About Canaan Suitt, J.D.
Canaan Suitt received his J.D. from William & Mary Law School. After serving as a senior editor for the law school’s comparative law blog, he was a staff member of the William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review (ELPR). As a legal intern at the National Center for State Courts, he assisted in international rule of law projects and policy review; as a research assistant, he studied political dynamics in the U.S. federal judiciary. His articles on law and philosophy have been published in the ELPR as well as the academic journal Dewey Studies. He loves using his background in research and writing to make legal information accessible. Canaan currently writes for SuperLawyers.com. In his free time, he enjoys reading, travel, and being a cat dad.
Articles written by Canaan Suitt, J.D.
What Is Indecent Exposure?
Indecent exposure is the intentional act of public nudity or genital exposure in a public place likely to cause public alarm. Indecent and lewd conduct is usually done in the victim's presence for the purpose of sexual gratification. Indecent exposure is generally a misdemeanor charge, but moral turpitude criminal penalties could require sex offender registry. Depending on the statutory definition and community standards, it may result in a police report and disorderly conduct charge. Legal …
What Are Sex Offender Registries?
Sex offender registries are public databases maintained by law enforcement that provide community notification and offender tracking for individuals with a sex offense on their criminal record. Registration requirements include geographic restrictions, employment restrictions, and law enforcement notification for a change in address verification. Registries use a tiered system based on a public safety risk assessment, with different reporting frequencies and information available to the public …
Can I Appeal if My Workers' Comp Claim Is Denied?
You can appeal your workers' comp claim denial to get an administrative hearing for benefit reinstatement. You must file your formal appeal before the filing deadline, which runs from the notice of denial. Evidence submission can include medical evidence, witness testimony, and expert testimony. If you disagree with the judge's decision, you can file a formal appeal for reconsideration with the appeals board for adjudication. You can seek legal representation to handle your administrative …
Are Workers' Compensation Settlements Taxed by the IRS?
Generally, workers' compensation settlements and benefit payments are not taxable income because they compensate you for a work-related injury or illness. However, receiving Social Security disability benefits at the same time can create tax consequences. Be aware of how your workers' comp could be affected by the benefits you receive. For personalized legal help, speak with a workers' comp lawyer near you. What Is Workers' Compensation? If you are injured while working for your employer, can …
What Is Employment and Labor Law?
Employment and labor laws are a body of state and federal statutes that address the rights and obligations of employers and employees. Labor laws protect collective bargaining and union representation. Employment laws address workplace rights, including overtime pay, minimum wages, equal opportunity discrimination, wrongful termination, retaliation, harassment, and OSHA compliance safety violations. Employer liability can lead to back pay for unpaid wages, reinstatement, and severance packages. …
Can You Collect a Pension and Still Work Full-Time?
Many retirees return to the workforce to earn extra income or to socialize and make connections. Supplemental retirement income can help cover living expenses, healthcare, and leisure activities. Before returning to work, consider how earning income will affect your eligibility for retirement benefits. Pension and income tax laws vary by state. For more information about your pension or disability retirement benefits, talk to a local wage and hour law attorney. Understanding Pension …
Is It Illegal to Make Employees Work Off the Clock?
It is almost the end of the workday, and your employer has just asked you to redo a project. The deadline is in a couple of days. You decide to stay late and wrap it up. You won't get paid for this work, but at least the project will be over. This is an example of working off the clock. With remote work and telecommuting, bringing work home and putting in extra hours is even easier. Whether an employee voluntarily works extra unpaid hours or the employer demands it, work that is unpaid or not …
Can My Employer Force Me To Work Overtime?
Employers can force you to work overtime unless it violates state restrictions or religious or disability accommodations. With at-will employment and no federal cap on hours, employers can generally require overtime work with overtime pay and can discipline workers for refusal. There are limits on mandatory overtime for nurse protections, minor restrictions, driver hour safety regulations, and collective agreements with a union contract. Contact an employment lawyer to file a wage claim if your …
Can I Legally Opt-Out or Refuse To Pay Union Dues?
Employees can opt out of union membership at any time. Employees can also, in many circumstances, legally opt out of paying union dues or pay a reduced amount. Key determining factors are whether you live in a right-to-work state and the reason why you don’t want to pay dues. After decades of declining union membership, the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest report shows that about 14 million workers in the United States are union members. Many unions strive to improve members’ working …
Can Your Boss Legally Cut Hours Without Notice?
Because of at-will employment, employers can fire you or give you reduced hours for any or no reason at all, as long as the reason doesn't violate specific laws. For example, employers can't break an employment contract with you. They can't cut your pay in retaliation or for discriminatory reasons. Employers also can't reduce your pay below the minimum wage. And they can't retroactively cut wages you've already earned. That's wage theft. Despite the serious financial stress resulting from an …
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