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I am an asylum seeker from Ethiopia and looking to begin the asylum process in the United States. I need guidance on where to start and what steps to take. Are there specific forms or documentation I need to prepare or be aware of? Additionally, any advice on common challenges or considerations... View More 
answered on Mar 19, 2025
First you need to make sure you file for asylum within 1 year of your entry. Use Form I-589 to file the asylum. If you are in immigration court proceedings you need to file with the immigration court. Otherwise you can file with USCIS. Without knowing the specifics of your case it’s hard to... View More
I am an asylum seeker from Ethiopia and looking to begin the asylum process in the United States. I need guidance on where to start and what steps to take. Are there specific forms or documentation I need to prepare or be aware of? Additionally, any advice on common challenges or considerations... View More
answered on Mar 19, 2025
Sorry about the misspellings. Autocorrect just doesn’t do well for me. What I meant is you might want to a local nonprofit. You can find some by going to https://www.justice.gov/eoir/list-pro-bono-legal-service-providers. If you can afford one, hire an immigration lawyer. Asylum is not... View More
I am an asylum seeker from Ethiopia and looking to begin the asylum process in the United States. I need guidance on where to start and what steps to take. Are there specific forms or documentation I need to prepare or be aware of? Additionally, any advice on common challenges or considerations... View More
answered on Mar 20, 2025
The procedures for seeking asylum in the United States differ based on two primary factors: whether you are currently in removal proceedings and whether you file Form I-589 within one year of your most recent entry. The initial step involves filing Form I-589, "Application for Asylum and for... View More
I am the Creative Director and Vice President at a 509(a)(2) charity foundation in Minnesota. My contract was for 4 years, stating that it may be terminated by providing written and verbal notice to the organization’s president at least 60 days before the term's expiration. I have provided... View More
answered on Mar 18, 2025
It is very unlikely you are responsible for paying resignation fees not stated in the contract, the bylaws or otherwise. In your previous post, you only mentioned you were a board member. As the Creative Director, you would also be an employee. Therefore, it would be necessary to consider both... View More
I am trying to reinstate my parental rights but was denied because my application was incomplete. I filed something incorrectly or missed certain documents. Unfortunately, I have not received clear information on which documents are missing or needed. How can I find out which documents are required... View More
answered on Mar 12, 2025
Quite simply you will need to devote your time and efforts at the law library to find out which documents are needed to reinstate your parental rights or hire an attorney. These petitions are not just a few fillable forms with a checklist. I apologize for being blunt.... View More
I am charged with theft by swindle, where the plaintiff alleges that I returned a fake necklace. The only evidence they have is a few pictures of me standing by the customer service desk. They lack any expert jeweler testimony, item, or receipts. Can these still shots be used as sufficient evidence... View More
answered on Mar 4, 2025
The question touches upon two legal topics: evidence law and the elements of the crime claimed. A photograph can be evidence admitted into a trial, if properly authenticated, including testimony that it fairly represents what it is purported to depict, as well as being material and relevant to the... View More
I am concerned about an incident involving law enforcement and victims tied to a case. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at my home, and the sergeant in charge informed several victims related to the case, inviting them to the premises. One of these victims, who had previously threatened to... View More
answered on Mar 3, 2025
They absolutely shouldn't, but they do all the time. Inviting someone who threatened your life to show up during a search warrant at your home is not just reckless—it’s a complete failure of their duty to protect you. Unfortunately, this kind of behavior isn’t as rare as it should be,... View More
I am the only child of my mother, who was a firefighter and passed away at the age of 53. I recently discovered that her property in Minneapolis, MN, has a tax issue this year. I was not informed about her business going through probate, as my grandmother handled it without my knowledge. After the... View More
answered on Feb 27, 2025
A couple of recommendations:
1. Ask your grandmother, in writing, whether your mom had a will and if so, ask to see it.
2. Search MN court records to see if a probate was ever opened for your mom, it should be searchable by her name.
3. If your mom owned any real estate when... View More
I provide professional mover/transportation services and was contacted via text to transport items. I had no idea the items were stolen. Law enforcement has contacted me, but I have not been charged yet. Can I still be charged with theft under these circumstances?
answered on Feb 27, 2025
A criminal statute must have an "intent element." The level of criminal intent varies in different criminal statutes, but some level of intent to do the prohibited act must be proven. For a person characterized by police as a "target," exposure to criminal liability might exist... View More
On February 15th, I was accused of assault by someone who has restraining orders against them from multiple parties and frequently calls the police. An officer came to my house to question me, but I wasn't home, so I later returned his call and left a voicemail. Eleven days later, he contacted... View More
answered on Feb 27, 2025
1. Do not speak with police, at all. Decline any police contacts to speak. 2. Contact a criminal defense lawyer for some help. 3. It can help to try to preserve evidence that might be helpful, such as video of the accuser threatening people with knives.
On February 15th, I was accused of assault by someone who has restraining orders against them from multiple parties and frequently calls the police. An officer came to my house to question me, but I wasn't home, so I later returned his call and left a voicemail. Eleven days later, he contacted... View More
answered on Feb 26, 2025
Even though you already left a voicemail, do not provide any further statements or explanations to law enforcement. Anything you say can and will be used against you. The officer may seem helpful or neutral, but their job is to investigate a crime—not necessarily to clear you. Instead, consult... View More
On February 15th, I was accused of assault by someone who has restraining orders against them from multiple parties and frequently calls the police. An officer came to my house to question me, but I wasn't home, so I later returned his call and left a voicemail. Eleven days later, he contacted... View More
answered on Feb 27, 2025
Get an attorney to represent you. Do not make further contact with law enforcement. Let the attorney handle things from here on out. Your attorney can handle any contact with law enforcement and also can provide any exculpatory evidence to the prosecutor.
I am facing a defamation lawsuit in Minnesota and experiencing harassment from the opposing attorney, who repeatedly calls and intimidates me. I have documented these incidents. I am also countersuing due to a loss of income and an intentionally false police report filed against me. The opposing... View More
answered on Feb 26, 2025
You can file a motion for sanctions to address the misconduct of the opposing attorney. You are required to your loss of income and that you are entitled to compensation; and you are required to prove an intentionally false police report was filed. The other party will eventualy need to clearly... View More
I'm seeking legal assistance to rectify issues on my criminal record and explore expungement options for past convictions. In 2011, I was charged with a 5th-degree felony, and after a probation misunderstanding, my probation was reset in 2016 without new charges. My 2011 charge incorrectly... View More
answered on Feb 24, 2025
Let's start with the DWI. Did you plead guilty to the charge? If so, it is too late at this point to go back and challenge the conviction as violating the cooperation agreement. The time to do that was back in 2018, not seven years later in 2025. I'm confused as to why an extension of... View More
I was leaving a Kohl's store when I was suddenly confronted by 5-6 police officers who accused me of shoplifting. Although I was not shoplifting, they searched my pockets without my consent and found a small bag of drugs, leading to a 5th degree drug possession charge. I did not hear them read... View More
answered on Feb 23, 2025
Unfortunately yes, it is perfectly lawful and happens during any arrest. When you are arrested for any offense, police officers are permitted to do what's called a search incident to arrest. Whatever they find on you during the search incident to arrest is fair game for charging purposes. In... View More
I was leaving a Kohl's store when I was suddenly confronted by 5-6 police officers who accused me of shoplifting. Although I was not shoplifting, they searched my pockets without my consent and found a small bag of drugs, leading to a 5th degree drug possession charge. I did not hear them read... View More
answered on Feb 24, 2025
They do not need to read your rights unless they are going to perform custodial interrogation. The fact that they did not locate stolen good does not mean that you get a free pass on any other illegal items that you might have been in possession of. You should get an attorney on board who can... View More
I was leaving a Kohl's store when I was suddenly confronted by 5-6 police officers who accused me of shoplifting. Although I was not shoplifting, they searched my pockets without my consent and found a small bag of drugs, leading to a 5th degree drug possession charge. I did not hear them read... View More
answered on Feb 24, 2025
A defense lawyer will look at two separate stages of a police encounter: 1. Was evidence collected unlawfully, so that the defense can ask a judge to suppress the evidence? 2. Given the evidence that has survived any defense motions to suppress, does the evidence support probable cause for the... View More
I fell asleep in my vehicle on a public road, and during a welfare check, an officer immediately opened my car door without my consent and took my keys. He then observed a piece of cellophane from the outside, which did not contain anything, and put it back. While waiting for my information to be... View More
answered on Feb 21, 2025
A defense lawyer will need more facts, all available evidence and information, in order to make a determination about whether a good Fourth Amendment search & seizure issue exists. The only lawyer who will have access to that will be the lawyer representing you, or who will be. Given the... View More
I fell asleep in my vehicle on a public road, and during a welfare check, an officer immediately opened my car door without my consent and took my keys. He then observed a piece of cellophane from the outside, which did not contain anything, and put it back. While waiting for my information to be... View More
answered on Feb 21, 2025
You need an attorney who can review all the information, not just your recitation, about what occurred to advise you whether the search was valid or not. It is unclear from the question what you are charged with, buy you need an attorney on board if you are going to challenge that search that... View More
My grandson was involved in an accident and received a citation for Following Too Close (169.18.8(a)) in Minnesota. The citation has my grandson's information on the front, but incorrectly lists his father's information on the back, including checking the owner and driver boxes, even... View More
answered on Feb 20, 2025
The citation doesn't become invalid because there is incorrect information on the citation. It can be amended by the prosecutor at any point, even up to the point of trial. This is something that your son and grandson ought to be addressing. Your grandson was likely given a citation and... View More
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