September 2010 Archives » Askthejudge
Can your name and photo be used in an advertisement without your consent?
A California law passed in 1971 prohibits companies from using people’s names or photos in ads without their consent. If the person is a minor, the consent of a parent or legal guardian must be obtained before making commercial use of the information. The right to …
Is smoking incense like K2 or Spice legal?
Synthetic cannabis or marijuana has become a popular item online and in smoke and head shops across the country in recent years. However, the rising trend of smoking what has been considered “legal weed,” has gotten the attention of state legislatures which are considering the legality of this …
Some states cracking down on truants
Unexcused absences from school is not a new trend. Ditching or playing hooky is an age-old problem that’s generated little buzz in most communities. However, a recent spike in non-attendance in both grade school and high school has gotten the attention of a few state …
Religious message may be part of school fundraiser
The Pattison Elementary School in Katy, Texas, decided to do a fundraiser for art supplies. Through a third-party vendor the school allowed parents to choose artwork created by their children as well as from several stock messages for inside the twelve holiday cards. The school allowed Merry …
Student tracking technology in elementary schools
With a beep and a flash of a green light, students at some elementary schools in Illinois are logged into a tracking system. A transportation supervisor sits miles away monitoring each student as he or she gets on and off their buses. A mishap in …
Students sued over Facebook page win dismissal of case
Four students at Oceanside High School in New York created a Facebook page targeting classmate Denise Finkel. They named their chat group “90 Cents Short of a Dollar” and described Denise as a “woman of dubious morals and character.” They joked that she used heroin …