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For anyone afraid to OC due to financial reasons

olypendrew

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2008
Messages
295
Location
Port Angeles, Washington, USA
imported post

This thread

http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/view_topic.php?id=27539&forum_id=55&highlight=afraid

made me realize that there are probably many people who do not OC because they fear being charged criminally, and not having the financial resources to fight the prosecution in court.



I want this fear to go away.



If anyone here is charged with a crime for merely open carrying, and does not qualify for a public defender, I will strongly consider defending them for no attorney fees, so long as my costs--gas, ferries, hotel if needed, etc--are covered.

Now, to cover my own butt...

This is something Iwill generally bewilling to do to advance the cause of freedom. However, no one should rely upon my statements, or otherwise treat them as a binding promise. I reserve the right to turn down any and all potential pro bono cases for any reason, or for no reason at all, just like I can with paying clients. I only say this so no one can sue me ifI do not provide them with free legal services. I also may decide to discontinue this service at any time, with or without prior notice.

This does not mean that I intend to sue any city, police department, etc. for a civil rights violation for free. This does not mean that I will defend for free anyone who actually shot someone, or otherwise used their self-defense firearm, or did anything more than peaceably carry a holstered sidearm in a legal location.

Sorry for all the disclaimers.



Bottom line, don't not OC for fear of being bankrupted by having to fight a criminal charge.
 

sudden valley gunner

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 13, 2008
Messages
16,674
Location
Whatcom County
imported post

That's great and am glad you are offering your services. This community needs someone like that. Do you have cards, that in case of arrest instead of talking to the police folks can just hand over?
 

Oliferous

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2009
Messages
42
Location
Lynnwood and Capitol Hill, Washington, USA
imported post

Wow, that's a very generous and incredible thing to do! It's folks like you that made me recently buy my first handgun and want to exercise my rights! Thank you very much for this:cool: Keep up the good work!
-Oli
Also PM'd for some cards.
 

ConditionThree

State Pioneer
Joined
May 22, 2006
Messages
2,231
Location
Shasta County, California, USA
imported post

olypendrew wrote:
Bottom line, don't not OC for fear of being bankrupted by having to fight a criminal charge.

I wish we had an attorney here in California that was so inclined to defend OC. Thepro-gun attorneys here are of the concensus that OC isnt helpful, and it seems their interest in defending it is directly proportionate to the amount of cash you intend to invest in your defense.

We have been fortunate that of the handful of arrests that I am aware of, only one is being pursued by a zealous city attorney.
 

N6ATF

Banned
Joined
Jul 22, 2009
Messages
1,401
Location
San Diego County, CA, California, USA
imported post

ConditionThree wrote:
olypendrew wrote:
Bottom line, don't not OC for fear of being bankrupted by having to fight a criminal charge.

I wish we had an attorney here in California that was so inclined to defend OC. Thepro-gun attorneys here are of the concensus that OC isnt helpful, and it seems their interest in defending it is directly proportionate to the amount of cash you intend to invest in your defense.
What's the minimum they would accept? $1 million? $10 million? What figure would it take to defend and also file 1983 actions all the way to SCOTUS against these victim disarming bastards?
 

OlGutshotWilly

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jun 30, 2008
Messages
443
Location
Snohomish, WA, ,
imported post

olypendrew wrote:
This thread

http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/view_topic.php?id=27539&forum_id=55&highlight=afraid

made me realize that there are probably many people who do not OC because they fear being charged criminally, and not having the financial resources to fight the prosecution in court.

 

I want this fear to go away.




 

If anyone here is charged with a crime for merely open carrying, and does not qualify for a public defender, I will strongly consider defending them for no attorney fees, so long as my costs--gas, ferries, hotel if needed, etc--are covered. 

Now, to cover my own butt...

This is something I will generally be willing to do to advance the cause of freedom.  However, no one should rely upon my statements, or otherwise treat them as a binding promise.  I reserve the right to turn down any and all potential pro bono cases for any reason, or for no reason at all, just like I can with paying clients.  I only say this so no one can sue me if I do not provide them with free legal services.  I also may decide to discontinue this service at any time, with or without prior notice.

This does not mean that I intend to sue any city, police department, etc. for a civil rights violation for free.  This does not mean that I will defend for free anyone who actually shot someone, or otherwise used their self-defense firearm, or did anything more than peaceably carry a holstered sidearm in a legal location.

Sorry for all the disclaimers.

 

Bottom line, don't not OC for fear of being bankrupted by having to fight a criminal charge.


Oly,
Very intuitive thinking. Very generous offer.

Cheers,
Bill
 

olypendrew

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2008
Messages
295
Location
Port Angeles, Washington, USA
In the event that anyone was relying on my pledge--to strongly consider taking any case where an OCer was charged with unlawful display of a weapon on a pro bono basis--please be advised that I am revoking it.

I will still consider taking such cases on a pro bono or reduced fee basis, but only if I am convinced that the person charged is both libertarian-minded, and respectful of me and my profession.
 

Vitaeus

Regular Member
Joined
May 30, 2010
Messages
596
Location
Bremerton, Washington
Thank you for the offer, sorry to see you have to change the offer, I am guessing due to disrespect for you and or your profession. The folks here are definitely a bit outspoken on their opinions, I do wish they were a bit better about respecting the poster and agreeing to disagree with the stated opinion
 

BigDave

Opt-Out Members
Joined
Nov 22, 2006
Messages
3,456
Location
Yakima, Washington, USA
In the event that anyone was relying on my pledge--to strongly consider taking any case where an OCer was charged with unlawful display of a weapon on a pro bono basis--please be advised that I am revoking it.

I will still consider taking such cases on a pro bono or reduced fee basis, but only if I am convinced that the person charged is both libertarian-minded, and respectful of me and my profession.

I really do not see how the offered changed, I would not think someone offering such a service for someone that neither respected them or was not on the side of law and not promoting the cause.
 

heresolong

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2007
Messages
1,318
Location
Blaine, WA, ,
I really do not see how the offered changed, I would not think someone offering such a service for someone that neither respected them or was not on the side of law and not promoting the cause.

I agree with Dave. It seems more like you realized the extent of what you were offering and that it was a bit too open ended. I will definitely have you in speed dial just to have "my lawyer" on the phone while they are harassing me, if it ever happens. I will also be able to pay, should it come to that.
 

cougfan

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 20, 2010
Messages
25
Location
Edgewood, WA
Thats really great that you would offer your time and expertise to someone in the situation a lot of us fear most. A lot of us that open carry are passionate about our 2nd and 4th amendment rights that all too often get trampled. Luckily I think you will find a lot of around here are libertarian minded (yep I voted for Bob Barr) and respect attorneys for helping to protect our rights.
 

Tawnos

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2008
Messages
2,542
Location
Washington
I agree with Dave. It seems more like you realized the extent of what you were offering and that it was a bit too open ended. I will definitely have you in speed dial just to have "my lawyer" on the phone while they are harassing me, if it ever happens. I will also be able to pay, should it come to that.

I think "libertarian minded" excludes a number of people, including BigDave. But that's just my interpretation.
 
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