Legal Issues — Information on local, state, and federal laws and more « Legal Issues

How To: Recover if you have been a victim of identity theft

If you have been a victim of identity theft, you are not alone. This happens to millions of people every year.

News: 10 Rules For Dealing With the Po-Po

Do you know your constitutional rights if stopped by the police? Washington Post recently ran an interesting article on "10 Rules", a docudrama produced by the D.C. nonprofit Flex Your Rights.

How To: Protect your blog by trademarking your domain name

When you start a blog of your own you will want to make sure you protect yourself. Even before your blog takes off you will want to research trademark law when you attempt to register for a domain name.

How To: Get a restraining order

If you believe there is a person out there who is threatening your life or has even made a threat against you already, you might want to file a restraining order against that person. This video will teach you the criteria you need for a restraining order and how to go about getting one.

How To: Differentiate between restraining or protective orders

If someone violates a protective order, there are — the remedy would be the police would be involved. You'll get arrested. So, basically, a protective order is usually good for two years, and it has all the specific things you cannot do. For instance, you can't go by that person's — within 200 feet of them or their residence or their employer. So it has some very specific things. A restraining order is different. It's a standard thing that's given that's a mutual thing where it just says be n...

How To: Copyright your music or beats

While big parts of copyright protection are applied automatically to creative works like songs and beats (hence the need for orginizations like the Creative Commons), registering your work with Copyright Office is useful to the extent that it can allow you to seek greater damages in the event of an infringement. For more information, including how to register your own songs with the US Copyright Office, watch this free video tutorial.

How To: Legally copyright a song

Don't lose a great song to theft. It happens all the time, artists and musicians create a great piece of music, perform it locally or leave a copy laying around and suddenly someone else is taking credit for your beloved song. To avoid this mishap and take ownership of your work, you need to copyright your music. In this tutorial, learn how to copyright a song. It is much easier and faster than you would think, and totally worth it for the piece of mind.

How To: File a lawsuit in small claims court

If you are having a small issue with someone or are having trouble recovering money from somewhere, you may want to consider filing a lawsuit. Filing in small claims court is complicated, but with this tutorial, you will be on your way to understanding the steps a bit better.

How To: Here's How You Can Make a Real Difference in the Aftermath of the Michael Brown & Eric Garner Grand Jury Decisions

In the aftermath of the unindicted police killings of Michael Brown and Eric Garner, we've been told that the system worked as intended. When our legal system's outcome is at conflict with what a majority of Americans believe is just, it's clear that some changes are needed. But what specifically needs to change? And what can an average citizen with a moral and just cause do to prevent these kinds of tragedies from repeating themselves again and again?

Pedophile How-To Guide: Amazon Caught With Pants Down

Here at WonderHowTo, we are often presented with morally questionable HowTo's. When it comes to stocking our library, we have to weigh in the community value of indexing tutorials with potentially negative repercussions. Where is the line when it comes to areas like weapons, sex, and drugs?

How To: Properly notarize your documents through a legal notary

Sometimes--no matter how much you may want to avoid any trouble--you just have to swallow it up and do it the smart way. Notarizing your documents helps you avoid fraud.

How To: Become a bounty hunter in California

Has Duane "Dog" Chapman inspired you to become a bounty hunter? Believe it or not, you're not the only one. How to become a bounty hunter is one of the most commonly asked questions to this videomaker via email, fax, and telephone. In this video, learn how to get one step closer to your dream by knowing what the requirements are to become a bounty hunter in the state of California.

How To: Write appellate briefs

UVA Law School, one of the preeminent law institutions in the world, put on this presentation teaching you tips and strategies to write better appellate briefs.

How To: Legally change your name

Archie Leach. It just doesn't have the same ring as Cary Grant, does it? Marriage, divorce, or just dislike of the name your parents gave you – all are reasons to follow these steps toward a new name.

How To: Get your FBI file

Thanks to the Freedom of Information and Privacy acts, we’re all entitled to see what the FBI has on us. Learn how to get your hands on your FBI file.

How To: Make a citizen’s arrest

You see someone doing something illegal and there are no police officers around. Do you have the right to play cop? Here’s the lowdown.

How To: Perform fake money tests to spot counterfeit currency

Easy way to test for fake currency. This is a quick way to find out if a dollar bill or paper currency is fake or counterfeit. Counterfeiting is rampant. Don't get scammed.

How To: Handle a conciliation court hearing

Check out this instructional legal video that shows how to handle a conciliation court hearing and helps you prepare for your court hearing. This video goes over the process and how to fill out the necessary forms. This video also covers how to fill out a counter claim form. Learn how to handle a conciliation court hearing with this video.

How To: File a motion in family court

Check out this instructional legal video sequence that shows you how to file a motion in family court. This video contains important information on preparing and serving a motion in family court. The most common reasons for filing a motion are to request a court order affecting child custody, parenting time, or child support. The court has forms and instructions for the most common problems. Please remember the court is a very formal place with a set of language and rules. This is the video i...

How To: Fill out criminal expungement papers

Criminal “Expungement” is the process of going to court to ask a Judge to seal a criminal record. When a record is sealed, it does not show up in a criminal background check. It is important to remember that a sealed record is not destroyed. The police, immigration authorities, and other public officials may still see sealed court files for certain purposes.

How To: Talk to police officers

What should you do if the police come to you? Or, most importantly, what should you NOT do if police just want to chat? Check out this educational video that will help you escape the clutches of an officer of the law, without being rude, and without getting caught doing something bad.

How To: Dumpster dive with freegans

What is a freegan? It's an anti-consumer movement, and a way of getting free food by dumpster diving. Get a crash course in dumpster diving with an accomplished Biology professor who demonstrates the lifestyle of a freegan. Watch this video ecology tutorial and learn how to dumpster dive.

How To: Survive Jail

How to survive serving time in prison in this free video series on jail life. Part 1 of 15 - How to Survive Jail.

How To: Save yourself if you get caught drunk in public

Do the cops think you had too much too drink? Not on Playbook's Matt Bean's watch! Find out what to do if you get caught drunk in public from Former NYPD Detective Scott Androvic.

How To: Not say the wrong thing to a police officer

Seems self explanatory right? This quick video tutorial is for all of you big mouths out there. Well, check out what not to say to cops with thanks from former NYPD Detective Scott Androvic on Playbook, hosted by Matt Bean.

How To: Elect a US President in Plain English

A short guide to understanding the basics of the US election process. Want to know how the electoral college works and what your vote really means this election year? Find more about the Obama v. McCain battle in Plain English.

How To: Operate the ELECTronic 1242 voting machine

First, part the curtain to enter the voting machine. Then, start the voting process on the ELECTronic 1242 voting machine in Delaware. All that's left is to press the big green VOTE button on the voting machine and you're done. So get down to your county and VOTE in this coming election. The pol's need you.

How To: Vote with Connecticut's optical scan voting Machines

Today is election day, or maybe not, but you're going to have to learn how to vote sooner or later anyway.

How To: Vote with an electronic touchscreen voting machine

See how to vote in York County in PA by watching this video tutorial. With the new touchscreen electronic voting machines in Pennsylvania, you'll need to check out this video to make sure your ballot gets counted. So, if you want to get out this year and vote for Hillary or Obama, then make sure you do it right, don't screw up! This video is a must for you old folks with no computers skills at all, so get up to date and vote electronically in your county election.

How To: Vote in Pennsylvania with electronic voting machines

Are you in Delaware County, PA? Well, check out this video for how to use the new electronic voting machines at the Pennsylvania polls. So, if you want to vote for our next president, or your next governor, then get to the polls and cast your vote. There's just one thing to remember with these electronic voting systems, and that is to press the large green VOTE button, so don't forget!

How To: Vote with an electronic voting machine in Pennsylvania

Are you from Delaware County in Pennsylvania? Is it voting time again? Well, get out to the polls and cast your ballot, but first, you should check out this fun video tutorial on how to use the new electronic voting machines.

How To: Vote using the eScan voting machine

This instructional video shows how to vote on the eScan precinct digital paper ballot scanner, from Hart InterCivic. You'll see how to start the voting process for when you first walk in the door to cast your vote, to using the eScan electronic vote scanner, and to choosing your next political party. So vote eScan!

How To: Vote using the eSlate voting machine with VVPAT

This is an instructional video on how to vote using the popular eSlate electronic voting machine with VVPAT (voter verifiable paper audit trail). eSlate is an electronic voting device made and distributed by Hart InterCivic.

How To: Use the eSlate voting machine

The eSlate electronic voting system is accurate, accessible, and easy to learn. You can learn the new system in just minutes without any computer skills.

How To: Use the ES&S AutoMARK Optical Scan Voting System

This is the granddaddy of all voting machines. This ES&S AutoMARK Optical Scan Electronic Voting System not only scans your election ballots, but you can also vote on the touchscreen, or by audio. It's as easy as 1, 2, 3, vote! Your county is in desperate need of this voting machine, so don't miss out this coming election. Use the ES&S AutoMARK Optical Scan Voting System.

How To: Use the ES&S iVotronic touchscreen voting machine

Check out this video to see how to use the popular ES&S iVotronic touchscreen voting machine. You'll see how to begin the voting process by having a poll worker activate your ballot, then you can vote in private. So, if you are tired of using hand ballots for your county in voting elections, watch this to upgrade to an electronic system. It's easy to use, and this is your manual. Use the ES&S iVotronic touchscreen voting machine.