Can You Take A Selfie In A Polling Place?

New Hampshire’s State Motto is “Live Free or Die.”  New Hampshire’s citizens demonstrated their progressive stance in a case regarding taking selfie’s in polling places.   New Hampshire passed a law banning it, and the citizens took the case to federal court.  Attorney David Allen explains the case.

 

No Expectation of Privacy

Attorney David Allen addresses an interesting subject.  It involves two robbery suspects who used cells phones.  At trial, prosecutors presented evidence that the cell phones pinged off towers in the vicinity of and around the times of the robberies.

The two suspects were convicted, but appealed on the basis that prosecutors obtained the cell phone pings without their permission, and without search warrants, violating their 4th Amendment rights.  Attorney Allen presents both sides and why the Appellate Court decided in favor of the prosecutors.

 

Four year old Shot and Killed by His Playmate

Attorney David Allen explains the difference in civil and criminal law when the father of a 4-year old is criminally prosecuted for child endangerment, and also sued by the parents of the dead child.

 

David Allen Explains What Is Happening With North Carolina’s Bathroom Law

California attorney David Allen packs loads of information into the following 4 minute video.   He addresses the legislative branch and executive branch and its importance in enforcing or not enforcing the law.

 

 

Woman Borrows $200 From Payday Loan. Guess What Happened Next?

I’ve heard so many stories about people who take out payday and title loans, and how the interest is worst than borrowing from a loan shark.

Some years ago, I was called upon to do some research by an attorney to get information about a title loan company to see if they used what is called a “list serve” to serve them with summons.  What I found is that the owners of the company, in Illinois, also own a used car lot in the State of Georgia.   Title loan companies make loans that people cannot repay because of the high interest, then take possession of the vehicle.  So, it seems that this one such company was creating inventory for its own used car business.

In other words, I learned that such companies can be shady.

After watching David Allen’s video (posted below), I did a Google search and found a site titled Consumer Affairs with stories by people who made payday loans, and the low things that they pull on people.  It saddens me that companies stoop that low, but also saddens me that the general population does not know enough about the law so they do not become emotionally distressed when getting those calls. 

Any Discussion Open Thread

Caterpillars, moths, butterflies, a certain roach, and all creatures great and small.

Hope that this week finds you healthy and happy, and not yet fed up with politics, politics, and more politics.  There are several things I have to do in the next few days, so I might not be able to blog on any particular issue that comes up in the news.   We can use this open thread to discuss anything; up-date anything.

I found a few very interesting stories.  In the first, Taylor Thyfault was a cadet in police training who was hit and killed during a high-speed chase in May 2015.  Since then, his mother has been texting his old phone as a way to deal with her grief. She never expected a text back.  Here’s the video.

Legal Tuesday – Emoticons In Electronic Communications

In the video below, attorney David Allen explains that the courts examine the context of communications to determine whether emoticons have meaning. This is very interesting seeing that more and more people are turning to the courts to resolve harassment that is committed using electronic communications.

 

 

Family Is Awarded $500,000 Default Judgment in Barking Dog Lawsuit

Here’s attorney David Allen again. In this video, he addresses default judgments, prove-up’s, and attachments to collect the judgment.   Essentially, what attorney Allen says is that if you (speaking in general) are ever served with a summons and complaint, do not think that ignoring it makes the case go away.

 

 

Officer Who Responded To Sandy Hook Receives Disability

One of the first responding police officers to Sandy Hook claimed post traumatic stress disorder.   The city denied his claim, and the police chief wanted him to return to work.  Attorney David Allen explains how the officer was eventually  granted disability, and how the payments work.

It’s a short video packed with information.

 

 

 

Marriage Equality Is Not About Sex

“For as long as I can remember, I wanted to be a lawyer.”
– David Allen

(davidallenlaw.com)

I really like this guy. David Allen has practiced law since 1980. It’s not often that I like watching videos when the person is only talking, but attorney Allen is different. He is animated in his voice and physically. His videos are interesting and I’m thinking about presenting one at least once a week.

In the one below, attorney Allen tells the story of a committed same-sex couple relationship of 19 years, and how there were no options at law when the couple decided to end their relationship.