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Ask a Lawyer

We are starting a new column called Ask a Lawyer. If you have a question about the law and your rights, this is the place to come -- well, unless you want to spend your money for a personal consultation with a lawyer. Ours is free.

Don't worry -- even though I spent the night in a Holiday Inn last night, I'm not going to answer the questions. Members of the Greensboro Bar Association will.

We published our first announcement of the new column this morning, and by 9 a.m. I had the first inquiry ... involving credit card rates. Sweet.

If you have a question, send it here. Please include your name and phone number. We won't publish the phone number, but need it for follow up questions.

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Tags: Promos

Posted by John Robinson on Sunday, August 22, 2010 at 9:44 am

This article has been closed to new comments. Comments are generally closed after 14 days. However, comments may be closed earlier at the discretion of the News & Record.

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ascensions

August 22, 2010 - 11:58 am EDT

Dear NR Lawyer,
I accidentally killed my mother-in-law in a crack induced rage while intravenously fed moonshine through a back street medical procedure that left a marijuana plant growing in my lung tissue. What is the best way to prevent discrimination while applying for a job at the BBQ shack now that I've turned my life around?

John Robinson

August 22, 2010 - 4:01 pm EDT

Oh, heck, I can handle this one. Don't tell them.

TruJustice

August 22, 2010 - 2:10 pm EDT

Dearest Bottom Feeders,

How do you lawyers live with yourselves? I mean in the context of actually profitting from other peoples hardships and misfortunes, and still be able to look yourselves in the mirror each day.

Waiting for your reply,
TruJustice

John Robinson

August 22, 2010 - 4:03 pm EDT

We need your name and phone number for this one, dude.

TruJustice

August 23, 2010 - 9:41 am EDT

name and phone number.. why? Is there a different set of laws governing me personally than everyone else? Perhaps it has to do with the illegal list of people used by the members of the Barr to decide cases before facts are presented. Please do enlighten myself and those concerned with the current state of profiteering by those that understand the "PEOPLES" law better than the people.

btw, I have no criminal record.

John Robinson

August 23, 2010 - 9:44 am EDT

You're not any different. As you see from the post, we want to have a way to contact the people who send in the questions in case we need clarification.

jerseyfreeze

August 22, 2010 - 4:04 pm EDT

I'm curious ... who are you going to call when the State of North Carolina decides it would like to build a road through your property and offers you less than market value? One of those bottom feeders?

TruJustice

August 23, 2010 - 9:46 am EDT

Is this a thinly vailed threat?

RandolphBloke

August 23, 2010 - 3:06 pm EDT

"How do you lawyers live with yourselves? I mean in the context of actually profitting from other peoples hardships and misfortunes, and still be able to look yourselves in the mirror each day."

Sensationalize much?

That wouldn't be an issue if there were no "customers" willing to go that route. No one forces people to get involved in poor lawsuits. No one forces juries and judges to award the damages asked for. I think there's plenty of blame to go around here rather than trying to milk an overused stereotype for even more drama.

Dogwood

August 22, 2010 - 3:00 pm EDT

How many members does the Greensboro Bar Association have? Any individual with current credit cards this past year should have just looked at all the mailings received from their individual contracts clarifying the new Federal Law. It can be easily figured out what rates are charged without the GBA studying any individual personal negligence. There are reasons why neighbor y has better rates than i due to repayment history. Risky credit scores can rate higher priced credit cards.

SueP

August 22, 2010 - 8:43 pm EDT

Isn't it a little risky to be providing "free" legal advice? Are you limiting or disclaiming responses from attorneys? Are the attorneys responding being paid to respond? Sounds risky to me.

John Robinson

August 23, 2010 - 8:49 am EDT

We give advice all the time, Sue, but maybe I should ask a lawyer.

RandolphBloke

August 23, 2010 - 3:08 pm EDT

This would be no different than something like the People's Pharmacy giving medical advice and similar columns. Generalities will be covered and I'm sure there will be a blurb about each case being different and that you should speak with your own personal attorney.

SueP

August 24, 2010 - 6:02 pm EDT

Am married to an attorney (not participating with the N&R's thing) and I hear continual disclaimers about "this isn't legal advice" and "I'm not your lawyer" to friends, etc., who ask questions. As a disaster-prevention sort, I'd worry that people will use this advice and then if it doesn't work out, sue someone. Sounds like a GREAT but risky idea.

retiree

August 24, 2010 - 11:18 am EDT

John,

From the responses on this blog issue it seems the better place for people asking legitimate questions is via a computer-based form. Maybe on the NC Bar Assoc website which you could give as aURL for those interested. WSJS-AM in Winston-Salem has an attorney on their station on Wed mornings and he is very good (Mike Wells).

For now, your attempt at a public service has turned into a childish contest of misfits.

John Robinson

August 24, 2010 - 11:58 am EDT

Thanks, retiree. Don't worry. I'm not going to use these comments. All questions can be sent via email with the link on the post itself or sent via U.S. Postal Service. I've gotten 6 questions already -- and they're all good ones.

employeequestion

August 25, 2010 - 5:01 pm EDT

John I have a question regarding employer law but can't get link to work. Can you let us know your email address. I've tried and had a friend try and we are both having the same issues.
Thank you