Archive for the ‘Law & Ethics’ Category

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can a company call and make threats of legal action for not making your payments on a product?

Saturday, May 2nd, 2009
Kb asked:


I got a computer from a company when i was in the army. it was set up for a direct deposit plan for payment. i’m unemployed now since i’ve gotten out. the company has been calling my references that i gave and leaving messages that if i dont call them they will take legal action. one of my references got 2 messages on the answering machine in one day. is this against the law? would i be able to do something about this?

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Posted in Law & Ethics | 3 Comments »

How legal is the reproduction of Sprites in webcomics?

Thursday, April 30th, 2009
Hyren asked:


I draw a webcomic, and in an upcoming arc I reference the Direct X demo Space Donuts. I wanted to feature actual sprites from the game (over original artwork), but I want to stay legitimate. I know there are several all sprite comics around now, and I’m unclear how legal this practice is. Furthermore, I’m not even sure if the Donuts sprites are copyrighted– they’re a free download with the demo and there’s no license file included. Can I use them?
I was actually referring to computer graphics sprites, the image files used by the game to represent objects on screen.

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Posted in Law & Ethics | 3 Comments »

is it legal in oregon for an adult to date a minor?

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009
aruel100 asked:


im 17 going on 18 in 4 months. me and this girl that is 14 like each other, is it legal for us to date once im 18? a friend told me its legal as long as we dont have ***. my parents say its illegal just to date her once i turn 18. i do not know.
if anybody is a lawyer from oregon and knows, i’d appreciate it if u answered. (be sure to give reference thou cuz i dun want a whole bunch of ‘i think…’ answers.
thnx, and ay the force be with u.

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Posted in Law & Ethics | 6 Comments »

What’s the difference between a civil union and a marriage, as a legal institution?

Friday, March 20th, 2009
pockyneko13 asked:


I’d also appreciate if someone could list all of the rights typically given to married people as a reference. I heard someone say that there was something like 210 legal rights involved in marriage.

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Posted in Law & Ethics | 2 Comments »

Where can I find good free legal advice online?

Monday, January 26th, 2009
cay_damay asked:


I’m having trouble with a roomate in Philadelphia. I need legal advice on how to legally kick her out of my apartment from a lawyer, but I don’t have money to throw around. I’ve heard that there are places you can go online to get free legal advice (I mean actually asking a lawyer how to go about things, not just reading laws) especially with tenant laws, but I’m reluctant to just go anywhere that pops up on google. If anyone has used a website to get free legal advice, and can vouch that the website is good and the legal advice you got was good, I would really like to know what site you went to. Thanks so much!

I’m not looking for legal advice on Yahoo answers right now, just references to lawyers, so please, people, don’t pontificate on what you think my situation is and what you think I might do. I really need a real legal professional now.

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Posted in Law & Ethics | 6 Comments »

Can a store legally search through the purchases in your bag and check your receipt? Any legal references?

Monday, January 19th, 2009
OrangePez16 asked:


Seen a few articles about this, but wanted to know from people in the legal community. Not to say that I want to upset and feel the wrath from a Best Buy, but I want to know what my rights are as a consumer. (I’m in CA, btw, if state laws are different)
What specifically I’m looking for is - do they have a right to check me if I just purchased something and walked to the door. They don’t have any suspicion of shoplifting, they are just trying to adhere to “store policy”. Do they have a right to search what is now my personal property?

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Posted in Law & Ethics | 13 Comments »

Is it legal to list someone as a reference, without permission, to acquire credit?

Monday, January 19th, 2009
Eyez4u asked:


My husband’s ex (of 7 yrs.) & her daughter listed my husband as a reference on a car financing application. Unfortunately, the finance co. has contacted us regarding their whereabouts. We’re trying to gain more info. regarding the application, however, the finance co. is screaming “confidentiality” restraints. We’re afraid now that the ex may have done more that we don’t know about. Is there any recourse we can take?

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Posted in Law & Ethics | 7 Comments »

Is it legal to film someone without their consent?

Saturday, January 17th, 2009
Radical Denominator asked:


This question is especially directed to situations involving protest where people may or may not say “I do not give you permission to film me”.

Also, do police officers have the right to put their hand over a camera or order you to turn it off or ‘put it down’?

I would like answers to cite specific legal references or application in an area that would know the extent of the law.

Thank you.

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Posted in Law & Ethics | 12 Comments »

is it legal for an employer to give you a bad reference or talk bad about you to a perspective employer?

Saturday, January 3rd, 2009
marie h asked:


I live in PA if it makes a difference.
Also, is it different if the employer is your current employer or former employer, thst is giving the reference?

Thanks

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Posted in Law & Ethics | 4 Comments »

Misdemeanor - USPS applicant?

Monday, August 11th, 2008
nick asked:


I am coming in for an interview for USPS Rural Carrier Associate (federal job) and must complete application. Please help on question 7a that ask about criminal history. Thank you!!

Pay attention to (3)***

7a.Have you ever been convicted of a crime or are you under any charges for any offense against the Law? You may omit: (1) any charges that were dismissed or resulted in acquittal; (2) any conviction that has been set aside, vacated, annulled, expunged, or sealed; (3)*** any offense that was finally adjudicated in a juvenile court or juvenile delinquency proceeding; and (4) any charges that resulted only in a conviction of a non-criminal offense. All felony and misdemeanor convictions and all convictions in state and federal courts are criminal convictions and must be disclosed. Disclosure of such convictions is required even if you did not spend any time in jail and /or were not required to pay a fine.

Ok…so, I was 15 years old… on April 1997… was caught taking 1 pair of basketball shorts ($20) at mall… parent pick me up at police station… paid a $200 fine…never went to court…been clean since 1997… 2008 now I am 26…. Its been 11 years… misdemeanor not sealed…

Should I disclose the petty theft charge (misdemeanor) and explain in the application or should I say no b/c its been over 10 years?

Do USPS (federal jobs) do background checks pass 10 years?

But if I say no…and USPS finds out after they employed me… Can I used the above (3)***… in my defense?

I need professional facts or opinions from person(s) with law experience or works in USPS. Thank you.

Nick.

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Posted in Law & Ethics | 9 Comments »

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