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1500 questions
38
votes
5 answers
Why don't laws have examples?
I've never seen examples listed under a law, but it'd make them a lot less ambiguous and easier to understand.
For example, the 4th amendment (a law I'm familiar with) could've given a few examples of reasonable and unreasonable searches and…
philn
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38
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Was it illegal for Nancy Pelosi to tear up her copy of the State of the Union address?
President Trump has claimed it was illegal for Nancy Pelosi to tear up her copy of his State of the Union address, as it was an official document. Is there any law stating that it is illegal to tear up official documents, and does this qualify under…
Sdarb
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38
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5 answers
Is ban evasion illegal?
What is the legality of "Ban Evasions"? This sounds like a dumb question but perhaps enlighten the ignorant.
Ban Evasion, "The creation of a new account on a platform or website after being previously banned for ToS violations".
In 2018, the 9th…
nolsen
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38
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1 answer
Can someone legally require me to return a gift they gave me?
So a "friend" in Canada sent me a tablet ( I think it was worth $400 U.S. currency) to replace the one I had that I could barely do anything on. I never asked for one, and I remember repeatedly that I told him not to get it for me, but he did.
…
Maria
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38
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3 answers
Can women also go shirtless in public legally?
Do women have the same rights as men to walk on the beach or sidewalk topless where men are also walking bare-chested without being discriminated against? If a woman is arrested or asked to leave by enforcement, but not the men, is that blatant…
Muze
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38
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1 answer
I fancy myself an amateur lawyer. Can I represent someone in court, in the state of Maryland?
I live in Montgomery County Maryland. I am not a lawyer.
But I have significant legal experience. I have successfully sued people, watched many trials, I have successfully won dozens of trials for my own traffic violations. And I'm a former state…
Saqib Ali
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38
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3 answers
Fred closes a stranger's truck door; the truck later burns down. What is Fred's liability?
This question comes directly from an episode of the call-in automotive advice show Car Talk. The original call occurred in or around 1994, but recently re-aired in episode 2349, "We Specialize in All Makes Foreign and Domestic".
In his call, "Fred"…
smitelli
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5 answers
Is there a legal reason that organizations often refuse to comment on an issue citing "ongoing litigation"?
In news articles, I often read that some organization refused to comment on an issue because it is the subject of "ongoing litigation". This is also mentioned in many guides on public relations, for example this article, How to Control Your Message…
sleske
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37
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3 answers
Can I use my own Stack Exchange answer in a book?
I’ve seen some similar questions, but was wondering about a more specific case. I wrote a Stack Exchange answer, and would like to use it in one section of a book I’m writing (which will be commercially sold). I also modified the answer, and added…
Skeptic
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37
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4 answers
Stop, in the name of the law
Does the popular media cliche Stop, in the name of the law have any founding in actual law or policing practice, either current or historical? Did police ever say this as a matter of course? If so why? If not where did this expression enter the…
gingerbreadboy
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5 answers
What crime is hiring someone to kill you and then killing the hitman?
Suppose that yesterday I was suicidal and decided to hire a hitman on the internet to kill me.
Today, when they turn up, I have changed my mind and defend myself by killing the hitman.
What crime(s) have I committed? This is completely…
Rod
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37
votes
3 answers
What if I say "this statement is false" while under oath?
Let's say I am in a court proceeding, and then make swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I tell the judge I would like to make an opening remark, he says yes, and I say "My opening remark is a false statement." What…
Christopher King
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37
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7 answers
What if a restaurant suddenly cannot accept credit cards, and the customer has no cash?
If a restaurant normally accepts credit cards, and a customer eats a meal there, then tries to pay with his valid credit card, and the cashier says the credit card system is down and they can only accept cash today, and the customer has no cash, and…
FlanMan
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Why is it considered terrorism to murder a CEO?
According to this article, Luigi Mangione got charged with terrorism for murdering the CEO. I am not sure why this murder can - under US law - be considered an act of terrorism.
Here is a relevant page from NY penal law that defines terrorism:
A…
Jimmy Yang
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2 answers
Is it stealing if three books are allowed to be taken for free and I take more?
There is a charity shop, which sells nothing but gives books away for free. They do accept optional donations of money, and any books donations so they have more books to give away for free.
Upon entering the charity shop, there is a sign saying…
user5623335
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