Deanne Katz, Esq.

Away at College? How and Where Do You Vote?

With a national voting age of 18, almost every college student can vote. But if you're away at school for most of the year and living far from home, how and where are you supposed to vote? The "how" question is relatively simple: You cast your vote either in person, or by absentee ballot. But the question of "where" depends on several factors, including the laws of the state where you're registered (or hoping to register).

What Proof Do You Need for a Restraining Order?

When it comes to advice about restraining orders, most of it focuses on the process of getting one rather than the proof you need. But without the proof, who cares how easy or difficult the process is? Getting a restraining order is similar to most other court processes. It involves filling out and filing some paperwork, going to a hearing, and then waiting for a judge to reach a decision. The key is proving to a judge that you need a restraining order.

What Is Nepotism? Can You Sue for It?

Nepotism is a decidedly negative word. But if you threaten someone that you're going to sue for nepotism, will you be laughed out the door? If you phrase it that way, you might get some strange looks. But favoritism at work can be a form of discrimination, as Demand Media explains. In some cases, you may even have a right to sue. There are few, if any, laws that specifically prohibit nepotism. But there are many laws, both state and federal, that prohibit discrimination.

Is It Legal to Hand Out Flyers?

Have you ever been annoyed by the guy handing out flyers in the street? Or worse, have you ever been yelled at by someone while you're trying to hand out flyers for a cause you believe in? Ever worried or wondered about whether it's legal to hand them out? Maybe you don't worry about those kinds of things but never fear; we worry about it for you. And because we worry, we wanted to let you know, it's probably OK. Or at least, putting up flyers and handing them out in general is OK.

When Can Parental Rights Be Terminated?

It's a sad fact that some people don't know how to be parents and deserve to have a court terminate their parental rights. It isn't a decision to be taken lightly, since it's often a permanent solution. But for parents who have shown repeated failure to care for the physical and emotional health of their child, it may be the only option. An unfit parent can choose to voluntarily terminate parental rights.

Time Off for Jury Duty: It's the Law

It's safe to say no one looks forward to a jury duty summons, but at least you get time off for jury duty when you're called. Yes that's right, you at least get to take a few vacation days in exchange for serving jury duty. The problem is your "vacation" will be spent in a courtroom. But at least you're doing your civic duty, right? But how do you go about telling your boss about this unscheduled, yet mandatory vacation? It might help to start with the law.

Proof of Service Can Often Prove Tricky

How many proof of service tips have you gotten from court self-help centers? None? Never even heard of it? Well you're not alone; many graduating law students don't know about it either. Courts are sticklers for proper procedure, and they are nitpicky about making sure everyone has the correct paperwork. Every party has to be properly served with court documents. Service is the term for proper delivery, and there are certain rules to follow.

What Is the 'Felony Murder' Rule?

A murder conviction generally punishes people who kill others either intentionally or through extreme recklessness. But the "felony murder" rule punishes something different. Unlike other kinds of murder, in felony murder there's no requirement that the suspect intended to cause death, or that his actions were likely to kill another person. Committing a crime can lead to dangerous situations, and people can get hurt unintentionally. What if someone dies during the commission of a crime?

Tips for Negotiating Your Work Contract

A work contract is just like any other contract, which means that you can negotiate the terms that it contains. There usually aren't many parts of an employment contract that are up for negotiation, but there are some that you should definitely try to negotiate, particularly when it comes to pay and benefits. Not making the effort means you could be leaving money on the table. But as any employment lawyer will tell you, negotiating your work contract can mean much more than a bigger paycheck.

10 Tips to Handle Debt Collector Harassment

A debt collector's job is to bother people until they pay a debt. No wonder they have a reputation for harassment. It's certainly not pleasant to receive a call from a debt collector, but collectors aren't supposed to make the process worse. The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) is designed to ensure that collectors don't harass people in debt. Of course, even a single call from a debt collector can feel like harassment, so the FDCPA lays out guidelines to specify what is permitted.