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Talking to Police after a Self Defense Incident
- Thread starter RexProcer
- Start date
We go over this repeatedly. Read "The Law On Self Defense", and probably "In the Gravest Extreme". They'll pretty well cover it. Both books make great Christmas presents for anyone keeping a gun for self defense, btw.
But to summarize: I was in fear for my life. There is evidence there and over there. Those folks are witnesses. I'm not going to answer any questions without my lawyer present.
Then SHUT UP. Take the ride downtown if it comes to it.
But to summarize: I was in fear for my life. There is evidence there and over there. Those folks are witnesses. I'm not going to answer any questions without my lawyer present.
Then SHUT UP. Take the ride downtown if it comes to it.
I am exactly like this too. I am an open book and always try to tell the truth and be cooperative. It gets me in much more trouble than if I would just STFU sometimes. Not sure it's saved me any more than it's landed me in trouble.
Watch this if you haven't seen it.
If you are unlucky enough to be involved in a self-defense shooting you will need professional help immediately. Literally the rest of your life and all of your money is at stake, even if you feel 100% sure you had no other choice. The legal and financial aftermath can be devastating, even if your aren't convicted of anything. Once someone is shot, fatally or not, opinions cease to matter. It is all "legal standards" at that point and you don't know what they are. I signed up for USCCA the day I secured my CCP. I have immediate response guaranteed, $1,000,000 for attorneys fees and civil damage coverage, they coordinate help for me, bail me out if necessary and pay me if I miss work. For $30/day. And no, I don't work for them, they are just the best I found after determining I wouldn't want to walk that road on my own. I hope I never find myself needing their help. But as the saying goes, better to have it and not need it...
(Reckon he means $30 a month, Platinum membership price.)
I will be an active participant in my defense. The scenario OP presented is a clear cut, justified act of self defense.
For example:
Officer, there is a camera across the street, maybe it recorded the incident.
Those people over there were not outside when I was (robbed, shot at etc.).
The other two suspects were wearing (this) and they got into a (whatever vehicle) and drove that direction.
The weapon the suspect was holding, looked like a (hand gun, shotgun, rifle whatever).
He told me he was going to kill my (wife, me, son, daughter) if I didn't give it up.
Officer, I want to tell you more but I hope you understand that I really should speak with a self defense attorney first. Or, officer I've seen how the police have been treated in situations like this and I really should speak with.......
I will not be faking a medical emergency. This will only get my medical records subpoenaed and will be presented in Grand Jury. How will it look when the Doctor says there was absolutely nothing wrong with me? That's about as absurd as me dragging someone back inside my house after I shot them in self defense. Lying to the police will only get me charged with obstruction and maybe even murder.
An ounce of perception is worth a pound of performance. I want to appear cooperative without giving a play by play narration of events that I could have out of order because of the stress. I'll reserve that for my attorney first. If I give a play by play account on scene and one thing is out of order, a hostile D.A. could make it appear I'm lying. Those first responding officers will most likely testify in my Grand Jury. When someone asks the officers if I was cooperative I want them to be on my side just in case the D.A. is not.
For example:
Officer, there is a camera across the street, maybe it recorded the incident.
Those people over there were not outside when I was (robbed, shot at etc.).
The other two suspects were wearing (this) and they got into a (whatever vehicle) and drove that direction.
The weapon the suspect was holding, looked like a (hand gun, shotgun, rifle whatever).
He told me he was going to kill my (wife, me, son, daughter) if I didn't give it up.
Officer, I want to tell you more but I hope you understand that I really should speak with a self defense attorney first. Or, officer I've seen how the police have been treated in situations like this and I really should speak with.......
I will not be faking a medical emergency. This will only get my medical records subpoenaed and will be presented in Grand Jury. How will it look when the Doctor says there was absolutely nothing wrong with me? That's about as absurd as me dragging someone back inside my house after I shot them in self defense. Lying to the police will only get me charged with obstruction and maybe even murder.
An ounce of perception is worth a pound of performance. I want to appear cooperative without giving a play by play narration of events that I could have out of order because of the stress. I'll reserve that for my attorney first. If I give a play by play account on scene and one thing is out of order, a hostile D.A. could make it appear I'm lying. Those first responding officers will most likely testify in my Grand Jury. When someone asks the officers if I was cooperative I want them to be on my side just in case the D.A. is not.
Just tell them you need to empty your drawers and call an attorney. The smell should validate your statement. Don't care how cool you think you are you will be shivering and shaking like a dog shi**ing razor blades after an event of this nature
This is the answer.
I always get a kick out of the 'don't talk to the cops' crowd. Are you supposed to call 911 and then sit there saying nothing? Absurd.
Wolverine had the dialog laid out exactly right, but one thing not mentioned is to be sure and call 911 as fast as humanly possible. You want to make sure that you are logged as the complainant (victim), not have the accomplice you didn't see call the cops and tell them there's a man with a gun shooting people.
.
I had a friend who work for the Paulding Co Sheriffs Dept. He said don't even talk to your lawyer let alone the cops.
