Speak Up! - Browse Questions

Speak Up - Questions and Answers are grouped into key areas of the law. Follow the links below to see Q & As  in these topics:

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	Arrested (61 questions)
	What if I'm arrested and can't afford to hire a lawyer?
	If you can't afford to hire a lawyer, the first thing to tell the court at your initial appearance i... more »

	Banking (5 questions)
	Someone ripped my cards off... what now?
	Immediately report the loss or theft of a credit card to the bank or company that issued it. If it'... more »

	Bullying (6 questions)
	My city has a curfew law that restricts persons under age 18 from being outside late at night.  Why was this law drafted?
	Law enforcement agencies report that crimes involving juveniles often occur at night.  Also, the... more »

	Contracts (5 questions)
	I attended NAU for a year and my parents handled my finances. I received a letter in the mail just a few weeks ago stating that an attorney is attempting to collect 800 something dollars in debt. My parents say everything is paid and the person I talked to says they don't know what exactly it is -- but they would find out. I don't remember signing any contract and if I did, would it matter since I was 17 at the time?
	It does matter that you were only 17 at the time.  Under Arizona law, a minor cannot sign a ... more »

	Credit (4 questions)
	Can a lender have different rules for making loans to women, men, or minorities?
	No. The Federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA) ensures that everyone has an equal chance to ob... more »

	Curfew (44 questions)
	Is it legal for parents to lock their kids out if they don't come home by curfew?
	There is no law in Arizona that authorizes parents to lock their kids out if they do not come home b... more »

	Drinking (25 questions)
	I am 18 years old and was at a party with 12 of my friends and alcohol was available. The cops came to the house and were denied entry at first and then we let them in and they told us to all go outside and wait. A cop asked me my name and then asked me
	You did not finish your question.  A couple of questions that may be related to your questio... more »

	Driving (187 questions)
	How much over the legal speed limit is considered Reckless Driving?
	In Arizona, when a person drives a vehicle in reckless disregard for the safety of persons or pro... more »

	Emancipation (67 questions)
	I'm 17 And I have a kid.. I Want to Move Out. Since I Do Have a kid, Does that still make me a minor..? Or does that make me emancipated?
	Giving birth to a child while you are a minor does not emancipate you.  You may want to chec... more »

	Family (219 questions)
	My dad does not pay his child support. When I turn 18, can I sue him for the support he owes?
	Child Support is an award by the court to your mother. Only she can enforce it. If she is not rec... more »

	Guns and Weapons (23 questions)
	What if a student carries a knife as a religious symbol to school? Wouldn't taking it away be an infringement on our 1st Amendment freedom of religion?
	There's no clear-cut answer to this question. Rather, the answer depends on several things. more »

	Housing (17 questions)
	Is there a specific amount a landlord can raise your rent? When the lease expires? Can they raise it to aas much as they want before you sign a new lease? Are you only protected during your leasing period?
	While you are protected under the terms of your lease agreement from rent increases (that is assu... more »

	Illegal Substances (91 questions)
	If I got busted with weed what the worse that could happen?
	If you are prosecuted in juvenile court, you can be placed on probation or sent to the Departm... more »

	Jury Duty (15 questions)
	Why would a judge excuse some people - and not others?
	Judges have the right to excuse prospective jurors from serving on a particular jury for a variet... more »

	Marriage (16 questions)
	Can sexual crimes occur within a marriage?
	Yes. The same laws that apply to sex crimes outside the marriage apply to sex crimes within the mar... more »

	New Laws (15 questions)
	If I'm pregnant am I emancipated or can my parents still make decisions for me. What about my unborn child/baby? Who makes decisions for the child?
	Even though you are a minor, you still have the right to make decisions for your child. S... more »

	Other (378 questions)
	Puerto Rico is associated w/ the U.S., so if you were born in Puerto Rico, would you be considered as
	Puerto Rico has been a ... more »

	School (118 questions)
	Who is responsible when several students of different ages ditch school?
	Each school or district has their own policies regarding ditching school. It is most likely that eve... more »

	Sexual Assault and Misconduct (31 questions)
	What happens if a person under the age of consent rapes a person over the age of consent? (Ex: A 12 year old rapes an 18 year old.)
	The law does not recognize the possibility of a 12 year old raping an 18 year old or older adult.... more »

	Trouble (34 questions)
	What if I'm arrested and can't afford to hire a lawyer?
	If you can't afford to hire a lawyer, the first thing to tell the court at your initial appearance i... more »

	Vandalism and Property Damage (8 questions)
	Is it illegal to melt/deface pennies?
	The code governing this issue is as follows: Title 18 United... more »

	Violence (87 questions)
	Can you hit back an abusive parent?
	One has the right to defend oneself (See more »

	Voting (6 questions)
	If I'm away at college, can I just vote there?
	Yes, but only if you have registered there. Otherwise you will need to vote “absentee” with an o... more »

	When You Turn 18 (107 questions)
	I am 17 and am a father to a 2 month old little girl. I want to be responsible for my daughter so when I graduate I will get a job. How much of my paycheck should I give my daughter for childsupport? I want it to be the right amount she is entitled to and nothing less.
	The amount someone pays for child support is determined by a Court, and is different depending on... more »

	Work and Employment (24 questions)
	My supervisor is making me do something that the top boss has said not to do. He disagrees with the boss, and is secretly doing it anyway, by making me do it for him. How can I cover myself if he / I get caught?
	You haven't given enough information to answer your question.  Is what you are being asked t... more »