Do you have an attorney for a "just in case" ?

[stevemis]

Mods: This could be filed under "Strategies & Tactics" as well as "Legal and Political". I went with Legal, but feel free...

My wife and I both have carry permits and generally either have at least one firearm within reach or on our persons all the time.

I've always thought it would be smart to have an attorney at the ready (someone already "picked out" with a 24 hour contact number) should there ever be a situation where one of our weapons are used in a self-defense scenario.

I can't seem to find any attorneys who "specialize" in personal defense/deadly force situations. I've inquired with a number of firms which handle criminal cases (online forms) and never heard anything back.

I don't need a consultation, although I'm open to it. I'm already familiar with the deadly force laws in my state. I'd just like to know I have someone to call and hope to never need to call them.

I'm planning on calling the NRA tomorrow to see if they have a referral program. Failing that, I'll try Grass Roots North Carolina... but I suspect they'll want me to join up first. Perhaps some of the concealed carry instructors or a local gun range could recommend someone.

Does anyone already have an attorney picked out?

Carrying and/or having weapons in the home is a big responsibility with very serious potential consequences.

I'm wondering if I'm being paranoid or responsible.

Steve

 

[BrianB]

Referrals

You're talking about a criminal/civil defense lawyer. I know several excellent attorneys in other fields (litigation, estate, business, labor) that I would depend on for an excellent referral should the need arise.

I figure that's more discrete than asking around in advance...

 

[thegriz]

Doesn't the NRA have some resources for this. I think everybody should have a lawyer "friend" and a defense fund. The defense fund should be somewhere that it can't be levied, frozen, etc. Otherwise you better stay friends with that rich uncle. Sometimes simply being ready, willing and able to defend yourself will stave off trouble. Also , having a lawyer who can send letters on your behalf can be very useful. I take very good care of my lawyer friends. I'm not expecting trouble but I want to be ready if it comes.

 

[JWarren]

My office is next to the law firm where I and my family do our business. I handle a lot of estate planning cases for them, and I have them set up trusts for my clients routinely.

Short answer-- they are even closer than just a phone call away. I walk over anytime I need something. You better believe I have one ready if there is any issues.

-- John

 

[nwilliams]

Back when I got my CCW permit my instructor gave everyone in the class a card for a lawyer who specialized in personal defense type cases, I always carry it in my wallet right next to my permit. A few times a year I check the current phonebook to make sure the contact info on the business card is still up to date. If I were ever involved in a defense shooting my first phone call goes to this guy.

 

[aztnb]

need attorney

Check out this site.

http://www.americanselfdefense.com

 

[bclark1]

I'm with BrianB, discretion's kind of important here. Putting myself in a sheep's shoes, I could certainly think you had a "make-my-day" attitude if you not only carried, but had planned for the formalities after you'd taken a life. I don't think you'd have a problem finding an attorney should the issue arise, and you don't need a batphone. Being on the phone with him when the cops arive is just not going to make you any friends. You might spend a night in jail, just keep your mouth shut and get your referral in the morning. I think it's sad that preparation can be misconstrued, but I am sure it would be if the prosecutor or papers got ahold of it.

 

[hecate]

One of my best friends is a retired prosecutor and my personal attorney. She knows the system and the judges and prosecutors who would most likely be involved if I needed to use a weapon defensively. Never hurts to have somebody on your side who's been one of the "good guys" to the local judicial system.

 

[P12]

I found a lawyer via an IDPA match.

Turns out he competes not only in IDPA, but also IPSC and three gun matches. Also he's a NRA instructor and a Texas CHL instructor.

He's programed into my cell phone and I have his business card in my wallet.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I refuse to live in fear of tyrants, criminals, Islamic terrorist savages, or lawyers.

 

[PILMAN]

My company has me through a program called Prepaid Legal, apparently the lawyers are already paid for and we are deducted on a monthly basis. From my understanding, their lawyers are pretty good and the company here has used them in many different legal situations so yes I have a lawyer if a problem ever occurs.

 

[Frog48]

If you have ever purchased or sold a house, or written a will, you should already have a working relationship with an attorney that specializes in real estate/contract law. The legal community is relatively close-knit, so more than likely your attorney is friends with some criminal defense guys that he'd recommend.

Call me paranoid, but I keep contact info for about a half-dozen lawyers in my wallet. Several of them are my dad's friends, and a few are professors from classes I've taken.

 

[FortyCalGlock]

I have one on retainer. All it cost me was a 1 carat emerald cut diamond and some platinum. Well it cost me a lot more than that but she's worth it.