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1500 questions
38
votes
3 answers
Why and when would an attorney be handcuffed to their client?
While reading about the trial of Hans Reiser I came across this peculiar sentence:
On Monday, July 7, 2008, Reiser led police to Nina's shallow grave in the Oakland Hills. Reiser's attorney, William Du Bois, who was handcuffed to Reiser and…
pipe
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38
votes
4 answers
What happens if a law contains an error of fact?
If a law is passed that contains a demonstrably false statement or assumption about the world, how is it generally interpreted?
For example, laws will often list a category of things, and then give examples of specific things in the category. It is…
interfect
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38
votes
3 answers
Can you make the police department pay for damage done to your property if you get swatted?
For purposes of conjecture, say some nameless online troll decides that they hate you. Perhaps you said you don't worship the members of a K-Pop band they like. As a result, they do some research and find your address. They then proceed to call your…
In Hoc Signo
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38
votes
5 answers
Is it legal for BMW owners to enable heated car seats without paying the subscription fee?
Its been recently reported that:
BMW is now selling subscriptions for heated seats in a number of
countries — the latest example of the company’s adoption of
microtransactions for high-end car features.
A monthly subscription to heat your BMW’s…
JonathanReez
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38
votes
10 answers
Why are there no laws rewarding people
It might sound like a stupid question, but I am not a legal expert. The positive laws prohibit certain acts and punish those who perform the acts. However, do the laws always prohibit and punish? And why there are no laws about rewarding people who…
user30303
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38
votes
3 answers
Legality of penalising Russian Oligarchs
What is the legal basis for penalising individual Russian Oligarchs?
Having ill-gotten wealth and dubious friends is hardly unique to Russia, and whilst I can understand with the desire of the Western / European powers to been seen to be doing…
ConanTheGerbil
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38
votes
2 answers
If you are a lawyer of a thief, drug dealer, or human trafficker, what would you tell your client to tell IRS?
I read this in 9gag.
So what should we do if we are in this situation?
If thieves and criminals can just say I have this income and don't tell the source, can legitimate businessmen do the same?
obfuscated
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38
votes
2 answers
USA: Is "I am not a lawyer" disclaimer generally necessary?
Is it legally necessary to disclaim "I am not a lawyer" when engaging in casual conversation, writing Internet posts, etc. to avoid civil or criminal liability for one's comments? Specifically, in the absence of:
claims to be a lawyer or implied…
wberry
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38
votes
3 answers
Is it a real legal principle that any ambiguity in a contract is interpreted to the benefit of the side that did not write the contract?
I have heard that there is a legal principle where any ambiguity in the contract is interpreted to the benefit of the side that did not draw up or suggest the contract text. This was presented to me somewhat anecdotally, but sounded reasonable - so…
i_prob_should_know_this
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38
votes
4 answers
Is it legal to copy a software license text from other companies to write my own?
I am writing a software license myself before I hire a lawyer.
Is it legal to copy a software license text from other companies to write my own?
I could not find anyone talking about the copyright of the software license itself. But many software…
ultrafrog
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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
votes
3 answers
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
votes
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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37
votes
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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7 answers
Could a British monarch "go full dictator" if they wish to do so?
Queen Elizabeth II was generally nice and didn't abuse her power. But could her successor do otherwise and "go full dictator", in theory? Would he have enough legal powers to do so? Admittedly, dictators are not known for playing by the book, but…
Sergey Zolotarev
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