function valButton(buttonGroup) {
for (var i = 0; i<buttonGroup.length; i++) {
		if (buttonGroup[i].checked) {
			return true
		}
	}
	return false
}

//Performs all dependent field validation
function validateForm(){
	var rc=true

//double-checking that both first and last names exist
	if(!document.getElementById('appealform').firstname.value || 
	  !document.getElementById('appealform').lastname.value){
		alert("Please type in your entire name (both first and last). Thanks!")
	rc = false
	}
	//need to fill in a street address, city, state and zip
	if(!document.getElementById('appealform').address.value ||
		!document.getElementById('appealform').city.value ||
		!document.getElementById('appealform').state.value ||
		!document.getElementById('appealform').zip.value){
		alert("Please make sure address, city, state and zip are filled in. Thanks!")
	rc = false
	}
	//need to fill in license plate number
	if(!document.getElementById('appealform').licenseplateno.value){
		alert("Please enter your license plate number. Thanks!")
	rc = false
	}
	//need to click on a status
	if(!valButton(document.getElementById('appealform').status)){
		alert("Please selected your status. Thanks!")
	rc = false
	}
	//need to fill in a explain reason
	if(!document.getElementById('appealform').explainreason.value){
		alert("Please explain reason for appeal. Thanks!")
	rc = false
	}
return rc
	}