Hiring a lawer for a shooting

[Liberty]

.YMMV

Dorry, don't know that one[/quote]
Your Millage May Vary.
Just my way of stating that I recognize that other peoples life experiences might be different.

[ELB]

There have been fewer than 10 prosecutions of CHL holders for self-defense shootings since 1995. I can name only three. All were acquitted.

- Jim

That's very interesting. Do you have a any references to them? Or did you glean that from the yearly report by the DPS?

thx

elb

[LedJedi]

someone here has likely said it but the instructor in my CHL class put it this way....

Every bullet has a lawyer attached.


Can't put it any simpler than that.

[seamusTX]

There have been fewer than 10 prosecutions of CHL holders for self-defense shootings since 1995. I can name only three. All were acquitted.

That's very interesting. Do you have a any references to them? Or did you glean that from the yearly report by the DPS?

They are named in The Concealed Handgun Manual by Chris Bird: Gordon Hale, Ralph Williams, and Peter Kanakidis.

They are not in the DPS report because they were not convicted, and the DPS report does not name individuals.

- Jim

[Fangs]

Whoa... does this mean that all the "every bullet fired = $10,000 in lawyer fees" stuff is just total... you know... told to new CHLers to keep deadly force as a very last resort?

[seamusTX]

Blanket statements are catchy but usually inaccurate.

I think it's correct to say that every shot that is fired at something other than a target on a range with a backstop has the potential for criminal prosecution or a lawsuit.

The probability that you will have legal problems is small, but the potential damage is huge.

As I've pointed out before, this message comes from Massad Ayoob, and his attitudes were formed in the Northeast in the 1970s and 80s. That is a very different time and place from Texas today.

We have also seen how the Monday-morning quarterbacking can be very troublesome, in the case of Joe Horn.

- Jim

[ironclad]

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.

TexasVet...Don't hate asking again!...You are not alone! I am new to this site, and I haven't even finished reading this string of yours, but I bet it ends without anyone actually giving you any help! The reason I am here... I have spent months on other sites...doing the same thing you are doing...trying to find an experienced/competent/sympathetic lawyer to put on retainer!

I too live in the Dallas area...one of the most horrid killing grounds in the nation...if you don't carry a gun in Dallas, you aren't really prepared!
Anyway..like I said..have spent months on other sites trying to find a lawyer to put in my wallet next to my CHL license...why is it so hard?? If I was a lawyer, I would post my name on sites like this, and become a millionair overnight just from retainer fees!?
I have been referred to the Dallas Bar Assoc, to the NRA, and to multitudinous rip-off insurance companies who masqurade themselves with names that sound like they are pro-gun protectors...but all they are is a bunch of crooks, located in Washington or Oregon or New York...demanding that you give them about $100 before they tell you if they are legitimate or if they even know a lawyer in Texas!!??
Anyway...I haven't even finished reading the rest of this post...but I bet it is filled with the following...people talking and talking and NOBODY is going to actually give you a website or an actual name and number of a real local attornery!! Mark my words... I bet I'm right!?
Anyway...TexasVet...I will mark you down on my list... on my short list... and I will stay in touch...until both of us get this deal done! I can't believe that so many people put so much time and money and energy into getting their CHL's...and never consider what to do when or if the actual violence really does come down!? Locked up and staring out of the wrong side of the bars...saying, Holy Moly...guess I should have thought about getting a lawyer...BEFORE NOW !!

[KD5NRH]

Whoa... does this mean that all the "every bullet fired = $10,000 in lawyer fees" stuff is just total... you know... told to new CHLers to keep deadly force as a very last resort?

Of course; after the first shot, the price goes down for each successive shot

[Crossfire]

Boys and girls, internet search engines are your friends. You too can do this!

Put in "Dallas area attorney for concealed handgun license". Here is your first hit (this one's on me) J Michael Price

[DoubleJ]

here ya go!

[txfour]

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 ?

I have the absolute cheapest solution for you. Spend the $1000 to become a Life Member of the NRA. Being a life member has many perks, the most signifigant is if you are ever involved in a shooting/firearm incident, the NRA provides you with, free of charge, a legal team to get you through it. Nobody knows laws, loopholes etc. better than the NRA.

[seamusTX]

This is the link from the NRA web site: http://www.locktonrisk.com/nrains/selfdefense.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It seems to indicate that (1) they will defend a life member against civil lawsuits, and (2) they will reimburse the cost of defense against a criminal prosecution after the defendant is found not guilty.

- Jim

[txfour]

This is the link from the NRA web site: http://www.locktonrisk.com/nrains/selfdefense.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It seems to indicate that (1) they will defend a life member against civil lawsuits, and (2) they will reimburse the cost of defense against a criminal prosecution after the defendant is found not guilty.

- Jim

You are correct. However, by having a CHL you are protected from any and all civil suits if no-billed/aquited. If he were to have a open shut self defense case as he mentioned, then yes, the NRA would reimburse for all defense cost.

[seamusTX]

I want to clarify one thing: Having a CHL has nothing to do with justification for the use of deadly force. A person could be carrying legally or illegally or at home or in a business, and have perfect justification.

Carrying illegally could result in a charge for that offense, as we saw in the recent dog shooting; and it could lead the prosecutors to be more suspicious of your motives.

- Jim

[txflyer]

I have the absolute cheapest solution for you. Spend the $1000 to become a Life Member of the NRA. Being a life member has many perks, the most signifigant is if you are ever involved in a shooting/firearm incident, the NRA provides you with, free of charge, a legal team to get you through it. Nobody knows laws, loopholes etc. better than the NRA.

Where did you find the information that life members receive this benefit as part of the membership (i.e. free of charge)? I haven't been able to locate it.