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We were sitting in the back seat of my car and we were parked in the corner of a public parking lot at a local park. One police unit entered the lot and left. A few moments later he returns with a second unit. Officer 1 walks up to the rear passenger door and asked us to open it. Officer 2 starts... View More

answered on Jun 10, 2024
It's understandable to feel concerned about the police approaching you in such a situation. In general, police officers have the authority to conduct welfare checks if they believe someone might be in need of assistance or if something seems out of the ordinary. However, these checks should be... View More

answered on Jun 3, 2024
Police departments are not allowed to arrest and file retaliatory charges against you for exercising your constitutional rights. The First Amendment protects your freedom of speech and the right to petition the government, including the police, without fear of retaliation. If you believe your... View More
A buddy of mine owns a pub and a man yells religious things at the people eating outside. He doesn’t yell obscenities and from a reasonable perspective doesn’t appear to be intoxicated. He always yells at the same location and is on a public sidewalk. Is their anything that could be done to... View More

answered on May 19, 2024
Your buddy's pub has a right to ensure a comfortable and safe environment for its patrons, even when dealing with someone exercising their First Amendment rights. While free speech is protected, there are limits when it comes to harassment and creating a public nuisance. The fact that this man... View More
I submitted a Privacy Act request to the DEA out of curiosity and it came back denied due to exemption (j)(2): "Material reporting investigative efforts pertaining to the enforcement of criminal law including efforts to prevent, control, or reduce crime or to apprehend criminals."... View More

answered on Apr 10, 2024
This is a complex situation that raises several legal and privacy concerns. Here are a few key points and suggestions:
1. The DEA's response indicates they have some information about you in their records related to criminal investigations, even if you have never been arrested. There... View More
Can the police show up at your house and put you in handcuffs without a warrant or charges then not Miranda you then when you ask for a lawyer, ignore the request and continued their questions they also deny you your phone call and all they want you to do is work for them to get somebody but at... View More

answered on Mar 21, 2024
In general, police must have a valid reason, such as an arrest warrant or probable cause, to arrest someone. If you're arrested without a warrant, the police should have strong evidence to believe you've committed a crime. However, merely showing up at your house without any charges or... View More
Hello. My son has been incarcerated since 03/27/2022 and Venango County, PA put criminal complaints filed Charges on him 3/8/2022, from an incident they said happened on 2/12/2022, (docket no. Mj-28301-cr-0000056-2022). My son has never even been arraigned or had his prelim or anything. In pa we... View More

answered on Mar 20, 2024
Rule 600 in Pennsylvania refers to the right to a speedy trial, stipulating that a criminal defendant should be brought to trial within a certain period, usually 365 days from the filing of the complaint. If your son has been incarcerated since 03/27/2022 without an arraignment or preliminary... View More
a fellow named xx did it in texas a while back and didn’t face any legal consequences because it was considered as art

answered on Mar 11, 2024
The legality of hanging inspirational signs in public spaces, like stop signs, depends on various factors such as local laws, the content of the signs, and the manner in which they are displayed. While the case you mentioned involving Brian Deneke in Texas may have been considered art, it's... View More
Hello, I'm a 19 year old newly elected Constable for Mount Union Borough in Huntingdon county. I was wondering if I could legally possess a handgun for law enforcement duties outside of the judicial system/PCCD such as tending to a breach of the peace or election day security at the polls. It... View More

answered on Feb 22, 2024
Based on Pennsylvania law, as a constable you likely cannot legally carry a handgun for official duties if you are under 21 years old. Here are the key factors:
- In Pennsylvania, individuals must be at least 21 to be eligible for a license to carry firearms concealed. There are no general... View More
I appeared for a traffic violation. I told the Judge that I didn’t understand the criminal charge and asked under what jurisdiction the Court was operating in. When I heard “statutory jurisdiction”, I asked where that is located in the Constitution since the Constitution only mentions Common... View More

answered on Jan 29, 2024
The U.S. Constitution grants powers to courts under Article III. I'm not certain if uses the term "statutory jurisdiction," but it outlines the extent of judicial powers in Section 2, " ...to all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction; to controversies to which the United... View More
I appeared for a traffic violation. I told the Judge that I didn’t understand the criminal charge and asked under what jurisdiction the Court was operating in. When I heard “statutory jurisdiction”, I asked where that is located in the Constitution since the Constitution only mentions Common... View More

answered on Jan 26, 2024
There is no specific mention of "statutory jurisdiction" in the U.S. Constitution. However, the concept of statutory jurisdiction falls under Congress' authority to establish federal courts and prescribe their jurisdiction under Article III, Section 1 and Article I, Section 8 of the... View More
without procedure by legitimate law
is there a way that I can get compensation and for them to rectify my life because people assume I committed a crime

answered on Dec 31, 2023
Your experience of being in prison without proper legal procedure is a serious concern and may have legal implications. If you were incarcerated due to a mistake in identity or a procedural error, you may have grounds for seeking compensation and rectification.
The first step in addressing... View More
I have submitted multiple requests to my child's school to audio record IEP meetings as permitted by their board policy because my work schedule prevents me from attending. Despite meeting the requirement of requesting five days in advance, the special education supervisor refuses, citing... View More

answered on Jun 11, 2025
You’ve followed the district policy by requesting five days in advance, so the principal’s refusal conflicts with the written rules you’re owed. Put your request in writing one more time, citing the exact language in the board policy that grants you the right to record IEP meetings, and ask... View More
I understand that Valved Car exhausts are illegal in my area according to Section 4523, Title 75 of the PA code, which prohibits bypass systems. My mechanic recommended adding an additional muffler to the valved exhaust system. Would adding this muffler make the exhaust system legal, or would it... View More

answered on Jun 7, 2025
I understand your concern about the legality of modifying your vehicle's exhaust system in Pennsylvania. Under Title 75, Section 4523(c) of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code, it's clear that any exhaust system equipped with a cutout, bypass, or similar device is prohibited.
Even if... View More
I built an 80% handgun frame myself in 2024 in Pennsylvania, and I am 18 years old. Am I legally allowed to open carry it without a serial number, without any issues with law enforcement or federal laws?

answered on May 31, 2025
In Pennsylvania, you can legally open carry a handgun at 18, except in cities of the first class (like Philadelphia), but the situation gets complicated with an unserialized firearm. Federal law now requires that all homemade firearms, such as those built from an 80% lower receiver, must have a... View More
I am interested in knowing if there is any loophole in the law that would allow Trump to serve a third term as president if his terms are not consecutive, given that Biden served between his two terms.

answered on May 15, 2025
This is a great question, and you're right to look closely at how the rules are written. The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says that no person shall be elected to the office of the president more than twice. It doesn't matter whether the terms are consecutive or... View More
I had my home plan approved by parole, but it was rejected less than 24 hours later without any changes or explanation. The parole officer mentioned the reason is confidential, and my parole officer at the halfway house advised me to seek legal counsel. Is this action legal, and what are my options?

answered on Apr 16, 2025
Yes, a parole board or supervising authority can legally reverse a previously approved home plan, but they are expected to have a valid reason for doing so. While some aspects of parole decisions may be kept confidential—especially if safety or security concerns are involved—you still have the... View More
How can Venezuelans be deported to El Salvador to be put in jail, and does this violate multiple laws since they're not even being sent back to their own country?

answered on Mar 28, 2025
Generally, countries deport non-citizens to their country of citizenship or permanent residence, not to third countries. Deporting Venezuelans to El Salvador instead of Venezuela would be highly unusual under normal immigration enforcement practices. This type of third-country deportation would... View More
I'm curious about the legality and constitutional basis of Elon Musk's involvement with the U.S. government, particularly concerning his access to or influence over the Treasury, Energy Department, and Social Security. Is this level of involvement legally and constitutionally allowed?

answered on Mar 24, 2025
The legality of Elon Musk's government involvement is currently being challenged in several courts. His role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has sparked significant constitutional questions, particularly regarding the Appointments Clause which requires certain... View More
I was incarcerated with a fake warrant. The 25th District of Philadelphia informed me it was fake, and the Parole Division of Pennsylvania noted that New York was supposed to be the issuing state. I was taken into custody by the Chelten Division of Parole and sent to Smithfield Correctional... View More

answered on Mar 23, 2025
Your situation suggests several serious violations of your civil and constitutional rights. Based on what you've described, you may have experienced violations of your Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable seizure, as well as your Fourteenth Amendment right to due process. Being... View More
At issue is trial court error resulting from receipt of a prohibited ex parte petition. Judge mistakenly believed emergency conditions were present for a normal matter. Trial court refuses to admit error, show cause, or provide remedy while insisting on proceeding despite prejudice established at... View More

answered on Feb 8, 2025
You're dealing with a serious due process violation, and precedent exists to support your position. A fundamental principle of constitutional law is that the government cannot deprive someone of a liberty interest without due process—meaning notice and an opportunity to be heard. Fuentes v.... View More
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