About Benjy Schirm, J.D.

Benjy Schirm, J.D. Articles written 140

Benjy Schirm is a storyteller, writer and advocate. He attended the University of Iowa as an undergrad, worked as a theater artist, and went on to earn a J.D. from Western Michigan University so he could take his storytelling from the stage to the courtroom. He has contributed to legal publications in Minnesota, and is a North Star Lawyer, full-time public defender serving Rice County, and on the 4th District Ethics Committee as an investigator.

Articles written by Benjy Schirm, J.D.

Busking is Legal in Downtown Denver

Know your rights as a street musician

On the streets of downtown Denver, as theater and concertgoers stream out of their evening’s entertainment; they exit into an increasingly contentious outdoor busking market. Busking, the act of playing music for money on street corners, isn’t itself a crime. But when business owners and residents begin getting complaints from their customers, public safety concerns or their operations are disrupted by these buskers, they do what business owners tend to do: They fight back. In 2016, the …

When You Hit the Jackpot, So Does the IRS

The tax implications when you win and lose at gambling

Hitting it big at a casino to ride off into the sunset with stacks of cash is a fairly common dream. And like many dreams, it’s largely rooted in fantasy. But if you plan to try your luck, before imagining your new home or yacht, consider the tax implications if you hit it big. Reporting Requirements for Gambling Winnings The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requires casinos to report federal taxes if your winnings are over certain thresholds: $600 or more on sweepstakes, lottery winnings, or …

Gun Trusts Allow You to Legally Pass Down Your Firearms

The mechanism protects you, your family and beneficiaries from breaking federal law

With each passing year, the regulations on firearms become more stringent for gun owners. While these regulations and prohibitions loom in the distance, responsible firearms owners can protect themselves and loved ones from being subject to search and seizure of a gun collection through something called a gun trust. What Is a Gun Trust? Gun trusts are a legal vehicle to allow you and your family to enjoy and fire many of the items that the National Firearms Act (NFA) have regulated. These types …

Debt Collectors Won't Stop Calling Me

What to do in Illinois if your phone won't stop ringing

To be in debt is one of the most unsettling situations. With each ring of the phone, the stress, worry, and concern grow. Though it can seem hopeless, it isn’t always that way. In fact, there are ways to protect yourself from constant debt collector calls and harassment. Protections Against Debt Collection Agency Harassment The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) sets forth the ways that people can collect debts. “Many people don’t know that collecting debts is a highly …

How to Defend Your Credit Score and Financial Future

Check in periodically and call a lawyer if something seems suspicious

It’s advertised in nearly every credit card commercial: a free credit report. But what does your credit score mean, and what can you do to protect it? What Is a Credit Score? A credit score is a number showing the likelihood that a person will repay debt based on their credit history. This score is based on all reported credit interactions. It looks at whether the person paid their debts on time and how many outstanding debts they have. Common types of debts include car loans, mortgages, …

California’s Conservatorship Laws Aim to Help Those Most in Need

A change to the law expands the definition of grave disability

In October 2023, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 43, updating California’s conservatorship laws to make individuals eligible for conservatorship who cannot provide for their own safety or necessary medical care due to severe substance use disorder or serious mental health illness eligible for conservatorship. SB 43 went into effect on January 1, 2024. Here’s what you need to know about conservatorship in California. What Are Conservatorships Used for in California? A …

How to Fight Overseas Cybersquatters

Don’t let international companies cherry pick upon your success

As your business grows and becomes more successful, you’re at increasing risk of becoming a target of cybersquatting—that is, the practice of registering well-known names as internet domains with the aim of reselling them at a profit. Laws are different in other countries, and this is especially true in the area of intellectual property and the protections that many businesses rely upon. Cybersquatting has become a lucrative practice in countries like China due to its laws regarding …

The Process of Applying For a Patent in Illinois

Is my idea even patentable?

The world of patents can be confusing to traverse, whether you’re a first-time inventor or someone with a few patents under their belt. If your work has made it all the way to a patent attorney, it can even be difficult to know what you expect. “We ask: how things are done or created, how the invention actually works and how it will actually be implemented," says patent attorney Joaquin Hernandez of Duane Morris law firm.  Here's what to know about the patent application process.  …

Can I Perform a Citizen’s Arrest in Ohio?

There can be many risks and drawbacks involved

Most private citizens like to think they’d do the right thing in the face of danger. As children, many dream of being superheroes, solving crimes and keeping the world safe from evil forces. And as adults, some join neighborhood watches and other civic organizations. But what happens if you see a crime being committed in Ohio? Can you stop it? Citizen's Arrest Law The law states that, when a felony has been committed or there are reasonable grounds or probable cause to believe a felony has …

How Do Mistrials Work?

In Florida, throwing out a case can happen in one motion

You may have seen, on TV, a courtroom drama where a defense attorney objects, over and over, while the prosecution builds their case. When the smoking gun is revealed, the defense attorney leaps to their feet, shouting, “Objection, your honor! I demand a mistrial!” But what does that mean? What is a Mistrial? Mistrials are trials that are terminated and declared void before jury members return a verdict, or before the judge renders their decision in a non-jury trial. Mistrials can occur for …

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