In replying to my post on the law of Self Defense Level 1 Course, member Kendahl mentioned self defense "insurance".
That's a very important subject indeed.
There is an awful lot to know about it, and fortunately, there is an LoSD course on it.
If you are involved in an incident involving the use of force, the threat of force, or the exposure of a firearm or other weapon, you will be well advised to (1) be the first to report, and (2) obtain and engage competent legal representation immediately. That will cost money, up front.
Do not wait until things start to unfold. You will end up hopelessly behind.
Will you need "insurance"? That depends entirely upon how much cash you can access. That means access immediately--attorneys do not work on the installment plan.
How much? Well, as a benchmark, it you have done something with a firearm or other weapon, perhaps presenting it but not necessarily so, and you are innocent, getting to a pretrial hearing can set you back around $50,000. That's right, $50,000, cash. That number comes from people who know what they are doing.
That's just for getting to a pre-trial hearing. It may stop there, or it may not. Should you want to request an immunity hearing, the cost will be much higher, even if there is no trial. Don't forget the cost of a full blown trial or two, and maybe an appeal. You do not want to be impoverished after your first trial, and be unable to mount an effective defense in a second. The stakes are far too high
And that's for a clean incident with no shots fired, where the charge would be limited to aggravated assault. Attorney Andrew Branca says that that is the most common kind of case on which he is consulted.
If someone is killed, the multiplier can be very large indeed.
Most, and really all, of the people I know would be a whole lot better off with a plan that provides monetary assistance. They are not insurance per se, in a strict sense. They are contracts that may provide money for your defense, depending upon the terms. They do not cover other liabilities.
The plans are not all the same. In choosing one, consider the following:
There's more, but that's enough to chew on for now.
The best way I know to evaluate your alternatives is to take the Law of Self Defense Course on self defense insurance. I just did. I took at least a couple of hours on line. It was worth it.
They compare several leading plans, and provide to a link to a tabular comparison.
How can you tell other your attorney is equipped to serve you all in a self defense case? Few attorneys are. Take the LoSD Level One Course on Self Defense. That should help you know how to go about the interview. I was able to reject a couple of well-regarded criminal defense attorneys long before having taken this course.
Oh, and one other thing. When you are allowed that one phone call, do not call your attorney. The likelihood that he or she will be available when you call is not very high. Instead, call someone whom you know you can reach, and let them keep calling until they make contact. I learned that from Massad Ayoob years ago.
That's a very important subject indeed.
There is an awful lot to know about it, and fortunately, there is an LoSD course on it.
If you are involved in an incident involving the use of force, the threat of force, or the exposure of a firearm or other weapon, you will be well advised to (1) be the first to report, and (2) obtain and engage competent legal representation immediately. That will cost money, up front.
Do not wait until things start to unfold. You will end up hopelessly behind.
Will you need "insurance"? That depends entirely upon how much cash you can access. That means access immediately--attorneys do not work on the installment plan.
How much? Well, as a benchmark, it you have done something with a firearm or other weapon, perhaps presenting it but not necessarily so, and you are innocent, getting to a pretrial hearing can set you back around $50,000. That's right, $50,000, cash. That number comes from people who know what they are doing.
That's just for getting to a pre-trial hearing. It may stop there, or it may not. Should you want to request an immunity hearing, the cost will be much higher, even if there is no trial. Don't forget the cost of a full blown trial or two, and maybe an appeal. You do not want to be impoverished after your first trial, and be unable to mount an effective defense in a second. The stakes are far too high
And that's for a clean incident with no shots fired, where the charge would be limited to aggravated assault. Attorney Andrew Branca says that that is the most common kind of case on which he is consulted.
If someone is killed, the multiplier can be very large indeed.
Most, and really all, of the people I know would be a whole lot better off with a plan that provides monetary assistance. They are not insurance per se, in a strict sense. They are contracts that may provide money for your defense, depending upon the terms. They do not cover other liabilities.
The plans are not all the same. In choosing one, consider the following:
- Does the plan pay up front, which is when you need it, or do they "promise" reimbursement much later, if you are found innocent?
- Can you choose your own attorney, or are you stuck with one of their choosing, who may well be ill equipped to defend you competently?
- Does the plan pay for expert witnesses, private investigators to search for exculpatory evidence and witnesses, fees associated with deposing prosecution witnesses (that's what saved Zimmerman), consulting attorneys, staff work, and so on?
- How much will they cover?
- How solvent are they?
There's more, but that's enough to chew on for now.
The best way I know to evaluate your alternatives is to take the Law of Self Defense Course on self defense insurance. I just did. I took at least a couple of hours on line. It was worth it.
They compare several leading plans, and provide to a link to a tabular comparison.
How can you tell other your attorney is equipped to serve you all in a self defense case? Few attorneys are. Take the LoSD Level One Course on Self Defense. That should help you know how to go about the interview. I was able to reject a couple of well-regarded criminal defense attorneys long before having taken this course.
Oh, and one other thing. When you are allowed that one phone call, do not call your attorney. The likelihood that he or she will be available when you call is not very high. Instead, call someone whom you know you can reach, and let them keep calling until they make contact. I learned that from Massad Ayoob years ago.
