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So you shoot someone in defense of your life, now what?

cleveland

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2007
Messages
289
Location
West Allis, WI
Regardless of how you are carrying, or even where. What do you do after the shooting to insure you don't go to prison...or at least lower your chances.

If this is already covered, I could not find it. Please point me in the right direction.

Thanks.
 

civilwarguy

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 20, 2011
Messages
197
Location
elkhorn wi
Plain and simple if its me or them its gonna be them! As far as avoiding going away for life.... If i dont act then i would be dead so i would rather take my chances. I would know what i did was right and to me thats all that matters.


Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6
 

skidmark

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Jan 15, 2007
Messages
10,444
Location
Valhalla
On the very practical side - except for saying that you will not answer any questions without first consulting an attorney, remember that it is OK to give them your name and address so you do not stay extra long while they run finger prints to ID you. Expect to be detained (probably in handcuffs) for a while until the cops have sorted stuff out enough to have an idea who is the victim and who is the perpetrator - and that they might get it backwards. Expect any request for medical attention that does not involve loss of lots of blood or you stopping breathing to take a while to be responded to, and it will be very basic as compared to what you might expect to get in the Emergency Room if you went there on your own (without the cops as escort).

If you get to telephone friends/relatives do not tell them everything that happened leading up to your current situation. Stick to 1) you need a lawyer, 2) you need a bail bondsman, 3) you will tell them details after you have talked with an attorney. You might need to add 4) where to go to pick up your car/personal effects if you are going to be an overnight guest.

Remember that your Miranda/Edwards rights limit what/when the cops can ask you. If you decide to say anything they can and will use it against you if there is any possible way to do so. They want to to talk - even if you have asked for an attorney and they do not ask you questions.

Personal advice from me to you (and worth twice what you have paid me for it) is to be polite and cooperative with the cops and the process they are putting you through. You have options - basically do it their way without totally abasing yourself, or try to convince them you are a tough guy and wind up doing it their way anyhow - but only after some motivational discussions if you get my meaning.

Final words? DO NOT tamper with evidence. Do not try to hide or change the position of anything. If you have shot someone you need to be really sure of what impact rendering first aid may have on evidence and helping the cops understand the crime scene, as well as determining if the assailant is really posing no threat if you get close enough to render first aid. Also remember that providing any first aid probably means being exposed to blood-borne pathogens and you may not have the equipment to protect yourself. Calling 9-1-1 and requesting an ambulance may be the better thing for all concerned (you, the assailant, the cops, your family and the medical care providers).

This ought to get you through the first few hours to the first 24 hours. After that your attorney will be a much better source of information and guidance.

stay safe.
 

cleveland

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 10, 2007
Messages
289
Location
West Allis, WI
What did Michael Bender say?

Ha! I knew that was coming. He mentioned that your phone will be as important as your gun, but not much more then that.

Thanks skidmark!

I am surprised that there is not a "After the threat had ceased" sticky at the top of on of the pages. When you call the cops, what to and not to say, that sort of thing. I read one guy say that you carry a gun for security, not protection as the law sees those two reasons differently. This sounds like good info, but there has to be more and I would think a group like this has it...somewhere.
 

MKEgal

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2010
Messages
4,383
Location
in front of my computer, WI
cleveland said:
What do you do after the shooting to insure you don't go to prison... or at least lower your chances.
Call 911.
1) Address or intersection
2) I need police & an ambulance
3) I was attacked & (feared for my life) "thought he was going to kill me!!"
4) I defended myself
5) My attacker is hurt
6) Send help!!! Repeat address or intersection.

Note that 2-5 you're simply telling what happened, so it shouldn't be hard to remember.
I think saying "I defended myself" is better than "I shot him" for a couple of reasons. First, it establishes that you were acting in self-defense. Second, when cops hear "gun" or "shot" they start acting strange. Don't give them time to get keyed up on the drive there.

Put the gun in the holster (once you can make yourself let go, & only if you're reasonably sure the attacker won't come at you again).

Get on another phone to your lawyer, or once cops get near, hang up your 911 call & dial the lawyer.

And as hard as it would be for me, I wouldn't go near the attacker to try to give him first aid or even see if I could tell the calltaker if he was still breathing. He tried to kill me!! I'm not going near him. (Aside from the tampering w/ evidence angle, & the disease angle.)

Once the cops get there, flag them down, point out "That's the guy who attacked me! Please get the ambulance here fast!" (Because I promise you the ambulance crew is waiting just out of range until the police tell them it's safe to come in.)

Other than giving your name, etc.,
and confirming that he attacked you, you were in fear for your life, and so on,
tell them you're really shaken up & will talk to them after you calm down a bit.
If your lawyer is on the way (lucky you), mention that you'll talk after s/he arrives.

Point out witnesses the police should talk to before they walk away.
 
Last edited:

Nutczak

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2008
Messages
2,165
Location
The Northwoods, lakeland area, Wisconsin, USA
Call 911.
1) Address or intersection
2) I need police & an ambulance
3) I was attacked & (feared for my life) "thought he was going to kill me!!"
4) I defended myself
5) My attacker is hurt
6) Send help!!! Repeat address or intersection.

Note that 2-5 you're simply telling what happened, so it shouldn't be hard to remember.
I think saying "I defended myself" is better than "I shot him" for a couple of reasons. First, it establishes that you were acting in self-defense. Second, when cops hear "gun" or "shot" they start acting strange. Don't give them time to get keyed up on the drive there.

Put the gun in the holster (once you can make yourself let go, & only if you're reasonably sure the attacker won't come at you again).

Get on another phone to your lawyer, or once cops get near, hang up your 911 call & dial the lawyer.

And as hard as it would be for me, I wouldn't go near the attacker to try to give him first aid or even see if I could tell the calltaker if he was still breathing. He tried to kill me!! I'm not going near him. (Aside from the tampering w/ evidence angle, & the disease angle.)

Once the cops get there, flag them down, point out "That's the guy who attacked me! Please get the ambulance here fast!" (Because I promise you the ambulance crew is waiting just out of range until the police tell them it's safe to come in.)

Other than giving your name, etc.,
and confirming that he attacked you, you were in fear for your life, and so on,
tell them you're really shaken up & will talk to them after you calm down a bit.
If your lawyer is on the way (lucky you), mention that you'll talk after s/he arrives.

Point out witnesses the police should talk to before they walk away.

Too much information IMO, remember this is going to be a very stressful situation, and you will most likely say something to damage your credibility and or position. 911 calls are recorded and used in court. what you say on the phone can and will be used against you.

I suggest consulting with an attorney now, and understanding very clearly what your attorney suggests you do, and do not do if you are ever unlucky enough to be forced to draw your firearm in defense.
 
M

McX

Guest
i know the answer to the thread title! if it's milwaukee, they put you up on murder charges. self defense is NOT a crime.
 

Outdoorsman1

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 1, 2011
Messages
1,248
Location
Silver Lake WI
Quote...

"I suggest consulting with an attorney now, and understanding very clearly what your attorney suggests you do, and do not do if you are ever unlucky enough to be forced to draw your firearm in defense."

Qualifies for the best answer of the year award....(If there was one...:lol:)

Outdoorsman
 

GLOCK21GB

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Apr 22, 2009
Messages
4,347
Location
Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA
now what ? Prepare to go very broke paying off your lawyer $ 20,000 -$ 40,000 is what you can expect to pay for your freedom...... you hope...... I mean so broke you have to Cash in your 401K OR sell the house... not be able to pay your bills, rent, food, car payment. after wards just declare Bankruptcy I guess. you will be out of Prison if you have a good GUN Lawyer, Contact Massad Ayoob for a good referral.......but you will be living in a cardboard box after...
 

rcawdor57

Campaign Veteran
Joined
May 18, 2009
Messages
1,643
Location
Wisconsin, USA
Not If Wisconsin Had A Good "Castle Doctrine"

now what ? Prepare to go very broke paying off your lawyer $ 20,000 -$ 40,000 is what you can expect to pay for your freedom...... you hope...... I mean so broke you have to Cash in your 401K OR sell the house... not be able to pay your bills, rent, food, car payment. after wards just declare Bankruptcy I guess. you will be out of Prison if you have a good GUN Lawyer, Contact Massad Ayoob for a good referral.......but you will be living in a cardboard box after...

Too true Glock34! Unless we DEMAND we institute a Castle Doctrine similar or EXACTLY like Florida's. In Florida you CANNOT be charged with a crime for defending yourself, your family or others AND you CANNOT be sued in Civil court by the perpetrator OR his/her family. Every state should have a Castle Doctrine identical to Florida's!

We must have the Castle Doctrine in Wisconsin AND have Constitutional Carry....Period.
 

nuc65

Activist Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2009
Messages
1,121
Location
Lynchburg, Virginia, USA
Call 911.
1) Address or intersection
2) I need police & an ambulance
3) I was attacked & (feared for my life) "thought he was going to kill me!!"
4) I defended myself
5) My attacker is hurt
6) Send help!!! Repeat address or intersection.

Note that 2-5 you're simply telling what happened, so it shouldn't be hard to remember.
I think saying "I defended myself" is better than "I shot him" for a couple of reasons. First, it establishes that you were acting in self-defense. Second, when cops hear "gun" or "shot" they start acting strange. Don't give them time to get keyed up on the drive there.

Put the gun in the holster (once you can make yourself let go, & only if you're reasonably sure the attacker won't come at you again).

Get on another phone to your lawyer, or once cops get near, hang up your 911 call & dial the lawyer.

And as hard as it would be for me, I wouldn't go near the attacker to try to give him first aid or even see if I could tell the calltaker if he was still breathing. He tried to kill me!! I'm not going near him. (Aside from the tampering w/ evidence angle, & the disease angle.)

Once the cops get there, flag them down, point out "That's the guy who attacked me! Please get the ambulance here fast!" (Because I promise you the ambulance crew is waiting just out of range until the police tell them it's safe to come in.)

Other than giving your name, etc.,
and confirming that he attacked you, you were in fear for your life, and so on,
tell them you're really shaken up & will talk to them after you calm down a bit.
If your lawyer is on the way (lucky you), mention that you'll talk after s/he arrives.

Point out witnesses the police should talk to before they walk away.

I have come to the conclusion that to call 911 is bad advice unless you are in Arizona.
 

protias

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 18, 2008
Messages
7,308
Location
SE, WI
Too true Glock34! Unless we DEMAND we institute a Castle Doctrine similar or EXACTLY like Florida's. In Florida you CANNOT be charged with a crime for defending yourself, your family or others AND you CANNOT be sued in Civil court by the perpetrator OR his/her family. Every state should have a Castle Doctrine identical to Florida's!

We must have the Castle Doctrine in Wisconsin AND have Constitutional Carry....Period.
Since you missed the meeting :(, Nik had said once the bill is submitted, WI will have the best Castle Doctrine in the entire country.
 

nuc65

Activist Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2009
Messages
1,121
Location
Lynchburg, Virginia, USA
Regardless of how you are carrying, or even where. What do you do after the shooting to insure you don't go to prison...or at least lower your chances.

If this is already covered, I could not find it. Please point me in the right direction.

Thanks.

There is a book that has an interesting view point on this.
" After You Shoot: Your gun's hot. The perp's not. Now what? "

I would recommend talking to a lawyer at some point, but it is a really good question to ask BEFORE something happens.
 

epilogue

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 24, 2010
Messages
147
Location
Centreville
When my wife and I first made the commitment to use everything available to protect ourselves, I did a lot of reading on VA laws, paying close attention to the Castle Doctrine and lack thereof.

Which led me to:

Umbrella policy from USAA.

$244 per year = ~1.5 million (and change) in civil coverage.

I bought the policy, I bought a gun (two actually). Same day, in that order.

Made absolutely clear with the company that it will protect me and my family in the even we get sued in the aftermath of self defense.

In a SD event, the absolute LAST thing I ever want running through my brain is dollar signs. I don't want to lose my wife or my own life because I was too scared of being sued.
 

JJC

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2010
Messages
283
Location
La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA
1) Have a witness call 911. (Take charge of the scene, shows witnesses your not the bad guy)
2) Document the witnesses, names and phone numbers. (Get these on your recorder)
3) When the LEO's show up DON"T get yourself shot.
4) Tell the LEO's you were attacked.
5) Point out the attackers weapon.
6) Tell the LEO's you will sign a complaint.
7) Tell the LEO's to Ask your lawyer any questions they have. (after you ask for him).

Shut your mouth. Shut your mouth.
Don't speak.
Don't speak EXCEPT to your lawyer.
The LEO's are not your friend, no matter what they say to you.

Remember the LEO's by law are allowed to lie to you.

JJC
 
Last edited:

Brendon .45

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2009
Messages
282
Location
Peoples' Republic of Madison, Wisconsin, USA
All very good answers.

One thing I did take away from Benders class (besides my Utah permit paperwork) was he said to have them take you to the hospital. I'm sure if I was ever in this situation I would probably nearly be having a heart attack! It's better if the witnesses see you leave in an ambulance rather than a cop car. It can help them remeber who the victim is.
 
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