Ask the question before it becomes a case.

Common questions

How do I check whether something is legal?

Frame the question precisely — who did what, to whom, where, and under whose rules — then find the actual source: the statute, regulation, contract, or written policy. Read the definitions and the exceptions, because that is usually where the answer lives.

What is the difference between illegal and unenforceable?

Illegal means the law prohibits the conduct and a penalty can follow. Unenforceable means a term exists on paper but a court will not enforce it, which is common with contract clauses that conflict with statute. Many unfair situations are neither, and knowing which one you have decides your next move.

Can a company enforce a rule that is "just policy"?

Policy can bind you when it is incorporated into a contract or a term of employment or tenancy, but it can never override a statute or regulation. Ask for the policy in writing and compare it to the governing rule.

When is it worth escalating or filing?

Escalate when you can name the rule broken, show the harm with documents, and identify the body with authority to act. If you cannot do all three yet, document and gather before you file.

Why do answers differ between states or cities?

Conduct is governed in layers — federal, state, county, and city — and the stricter rule usually controls locally. That is why an answer that is right in one city is wrong twenty miles away, and why the jurisdiction has to be part of the question.

Can I record a conversation, call, or meeting?

Recording rules depend on where everyone is and whether the setting is private, and some places require every participant's consent. Because the exposure falls on the person recording, confirm the rule for your location before you press record.

Is it legal if I signed something agreeing to it?

A signature makes most terms binding, but it cannot waive protections a statute makes non-waivable, and a term can be void while the rest of the agreement stands. Read what you signed against the governing rule instead of assuming the signature ended the question.

Who do I report it to when a rule really was broken?

Match the rule to the body that enforces it — an agency, licensing board, inspector, or court — because complaining to the wrong office wastes the deadline. Send a dated, factual complaint with copies of your proof and keep the confirmation.

Is this legal advice?

No. TNL Mock Trial is not a law firm and does not give legal advice, represent you, or predict outcomes. It explains the process, organizes your questions and documents, and lets you rehearse — decisions about your matter stay yours or your attorney's.