100% OT: Any lawyers here?

Ripleywriter at aol.com Ripleywriter at aol.com
Mon Aug 18 23:07:19 UTC 2003


Hi, 

   Are there any lawyers or law students, or people just educated with the 
law on this group? I need some legal advice, I think. Well, really, I just have 
a question. 

  I'll present it here so you can just respond: Is it still blackmail if what 
you're threatening to do is legal? 

  This is the situation. My father has not paid child support for years. We 
have a warrant for his arrest in this state, California, but I have been told 
by a lawyer and a police officer that I need a warrant for his arrest in his 
state, Florida, in order to have him arrested. Now, in order to get a warrant 
for his arrest in Florida and subsequently have him arrested, I have to be in 
that state. Which I can do, but obviously, I'm reluctant to get into all that 
drama.

  I have tried quite a few times to ask for money from him when I have needed 
it--basically asking for a small portion of the more than one hundred 
thousand dollars he still owes us. Whether or not he has ever given me that money is 
complicated. He's sent small amounts of money as gifts, he's sent gifts like a 
computer, etc. But I have only directly asked for money twice. He hasn't 
directly said 'no, I won't pay.' But the result has been the same--no money. 

  So, if I said to him, that unless he gives me four months worth of what he 
owes ($4,320)--what I am legally entitled to and which he has illegally 
refused to pay--I will then make it my business to come down to Florida, get a 
warrant for his arrest, and have him arrested--which legally, I can do: is that 
still blackmail? 

  I'd appreciate any help on the matter, including links to web sites that 
might help if you aren't interested in detailing it all yourself. I sought out 
asking a lawyer on a list that is unrelated to lawyer-ness because I was hoping 
that I would get clear, easy-to-understand information. You know, I'd get to 
talk to someone as a person who happens to be a lawyer and shares an interest 
(HP) with me, not just a lawyer. 

Thank you so much for your time, 

Melinda 

   




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