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Virginia Civil Rights Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Civil Litigation and Civil Rights for Virginia on
Q: LANDLORD FILED AN EVICTION AFTER TENANT ASKED FOR COVID RENT RELIEF; RENT WAS STILL TIMELY. WHAT CAN I DO?

LL wont cooperate with Tenant in COVID Rent Relief Pgm (Reqd by Va and CDC Moratorium Rules)

Managed to get Eviction DISMISSED BUT:

How can I force them to cooperate with RRP before resource pool is depleted!

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on May 1, 2021

The likelihood to force anyone to do anything these days is slim to none. You may be able to file a formal complaint against the landlord with the Office of the Virginia Attorney General in Richmond, VA.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Litigation, Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Virginia on
Q: My daughter was arrested at court today she had ask to fight her case they are trying to force her into signing a plee

Is that legal to knowingly give a false statement and sign when it's a lie

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Apr 19, 2021

I regret that I do not handle criminal law matters. Sorry.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Landlord - Tenant for Virginia on
Q: Can I take legal action against my landlord? Can I recover the money?

I’ve been living in an illegal basement for the past 6 months (I didn’t know it was illegal before moving in) I even have a month to month lease agreement.

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Apr 16, 2021

If you think you have an illegal lease agreement, you are entitled to bring a claim in a court of law against your landlord and seeks damages.

2 Answers | Asked in Personal Injury, Products Liability, Civil Litigation and Civil Rights for Virginia on
Q: Hi, Can you please tell me how the SOL in Virginia is calculated ? Thank you !

Hello, can you kindly please let me know how the SOL is considered in Viriginia. If the problem occured on April 15 but you did not discover the issue until May 15 , is this the date you can use to determine when the SOL ends ? I am having a challenging time finding an attorney due to complex issue... View More

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Apr 11, 2021

I regret that I do not handle personals injury cases in Virginia. Sorry.

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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Civil Rights for Virginia on
Q: Can I sue my rental property?

These “bounty hunters” came to my apartment looking for my ex. They were told that she wasn’t here and hadn’t been since September. This is when they went to the rental office and the personnel allowed maintenance to open my door and let these perfect strangers in my home. They never showed... View More

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Feb 20, 2021

You should make a formal complaint to law enforcement. This is a criminal matter.

1 Answer | Asked in Family Law, Child Support, Civil Litigation and Civil Rights for Virginia on
Q: Judgement in va ordered to pay . Hearing that defendant ordered to pay (was not notified of the hearing)

Why no record of service at clerks office . After receiving judgement order to pay attorney fees. Not only not notified of hearing but judge wrote no reason for judgement.

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Feb 10, 2021

In Virginia, a judge will not enter a judgment against the defendant unless there is proof of service on the defendant. You may want to go to the Court to review the file or hire an attorney to review the file for you.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Civil Rights and Landlord - Tenant for Virginia on
Q: Hello. My husband Verbally told me and the landlord,last week, that he is moving out next month.

The term is from 12/12/2019 to 12/31/2020. First months rent was prorated since we moved in mid month. He also verbally told the landlord last week that he is moving out on 12/11. Per our lease, he does have to pay his portion of rent for the entire month of December, correct? And is he required to... View More

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Nov 30, 2020

In Virginia, the terms and conditions of the written lease will control whether your husband has the right to terminate the lease based on an oral notification to the landlord. Also, the terms and the conditions of the lease will control who has the rights to the return of the security deposit.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Virginia on
Q: Is it legal for a police officer to ask if I have any weapons on me when I'm carrying a concealed carry permit?

and if I'm doing nothing wrong? Am I allowed not to answer?

Brian S Szmak
Brian S Szmak
answered on Nov 17, 2020

It is absolutely legal for an Officer to ask you if you have any weapons on you.

If you have a CHP in Virginia, there is no affirmative obligation to inform an Officer that you are carrying a concealed weapon. You are obligated to provide your CHP & Photo ID if asked, though....
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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Civil Rights for Virginia on
Q: What does it mean when you file a admentment to a complaint
Jan F Hoen
Jan F Hoen
answered on Oct 28, 2020

A Complaint is the pleading that states the nature of the cause of action for which you filed suit and the essential supporting elements and facts particular to the case.

Amendment of pleadings is liberally granted to allow them to be correct and accurate. Filing an amendment modifies the...
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1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights and Probate for Virginia on
Q: Now that I have a answer about the lawsuit against my brother inlaw who has passed.

Now they want my husband to settle up with them because he was sole heir. We dont know what to do!

My brother inlaw denied to his dieing breath it was untrue what my nephew accused him of but the lawyer said we owe him money for the pending lawsuit he had on going when my brother inlaw... View More

Richard Sternberg
Richard Sternberg
answered on Oct 14, 2020

The type of lawyer you need is a probate lawyer who also does litigation. If you are representing the estate and the estate is in Virginia, you may use the estate's assets to pay the litigator as needed. You can find an attentive and talented lawyer by searching the Find a Lawyer function at... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Employment Law, Civil Rights and Employment Discrimination for Virginia on
Q: I am trying to find some clarity on a specific scenario regarding Liquidated Damages Provisions under Virginia law.

My girlfriend is an RN registered nurse working for an agency (based in Ohio) which helped bring/organise her path to USA and set her up with a job. The contract has tied her into a 3 year term of which she has completed 1 year already. The problem is the job is way too much for her mentally and... View More

Steven Krieger
Steven Krieger
answered on Oct 7, 2020

I don't think this is enforceable simply if your girlfriend quits. However, sometimes liquidated damages provisions are enforced if a non-solicitation or non-compete provision is breached. I'm sure anyone who responds would be happy to help if you decide to retain an attorney. Good luck.

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights, Intellectual Property and Securities Law for Virginia on
Q: Is it illegal to destroy and tamper with surveillance
Timothy John Billick
Timothy John Billick
answered on Oct 6, 2020

Most likely yes. It would depend largely on the purpose for such destruction/tampering.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Civil Rights and Constitutional Law for Virginia on
Q: How to find an attorney to represent me in a civil case (housing related, I was discriminated as a handicap owner)?

I was a new handicap homeowner in an association in Fairfax County VA. The association began discriminating against me when forced me to disclose that I was a handicap person and for a variety of unlawful reasons denied giving me parking permit so I could not park my car in the subdivision and... View More

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Oct 5, 2020

To find a local attorney for your case, you should call the local Bar Association on the city/county in which you reside. Ask for the lawyer referral service.

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Contracts, Civil Rights and Landlord - Tenant for Virginia on
Q: I need help Ny lease apparently ends tomorrow but I can’t leave

I signed a 12 month lease with my landlord and it’s the 7th month and my landlord says the july31st at 8 am everyone who didn’t renew is the last day of their lease but I can’t leave that soon I prepared for a 12 month lease I also lost my job due to COVID and domestic violence so I haven’t... View More

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Jul 31, 2020

Even if you have a 12 month written lease, the nonpayment of rent is a breach of the leased and as such the landlord can proceed with a notice for you to pay or quit and then begin legal proceedings to have you evicted. The loss of your job or the domestic abuse is not a defense to nonpayment of... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Civil Rights, Collections and Landlord - Tenant for Virginia on
Q: How does one "erase" the filing of a UD petition that is later non-suited without judgment?

This will be an issue for many "first time civil defendants" who are filed upon by landlords for UD during the COVID period. There is legislation that enables relief in 2022, but that will be too late for many.

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Jul 18, 2020

The general procedure to accomplish your goal is to file a Motion to Vacate the Judgment, however, a non-suit means that the plaintiff withdrew the case and claims so there is no judgment to vacate. The original case's information cannot be "erased" as you described it. These are... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Civil Rights, Collections and Landlord - Tenant for Virginia on
Q: If a suit is in general district is later found to be in error, what is the best way to have this matter "erased"?

It appears that expunction is not available for civil cases. Can the court "seal" the file? Are there any other options that an attorney can do?

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Jul 18, 2020

The proper procedure for a civil matter as you describe is to file a Motion to Vacate and Set Aside the Judgment. It will be your burden to demonstrate to the Judge that the judgment was entered in error. If the other party agrees that there was an error, that party should endorse your Motion and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights and Municipal Law for Virginia on
Q: Has there ever been a case that was successful in the US where city council members were sued for their breach of oath

of office and the prosecutor won?

Maurice Mandel II
Maurice Mandel II
answered on Jul 5, 2020

There is a concept called "immunity" in the law that shields people in public office from citizen disputes over discretionary decisions that are made. Police have it, council and school board members have it, judges have it and POTUS has it. An exception to this would be when the public... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law and Civil Litigation for Virginia on
Q: Is it legal to transfer someone across state lines in reference to a civil case without any extradition hearing?

I have filed a Habeas petition in the 4th circuit on this issue. See Hommel v. Unknown, et al. I was civilly commited in virginia in 2007, but never was commited, as the order was stayed. Instead i was transfered to Federal custody in the northern district of ohio where i served approx. 10.9... View More

F. Paul Maloof
F. Paul Maloof
answered on Jul 1, 2020

I regret that I do not handle criminal law matter. Sorry.

3 Answers | Asked in Family Law, Civil Rights, Juvenile Law and Landlord - Tenant for Virginia on
Q: Can a parent legally restrict an 18 year old that still lives under their roof from leaving the house.

Are their any laws that prevent a parent of an 18 year old from going to see their lover or friends

Also are there any laws that prevent a toxic, controlling parent from controlling an 18 year old’s life

Afsana Chowdhury
PREMIUM
Afsana Chowdhury
answered on Jun 24, 2020

Once they’re 18, they’re an adult and get to make their own decisions. You cannot force an adult to stay in your home if they don’t want to. But you can make an adult leave your home as long as you follow the law in doing so.

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1 Answer | Asked in Immigration Law and Civil Rights for Virginia on
Q: are you willing to consult me with crcl/dhs matter?so i need to send a statement letter from DHS/CRCL office.

a response has been made for my complaint matter by DHS/CRCL in june 11 20,they referred me to a lawyer to consult.

Ify Princess Ikeakanam
Ify Princess Ikeakanam
answered on Jun 17, 2020

Hello, give me a call today, I would like to know more about this issue and can possibly help you.

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