Would I need a lawyer?

[USMC-COL]

This is an outstanding thread. The seminar is an excellent idea. I would be very interested in attending. The idea of videotaping the seminar and selling the tapes to those unable to attend is also good.

Respectfully,

[Chris]

i'll just throw this out there. i've talked to this officer prior to and after this incident on another board. it is a shame that he had to go through what he did.

http://www.swt.edu/~ps07/rcorporalarp.pdf

there are things that cops do because they learn from the street. you aren't trained from a manual and instructor on probably 50% of the things you do. as you can see in reading the chief's letter (chapter 1), you'll see how the politics essentially tried to hang the officer, even though he was completely justified in the shooting.

the candle light vigils, protests, etc, still don't change the fact that the person killed in this was a world class thug. scott's white and the thug was black, that added even more fire to it.

scott made some tactical errors, but nothing that amounted to an indictment for murder. the grand jury indicted when the offense met no elements of the offense charged. the case was dismissed prior to trial. so in any case, you may be right, but you have to understand that carrying a gun is a huge responsibility and you must be ready to face whatever happens in the aftermath.

[wrt45]

Chas,
Would it be possible to record the seminar? I bet some people who want to go won't be able to. I might end up being one of them. I would be willing to pay $14.95 plus shiping and handling for a tape of the seminar including the question and answer session.

I will second that. It would be nearly 700 miles for me to drive - each way - so chances are about nil that I would come in person, but I would be very interested in a video.

[Charles L. Cotton]

I'll talk with the other attorney about a video and get back with everyone.

Regards,
Chas.

[OverEasy]

Chas,
If the video is too complicated or expensive I would be happy with just a cassette tape to listen to. When I made the suggestion to record the seminar that was what I had in mind. However a video would be really great!!
This is a great website, thanks for doing it !

[Charles L. Cotton]

I'm sure everyone has noticed that I've been conspicuously quiet on this issue. It's only fair that I explain why. We have not ruled out either a video or audio recording of the seminar, but I have serious concerns that it could have an impact on the seminar's content.

I do a good bit of public speaking, apart from my law practice. The firearms seminars and classes I teach always see very good, very difficult questions asked by those attending and I provide candid, real-world answers and advice. (I don't mean vulgar answers, but practical ones. In fact, I strongly counsel against using profanity!) If the seminar was videotaped, I have a very real concern that the questions would be less candid and the answers would be more politically correct, textbook-like responses. In the end, it may well be that neither we two attorneys giving the seminar, nor the participants posing the "what-if" questions, would want the discussion recorded.

When I prepare a client to testify in trial, I tell them to never lie or be deceptive, but we do discuss how their testimony could be twisted and/or manipulated by the opposing attorney to present a picture totally different from the truth. Neither I nor my clients would want a videotape of this trial preparation, even though nothing illegal, immoral or unethical occurred. While no attorney-client privilege exists in the seminar setting, I am just as candid in responding to questions in that setting as I am with my clients behind closed doors.

In spite of my reservations, no decision has been made concerning a video or audio recording. There are alternatives such as having a "formal" recorded seminar, then a back-stage discussion after the tape is turned off. Another alternative is to have a live seminar with an audio feed via AT&T conference call. Yet another option is for Derek and I to give the seminar in various locations around the State. The AT&T and multiple presentations would require a fee to cover AT&T fees or our travel costs, and we wanted this to be a free seminar.

I don't want anyone to think I'm worried about you folks having a tape of the seminar. The concern is more that a prosecutor or a civil attorney suing you might get a copy and note the similarity between your statements and some portion of the seminar tape.

Regards,
Chas.

[gigag04]

Has this seminar happened yet. I'm new here, but I would drive down to Houston for sure. My mom is a paralegal in houston and would probably like to come as well if we didnt miss it.

-nick

[dws1117]

Thanks for bringing tis topic back. I had forgotten all about it. I am sure that Charles has not forgotten, but as I understand he has been very busy lately.

[Charles L. Cotton]

Actually, we have a tentative date of Saturday, June 25th at the PSC range on FM528 in Friendswood. An attorney from Rusty Hardin's office will handle the issue from a criminal attorney's perspective and I will do so from a civil trail attorney's perspective, along with my experience working on SB60 and CHL "clean-up" bills.

All I need to do now is get Board approval to use the PSC classroom for a non-club event. That should come tomorrow night at the meeting.

Regards,
Chas.

[gigag04]

Im new to texasCHL forums, but I'm catching up quicly. What does PSC stand for, and where is it?

I'm very interested in the session, thanks!

-nick

[tomneal]

PSC is a Three Letter Acronim (TLA) for a private gun club in Frindswood Texas

http://www.psc-range.com

Charles and others spend so much time there it's hard to belive some of the folks in other parts of the state don't know about it.

When I say
See you at the range
Mostly I mean PSC

[ghentry]

That's good news. I was hoping this was still in the works. I'll be looking forward to this.

[gigag04]

Three Letter Acronim (TLA)

That's pretty funny. Any chance broke college students get a discount?

-nick

[Charles L. Cotton]

Any chance broke college students get a discount?

Nope! The seminar is free and we just can't afford to pay people to come.

Regards,
Chas.

[gigag04]

Any chance broke college students get a discount?

Nope! The seminar is free and we just can't afford to pay people to come.

Regards,
Chas.

I was talking about the PSC :)

I went to the site and saw members fees etc. Im way far away - it would be a visit to hang and meet some forum people.

-nick