Posted: 11/1/2001 7:58:08 AM EDT
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In reference to this topic: [url]www.ar15.com/forums/topic.html?id=66133[/url] I'm wondering, do each of you already have a lawyer on standby who will represent you? Or are you like me, having never talked to a lawyer before. Should all of us call around and get friendly with a lawyer and keep their phone # in your brain or wallet? |
| When I got my CHL, I found a good, well-connected lawyer and introduced myself. He knows what I'll say if I ever have to use my CCW ("I was in fear for my life and shot to stop the threat. I'd like to speak to my attorney now.") and I carry his card in my wallet at all times. |
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My attorney is my best friend. He was a high powered attorney in a white shoe firm in NYC that handled high profile criminal defense work. Since moving upstate he has been one of the State of NY's senior law enforcement attornies. I get all the free legal advice I need and he knows everybody. The other week he took me to a fund raiser for the local district attorney who I am now on a first name basis with. I carry his card in my wallet which is emblazoned with his shield. Here is the kicker, he is allowed to do up to $1,000 in legal work without agency approval. Since he would never charge me, he is therefore free to represent me to his heart's content. If there were a conflict of interest, he would refer me to any number of his friends with the same arrangement. Also doesn't hurt that he is more pro-2nd then anyone I know, including some of the whack-jobs on this board. I consider myself pretty well covered between my job, my friends, and the chits I have amassed over the years. |
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So, just how does one find a pro-2nd attorney? As a job perk, we get a free hour per week of counsel with a lawyer the company has on retainer. While he is a nice guy, he doesn't willingly assist with firearm-related issues. Also, I've actually read the state firearm laws, so I'm one step ahead of him. Also, he doesn't have any criminal law experience. So, I think I need to find someone else. I need help fighting for a CWP, and I want someone that can be there for me if something happens when (well, if) I'm allowed to carry. I work with a bunch of former-LEO's, so while I have permission of the owner of the company to carry, I'm afraid one of them will try to cause trouble if they find-out. I'd like to find someone with criminal experience, but I don't have any good friends or family that's worked with a criminal lawyer before. Basically, I'm in the dark. So, how do we match-up gun owners and lawyers that are willing to help us? I could just pick one lawyer at random and ask for his card, but picking the wrong one could be very costly in the long run.z |
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Last March I needed an attorney with experience in firearms laws. I contacted the NRA (ILA actually) who gave me a list of attorneys in my area and I also asked around here on the forums and on a couple of email lists. I picked George Freeman in Fairfax. He did a good job and I keep his card in my wallet in case I ever need his services again. |
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I JUST WENT OUT & FOUND A LAW FIRM TO PROTECT ME: MESHBESHER & SPENCE in Minneapolis, MN They have offices around the country, have great past success statistics, specialists in criminal defense & prosecution for damages incurred, etc... -inuhbad. PS. That post linked scared the piss out of me! [shock] |
| It is smart to have a good attorney whom you or your parents or spouse will know to call for you if your ever in a jam. Pay the money for the best one you can afford, when your freedom is on the line is no time to economize. Make sure your friend/attorney can refer other good attorneys who specialize in various fields such as federal cases, firearms law, use of force etc. Also can refer you to good attorneys who are out of state if you happen to get in a jam away from home. There is a growing trend towards pre paid legal, kind of like insurance that provides legal representation. You pay periodic premiums like with your insurance plans. That may not be a bad idea since most prosecutors are happy to spend the tax payers money to pressure you into a deal that if you fought would break you financially regardless of your innocence. |