Get free answers to your Gov & Administrative Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
My HOA has not held a membership meeting or election in over 10 years, despite numerous requests from members. The board met with the president in November 2024 and decided to double our dues without holding a membership meeting. In April 2025, the president said he would talk to the board about... View More 
answered on Apr 10, 2025
The case law -- as you seem to appreciate already -- favors corporate democracy in governance. Courts are loathe to substitute their judgment for that of a duly elected condo board operating within its rules of governance and not violating law as to protected classes. So, your first step is to... View More
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answered on Apr 7, 2024
It's crucial to understand that towing laws can vary significantly from one jurisdiction to another, and specific circumstances play a critical role in determining legality. Generally, property owners do have the right to remove unauthorized vehicles from their property. However, most areas... View More
In Virginia, I currently have multiple wage garnishments due to debts. The first garnishment began and is expected to be completed by the first week of June. There is a hearing scheduled for September this year concerning this garnishment. I would like to know if the next garnishment can begin... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
In Virginia, wage garnishments can generally overlap if there is more than one garnishment order in place. The timing of the second garnishment is not automatically tied to the completion of the first. If the first garnishment is expected to end in early June, the second garnishment could start... View More
I am considering adding the suffix "Sr" to my name to distinguish myself from my son, who shares the same name, but wasn't designated as "Jr" at birth. Due to his extensive arrest record, I was mistakenly arrested on charges intended for him, which were later dismissed.... View More
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answered on May 15, 2025
In Virginia, you do not need to undergo a formal legal name change process to begin using "Sr" as a suffix to distinguish yourself from your son. You can start using "Sr" informally without legal repercussions, as long as you are not misrepresenting yourself or causing confusion... View More
I'm considering having someone else submit my assignments on my behalf. I am concerned about the legal implications, particularly regarding academic integrity violations. What should I be aware of before proceeding, and are there specific rules or exceptions I should check at my institution?
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answered on May 15, 2025
Before proceeding with having someone else submit your assignments, it’s important to understand the risks involved. Most academic institutions have strict rules about academic integrity, and submitting work that isn’t your own could lead to serious consequences, including failing the course,... View More
I asked DCSE to close my current case, and they erased over $40,000 in arrears owed to me without my permission, court approval, or judgment. Initially, they erased the arrears in 2024, but after I confronted them, they changed the date to 2019. I did not receive any documentation or notice about... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
What happened to you is deeply frustrating and, on the surface, seems like a serious mishandling of your case. If DCSE erased over \$40,000 in arrears without your knowledge, permission, or a court order, that may be a violation of your rights as the person owed support. Child support arrears are... View More
I am a federal employee with 14 years of service and part of a bargaining unit. I was falsely accused of misconduct and disciplined with a one-day suspension without pay. Although informed that I could file an EEO complaint, I was not made aware of agency grievance or union grievance procedures,... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
You can’t be disciplined without the chance to fully contest the charges and present your mitigating history, so your first move is to file a grievance or appeal under your agency’s grievance procedure and your union’s contract. In that appeal, point out that the proposal letter ignored key... View More
I'm involved in a complex and distressing situation with my long-term boyfriend and, allegedly, law enforcement interference. Despite my pleas for help, my boyfriend has mentioned there is a case against me, which he is part of, creating a cycle of abuse and control involving his wife.... View More
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answered on May 14, 2025
What you’re going through sounds incredibly painful and isolating, and it’s not okay that your safety and rights feel out of reach. When you’re caught in a situation where someone close to you is using fear, legal threats, or personal connections to maintain control, it becomes that much... View More
I'm in Virginia and have been trying to finalize the adoption of a child for the past 11 years. Our attorney mentioned that we need to serve papers to the birth mother, but we cannot locate her. We are facing an urgent deadline because the school is now demanding a birth certificate, which... View More
answered on May 5, 2025
It has been years, but I had a similar case of a British citizen and a French-Middle Eastern citizen seeking to adopt a Kurdish orphan where we could not prove the father was dead. The answer is much more expensive than you are expecting. We researched the various standards for adoption in England... View More
I am wondering if I can legally own or possess a forced reset trigger (FRT) in Virginia without an FFL or special license. According to Virginia Code § 18.2-308.5:1, possessing a "trigger activator" is illegal. However, section D mentions exceptions for compliance with the National... View More
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answered on Apr 16, 2025
Virginia Code § 18.2‑308.5:1 makes it a Class 6 felony to possess a “trigger activator,” defined as any device that lets a semi‑automatic gun fire more than one shot with a single pull by harnessing recoil energy—this expressly covers forced‑reset triggers. citeturn0search0... View More
I was contacted by the Virginia Unemployment Office twice and told that I was approved for unemployment benefits, with the last call on January 23, 2025. I understand from them that all calls are recorded, and I have emails confirming my approval. However, on January 29, 2025, someone changed my... View More
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answered on Apr 13, 2025
You’re in a frustrating situation, especially after being told you were approved and then seeing your benefits delayed. The first thing you should do is **contact the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC)** immediately and ask for a record of your file, including any recent changes made to your... View More
I have a utility easement on my residential property, and the electric power company is responsible for tree trimming and removal to protect the power lines. However, they have not performed any maintenance for over 10 years. What are the rights and responsibilities of the power company in this... View More
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answered on Apr 12, 2025
As a property owner with a utility easement, the electric power company generally has the responsibility to maintain clearances around power lines, including tree trimming and removal. These responsibilities are typically outlined in the easement agreement, which gives them the right to enter your... View More
I am a tenant in Virginia residing in a property that is currently up for sale. The listing does not mention that the property is tenant-occupied or that there is a need to respect tenant privacy. I've experienced disturbances, such as a showing arriving early and peering through windows, and... View More
answered on Apr 2, 2025
The Lynchburg Board of Realtors has no say in such matters. Your contract is between you and your landlord, and it is enforceable. Maybe you need a lawyer to write a letter for you about that after reviewing the lease.
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
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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 asked Discord if there is a court order for the retention of my Discord data, and they responded that they cannot provide specific information about retention requests or court orders due to privacy and legal reasons. I have not received any legal notices, am not involved in any legal... View More
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answered on Mar 24, 2025
Discord's response doesn't necessarily imply that a court order exists for your data. Many tech companies use standardized responses when users inquire about legal matters related to their accounts, regardless of whether specific orders exist or not. This type of vague language often... View More
Accessing this information. Is this illegal?
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answered on Feb 9, 2025
If Elon Musk or any other unauthorized individual is accessing your father’s Medicare and Medicaid information, that would likely be a serious violation of federal privacy laws. Health records are protected under HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act), which limits who can... View More
Came to the property asked me what I was doing I told him I was eating lunch and they let me go home and they said don’t come back up there or it was trespassing. After that another incident occurred so I called and made a complaint about how and Officer was treating me and less then three days... View More
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answered on Jan 21, 2025
To help prove retaliation, you'll need to document clear evidence showing the timeline between your complaint and their sudden change in enforcement. Start gathering any records of the initial interaction, including the date, time, and names of the officers who first let you leave without... View More
Are sworn Virgina Conservators of the Peace permitted to have the Virginia Seal within their badge?
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answered on Aug 31, 2024
Under Virginia Code § 19.2-78, the law does not explicitly prohibit or permit the use of the Virginia Seal on badges of sworn Conservators of the Peace. However, the Virginia Code does outline specific rules regarding the use and display of the Virginia Seal, which is typically reserved for... View More
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answered on Feb 23, 2024
Abingdon Regional Jail may have policies and procedures in place regarding the administration of medications, including controlled substances like Suboxone. However, abruptly discontinuing Suboxone without proper medical supervision and a gradual tapering schedule can pose significant health risks... View More
When the parent that's has custody never lets the one that don't see them unsupervised
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answered on Nov 5, 2023
If one parent's rights have been terminated, legally they would not have any inherent rights to visitation or custody of the children. The parent with full custody has the discretion to allow the other parent to see the children, but this is a personal choice and not a legal obligation. Should... View More
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