Initial interview questions for legal counsel?

[StcLurker]

I was kind of wondering the same thing as the OP, my three biggest questions are 1: under what circumstances would I be justified in drawing/shooting (I have a pretty good idea, but I'd like to hear it from someone with a legal degree and experience to back up the answer), 2: the permit to carry instructor said ignoring the "no gun" signs is (at worst) a $25 trespassing ticket, NOT any kind of firearm charge(true?) and 3: if something happens where I have to shoot (heaven forbid), aside from shutting the heck up, what else can I do to help myself?

can anyone add to the list of things that I should be asking?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[hdblue]

Hi,

Thanks very much for the reply. It help me to think about my ideals.


Tks again and pls keep posting.

We also find them more same at: Second interview questions

[RockBottom]

You really don't need an attorney on speed dial. You should have an attorney that handles family matters like wills and stuff. He can recommend a competent criminal attorney if you need one. If you are in a shooting situation, tell the police that you intend to cooperate fully but have been advised to only answer questions in the presence of legal counsel. Request that you be allowed to call your attorney, then shut up.

You can also say something along the lines of "I thought he was going to kill me!!!! I've never been so scared in my life!!! My heart's beating like crazy!!! I think I need to get to the emergency room. I may be having a heart attack!!!"

That should stop the questioning and give you time to contact your lawyer.

[MitchellCT]

You can also say something along the lines of "I thought he was going to kill me!!!! I've never been so scared in my life!!! My heart's beating like crazy!!! I think I need to get to the emergency room. I may be having a heart attack!!!"

That should stop the questioning and give you time to contact your lawyer.

Just keep telling yourself that...

Darwin candidate.

[stevem174]

The Fred G. Sanford act may not help much. It will more than likely add a expensive ride to a really expensive room.

[RockBottom]

The Fred G. Sanford act may not help much. It will more than likely add a expensive ride to a really expensive room.

Actually, if you are involved in a shooting incident, your heart probably will be racing and you will likely be in no mental condition to answer legal questions. A trip to the emergency room is cheap compared to saying something stupid.....and that advice came from an attorney. Since I already have a pre-existing heart condition, the advice really isn't as funny as the Fred Sanford routine.

This is a pretty interesting video to watch...

YouTube - Don't Talk to Cops, Part 1

[Phillep Harding]

As for keeping quiet, this might be helpful.

Don't Talk to the Police

Dead link.

[Buran]

The NRA and FOP have a legal defense insurance you can take out.

I just joined the NRA (as did my fiance). I haven't yet been able to find this insurance mentioned on their site, though my CCW instructor (in MO) did mention it. I'd like to enroll, and I'm sure he would too -- I don't want to have to worry about the cost if I ever need to defend myself!

Can you give me more information while I wait for my registration packet to arrive? I don't have all of the information yet as I joined via an NRA table at Cabela's -- "Enroll today and get a free gift card!" Well, we were going to join anyway, so why not?

[azchevy]

(Mods: Please feel free to move this post if it is in the wrong place)I am trying to establish myself with a local attorney so that I will have someone available if the need arises (self-defense shooting, etc.). I have a few choices and would like to talk to each to see which is the best "fit"'. What questions should I ask? Would it be odd to just tell them I am looking to have someone on speed dial "just in case"? Thanks for the input.

Lawyers who specialize in self defense cases: ( copied long ago from a website)

Alaska Kenai River Joe Ray Skrha 907-283-7100

Arizona Scottsdale Chad Niven 480-368-2080
Thatcher Wyatt J. Palmer 928-428-5291
Phoenix Rick Poster 602-258-8900 x378
Flagstaff Dan Kaiser N/A

California See: "
href="http://www.building-tux.com/dsmjd/law/lawr_list.htm" target="_blank">The
Shooters Bar"

Colorado Colorado Springs Allen C. Gasper 719-227-7779
Colorado Springs Stephen D. Benson 719-475-0709
Castle Rock Anthony Fabian 303-663-9339
Montrose Tom Lange 970-240-2812

Connecticut See: "
href="http://www.building-tux.com/dsmjd/law/lawr_list.htm" target="_blank">The
Shooters Bar" also ........
New Britain Ralph D. Sherman 860- 229-0213

Florida Fort Myers (Offices also in Naples,
Punta Gorda & Sarasota) Steven S. Leskovich 239-332-3600
Gainsville Michael Buchanan 352-378-1107
Jacksonville Alan Rosner 904-398-9002
Kisimmee Philip Dunlop 407-933-0088
Melbourne Douglas R. Beam 321-723-6591
Orlando Jon H. Gutmacher 407-650-0770
Pensacola Jack Wilkins 850-429-9757
Pompano Beach Charles Bechhert 954-8363
St. Augustine Paul Braddock 904-460-7227
Starke Michael C. Quimby 904-964-4055
Tampa John Ossi 813-258-6774

Georgia Monroe Robert Rogers 678-462-0715

Idaho See: "
href="http://www.building-tux.com/dsmjd/law/lawr_list.htm" target="_blank">The
Shooters Bar"

Illinois Waukegan Michael J. Conway 847-599-1069

Indiana Indianapolis Patrick V. Baker 317-686-1900
Hobart Michael L. Deppe 866-403-3773

Kansas See: "
href="http://www.building-tux.com/dsmjd/law/lawr_list.htm" target="_blank">The
Shooters Bar"

Kentucky Richmond Earl-Ray Neal 859-624-885
Covington Scott J. Kappas 859-491-8500
Columbia Stephen H. Poindexter 270-385-9501

Massachusetts Framingham Howard Lewis 508-370-3400

Michigan Grand Rapids Martin Blase Mead 616-235-0330
Harrison Michael J. Ambrozalitis 989-539-3718
Hudsonville Michael L. DeYoung 616-662-2287
Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Shaun Patrick Willis 269-492-1046
Lansing Robert Fleming 517-203-1100
Lansing Bill Hankins 517-482-9400
Lansing G. Sal Gani 517-372-8944
Lansing Charles R. Toy 517-351-3700
Okemos Greg Crockett 517-930-3954
Sturgis Robert K. Pattison 269-651-2446
Waterford Thomas M. Mcginnis 248-683-8510

Minnesota Minneapolis David M. Gross 952-545-1091

Missouri Gladstone Kevin L. Jamison 816-455-2669

New Hampshire Keene Jonathan R. Evans 603-352-2347

New Jersey Marlton Charles H. Nugent 856-596-9770

New Mexico See: "
href="http://www.building-tux.com/dsmjd/law/lawr_list.htm" target="_blank">The
Shooters Bar"
For referrals to attorneys in your NM
area, contact Karl Erich Martell karlerichmartell@

NOSPAMjustice.com
Albuquerque, NM 87102 D. Eric Hannum 505-842-6171

New York Binghamton Jack L. Kotchick 607-788-2403
Niagra Falls Joseph Catalan 716-205-0017
Plattsburgh Gerald R.Forcier, Jr. 518-825-1137
New York City Steven Wershaw 212-966-0854

North Carolina Goldsboro Robert Morgan Smith 919-735-5252

Ohio Delaware L. Kenneth Hanson 740-363-1213

Oklahoma See: "
href="http://www.building-tux.com/dsmjd/law/lawr_list.htm" target="_blank">The
Shooters Bar"

Oregon See: "
href="http://www.building-tux.com/dsmjd/law/lawr_list.htm" target="_blank">The
Shooters Bar"

Pennsylvania Scranton Dennis J. Mark 570-207-2007

Rhode Island See: "
href="http://www.building-tux.com/dsmjd/law/lawr_list.htm" target="_blank">The
Shooters Bar"

South Carolina Hilton Head Island Donald C. Colongeli 843-785-9711

Texas Austin, Texas 78701 (901 Congress Avenue) Allen Halbrook N/A
Austin, Texas 78701 (1122 Colorado Street,
Suite 2320) Paul C. Velte IV N/A
Dallas, Texas 75240 (2 Lincoln Centre
Suite 900,

5420 Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway) Gene A. Hamm II N/A
El Paso Ray Gutierrez 915-351-3738
Fort Worth, Texas 76102 (420 Throckmorton
Street, Suite 500) Michael H. Martin N/A
Rockwall Patrick Short 972-771-1441
San Marcos, Texas 78666 (120 West Hopkins
) William M. Rugeley N/A

Virginia See: "
href="http://www.building-tux.com/dsmjd/law/lawr_list.htm" target="_blank">The
Shooters Bar"

Washington Snohomish John L. Rodabaugh II 888-715-8800

West Virginia Martinsburg David P. Greenburg 304-263-0000

Wisconsin Elkhorn Christopher L. Kuehn 262-743-1580

[Harryball]

You really don't need an attorney on speed dial. You should have an attorney that handles family matters like wills and stuff. He can recommend a competent criminal attorney if you need one. If you are in a shooting situation, tell the police that you intend to cooperate fully but have been advised to only answer questions in the presence of legal counsel. Request that you be allowed to call your attorney, then shut up.

You can also say something along the lines of "I thought he was going to kill me!!!! I've never been so scared in my life!!! My heart's beating like crazy!!! I think I need to get to the emergency room. I may be having a heart attack!!!"

That should stop the questioning and give you time to contact your lawyer.

You do not want a criminal attorney you want a Pro 2A attorney, there is a difference. Second, you are going to have to tell the police something regarding the situation. Remember "Less Is More", but they will need stuff like: He broke into my house, there is his knife, I was in fear for my life, arrest him please, Officer I have been thru a lot tonight, I need to take a break and call my attorney. Can we set something up in a couple of days. If you clam up and say I want my attorney, there is the perception of guilt. Just my .02

[MitchellCT]

You do not want a criminal attorney you want a Pro 2A attorney, there is a difference.

What difference is that?

I'd be very interested to know...

[azchevy]

Find someone who has successfully defended these types of cases before. Not all attorneys are created equal.

[Harryball]

What difference is that?

I'd be very interested to know...

To be honest, I think you would get a better answer from Massod, but IMHO the Difference being the mindset of the attorney to deal with SD, rather than just trying to plea the deal. See what I mean now?

[gunthorp]

Remember, no matter what advice you get or read about, it is your liberty, not theirs.

In conversations with one of my friends who is a county criminal prosecuter (ADA), I believe we need to look at the aftermath through the eyes of the police and prosecutor. Unless there are politics or some history involved, they will want to get the facts right away, so they can file the report and be done with it.

It makes common sense that an innocent person should feel no need for legal defense after a good shoot, as long as nothing but the bare essential truth is expressed repeatedly in the simplest of terms to the first LEO on scene. Certainly cops will recognize a reasonable request to have time to collect oneself before making a detailed and accurate statement later. Use short declarative sentences, and repeat them, because, later, an attorney will want to know exactly what was said to the police and will know how to help properly word the future statement honestly. The only time I hear “Maybe I should have a lawyer,” is on “Law and Order” when the bad guy is confronted with undeniable evidence of culpability. Do you want the cops to think you have something to hide?
Unintended Consequences of Silence
Besides NRA insurance that will pay for legal representation for a justifiable self defense, the armed citizen’s network cited above will pay $5000 at the onset to get the ball rolling. Homeowner’s insurance may cover the costs of a civil liability, if you can find it in your policy.
The police may not write down your exact words in their report, so repeat very short, simple facts over and over.
"He attacked me. I was in fear of my life, I just wanted to stop the attack and I'm too shook up to talk right now."
"Officer, I'm the one who called, thank G0D you are here...he dropped a knife over that way and you want to talk to the guy in the red leather mini skirt & high heels because he saw the whole thing.
I'll help all I can, but I need time to calm down..."

I'll tell you everything I can, but I'm too shook up right now.
"He tried to kill me. He tried to kill me. I had to defend myself. I thought I was going to die. I couldn't get away."
Make up your own tape loops so you don’t say anything else unless or until your lawyer is present. But you probably should say something to get started on the right foot with the police. They’re going to profile you, the way you talk, the way you dress, and compare it with the way the bad guy looks and all his lies.
If this is off base, I would offer to share a bottle of Glenlivits with MitchellCT to get adjusted.
Who was it that said “A good attorney knows the law; a great one knows the judge.”

[MitchellCT]

To be honest, I think you would get a better answer from Massod, but IMHO the Difference being the mindset of the attorney to deal with SD, rather than just trying to plea the deal. See what I mean now?

No. Considering I am a criminal defense attorney, I do not.

I am likely professionally and personally biased, and therefore blind to my own failings.

Please explain the difference to me more completely, and use small words because I get confused easily.

As to Mr. Ayoob - I'm still pissed I didn't match his score on the range test at the MAG-20 class last year and get me my signed dollar. I'm going to practice and get me my signed $1 bill...

Oh, I will have my signed dollar...