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I know we have all learned that if we are ever involved in a shooting ( feared for our life) we should say nothing and hire an attorney but this got me thinking. If you knew you were 100% in the right and it was a legal shoot, would you spend the money on an attorney ? If money was no object it is a no brainer but what if you are a normal working guy and did not have thousands to spend, would you risk going before a grand jury without representation ? We have heard all of the horror stories of people spending thousands to prove your not guilty,100% right but still the legal cost to not be indicted by a grand jury. What would you do if this happened to you ?

You might want to watch the video I posted here http://www.texasshooting.com/TexasCHL_F ... 9&p=236044" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

While the topic was "why you should never talk to cops" I think the ideas can be extended to why you should get a lawyer.


Edit: If it really turns out to be such a clear cut case then it won't go to grand jury and no charges will be filed.

Hire a Board Certified Criminal Defense Attorney; not a "mediation specialist", real estate attorney, general practitioner etc.
Expensive representation? Maybe. Still less painful than losing w/ the Grand Jury, more court appearances, possible jail time etc.
Of course if the shoot is good....then what's to worry, right?

Are there any in the DFW area who do CHL or self defense cases ? Or are known to do them ? It would be nice to have a name and number, even if you don't pay them a retainer fee for a just in case scenario. Do the lawyers that police use take on civilians with CHL and self defense cases ?

This question cuts right to the core of why I hope and pray that I never have to use my CCW. Even if you're spot on right, it's going to cost you - one way or another.

DEADEYE1964 wrote:... what if you are a normal working guy and did not have thousands to spend, would you risk going before a grand jury without representation ?

I would hire a lawyer.

If a prosecutor wants to go after you, and you don't have legal representation, you will end up in prison, in a cell with thugs named Spike and Loco.

BTW, the defendant doesn't get representation in front of the grand jury. At that stage, the lawyer can just be sure that you are getting every legal break that you are entitled to.

- Jim

I was going to start a seperate post, but this seems like a good place to start....

What about something like this:

http://www.chlpp.com

That plan covers you only through the grand jury process. If you're indicted, you're on your own.

There's not a whole lot for a defense attorney to do before the grand jury hearing. As I said, he can only be sure that the proper legal process is being followed.

- Jim

When you are considering the question of needing a lawyer or not, always remember that the other side has several. For them, it compares to you going to a gunfight unarmed.

"There's not a whole lot for a defense attorney to do before the grand jury hearing. As I said, he can only be sure that the proper legal process is being followed."

- Jim


True, but the point is hire a competent Board Certified Criminal Defense Atty. Grand Juries are "fact finders". You do need representation to make sure all phases of the system are following proper legal process, including Grand Jury hearings.

DEADEYE1964 wrote:If you knew you were 100% in the right and it was a legal shoot, would you spend the money on an attorney?

Being legal and 100% in the right sometimes has little to do with needing to hire an attorney. Even though it's expensive, if you get the right one, it is usually money well spent. Getting the right one, now that's a different issue.

Sometimes on this board we hear from people who don't know if they have been arrested or whether they have deferred adjudication, etc. I often wonder if these people had legal representation and had things explained to them by their lawyer.

gemini wrote:"There's not a whole lot for a defense attorney to do before the grand jury hearing. As I said, he can only be sure that the proper legal process is being followed."

There is plenty for a defense lawyer to do before grand jury proceedings, a key reason not to wait to hire counsel. Get counsel immediately if you are involved in a shooting, and talk to him before you talk to LEO and do not talk to LEO without him present.

Hire the lawyer immediately...

IAALIANYL

Luggo1, I was quoting seamusTx (Jim), sorry for the confusion in my post.
I agree with you....hire the atty ASAP.

A man who represents himself has a fool for a client.

I hate to ask again, but does anyone know of a good lawyer in the Dallas area ? I am looking into the ChLPP, but like someone said, I would prefer someone who would take you all the way, and has a history (a good one) with CHL holders, self defense situations.