Get free answers to your Gov & Administrative Law legal questions from lawyers in your area.
I have a probation violation for possession of meth and Xanax in Georgia, along with an outstanding warrant. Georgia has not extradited me, and I was released from jail twice. Currently, I'm on probation in South Carolina. My South Carolina probation officer has recently learned about my... View More 
answered on Jun 12, 2025
One of the many conditions of probation is that the person is not to be rearrested. This is an interesting condition as most people do not want to be rearrested. But with a new charge the probation agent could decide to hold an internal meeting and then could decide to petition the Court for a... View More
I attempted to purchase a firearm but was denied because I am in the U.S. on an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), contingent upon green card approval. The denial stated that an EAD for employment purposes cannot determine eligibility to purchase a firearm and that an alien must have a valid... View More
answered on Jun 8, 2025
Unfortunately, having a valid EAD alone—especially one based on a pending adjustment of status—does not meet the federal definition of lawful immigration status for firearm purchases under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(5). The hunting license exception typically applies to nonimmigrants on temporary... View More
I experienced a traumatic workplace accident on September 1, 2023, caused by a malfunctioning Robot Coupe 2 food processing machine, which resulted in the amputation of my right index finger and avulsion of my right middle finger. I reported the incident to management, who contacted the police, and... View More
answered on Jun 9, 2025
Sorry to hear what happened to you. It sounds like you've taken the necessary steps to protect your interests by hiring an attorney. Your attorney should be able to perform an investigation into the incident and taken measures to have the machine in question preserved as to that it can be... View More
I own a property in Onondaga County, New York, and I've been trying to address repair issues that the tenant reported. However, the tenant has refused access, and this has been ongoing since January, leading to eviction proceedings. I contacted both Syracuse and Town of Onondaga code offices.... View More
answered on Jun 7, 2025
The court with jurisdiction to enter an access order for repairs would be the same court where you initiated the eviction proceeding. Generally, all New York State real property actions and proceedings are "territorial," which means the real property must be within the territorial... View More
I live at a private railroad crossing in Tennessee, and the train frequently blocks our only way in and out for hours at a time. This affects not only me but also other residents in the area, creating a potential hazard since emergency vehicles cannot reach us, and there is no alternative route.... View More
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answered on Jun 6, 2025
I know of no possible remedy. Railroad either has an easement or owns the land where the road crosses the track. Either way is superior to any access you might claim since it is not blocking access all the time but only when the RR uses that track. Did you not search your title before you... View More
I live in a community governed by an HOA with a covenant stating that there shall be no fencing or hedges in front of the front plane of any dwelling. Despite this rule, the HOA board refuses to enforce it. I haven't received any response after raising this issue with the board. I've been... View More
answered on Jun 6, 2025
If the HOA doesn't want to enforce, you have several choices:
1. Run for the board on a ticket of enforcing the HOA guidelines and win;
2. Retain counsel to review the HOA covenants and rules to determine whether you have a private right of action, and then either sue to other... View More
My husband had two wisdom teeth extracted by the prison medical institution. After weeks of pain and swelling, the provider took an X-ray and realized his jaw was fractured. It took one month before he could receive treatment at an outside hospital. Now, his jaw is wired shut for 5 weeks. Can the... View More
answered on Jun 5, 2025
Yes you can.
Where the medical staff failed to meet the standard of care, there is a claim.
In order for such a case to be viable, the harm caused but be sufficient to warrant bringing a lawsuit. For example, if the failure to treat caused additional harm such as the jaw being... View More
I am seeking assistance with dissolving a same-sex marriage that took place in Florida in 2016. Both my spouse and I are Singaporean citizens, and we are currently residing in Singapore and have mutually agreed to the dissolution. There are no children or property to be divided. We aim to dissolve... View More
answered on Jun 4, 2025
Under Florida Statutes, at least one of you must reside in Florida for at least six months before filing for divorce in a Florida court. If one of you can return and reside in Florida for at least six months, you may then file for an uncontested divorce. If you are in mutual agreement, have no... View More
In February, I had a contract agreement with a company related to a vehicle, which was paid off and removed from my credit report as closed. In April, the company re-added it to my credit report, claiming a reversal of payment, without providing documentation for the reversal or details of the loan... View More
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answered on May 30, 2025
You’re describing a troubling situation. If a company is re-reporting a paid-off vehicle loan without providing proper documentation and is threatening you for payment you don’t owe, it may be violating several federal and state laws.
First, under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA),... View More
I am trying to add my deceased father's last name to my Puerto Rican birth certificate. Both of my parents have passed away, and previously, I was informed that my mother would need to sign papers to make this change. My sister contacted a lawyer in Puerto Rico, who confirmed that my... View More
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answered on May 29, 2025
It can be difficult to navigate changes to official documents when both parents are deceased, especially across jurisdictions. In your case, adding your deceased father’s name to your Puerto Rican birth certificate may still be possible, but it typically involves a legal process through the... View More
My partner was offered a mental health diversion program for our domestic abuse case, and the court issued a protective order against him to protect me. I don’t want the protective order anymore. If he agrees to the mental health diversion program, will the protective order be lifted? How long... View More
answered on May 29, 2025
The mental health diversion program and protective orders operate as separate legal mechanisms, and participation in diversion does not automatically result in the lifting of a protective order in domestic abuse cases. Protective orders are specifically issued by the court to ensure victim safety... View More
My partner was offered a mental health diversion program for our domestic abuse case, and the court issued a protective order against him to protect me. I don’t want the protective order anymore. If he agrees to the mental health diversion program, will the protective order be lifted? How long... View More
answered on May 30, 2025
No. The mental health diversion program will not lift the protective order in a domestic abuse case. The fact a defendant has decided to accept a diversion program doesn't mean he is any less of a threat. An alcoholic can decide to go to A.A. meetings or treatment.
I was driving my commercial motor vehicle safely on a public road when I was stopped by a state trooper. The trooper claimed the stop was to conduct a safety inspection, but no violations were found during the inspection. I believe that stopping a commercial vehicle without first articulating a... View More
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answered on May 28, 2025
This is a very insightful and important question, especially for commercial drivers who operate under both state and federal regulatory frameworks. Let’s unpack the legal standards involved here.
General Rule: Reasonable Suspicion for Traffic Stops
Under the Fourth Amendment,... View More
I hold a valid Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) and attempted to act as an agent for the principal (my legal name in all caps) to open an account for purchasing assets like a car or house, using security collateral owed to the principal to cover debts. However, the bank has declined my request,... View More
answered on May 27, 2025
It is unclear what you mean by "for the principal (my legal name in all caps)."
A bank or financial institution has various regulations which allow them to honor a POA but also require them to confirm the identity of their customer. A bank may require the principal to confirm... View More
My son is in an Oklahoma State prison for first and second-degree burglary, initially set for discharge on June 17, 2025, serving 85% of his sentence. Due to a class X write-up for possessing tobacco and marijuana, his earned credits were revoked, extending his release to July 1, 2026. The prison... View More
answered on May 23, 2025
The 85% is a required "minimum" served. It is not a guaranteed release day. The guaranteed release day would be the 100% time served.
They get credits to reduce time served but it cannot lower it below the 85%. It is well within the rights of the institution to give or revoke credits.
My boyfriend from Germany had an approved ESTA and planned to visit the United States for several months to meet me, fulfill a pre-marriage requirement, and celebrate Christmas and his birthday with friends. Upon arrival at O'Hare airport, he was questioned, had his electronic devices seized,... View More
answered on May 24, 2025
The fiancé visa route does not require that your boyfriend meet you in the United States. Both of you can meet anywhere in the world. You should plan a meeting wherever both of you can travel to and document that meeting so that you can fulfill the physical meeting requirement sufficient to allow... View More
I discovered around two years ago that our HOA was inactive, having last met 14 years ago. This has resulted in the city refusing to carry out necessary street repairs, including fixing a potential sinkhole, due to the HOA's default status. As a long-time resident since 1995, I am not a board... View More
answered on May 21, 2025
Dissolving an association doesn't terminate the restrictive covenants or solve problems with the city or county. The restrictive covenants have a provision on how to terminate them and it requires at least a majority of the lot (or lot owners potentially) and probably their mortgage companies... View More
I am seeking full legal closure of my legal holdings and funds within the United States, which include deeds, trusts, estates, and bank holdings. I face a Power of Attorney dispute, which was created in Newark, New Jersey, New York, and it might be used fraudulently against my holdings. Many U.S.... View More
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answered on May 21, 2025
You need to revoke that power of attorney. Make several original duplicates of the revocation and record them in any appropriate NJ and NY Counties. Also send copies of the revocation to any relevant brokerage houses or other businesses that handle your properties. This revocation should have... View More
I had an old teacher who was made to sign a No Contact Order by our school between him and his students before he resigned, as the school planned to fire him. He was told he wasn't allowed to contact students even after they turn 18, and if any students contacted him, he couldn't respond.... View More
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answered on May 20, 2025
This is an important and sensitive question. Understanding whether a no contact order issued by a school remains enforceable after a student turns 18 requires distinguishing between a school policy and a court-issued order.
In New York, a "no contact order" issued by a school is... View More
I adopted my niece along with my husband in Florida, and we have a final judgment showing her new name. She was born in Puerto Rico, and despite having a certified copy of the adoption judgment, we've been unable to reach the vital records office there to understand how to update her birth... View More
answered on May 20, 2025
Contact a lawyer who is a member of the P.R. Bar, who practices family law. Other than lawyers in P.R. itself, you likely can find some Fla. lawyers who are members of the P.R. Bar by contacting the Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service, which you can find at Floridabar.org.
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