Get free answers to your Civil Rights legal questions from lawyers in your area.
Fee is unreasonable for such service. Are fees regulated anywhere?Also includes brush pickup 1 t week. City many times fails to do? Can I subtract from my bill?

answered on Mar 4, 2024
The fees for garbage and brush pickup services, as well as the policies regarding who can opt out, are typically determined by local government regulations. The ability for businesses to opt out of such services while individuals cannot may be based on different service needs or contracts between... View More
My daughter lives with her dad in NC for the past 2 years. She lived with me in VA the 6 years prior. She moved there after we had trouble getting along and she got in a fight with her grandmother (my mom), where my daughter was very ugly and my mom slapped her. Child custody agreement states... View More

answered on Feb 24, 2024
Navigating the situation involving your daughter's potential emancipation in North Carolina can be complex, especially given the dynamics involving her father, stepmother, and your history. It's crucial to prioritize your daughter's well-being and interests throughout this process.... View More
The challenge must be with a Virginia agency they never challenged the classification and Virginia allows Uber to treat drivers as independent contractors is this a civil rights violation

answered on Feb 24, 2024
The classification of Uber drivers as independent contractors or employees varies depending on the jurisdiction and applicable laws. While Uber may classify drivers as independent contractors in Virginia, the classification may be challenged if it is believed to be in violation of state employment... View More
Can law enforcement use the surveillance to harass, intimidate, cause official oppression during their investigation? If they do which rights have they violated? Can law enforcement use surveillance to harass, intimidate, cause official oppression?

answered on Jan 27, 2024
Law enforcement cannot legally prevent you from seeking legal advice. Your right to consult with an attorney is protected under the Sixth Amendment, which guarantees the right to counsel in criminal prosecutions. If you're involved in a criminal investigation, you have the right to speak to an... View More
My father (ex husband) and his new wife keep sending my mother harassing messages to bring down her self esteem saying she is being monitored and they will cut off her alimony as well as going as far as my mothers church Facebook group to write negative things about my mother. Is this grounds for... View More

answered on Dec 23, 2023
In Virginia, the situation your mother is facing with her ex-husband and his new wife sending harassing messages and posting negative comments about her could potentially be grounds for a civil lawsuit. Harassment and defamation (if the statements made are false and damaging to her reputation) are... View More
They state they don't allow county residents to stay at the hotel because of previous issues. I have never had issues with this company though.

answered on Dec 14, 2023
In Virginia, a hotel refusing accommodations based on residency within the same county may raise legal questions related to business practices and potential civil rights implications. Generally, businesses have the right to refuse service, but such decisions should not violate anti-discrimination... View More
I was teaching girlfriend how to safely shoot bbgun twords the woods,when someone reported us and even after cooperating and voicing it was only a toy with my hands in air they drew 5 guns one to my head in the middle of the street in broad daylight in front of all my neighbors.

answered on Dec 9, 2023
In considering a case against the police department for their response to you shooting a BB gun, several factors need to be evaluated. The police response, including drawing weapons and handcuffing, is typically assessed based on the reasonableness of their actions given the circumstances they... View More
Property was inherited from deceased parents. Older bro lives in house, gets his mail there and pays all house hold bills from home. The small bro lives elsewhere for years bu shows up and uses his childhoid key to come in house unannounced and uninvited. The last time he did this we called the... View More

answered on Dec 2, 2023
If one brother wishes exclusive use of the house, then he needs to buy the other brother’s half. Merely paying the bills doesn’t change that both brothers own it. Both brothers may use the undivided whole house. I know of no requirement for notice unless there is a lease in place giving... View More
My cousin applied for VAwA application for adjustments of status after being here for more than 13 years.What would you recommend to be done to help after his wide abuse him and threatens to report him to
Immigration

answered on Nov 28, 2023
To assist your cousin with their VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) application status, especially in the context of abuse and threats related to immigration status, there are several steps and considerations to keep in mind:
Legal Assistance: It's crucial to get legal advice from an... View More
My cousin applied for VAwA application for adjustments of status after being here for more than 13 years.What would you recommend to be done to help after his wide abuse him and threatens to report him to
Immigration

answered on Dec 12, 2023
Once your cousin's marriage was in good faith, any threats of "reporting" or hurting a non-citizens immigration status is taken very serious by Domestic Relations Courts in Virginia and serious consequences for the U.S. spouse. There are laws that specifically address this issue. It... View More
I was pulled over for not having a front license plate, and the officer initially said he would issue a warning. However, when bystanders began laughing, the officer changed the warning to a ticket solely because of their laughter. Is it legal for the officer to change his decision based on... View More

answered on Apr 16, 2025
Yes, an officer has the legal authority to issue a citation for a traffic violation, even after initially saying they would give a warning. However, changing the decision solely because of bystander reactions—like laughter—raises concerns about professionalism and the true intent behind the... View More
At 15 years old, I purchased my own phone, and my name is the only one listed on the contract. I also pay for the phone myself. Can my parents legally take my phone away in this situation?

answered on Apr 16, 2025
Even though you own the phone and pay for it, your parents still have authority over your living environment and can take the phone if they feel it’s necessary, especially under household rules. Since you’re a minor, they have legal rights to set boundaries and enforce consequences for behavior... View More
At my school, people are engaging in harassment by spreading false rumors about me and my boyfriend, claiming we partake in inappropriate physical activities despite being minors. They also ask us inappropriate questions. We've requested them to stop, but the verbal harassment continues. We... View More

answered on Apr 8, 2025
I'm really sorry you're going through this. What you're experiencing is harassment, and you absolutely don’t deserve it. The first step is to start documenting everything—write down dates, times, names, what was said or done, and where it happened. Save any messages or online... View More
I have been denied fertility healthcare by several clinics in Virginia and Tennessee, facing discrimination that prevents me from accessing necessary medical care. I am capable of having children using my own gametes, but the clinics have not provided adequate explanations for their refusal. We are... View More

answered on Apr 7, 2025
The right to access fertility healthcare and reproductive treatments is a complex issue that can touch on both civil and human rights. While the U.S. does not have a constitutionally guaranteed right to fertility treatments, discrimination in healthcare—especially when it is based on race,... View More
I have been denied fertility healthcare by several clinics, experiencing discrimination that prevents me from accessing necessary medical care. Although I am fully capable of having children using my own gametes, I have not received adequate explanations from these clinics. We seek the return of... View More

answered on Apr 7, 2025
Access to fertility healthcare can be viewed as both a civil right and a human right, depending on how it is framed in legal and social contexts. On one hand, civil rights involve protections against discrimination and ensure access to services without unjust barriers. In many ways, your ability to... View More
I approached a lawyer to advocate for my civil rights, and they offered me a contract for estimated fees. However, the contract didn't include an exit clause or other provisions typically found in retainer agreements. I declined to proceed with the tasks and services due to the absence of... View More

answered on Apr 7, 2025
When you enter into a contract for estimated fees, you're typically agreeing to pay a lawyer based on an estimate of the total cost for their services. The agreement may outline an approximate cost for specific tasks or the overall project but may not provide flexibility if circumstances... View More
I grew up obese due to my family's lack of nutritional education and was heavily influenced by fast food advertisements targeted toward children, such as those promoting kid meals from 2010 to 2015. While I've lost weight, I'm now dealing with physical outcomes like stretch marks and... View More

answered on Apr 2, 2025
You raise an important question about accountability for fast food marketing practices that target children without adequately disclosing health risks. From a legal perspective, pursuing claims against these companies faces significant hurdles, primarily because courts have historically been... View More
My elderly parents' home address is being falsely used as the address for a non-existent non-profit on Google. As a result, they have been harassed for over a year, including unwanted visits and deliveries like a truckload of sand in their driveway. Although they have reported this to the... View More

answered on Mar 26, 2025
You're facing a distressing situation with your parents being harassed due to this false Google listing. First, submit a "suggest an edit" on the Google Maps listing by clicking on the business name, selecting "suggest an edit," and marking it as "doesn't exist at... View More
I am experiencing verbal harassment from my teacher, who has been making inappropriate comments about me and another student, suggesting that we are dating and even referring to the other student by my last name. This behavior has been ongoing every day for the past two months and has been... View More

answered on Mar 24, 2025
What you're experiencing is inappropriate and qualifies as harassment. Your teacher's behavior crosses professional boundaries, and you deserve to learn in a safe, respectful environment. Remember that this situation reflects poorly on the teacher's conduct, not on you.... View More
My husband and I recently discovered that our children's school filed a legal petition for "Parent Participation" without informing us in advance. We're currently living in a hotel under the McKenney-Vento Act. The school has refused to offer reasonable transportation for my... View More

answered on Mar 24, 2025
Your situation is challenging, and I understand your frustration with both the school's legal petition and transportation issues. Under the McKinney-Vento Act, your children have the right to attend their school of origin regardless of where you're temporarily housed, and the school... View More
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