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Municipal Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation, Business Law, Gov & Administrative Law and Municipal Law for Texas on
Q: How do you remove an alderman from the board,

We have among the alderman who never shows up for a meetings, and we have an additional alderman who has been arrested on federal drug charges however he is not yet been sworn in and at this point we do not have a core I would appreciate any advice that you can give me

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Dec 16, 2024

It depends on what type of municipality is involved. Some home-rule municipalities have provisions in their charter for recall of aldermen. In a general-rule municipality, a residence would have to petition the district court for removal on one of the statutory grounds set forth in the Texas... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Municipal Law for Texas on
Q: Would a board member of the economic development corporation be allowed to request a forensic audit.
Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 26, 2024

A Texas attorney who works day-to-day in municipal law matters could advise best, but your question remains open for a month. As a GENERAL matter, without knowing the details of the situation, it would depend on the rules/by-laws, reason for the request, relevancy of the request to some issue,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Municipal Law for Virginia on
Q: I live 10 minutes away from my school. I’m going to park in a neighborhood that my friend lives in but there are signs.

I live 10 minutes away from my school. I’m going to park in a neighborhood that my friend lives in and infront of there house so I can avoid traffic. I have permission to park infront of there house but there is a sign that says “2 hour parking Monday-Friday 9-2PM” across from his house on an... View More

David G. Parker
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answered on Nov 11, 2024

The Henrico County Code of Ordinances governs these situations, but is vague about signage. The Ordinance refers to parking being prohibited simply in "any place where official signs prohibit parking" and so it's guesswork without knowing the area and how the signs appear. Do any... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Traffic Tickets, Car Accidents and Municipal Law for Ohio on
Q: While backing out of driveway at night got broadsided dead-center. Who is at fault?

In NE Ohio at 7:25PM few days ago backing out my car with lights from a driveway looking both sides onto a rural highway(single lane two way 55mph highway). Get broad sided dead center(between front and back passenger door) by another car. Question is, who is at fault. Got cited by the cop for... View More

Bruce Boerst
Bruce Boerst
answered on Nov 14, 2024

'm sorry to hear about your accident. Determining fault in such situations involves understanding Ohio's traffic laws and the specifics of the incident.

Ohio Traffic Laws:

According to Ohio Revised Code § 4511.44, when entering or crossing a highway from a place other...
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1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets and Municipal Law for New Jersey on
Q: How to get rid of a warrant?

My friend was driving without a license and given a ticket. I’m assuming she also got a court date but she missed it and never received anything in the mail because she moved to a new address. Because she missed the court date, she now has a warrant and we would like to know how she can get rid... View More

H. Scott Aalsberg
H. Scott Aalsberg
answered on Oct 29, 2024

A good lawyer can help your friend by turning her into the court and thus keeping here most likely out of jail on the warrant, then a new court date will be set. That being said, based on what she is charged with again a good lawyer may be able to help keep her out of jail on the original charges.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Municipal Law and White Collar Crime for New Jersey on
Q: Is a search warrant that is not hand signed by a judge but rather has a judges named typed in the signature space valid?
Brad V. Shuttleworth
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answered on Oct 26, 2024

It's understandable why someone would question the validity of a search warrant without a judge's hand-drawn signature. However, search warrants now often only contain the typed name of the judge who issued the warrant because law enforcement officers are permitted to apply for a search... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Municipal Law and Criminal Law for Michigan on
Q: Do I have a case and how would I go about it?

I got a dwls and was given a 5k cash bond with no option for surety. No factors of flight or public safety were enumerated by the magistrate at arraignment. And I have strong ties to the community and have always shown up to court in the past. The DA was perfectly fine with a PR Bond

Brent T. Geers
Brent T. Geers
answered on Oct 13, 2024

Not sure you have a case. Why sounding a bit unreasonable, you're obviously out of custody now, presumably after paying the bond. You could have a more direct remedy had you been unable to bond out and filed a bond motion, which you could then appeal.

Unless you can show this...
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1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Employment Law, Gov & Administrative Law and Municipal Law for New Hampshire on
Q: Could you clarify how NH RSA 95:1 applies to town employees, and if they are considered under “public office”?

Could you provide clarification on how NH RSA 95:1 applies to municipal employees who hold decision-making authority but may not be classified as elected officials? In a recent Select Board meeting, it was argued that this RSA only applies to “public officials,” and that employees like the Town... View More

Brian J. Stone
Brian J. Stone
answered on Oct 13, 2024

Someone like a town administrator is a public official as their authority to exercise significant discretion comes from the people who hired him/her to act on their behalf: the elected body of the Board of Selectmen. As such, their significant authority is delegated from an elected body. That would... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Construction Law and Municipal Law for Alabama on
Q: Are there any laws or ordinances in Alabama about times that construction work can be done?

Laws, ordinances, or policies adopted by a city, county, or local government within Alabama that define specific times that construction work can be performed.

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Oct 11, 2024

An Alabama attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a month. Until you're able to speak with a local attorney, those issues sometimes fall under noise abatement. They're often regulated regionally by city or town codes. You could check with local environmental... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Environmental, Land Use & Zoning and Municipal Law for Oklahoma on
Q: Once a zoning law is put in place, can it be reversed? Our county clerk says once a law is in place it can’t be changed?

Craig county in OK., is getting ready to vote on zoning concerning wind turbines. The county clerk states once in place it’s basically there forever.

Charles Watts
Charles Watts
answered on Oct 7, 2024

The answer technically is yes it could be reversed .... Theoretically it is not in place forever, but to remove it takes the same procedures as it does to add it. In other words, if your county commissioners are required to have 75% approval to pass something into law, then to 'change'... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Municipal Law for Florida on
Q: Is it legal in Florida to straight pipe a motorcycle?

In a previous accident, I was told by the driver that caused the accident that the reason she pulled out was because she couldn’t hear me and it looked like I was farther away. My new motorcycle is decently quiet for it size, so I wanna make sure that people hear me so that they can be aware of... View More

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Oct 4, 2024

Sorry to hear about your accident I'm not familiar with straight piping, but for guidance, see Fla. Statutes Section 316.293, which you can find online. Subsection (5) thereof states:

(5) NOISE ABATEMENT EQUIPMENT MODIFICATIONS.—

(a) No person shall modify the exhaust...
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Q: Can I use the grandfather clause against a new town ordinance?

Town Board passed new ordinance limiting type and quantity bird feeders a private homeowner can have, based on one address being harassed by one neighbor for four years. Even though we have complied with all DEC restrictions and suggestions. I need to fight this. I've had same bird feeders for... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Oct 5, 2024

I'm sorry that your kindness toward animals has resulted in an ordeal for you. I don't know how the grandfather clause you mention would work, but what you describe seems to be statutes on different levels. So it might not be unusual for local statutes to be stricter that higher-tier... View More

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Q: Can I use the grandfather clause against a new town ordinance?

Town Board passed new ordinance limiting type and quantity bird feeders a private homeowner can have, based on one address being harassed by one neighbor for four years. Even though we have complied with all DEC restrictions and suggestions. I need to fight this. I've had same bird feeders for... View More

Steven Warren Smollens
Steven Warren Smollens
answered on Oct 4, 2024

Dear Jamestown Home Owner:

It is not you alone. Many jurisdictions place restrictions on wildlife feeding.

https://dec.ny.gov/news/press-releases/2022/4/dec-issues-guidance-to-reduce-conflicts-with-bears#:~:text=...
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2 Answers | Asked in Civil Rights, Municipal Law and Employment Law on
Q: when i complained locally about smell from sewage plant I was terminated by township as EMC.

thank you for reviewing my submission

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 1, 2024

If your complaint was related to disclosing possible violations or activities that held the possibility of endangering public health, the environment, occupational safety, etc. you could learn whether whistleblower protections would be applicable. Employment attorneys could probably advise best on... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Gov & Administrative Law, Land Use & Zoning and Municipal Law for Maryland on
Q: Does the operation of a family child care home in Maryland constitute residential use as opposed to commercial use?
Kenesha A Raeford
Kenesha A Raeford
answered on Sep 28, 2024

These kinds of zoning questions are usually county specific. Additionally, even where a state or local law does not prohibit the operation of a home day care this does not mean that the home owners association does not have limitations in its bylaws or declarations. So you my want to check into... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Municipal Law for Florida on
Q: My neighbor moves his truck to block our landscape company from being able to enter the back & side yard.

When my neighbor moves his truck to his side of the front yard, the landscaping company is not able to use the correct equipment and get the work done in an efficient timeframe because they have to weed eat the side and back yard instead of their zero turn lawn mower? Do I have any rights here? He... View More

Charles M.  Baron
Charles M. Baron
answered on Sep 8, 2024

Generally, as long as the neighbor's placement of something on his property is not intruding onto your property or disturbing the peaceful enjoyment of your property, there's no potential legal action. HOWEVER, does your local jurisdiction (county or city) allow placement of a truck in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Appeals / Appellate Law, Education Law, Juvenile Law and Municipal Law for Wisconsin on
Q: I’m 16, I was truant to school and I have over 1,000 dollars in fines and suspended my license 3y how can I get it back?

I need a job but I have no way there so I really need my license how can I get it back or unsuspended for three years ?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Aug 3, 2024

A Wisconsin attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. I'm sorry that you have been saddled with such heavy fines at your age as a student. A starting point might be to reach out to legal aid organizations to request their assistance or guidance. Look into what... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Traffic Tickets, Domestic Violence, Municipal Law and Small Claims for California on
Q: What is the statute of limitations when car towed before 24hrs when they arrest the owner because they are mean

Boyfriend or passenger was being suspicious and even stabbed my car like it would hurt it

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 25, 2024

Under California law, the statute of limitations for challenging a car tow can vary depending on the circumstances. Typically, if you believe your car was wrongfully towed, you should file a complaint or take legal action within 30 days of the tow. This time frame allows you to contest the tow and... View More

Q: Can a Special Town Meeting compel a BOS to allow voters to approve or deny a Housing Production Plan under 40B?

Purusant to MGL Ch 40B, the Selectmen and Town Administrator created an ad hoc subcommittee to create a Housing Production Plan. While the subcommittee held public input sessions with the help of MAPC, much of that public input has been ignored. While trying to rush votes before the Planning Board... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 21, 2024

Under Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 40B, the Housing Production Plan (HPP) must be approved by both the Planning Board and the Board of Selectmen (BOS). Although a Special Town Meeting (STM) can be called to address various issues, it does not have the authority to compel the BOS to submit the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Constitutional Law and Municipal Law for Arkansas on
Q: Can a police officer tow your car if u have insurance
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 21, 2024

A police officer can tow your car for several reasons, even if you have insurance. If your car is parked illegally, blocking traffic, or poses a safety hazard, it can be towed regardless of your insurance status. Additionally, if your vehicle is involved in a crime, is abandoned, or you have unpaid... View More

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