LawyerBlogger Team
The LawyerBlogger Team researches and writes every article on LawyerBlogger.
We're a small independent team based in Canada. We've been answering everyday legal questions since 2021, covering Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.
We are not lawyers. What we do is research each question from the primary sources (the legislation, regulations and court decisions themselves), explain the answer in plain language, and link to those sources so readers can check our work. We update articles when the law changes, and we correct mistakes when readers point them out.
Read how we work in our editorial policy, or contact us with questions or corrections.
Articles by the LawyerBlogger Team
Criminal LawAssault vs. Battery: What's the Difference?
"Assault and battery" sounds like one crime, but it's two ideas. And in Canada, "battery" isn't even a criminal charge. Here's how it works in the US, Canada, the UK and Australia.
How-ToHow Much Does It Cost to Change Your Name?
Changing your name can be free or cost several hundred dollars. Here's what it costs in Canada, the US, the UK and Australia, plus the hidden costs most people forget.
Criminal LawInvoluntary vs. Voluntary Manslaughter: What's the Difference?
Manslaughter isn't murder, but it isn't an accident either. Here's the difference between voluntary and involuntary manslaughter, and the penalties in Canada, the US, the UK and Australia.
Criminal LawIs Voyeurism a Crime? What Counts and What the Penalties Are
Hidden cameras, upskirting, peeping through windows. Here's what counts as voyeurism, and how Canada, the US, the UK and Australia punish it.
Law EducationWhat Does Disposed Mean in a Court Case?
You looked up a court case and the status just says "Disposed." Does that mean guilty, not guilty, or dropped? Here's what it really means and how to find the actual outcome.
Criminal LawCan You Go to Jail for Not Paying Credit Card Debt?
A debt collector mentions legal action and suddenly you're picturing handcuffs. Here's what can and can't happen if you stop paying your credit card in Canada, the US, the UK and Australia.
Criminal LawCan You Go to Jail for Missing a Court Date for a Traffic Ticket?
You asked for a trial on your ticket, then the date slipped by. Here's what actually happens when you miss traffic court in Canada, the US, the UK and Australia, and what to do next.
Criminal LawCan You Go to Jail for Lying on Your Resume?
Everyone polishes their resume a little. But when does a resume lie become fraud? We look at the law in Canada, the US, the UK and Australia, and the real people who went to prison for it.
Criminal LawCan You Go to Jail for Keeping Money Deposited in Your Account by Mistake?
Extra money suddenly shows up in your bank account. Can you keep it? We look at what happens in Canada, the US, the UK and Australia when you spend money deposited by mistake, including real cases where people were charged.
Criminal LawCan You Go to Jail for Ignoring a Jury Duty Summons?
Tempted to toss that jury duty letter in the recycling? Here's what can actually happen if you don't show up in Canada, the US, the UK and Australia, and how to get excused the right way.
BylawsWhere Is It Illegal to Collect Rainwater? State and Country Rules (2026)
Collecting rainwater is legal in all 50 US states, but a few states like Colorado and Utah limit how much. Here are the rules in the US, Canada, the UK and Australia.
Law EducationIn What States Is It Legal to Marry Your Sister? (None. Here's the Law)
No US state lets you marry your sister, and neither do Canada, the UK or Australia. Here's what the law says about sibling marriage, half-siblings, step-siblings and cousins.
Law EducationIs It Illegal to Go Through Someone's Trash? Dumpster Diving and the Law
Going through trash left at the curb is often legal, but trespassing, local scavenging bylaws and using what you find can make it illegal. Here's what courts in the US, Canada and the UK have said.
Housing LawIs It Legal to Live in a Storage Unit? (Plus Lockouts and Cut Locks)
Living in a storage unit isn't legal almost anywhere. It breaks your rental agreement and local building and zoning rules. Here's why, what can happen, and the rules on lockouts, cut locks and auctions.
Criminal LawIs It Illegal to Egg a House? Charges, Fines and Who Pays for Damage
Egging a house or car is vandalism in the US, mischief in Canada and criminal damage in the UK. Here's what charges you could face, how penalties depend on the damage, and whether parents have to pay.
Criminal LawWhat Is It Called When Prisoners Get to Go Outside?
When prisoners go outside it's called yard time, recreation or 'rec'. Here's how much outdoor time inmates get, and what the law in the US, Canada and the UK says about it.
Law EducationIs It Legal to Grow Tobacco at Home? US, Canada, UK and Australia
Growing tobacco for personal use is legal in the US and Canada (with limits), allowed in the UK if you register with HMRC and pay duty, and illegal in Australia. Here are the rules.
Law EducationIs It Illegal to Burn, Write On or Destroy Money?
Burning or writing on money is usually legal in the US, Canada and the UK, with some important exceptions. In Australia it's a crime. Here's what each country's currency laws actually say.
Animal LawIs It Legal to Own a Lynx? Pet Lynx Laws in the US, Canada, UK and Australia
Owning a pet lynx is banned in many US states, needs a licence in others, and is effectively prohibited in Canada's provinces, Australia and much of the UK. Here's how the laws work.
Criminal LawWhat Happens to Your House, Bank Account and Bills When You Go to Jail?
Going to jail doesn't erase your mortgage, rent or bills, and your bank account usually stays open. Here's what happens to your home, money and benefits, and how to protect them before you go.
Animal LawIs It Legal to Own a Peacock? Rules in the US, Canada, the UK and Australia
Peacocks (peafowl) are legal to own in most rural areas of the US, Canada, the UK and Australia, but city zoning, livestock bylaws and noise rules often ban them. Here's how to check.
Criminal LawWhat Do Prisoners Do All Day? A Typical Day Inside, Explained
What prisoners do all day: counts, meals, work, school, yard time and lockdowns. A typical prison schedule, plus what happens when you first arrive in jail.
Criminal LawWhat Happens When a Man Comes Home From Jail? Release, Rules and Readjusting
What to expect when a partner, son or friend comes home from jail or prison: release day, parole or probation rules, ID, housing, jobs and the emotional adjustment, in the US and Canada.
Lawyer CareersWhat Is a Civil Litigation Lawyer? What They Do and When You Need One
A civil litigation lawyer represents people and businesses in non-criminal lawsuits. Learn what they do at each stage, how they're paid, and how civil cases work in Canada and the US.
Internet LawIs It Legal to Record a Phone Call? US, Canada, UK and Australia
Canada and most US states let you record a call you're part of without telling anyone. About a dozen states require everyone's consent. Here's the rule in the US, Canada, the UK and Australia.
BylawsIs It Illegal to Drive Barefoot? US, Canada, UK and Australia
Driving barefoot is legal in all 50 US states, Canada, the UK and Australia. But it can still get you a ticket or hurt you after a crash. Here's what the rules actually say.
Lawyer CareersHow to Become a Medical Lawyer (and What Medical Lawyers Actually Do)
What medical lawyers do, from malpractice cases to health law, and how to become one in the US and Canada: degree, LSAT, law school, bar exam and specialization. Includes salary data.
Internet LawCalifornia Recording Laws: Is California a Two-Party Consent State?
California is an all-party consent state. Under Penal Code 632 you need everyone's consent to record a confidential conversation. Here are the penalties, exceptions and rules for calls with out-of-state callers.
How-ToHow to Get a Cease and Desist Order (and How It Differs From a Letter)
A cease and desist letter is a warning anyone can send. A cease and desist order comes from a court or agency and is enforceable. Here's how to get each in Canada, the US, the UK and Australia.
Internet LawIs DDoS Illegal? And Is DDoS Testing Your Own Server Legal?
Launching a DDoS attack is a crime in the US, Canada, the UK and Australia. Stress testing your own server can be legal, but only with the right permission. Here's where the line is.
Criminal LawWhat to Do If Your Public Defender Isn't Doing Their Job
If your public defender won't return calls or seems unprepared, you have options: talk to them, go to a supervisor, ask the court for a new lawyer, or file a complaint. Here's how it works in the US and Canada.
Criminal LawWill a Misdemeanor Affect Employment? What Employers Can See and Ask
A misdemeanor can show up on background checks and affect some jobs. Learn what employers can see, how ban-the-box and Clean Slate laws help, and how to clear your record in the US and Canada.
Animal LawWhere Is It Legal to Own a Monkey? Country-by-Country Guide (2026)
Which countries and states allow pet monkeys in 2026? A country-by-country table for the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, the EU and more, with the laws behind each answer.