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School employees in Alabama are barred by statute from having sex with students under 19. That law is being challenged as unconstitutional for criminalizing otherwise sanctioned behavior, according to the Decatur Daily. Carrie Cabri Witt, 42, a teacher accused of sleeping with two male students, both 17, moved to dismiss criminal charges against her based on that law. The age of consent in Alabama is 16, so aside from the school employee rule, the relationship would have been cool, legally speaking at least....

Pursuing Child Neglect/Endangerment Charges Against Breast-Feeding Moms Tough for Prosecutors Well, fortunately for us, someone had the time to do the leg-work into discovering other circumstances where mothers have been prosecuted for similar charges based on so-called “BWI”. An AP report today pointed out that: So, if anything, the story seems to confirm that such prosecutions may indeed be pretty unusual. Still, it’s probably a good idea to clarify up front any possible misconceptions....

If you sacrificed a career or earning potential to care for your children during a marriage, you may be worried about how you’ll support yourself and your children after a divorce. Beyond the emotional and financial stress, you may be wondering if you’ll still be able to stay at home with your kids, or even where that home might be. Rest assured that there are two legal tools at your disposal: child support and spousal support....

Halloween – a favorite celebration for many, if not most, kids – is just around the corner. But with the excitement of Beggar’s Night comes the scary prospect of potential injuries caused by candy, costumes, and even car-pedestrian accidents. If you and your child plan to go trick-or-treating for Halloween, what are some of the best ways to prevent trick-or-treat injuries? Here are 10 injury-prevention tips for Halloween that you may want to consider:...

Many a bride-to-be, celebrating her final days as a single lady, want to let loose at a bachelorette party. Whether it’s a low-key dinner with friends, a pub crawl, or something a bit more – how shall we put it? – memorable, you want everyone to be having a good time. But before you head out to drink colorful shooters out of test tubes with your bridesmaids, make a vow to remember these five legal tips:...

From applying for a job to residential leases to the security of your personal information, your credit report and credit score can impact almost all facets of your life. But many consumers don’t fully understand how these reports and scores are generated, who can access them and why, and what to do to correct any harmful errors that appear in their credit history. So here are some of the most important questions, answers, and tips regarding your credit report, and how to maintain its integrity....

Trademarking your business’ slogan may be easier than you’d think – unless it could be interpreted as disparaging an entire group of people. The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals last week upheld the denial of a trademark to blogger Pamela Geller, who sought to trademark the phrase “Stop the Islamization of America” for her group of the same name and her almost-but-not-quite-the-same-name website, “Stop! Islamization of America.” Why can’t Geller trademark her slogan?...

In an interesting twist of civil procedure that is taking the country by storm, due process is being used to kick those nasty traffic cameras to the curb! Civil procedure professors are always so oddly excited about their specialty. Finally, a practical application of civil procedure for the Average Joe! The Iowa Supreme Court has allowed a class action to proceed against traffic cam ticket recipients, overturning a lower court’s ruling....

People say hurtful and offensive things on social media all the time. But when do these words cross the line into legally actionable defamation? Offensive social media posts can be product of Internet “trolling” (which more than 1 in 4 Americans have admitted to doing) or real life conflicts carried over into the online sphere. And while gossip, disagreements, or even old fashioned name calling may be disagreeable, in order for a social media post to be considered defamation – and for the individual behind the post to be held liable for damages – several specific requirements must be met....

Vendors, bars, and social hosts – or as 18th Century England would like to call them, dram shops – can be held responsible for injuries that result from their patrons’ boozin’ and cruisin’. But when does this liability attach? Most states have some sort of dram shop law that allows DUI-related accident victims to hold a drinking establishment responsible for their injuries. So when exactly are bars liable for overserving alcohol?...

The US Visa bulletin is issued every month by the government to inform people with pending applications about visa availability. There are different bases for immigration, such as work and family, and some types of visas are limited. Not everyone can get them immediately, even if they qualify for the visa generally, so the bulletin basically lets people know where they stand in line. Some family-based immigrant visa applications – immediate relative petitions – do not require a wait and are issued when the petition is approved....

The idea of making your dream come true and starting your own small business has been calling, but so have the doubts. Will people like my product or service? Will they like it enough for me to make money? Starting your own small business may be a scary prospect, but it’s a lot less frightening when you’ve got all your ducks in a row. Here’s what you need to start a small business:...

Transvaginal mesh manufacturer Endo International PLC has agreed to pay approximately $830 million to settle around 20,000 lawsuits stemming from its vaginal-mesh implants. The proposed settlement would not end all mesh claims against Endo. The Dublin, Ireland-based company still faces more than 23,000 claims not covered by the settlement, reports Bloomberg Businessweek. What does this Endo settlement mean for future transvaginal mesh cases? Transvaginal mesh was a popular treatment for pelvic organ prolapse, a condition in which organs like the bladder can slip through the pelvic wall and into the vagina....

Small business owners may have to rethink their wellness rewards programs because of new rules and regulations under the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act; which is known as GINA. GINA was introduced as a safeguard to protect against employers and health insurers collecting genetic information from individuals and using it to make decisions about health coverage, hiring and firing and promotions. However, lawmakers have made it very clear that GINA will influence the way employers conduct their wellness rewards programs....

A golf-course bird attack allegedly caused a Hawaii man’s injury, and now he wants the county to pay. Ray Sakamura of Wailuku, Hawaii, was golfing at the Waiehu Golf Course on the island of Maui in January when a large bird, described in his lawsuit as a “duck/goose,” allegedly attacked him, Hawaii’s KHNL/KGMB-TV reports. Sakamura tried to back away, but fell and hurt his back, his lawsuit asserts. The large bird bit his hand hard and caused bleeding....

Recently, the House of Representatives passed what has been called the “Jobs for Main Street” Act. The New York Times describes the bill as an attempt to create jobs in federal public works, aid in small businesses getting the loans they need, and provide for an unemployment benefits extension. This jobs package is something many Americans need during this recession. What is the Jobs For Main Street Act Of 2010? It promises to stabilize jobs through infrastructure investments, public service jobs, emergency relief for families hurt by the economy and expand transportation safety....

An undercover cover letter sting exposed employers as discriminating against disabled job candidates, according to the New York Times. Researchers sent thousands of fake resumés and cover letters to employers, some purporting to be from applicants with a disability. The results showed that employers 26 percent less likely to show interest in candidates that disclosed a disability. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, employers are prohibited from discriminating against disabled persons in job application and procedures....

It seems dangerous to let thousands of people sit and have solid objects be hit towards them at high speeds by exceptionally strong men. Yet that’s exactly what happens at baseball stadiums across the country every night during baseball season. Foul balls get hit into the stands and spectators – such as the 8-year-old boy recently hit in the head by a foul ball at an Atlanta Braves game – are at risk of getting plunked....

How can you battle a neighborhood eyesore? Nobody likes unsightly property – overgrown weeds, peeling and rotting paint, and a general unkempt appearance can detract from the quality of your neighborhood. Sure, it may not be your problem or your fault, but why should you have to look at it? On top of that, the property value of your own home could go down because of it. Neighborhood eyesores are a fairly common problem....

A fence around your property can serve a range of purposes: marking your property line, keeping trespassers out, and/or providing privacy for your family. However, a fence can also be the source of a potential dispute with your neighbors. With that in mind, making sure that your fence does not violate property laws or local restrictions can help prevent potential legal problems down the road. How do you go about making sure your fence is in compliance with the law?...