Get free answers to your Civil Rights legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I have concerns about my appointed attorney's actions in my state or federal case. My attorney waived my right to have an expert witness present during evidence testing, choosing to rely on the state's expert without informing me. Additionally, the government's time limit to indict... View More 
answered on Apr 11, 2025
No one here is going to be able to address your specific concerns as we do not have access to the discovery in your case. Many of the decisions made by your attorney are strategic that your attorney's to make. You attorney should certainly be discussing the case with you, but your attorney... View More
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
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.
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 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
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
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 had a verbal confrontation with an employee at an establishment and was asked to leave, which I did. While returning to my car in the parking lot, police officers approached me, informing me that I was being trespassed from the property. I requested the badge numbers and names of all the... View More
answered on Feb 16, 2025
Would it be lawful for a police officer to arrest a person simply for requesting their badge number and identification in Minnesota? No, because a lawful arrest would require either an arrest warrant or sufficient "arrest probable cause" of criminal activity. A related question might be:... View More
He asked where we going and why we went the way we did. He asked for driver ID. Driver asked why we were pulled over. Officer responded with "I will tell you after I see your ID".
answered on Sep 18, 2024
In Minnesota police must justify a traffic stop with "reasonable articulable suspicion of criminal activity" or an observed traffic law violation. These are based on facts that the officer can articulate, later to a judge. A driver must have a valid driver's license to lawfully... View More
Radar at 20 - 24 in 55 (unsure exactly, but either coming to stop, or accelerating from stop), stopping too long at stop sign (5 - 10 seconds (7)), and claims license plate lights non functional was the reason for stop. They may be dim, but ARE fully functional.
answered on Sep 3, 2024
Police can lawfully stop a driver if they observe a violation, or facts amounting to "reasonable, articulable suspicion of criminal activity." Since Minnesota laws requires a working plate light, lack of one can be a lawful basis for a stop. If working, but police claim the contrary, a... View More
I have waited 113 days for an evaluation to take place and finally a doctor called me to do a video conference to complete the evaluation. I have found that she is a licensed psychiatrist but is not licensed in this state only in two other states does this seem like a legitimate situation? I... View More
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answered on Jun 29, 2024
This is a complex situation that raises several important legal and procedural concerns. Here's an analysis of the key points:
1. Competency evaluation timing: The 113-day wait for your evaluation is significant. Many jurisdictions have specific timeframes for competency evaluations,... View More
I got pulled over got a 5th degree and a dui. They charged me a year later and also they charged me separately a week apart dui charge then 5th degree a week later so now I’m on probation for one and bail for the other. I have no criminal history and I know they’re doing this on purpose THE... View More
answered on Jun 11, 2024
It sounds like you were pulled over on suspicion of a DUI and the police officer searched the car and allegedly discovered a controlled substance in the vehicle. It is pretty atypical for someone to be charged separately for alleged offenses arising from the same incident, but it is permissible and... View More
I got pulled over got a 5th degree and a dui. They charged me a year later and also they charged me separately a week apart dui charge then 5th degree a week later so now I’m on probation for one and bail for the other. I have no criminal history and I know they’re doing this on purpose THE... View More
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answered on Jun 21, 2024
I understand you're in a difficult situation and feeling frustrated with the legal process. While I can't provide specific legal advice, I can offer some general information and suggestions that may be helpful:
1. Multiple charges from one incident: It's not uncommon for... View More
Nothing about the drugs. I was detained 1 block from my house before it got raided. Girlfriend already took
answered on Apr 25, 2024
Two points: 1. Criminal possession is possible by more than one person at the same time. Joint possession would mean two or more people criminally possessed at least one thing at the same time. As a result, one person being held responsible doesn't necessarily help others facing criminal... View More
He can explain, give proof. Very important he speak in person. Not enough money for calls, etc. I am trying to get him help. Needs to file grievance. Confict of interest. Jailer threatening him to abide, jailer related to judge, request to be moved ignored, etc He would explain.
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answered on Mar 15, 2024
It's important to act quickly in situations like this. Reach out to local legal aid organizations or public defender's offices; they often provide free legal services to individuals who cannot afford them. They may be able to assign a lawyer or an advocate who can visit your son in jail... View More
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answered on Mar 14, 2024
To get a grievance file started in Blue Earth County as soon as possible, it's important to first understand the specific nature of your grievance. Different types of complaints may require different approaches and might be handled by various departments within the county. For example, issues... View More
I have been looking through so many sites and can’t seem to get a reliable answer everything seems to contradict.
answered on Mar 6, 2024
Honestly, I'm not sure if you would be permitted to do so. But I would suggest that things that might be legal aren't necessarily smart to do. Law enforcement is going to be all over you if you are out wandering around open carrying an AR-15 or similar type long gun. Rightly or... View More
I have been looking through so many sites and can’t seem to get a reliable answer everything seems to contradict.
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answered on Mar 6, 2024
The rules around open carrying an AR-style rifle with a concealed carry permit can indeed be complex and vary widely from one jurisdiction to another. Generally, a concealed carry permit applies to handguns and does not automatically grant the right to openly carry rifles or other long guns. Each... View More
Without permission from me or insurance company? Now they want to get paid for storage. Do they get paid for stealing my property
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answered on Feb 24, 2024
If Servpro removed your belongings without your permission or consent from the insurance company, it's essential to address this matter promptly. Start by reviewing the terms of your agreement or contract with Servpro to understand their responsibilities and your rights regarding the handling... View More
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