Age limits, state-line surprises, and where to find free legal help.
21 means 21 — alcohol, tobacco and open containersAmerica's age rules are stricter than most of the world's and enforced without humour: drinking and buying tobacco are 21 everywhere, and being carded at 40 is completely normal.
Federal vs state law — why crossing a line changes the rulesThe US is 50 legal systems under one federal umbrella. Something legal where you live can be a crime one state over — and for noncitizens, one topic deserves special caution: cannabis.
Where to actually find legal help you can affordAmerican lawyers are expensive, but the free and low-cost layer is bigger than most newcomers realise: legal aid societies, law school clinics, and accredited nonprofits for immigration matters.