Christopher B. Dolan

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The U.S. Senate has introduced legislation requiring federal law enforcement officers to identify themselves when apprehending people participating in peaceful demonstrations. (Courtesy photo)

Are federal law enforcement officers required to identify themselves when arresting individuals engaging in protests?

Proposed legislation addresses rights of peaceful demonstrators

The U.S. Senate has introduced legislation requiring federal law enforcement officers to identify themselves when apprehending people participating in peaceful demonstrations. (Courtesy photo)
California law states that drivers must stay at least three feet away from bicyclists traveling in same direction. (Courtesy photo)

California law addresses safety for bicyclists

Cars must stay at least 3 feet away from people on bikes

California law states that drivers must stay at least three feet away from bicyclists traveling in same direction. (Courtesy photo)
Parents who must stay at home with their children during the pandemic may be eligible for financial assistance under a federal law that went into effect in April. (Courtesy photo)

Family First Coronavirus Response Act offers childcare help

Expanded Family Medical Leave Act accommodates working parents’ needs

Parents who must stay at home with their children during the pandemic may be eligible for financial assistance under a federal law that went into effect in April. (Courtesy photo)
San Francisco legislators have proposed an ordinance that would make it illegal for employers of essential workers to discriminate against them if they have coronavirus. (Courtesy photo)

New protections for SF employees tested for COVID-19 on the job

The City has stepped up to provide clarity in pandemic era’s time of uncertainty

San Francisco legislators have proposed an ordinance that would make it illegal for employers of essential workers to discriminate against them if they have coronavirus. (Courtesy photo)
San Francisco’s CAREN Act would make it illegal to make false police reports based on race. (Courtesy photo)

Pertinent details about the timely CAREN Act

Proposed law aims to protect rights of minorities often victims of fraudulent emergency calls

San Francisco’s CAREN Act would make it illegal to make false police reports based on race. (Courtesy photo)
During the pandemic, there is no blanket exemption for people who, due to a medical condition, want to refrain from wearing a mask in a hotel. (Courtesy photo)

Medical disability rights in the era of COVID-19

Those who cannot wear masks may register concerns with government agencies

During the pandemic, there is no blanket exemption for people who, due to a medical condition, want to refrain from wearing a mask in a hotel. (Courtesy photo)
People who are arrested by police are entitled to make three phone calls, according to California law. (Courtesy photo)

Your rights when you are detained: Do you really get a phone call?

By Christopher Dolan and Casey Hultin Detained? No. Arrested and booked? Yes.…

People who are arrested by police are entitled to make three phone calls, according to California law. (Courtesy photo)
The U.S. Supreme Court ruling on June 15, 2020 stated that an employer who fires an employee for being gay or transgender is violating the law. (Courtesy photo)

Supreme Court decision a monumental ruling for LBGTQ rights

Anti-discrimination employment protections in Civil Rights Act extended across the U.S.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling on June 15, 2020 stated that an employer who fires an employee for being gay or transgender is violating the law. (Courtesy photo)
A protestor during a demonstration in San Francisco in support of Black Lives Matter on June 6. (Photography by Chris Victorio | Special to the S.F. Examiner).

Is it legal to shoot video of police?

Most courts have held that the First Amendment gives individuals the right to document police officers in public

A protestor during a demonstration in San Francisco in support of Black Lives Matter on June 6. (Photography by Chris Victorio | Special to the S.F. Examiner).
During a pandemic, authorities may curtail the right of people to assemble and protest in order to ensure public health and safety. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

Constitutional rights must balance with need to protect public health

The bottom line is that the state may regulate civil liberties during an epidemic.

During a pandemic, authorities may curtail the right of people to assemble and protest in order to ensure public health and safety. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)
The founding fathers thought that the right was so important that they wrote it into the first 45 words of the Bill of Rights and labeled it the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

Our first amendment right to peacefully protest is sacrosanct

Curfews in and of themselves violate civil liberties. Public officials at every level of government are making arbitrary decisions

The founding fathers thought that the right was so important that they wrote it into the first 45 words of the Bill of Rights and labeled it the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)
The federal government’s stimulus money sent to Americans during the COVID-19 crisis only includes those with permission to work in the U.S. (Courtesy photo)

Aid is available for unemployed immigrants during the pandemic

Governor Newsom, through an executive order, created the Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants (DRAI) project

The federal government’s stimulus money sent to Americans during the COVID-19 crisis only includes those with permission to work in the U.S. (Courtesy photo)
To advocate for “medically appropriate health care” includes protesting a decision, policy, or practice that the physician reasonably believes impairs the physician’s ability to provide medically appropriate health care to his or her patients. (Courtesy photo)

Protecting doctors who voice concerns about inadequate patient care

Physicians are supposed to be protected, even as hospitals wield significant power

To advocate for “medically appropriate health care” includes protesting a decision, policy, or practice that the physician reasonably believes impairs the physician’s ability to provide medically appropriate health care to his or her patients. (Courtesy photo)
A doctor reports that senior staff have diverted safety equipment to their families, while health care workers are denied proper protection from exposure to COVID-19. (Courtesy photo)

What rights do physicians have when being denied protection from COVID-19?

Today’s question comes from Anonymous who asks: “I work in health care…

A doctor reports that senior staff have diverted safety equipment to their families, while health care workers are denied proper protection from exposure to COVID-19. (Courtesy photo)
An employer may not use race or national origin as a basis for the decision of which employees to terminate.(Courtesy photo)

Discrimination and retaliation in reducing workforce is unlawful

Businesses do have the right to terminate or lay off employees when the needs of the business call for a reduction in force

An employer may not use race or national origin as a basis for the decision of which employees to terminate.(Courtesy photo)
The online reporting forum Stop AAPI Hate shared that it has received over 650 direct reports of discrimination against primarily Asian Americans since its inception on March 18, 2020. (Courtesy photo)

Anti-Asian hate crimes and acts have increased during the COVID-19 Crisis

The sudden emergence of racist and violent attacks towards people of Asian…

The online reporting forum Stop AAPI Hate shared that it has received over 650 direct reports of discrimination against primarily Asian Americans since its inception on March 18, 2020. (Courtesy photo)
Workers, like those in the hospitality business who find themselves uninsured and out of work because of the coronavirus, may be able to get help through changes being made in California programs to respond to the pandemic. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)

California expands health care resources for uninsured, undocumented residents

As COVID-19 continues to spread across the state, it is imperative that every Californian be informed of their health care options

Workers, like those in the hospitality business who find themselves uninsured and out of work because of the coronavirus, may be able to get help through changes being made in California programs to respond to the pandemic. (Kevin N. Hume/S.F. Examiner)
In San Francisco, local government has, in response to the pandemic, implemented an ordinance guaranteeing an additional 5 days of paid leave for each San Francisco worker affected by COVID-19 (Courtesy photo)

Employees affected by COVID-19 are entitled to use sick leave

All California employees accrue sick time at their jobs.

In San Francisco, local government has, in response to the pandemic, implemented an ordinance guaranteeing an additional 5 days of paid leave for each San Francisco worker affected by COVID-19 (Courtesy photo)
Can I take paid leave for possible coronavirus exposure?

Can I take paid leave for possible coronavirus exposure?

Dear Mr. Dolan: Last week I was at a dinner party and…

Can I take paid leave for possible coronavirus exposure?
It is illegal to drive a vehicle while holding an operating a phone or other electronic device, even if you are not texting or talking. (Shutterstock)

Texting isn’t the only illegal phone activity while driving

This week’s question comes from Sandra in the Upper Haight, who writes:…

It is illegal to drive a vehicle while holding an operating a phone or other electronic device, even if you are not texting or talking. (Shutterstock)