By Catherine Park, Esq. Condominium developers must file a warranty bond or letter of credit or cash with the D.C. Government to cover potential structural defects in newly-constructed condominium units for a period of two years from the date of first sale. This warranty, required by D.C. Code § 42-1903.16, cannot be disclaimed by “sold… Continue reading Construction Defects In New Condominiums: Developer’s 2-Year Warranty For Structural Defects Cannot Be Disclaimed By “As Is” Language
Rioting Modernization Amendment Act of 2020: Proposed Legislation Clarifies D.C. Riot Act, Part 3
By Catherine Park, Esq. At the Council hearing on October 15, 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) took the position that DC Bill 723 (“Rioting Modernization Amendment Act of 2020”) does not merely “clarify” the current Riot Act but “changes the definition of rioting.” The issue of the retroactive effect to be given a… Continue reading Rioting Modernization Amendment Act of 2020: Proposed Legislation Clarifies D.C. Riot Act, Part 3
Rioting Modernization Amendment Act of 2020: Proposed Legislation Clarifies D.C. Riot Act, Part 2
By Catherine Park, Esq. The Council hearing on October 15, 2020 covered not only the “Rioting Modernization Amendment Act of 2020” (DC Bill 23-0723), but also the “Internationally Banned Chemical Weapon Prohibition Amendment Act of 2020” (DC Bill 23-0771), and “Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2020” (DC Bill 23-0882). As to the… Continue reading Rioting Modernization Amendment Act of 2020: Proposed Legislation Clarifies D.C. Riot Act, Part 2
Rioting Modernization Amendment Act of 2020: Proposed Legislation Clarifies D.C. Riot Act, Part 1
By Catherine Park, Esq. D.C. Bill 723, “Rioting Modernization Amendment Act of 2020,” is scheduled for a public hearing at the D.C. Council (via Webex) on October 15, 2020. The bill seeks to “clarify the conduct that constitutes rioting ….” By definition, a “clarify[ing]” law is intended to apply retroactively. DC Bill 723’s most notable… Continue reading Rioting Modernization Amendment Act of 2020: Proposed Legislation Clarifies D.C. Riot Act, Part 1
D.C. v. Wesby: “Lurid Optics” Overwhelm Case
By Catherine Park, Esq. In District of Columbia v. Wesby, 138 S. Ct. 577, 199 L. Ed. 2d 453 (2018), the claim was false arrest. The United States Supreme Court’s vote was 9-0 in favor of the police (the District of Columbia’s Metropolitan Police Department). Apparently the arrestees conceded the unfavorable facts initially in their opposition to the… Continue reading D.C. v. Wesby: “Lurid Optics” Overwhelm Case
Abortion Clinics: Shareholder Liability
By Catherine Park, Esq. It is settled law that corporate officers can be held responsible for damage they cause, even if the corporation itself is also found responsible. But what about shareholders of a corporation? Courts with equity powers (such as the DC courts) will deprive shareholders of the privilege of operating as a corporation and assign… Continue reading Abortion Clinics: Shareholder Liability
Duty To Disclose “Non-Discoverable” Defects Before Selling Your Condo
By Catherine Park, Esq. There is a duty to disclose “non-discoverable” defects in an old condo unit. If you’re planning to sell real estate with defects that you know about (such as recurring water damage), it is unlawful to fix the defects just for the purpose of sale and fail to disclose the recurring damage to… Continue reading Duty To Disclose “Non-Discoverable” Defects Before Selling Your Condo
Move-In and Move-Out Fees: Are They Lawful?
By Catherine Park, Esq. The Condominium Association generally has broad authority to regulate the internal affairs of the condominium, but such power is not without limit. Move-in and move-out fees are assessments against individual unit owners, and, as such, are over and above the assessments paid by unit owners each month according to their pro… Continue reading Move-In and Move-Out Fees: Are They Lawful?
“Owner Occupied” Condo Communities: Unreasonable Restrictive Covenants?
By Catherine Park, Esq. A condominium’s governing documents frequently prevent condo purchasers from renting their units to residential tenants for a period of one year or so after the initial sale of a new unit. Beyond the typical one-year period, rules and regulations of the Condominium Association may attempt to require owners who want to lease… Continue reading “Owner Occupied” Condo Communities: Unreasonable Restrictive Covenants?
Padilla v. Kentucky: U.S. Supreme Court Cautions Defense Attorneys To Warn Their Clients About The Deportation Risks of Pleading Guilty
By Catherine Park, Esq. In Padilla v. Kentucky, 559 U.S. 356 (2010), the U.S. Supreme Court made clear that defense counsel must warn a non-citizen client about possible deportation risks. Padilla involved a non-citizen, Jose Padilla, a legal permanent resident of the U.S. for 40 years, who served with honor in the U.S. Armed Forces during Vietnam. When… Continue reading Padilla v. Kentucky: U.S. Supreme Court Cautions Defense Attorneys To Warn Their Clients About The Deportation Risks of Pleading Guilty