the mistreatment you experienced, and I can understand how distressing it must be to feel that your rights were violated in such a serious way. In New York, the legal timeframe for filing a civil rights lawsuit related to a Fourth Amendment violation, such as excessive... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Constitutional Law and Criminal Law for Indiana on
Q: Can a non-violent felon own a gun after 9th Circuit ruling?

I have a non-violent felony conviction from over ten years ago and have not pursued any legal proceedings since. I'm inquiring about the impact of the United States v. Duarte ruling by the 9th Circuit on my ability to own a gun. Can I now legally own a firearm?

Andrew L. Bennett
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Andrew L. Bennett
answered on Mar 11, 2025

It is uncertain how a 9th circuit case would impact someone living in the 7th circuit or any other circuit, until the S. Ct. hands down a ruling. Regardless, you may want to consider expunging your felony conviction and then going through the process of restoring your rights under IN law. This... View More

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