Today, a Chicago anchorman was sentenced to six months of house arrest for hacking into his co-anchor's email and leaking embarrassing personal messages to tabloids.
What rights to workers have to privacy? Attorney Bill Martucci discusses workplace privacy with Law in Your Life host Angela Wilson in this podcast.
A Lockport, Ill., man is charged with attempting to kidnap his daughter and take her to Jordan. Thirty-six year old Said Ayesh faces up to three years in federal prison on the charges. A nationwide manhunt for Ayesh started last month after he failed to return his daughter after visitation. The Chicago Tribune has more details about the case.
International parental kidnapping is becoming more common place in the U.S., as Americans marry or have children with people from other nations. When the relationships dissolve, one parent tries to whisk their child away to their native country.
The Law in Your Life host Angela Wilson finds out your rights when it comes to international marriage and parental kidnapping from attorney Chris Schmidt with Bryan Cave.
Fearing harsh gun restrictions that will make purchasing weapons and ammunition nearly impossible during the next presidential administration, Missourians are stocking up. Sales have soared at many stores. Some gun dealers say this always happens before a gun conservative administration takes office.
On Sunday, the Springfield News-Leader tackled gun issues in southwest Missouri, and the fear of some that using weapons will become a financial hardship - or worse.
If you are a new gun buyer, or need to brush up on Missouri gun laws, the Law in Your Life offers these podcasts:
The deadline to apply for the Green Card Lottery is just weeks away. Each year 55,000 permanent resident visas are issued to those from countries with low immigration rates. Excluded from this year's lottery are people from the following countries:
Brazil, Canada, mainland China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Pakistan, Philippines, Peru, Poland, South Korea, United Kingdom (excluding Northern Ireland), and Vietnam.
Instructions for entering the lottery can be found here: travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1318.html.
The Law in Your Life offers these podcasts on immigration law:
Gun sales are up exponentially after a sweeping Democratic win on Nov. 4. One business reported a 40 percent spike, according to this story at KTVO.com.
Missouri offers a conceal and carry law, as well as Castle's Doctrine - your right to defend your home and family. If you are one of hundreds buying weapons before the inauguration, find out what you need to know from the Law in Your Life:
Three were arrested for falsely claiming they could stall foreclosures for desperate homeowners. The California Attorney General says the three operated as First Gov or Foreclosure Prevention Services, and charged up to $5,000 to allegedly renegotiate terms to save homeowners from foreclosure. The San Jose Mercury News has more details on the case.
Scammers are taking advantage of homeowners as a foreclosure relief package stalls in Washington. The FDIC wants to use part of the $700 billion bailout plan to fund the effort, while the White House looks at alternative measures. (See The Wall Street Journal for more)
What should you know if you need foreclosure relief?
Find out more in these Law in Your Life podcasts:
Foreclosure: Own a home in foreclosure, or looking to buy one? Listen here.
Foreclosure and Bankruptcy: Think bankruptcy can help save your home? Find out here.
A judge struck down part of a law that would ban Missouri sex offenders from participating in Halloween. Four registered sex offenders sued in federal civil court, saying the current law is too vague. The injunction is temporary. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has more details.
This year, the Missouri Supreme Court struck down a retrospective law that would have punished sex offenders who were convicted before the registry was create. Find out more details about retrospective law in this Law in Your Life podcast.
In November, California voters will decide whether or not to pass a ban on gay marriage. This year, the state's high court struck down a voter-approved proposition that defined marriage as between a man and a woman. Proposition 8 - up for vote next month - would amend the state's constitution, which would override the California Supreme Court decision. A recent Los Angeles Times story has more details on the campaign, which is the most expensive in that state.
Missourians amended the state's constitution four years ago to ban gay marriage, but some Show-Me state couples head to state's like Connecticut, where it is legal. But are those marriages recognized by Missouri? Do they open up benefits to gay couples? Host Angela Wilson finds out from attorney Allan T. Stewart in this Law in Your Life podcast on gay marriage.
Already this year, Missouri federal bankruptcy courts have 7,000 cases to decide - an astronomical leap from just 1,400 filed last year. That's according to a new story from KCTV-5. Most are related to medical bills. (Read the full story)
What do you do if you have medical bills you can't pay for? Attorney Larry Ferguson discusses accuracy of medical bills and how you can negotiate a reasonable payment if you don't have insurance in this Law in Your Life interview.
Host Angela Wilson also finds out about bankruptcy and how bankruptcy can impact foreclosure in these Law in Your Life podcasts.
Buyers intent on good deals are headed to Missouri next week for foreclosure auctions in St. Louis, Kansas City and Springfield. According to a recent MarketWatch story, these deals are meant to be steals.
"Now is really the best time to buy a home and people waiting on the sidelines for the market to bottom out will probably miss out on deals," said Dave Webb, Principal, Hudson & Marshall. "Because of the oversupply of foreclosed homes banks are holding, lenders are eager to unload these properties at discounted prices," added Webb. (Read more at MarketWatch.com)
But look out. The process isn't as easy as just buying the home. And you could pay more than you anticipate after the auction. Attorney Lee Viorell explains what you should know before bidding on a foreclosed home in this Law in Your Life podcast with Angela Wilson.
