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What Should I Do If I Ever Need To Use My Gun In Self-Defense?

SlowDog

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2009
Messages
424
Location
Redford, Michigan, USA
This is a great article....

So, I am involved in a self defense shooting. I keep my mouth shut til counsel shows up. But, what counsel? Should I talk to a lawyer long in advance? Doesn't that look like I am setting myself up in advance to shoot someone? This is where I get a little "feeling" a prosecutor might try to use this to say I was out hunting for a prospective target.....Any thoughts?
 
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xmanhockey7

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 15, 2010
Messages
1,195
This is a great article....

So, I am involved in a self defense shooting. I keep my mouth shut til counsel shows up. But, what counsel? Should I talk to a lawyer long in advance? Doesn't that look like I am setting myself up in advance to shoot someone? This is where I get a little "feeling" a prosecutor might try to use this to say I was out hunting for a prospective target.....Any thoughts?

Well anything is possible but you have the right to remain silent and if you exercise that right I don't think them using it against you. Being someone who has a CPL and carries a gun talking to a lawyer in advance about something that might happen I doubt they can use it against you. This is not legal advice and anything can happen.
 

mastiff69

Regular Member
Joined
Nov 11, 2007
Messages
573
Location
Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States
I have multiple legal advisors, that i am able to contact.
Most of your legal advisors can care for you til it is time for the big dog to step in the ring and end the drama !
Every person should have general counsel on retainer, like wills, estates, civil matters, & also criminal matters as well....
 

TheQ

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2010
Messages
3,379
Location
Lansing, Michigan
This is a great article....

So, I am involved in a self defense shooting. I keep my mouth shut til counsel shows up. But, what counsel? Should I talk to a lawyer long in advance? Doesn't that look like I am setting myself up in advance to shoot someone? This is where I get a little "feeling" a prosecutor might try to use this to say I was out hunting for a prospective target.....Any thoughts?

I know a few attorneys to call upon if I ever need one.
 

G22

Regular Member
Joined
May 16, 2010
Messages
74
Location
Michigan, USA
Just remember, If you're arrested or sitting in jail you won't have your cell phone or wallet or anything else.

So either have your lawyers number memorized or make sure your phone call is to someone who has your lawyers contact info.
 

kryptonian

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2010
Messages
245
Location
, ,
good article
my advice -
1) when police arrive - tell a very brief account ONCE letting them know that your life or serious bodily injury etc. was evident a shooting was necessary. don't keep retelling everytime someone new arrives. statements to EMTs are included.
2) anything short of an arrest is a detainment. ask if you are detained. if asked to go to the station to make a statement ask if you are legally required to do so. if not DON'T GO. Tell them you will return with legal counsel at your convenience to make a statement. you will be told things like "it's in your best interests to go" or "we really need you to go" "you'll look bad if you don't come in and make a statement" "we need a fresh statement" or even "you have to go with us". no arrest and not detained then it's all voluntary. you can get up and leave any time. why go if you don't have to? i would say "i'm not saying anything here or there so why don't i just stay here?"
3) get receipts for all items taken. if weapon is taken ask exactly when you will get it back.
4) don't talk to the media if contacted.
5) don't give any details to family or friends that ask.
6) if you have a digital camera with you take a LOT of pics of the scene and do NOT give them to police. attorney will probably tell you to secure the memory card to insure that pics aren't tampered. this can work to your advantage if evidence appears altered or moved. a knife moved a couple feet could be the difference of guilty or not guilty. also photograph yourself. if you have injury marks from an assault you will want them documented as they will fade.
7) once a criminal case is cleared don't rule out civil suits. castle doctrine legally prevents this but play it safe. cleared isn't an open door to talking about the incident.
just my advice.
 

Shadow Bear

Michigan Moderator
Joined
Dec 17, 2010
Messages
1,004
Location
Grand Rapids
I'll say it again- we need a list of 2A lawyers by area / city / county / whatever.

That's a sticky I would support.

I have no idea who I would contact in the Grand Rapids area that has experience in self defense type cases and in depth knowledge of firearms laws.
 

DrTodd

Michigan Moderator
Joined
Jun 20, 2008
Messages
3,272
Location
Hudsonville , Michigan, USA
I'll say it again- we need a list of 2A lawyers by area / city / county / whatever.

That's a sticky I would support.

I have no idea who I would contact in the Grand Rapids area that has experience in self defense type cases and in depth knowledge of firearms laws.

Nor do I. I've talked to a few who claimed expertise... but I knew more than they. If you find someone, let me know and I will do the same.

Luckily, the prosecutor tends not to question self-defense cases, at least from what I've seen.
 
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Vmaxx

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2010
Messages
85
Location
Rochester Hills, Michigan, USA
I'll say it again- we need a list of 2A lawyers by area / city / county / whatever.

That's a sticky I would support.

I have no idea who I would contact in the Grand Rapids area that has experience in self defense type cases and in depth knowledge of firearms laws.


I'd really like to have this, I could leave a copy with my wife just in case..
 
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