how to find best self defense lawyer

by Onie Hickle 3 min read

So how exactly do you find a self-defense lawyer? Well… it’s not as bad as you might think. First off, ask all of the firearms instructors in your area and they should be able to give you a referral or two. If for some reason they don’t know of a lawyer, then go to your local gun shops and ask around. Lastly, you can call the NRA and they’ll give you a list of lawyers in your area.

Full Answer

What are the laws for self defense in the US?

Sep 20, 2011 · So how exactly do you find a self-defense lawyer? Well… it’s not as bad as you might think. First off, ask all of the firearms instructors in your area and they should be able to give you a referral or two. If for some reason they don’t know of a lawyer, then go to your local gun shops and ask around. Lastly, you can call the NRA and they’ll give you a list of lawyers in your …

Can I defend myself in self-defense?

Jul 10, 2019 · Attorney Andrew F. Branca, Esq. is in his fourth decade of practicing law, specializing in self-defense law of the United States, where he is an internationally recognized expert. Through his legal practice, Law of Self Defense LLC, Andrew helps law-abiding armed citizens make better informed, more confident, more decisive decisions in defense of …

What should you look for when hiring a self-defense attorney?

Sep 09, 2020 · An act of self-defense may result in legal action against you. If the police take you into custody, you should call a criminal defense attorney in NYC. We have also provided tips your loved ones can follow to help your defense. As previously discussed, D’Emilia Law maintains that an arrest is not the end of your life and not the same as a ...

What is the best definition of self defense?

Jun 03, 2016 · For assistance in obtaining a referral from the NRA please call (703) 267-1161. If you do decide to search, just type this into google: “ {Your City} Firearm Lawyer”. Now, you may be tempted to search for criminal defense attorney with gun specialty or something like that.

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Do defense lawyers know the truth?

Truthfully, a defense lawyer almost never really knows whether the defendant is guilty or not of the charged crime. Even if he says he is guilty, he actually may not be and may be lying to take the fall for someone he wants to protect.

How do I know if I choose the right lawyer?

How To Choose the Right Lawyer: Ten Points to Consider When Selecting an AttorneyIdentify Your Legal Problem and Use a Specialist. ... Make Sure the Attorney has the Right Experience. ... Expect the Attorney to be a Good Communicator. ... Consider the Attorney's Professionalism.More items...

Where is the best place to find a lawyer?

Most communities have referral services to help people find lawyers. You might be able to find them under “Lawyer Referral Service” or something similar in your yellow pages. These services usually recommend a lawyer in the area to evaluate a situation.Sep 9, 2019

What are some questions you should ask a lawyer?

Questions to Ask Your Lawyer During a Consultation1) What kind of experience do you have with similar cases?2) What would be your strategy for my case?3) Are there any alternatives to going to court?4) What are my possible outcomes?5) Who will actually handle my case?6) What is my role in my case?More items...•Jan 29, 2017

What does avvo stand for?

AVVO comes from the Italian word for lawyer: avvocato. And the information AVVO provides is just as simple. The higher the rating, the more favorable an attorney's background, according to AVVO's algorithm. AVVO is unbiased, meaning attorneys cannot pay to improve ratings or hide negative information.

How much is a lawyer?

You can pay anywhere from $50 to thousands per hour. Smaller towns and cities generally cost less while heavily populated, urban areas are most expensive. The more complicated the case and the more experienced the attorney, the more you'll pay. Lawyer fees can range from $255 to $520 per hour.

Does your lawyer have to be local?

Not exactly. Each state regulates the practice of law. Generally, only attorneys licensed in a particular state can practice law there.Mar 4, 2020

What is self defense law?

It's a universally accepted principle that a person may protect themselves from harm under appropriate circumstances, even when that behavior would normally constitute a crime. In the United States legal system, each state allows a defendant to claim self-defense when accused of a violent crime, ...

When does self defense justify the use of force?

As a general rule, self-defense only justifies the use of force when it is used in response to an immediate threat. The threat can be verbal, as long as it puts the intended victim in an immediate fear of physical harm. Offensive words without an accompanying threat of immediate physical harm, however, do not justify the use ...

What is imperfect self defense?

If the person uses force to defend themselves from the perceived threat, the situation is known as “ imperfect self-defense.”. Imperfect self-defense does not excuse a person from the crime of using violence, but it can lessen the charges and penalties involved. Not every state recognizes imperfect self-defense, however.

What is proportional response in self defense?

Proportional Response. Self-defense law requires the response to match the level of the threat in question. In other words, a person can only employ as much force as required to remove the threat. If the threat involves deadly force, the person defending themselves can use deadly force to counteract the threat.

What is the original law regarding self defense?

The original laws regarding self-defense required people claiming self-defense to first make an attempt to avoid the violence before using force. This is also known as a “ duty to retreat .”.

Why does a person punch his friend in the face?

In order to avoid the perceived threat, the person punches his friend in the face. While the person’s claim of self-defense will not get him out of any criminal charges because of the unreasonable nature of his perception, it could reduce the severity of the charges or the eventual punishment.

What is stand your ground law?

Stand Your Ground. In contrast to the duty to retreat, many states have enacted so-called “stand your ground” laws. These laws remove the duty to retreat and allow for a claim of self-defense even if the claimant did nothing to flee from the threat of violence.

STEP 1: Get Started

Get a feel for what we do and what you can learn from us without having to spend a penny! Our 5 Elements Infographic is totally free and gives you a concise visual for understanding the 5 principles of self-defense law:

STEP 2: Learn

Be confident you know exactly what to do when the time comes. Take Andrew's LEVEL 1 state-specific class and be positive you know EXACTLY what's required of you when seconds count. An entertaining, fun class full of examples and actionable material, the LEVEL 1 class is a perfect 5-star reviewed course specific to YOUR state.

STEP 3: Stay Informed

Join our community and stay informed of the latest news and analysis on self-defense law.

STEP 4: Get Andrew on YOUR Side

Even the best prepared still need the best there is. Don't walk into a courtroom without Andrew's expertise at your defense. Get Andrew there for you:

What is self defense in New York?

It is also known as “justification,” and describes when defendants are reasonably “justified” in using physical or deadly force to defend themselves.

Where can it be reasonably asserted to protect?

It also describes where it can be reasonably asserted to protect: themselves or others, homes or premises, and to prevent criminal mischief. Justification is proportional, however, and so much depends on reasonable belief.

What to do if you are taken into custody by the police?

An act of self-defense may result in legal action against you. If the police take you into custody, you should call a criminal defense attorney in NY C. We have also provided tips your loved ones can follow to help your defense.

What is the castle doctrine?

This concept is guided by the “castle doctrine,” a clause that typically refers to defending yourself inside your property. It ties to the old adage that “one’s home is his or her castle,” and they should not have to abandon it amid a threat.

What is the duty to retreat in New York?

The duty to retreat is essentially the opposite of a “stand your ground law,” where you are not obligated to flee the scene if threatened.

What is D'Emilia Law?

D’Emilia Law has successfully defended against criminal charges of assault, manslaughter, or even murder by demonstrating clients faced immediate danger and had to protect themselves from aggressors.

Can you use Castle doctrine after the fact?

If an intruder entered your house and you used deadly force because you believed you were in danger, the castle doctrine may be applied after-the-fact, as part of your defense in court. It is not a license to kill and – taken a step further – does not “allow” you to harm anyone.

How to contact a NRA attorney?

This list of attorneys is available free of charge to NRA members. For assistance in obtaining a referral from the NRA please call (703) 267-1161. Now, you may be tempted to search for criminal defense attorney with gun specialty or something like that.

Who is the president of concealed carry?

Jacob S. Paulsen is the President of ConcealedCarry.com. ConcealedCarry.com provides in-person and online firearm training for American gun owners. The Company is currently teaching in-person classes in 25+ states with a team of more than 55 instructors.

Can I carry a gun in public?

Today's gun owners cannot afford to wade out into public with a legal firearm concealed or open without having given some significant amount of thought to having a quality and appropriate attorney ready to call should a firearm related incident occur.

What is self defense law?

Self defense in the sense of the law is defined as: a claim or plea that the use of force or injuring or killing another was necessary in defending one’s own person or other person from physical attack. While this may seem straight forward, a self defense plea is often convoluted. What many people don’t realize is self defense laws are vastly different across the country. There are two main types of self defense laws currently in use across the United States and also the “castle doctrine” which often accompanies a “stand your ground” law to include property.

What are the two types of self defense laws?

There are two main types of self defense laws currently in use across the United States and also the “castle doctrine” which often accompanies a “stand your ground” law to include property.

What is the duty to retreat law?

“Duty to retreat” laws specifically pertain to the use of deadly force. A state with a form of a “duty to retreat” policy expects individuals to attempt to retreat from imminent danger by running away or escaping the situation. If the individual is physically incapable of fleeing the situation, the use of deadly force can be considered self defense. If a person is cornered or physically restrained and facing bodily injury or death, they are then authorized to use whatever force necessary to protect themselves, including deadly force.

What is stand your ground law in Florida?

A “stand your ground” law means a person can use force or in some states even deadly force to defend themselves without first attempting to retreat from imminent danger. In many “stand your ground” states a person can avoid trial altogether ...

How many states have stand your ground laws?

Currently there are 24 states with “stand your ground” laws in place, including North Carolina and Florida which came under fire in 2012 for the shooting death of Trayvon Martin. In that situation, the shooter, George Zimmerman, was a neighborhood watch member who fatally shot unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Zimmerman was later acquitted of second-degree murder after explaining Florida’s “stand your ground” laws. A “stand your ground” law means a person can use force or in some states even deadly force to defend themselves without first attempting to retreat from imminent danger. In many “stand your ground” states a person can avoid trial altogether and be granted immunity from prosecution with a claim of self-defense.

Why is lethal force used in self defense cases?

As the above mentioned shooting of teenager Trayvon Martin, there have been many cases where a self defense was used to protect an individual from prosecution for a homicide.

What is the Castle doctrine?

Castle Doctrine: Known as the “castle doctrine”, castle referring to a person’s domain often including house, office, or automobile, these laws are similar to “stand your ground” policies, but are limited to a person’s property.

Types of Self-Defense

Defendants can use deadly or non-deadly force as an affirmative defense to justify their actions:

Stand Your Ground Law in Florida

In 2005, Florida passed the first stand your ground law in the nation that generally allows people to fight back with deadly force instead of retreating if they reasonably believe doing so will "prevent death or great bodily harm." Today more than 20 states have similar laws.

Claiming Self Defense in Court

The stand your ground law allows a person to raise the issue of self-defense either at a pretrial hearing or at trial. If a judge finds the actions were justified, they are required to dismiss the charges.

Overview of Florida's Self-Defense Laws

The following chart highlights important aspects of Florida's self-defense laws.

Florida Self-Defense Laws: Related Resources

The following links contain additional information on self-defense laws in Florida.

How Do Florida Self-Defense Laws Affect You? An Attorney Can Help

Don't let a criminal conviction ruin your future, especially where you may be able to claim self-defense. Even minor convictions are discoverable by potential employers and a conviction could disrupt your ability to receive student loans and other government assistance.

Can I Solve This on My Own or Do I Need an Attorney?

Get tailored advice and ask your legal questions. Many Florida attorneys offer free consultations.

New York Self Defense: The Castle Doctrine

New York is not a stand your ground state, but the state does follow a similar doctrine called the "castle doctrine," which allows individuals to use deadly force to defend their homes against intruders.

Duty to Retreat

What the stand your ground and castle doctrine have in common is that there is no duty to retreat. According to the duty to retreat principles, when an individual is under immediate threat of harm, they are required to retreat from the threat as much as possible.

New York Self Defense Laws at a Glance

The chart below provides a summary of state laws related to New York self defense laws, including links to important code sections.

Get Help from a Criminal Lawyer

New York self defense laws can be confusing, making it difficult to understand when physical force is appropriate. If you're concerned about how these laws affect your situation, you should find out more information. Get started by locating a New York criminal defense attorney near you today.

Overview of Maryland Self Defense Laws

The following chart provides some basic information relating to issues involved in Maryland self defense laws:

Get Professional Help With Your Maryland Self-Defense Claim

Although you may have a solid defense under Maryland's self defense laws, the serious nature of the potential charges means professional assistance is highly recommended. A competent attorney can help develop your defense and identify any other potential defenses in your case.

What is self defense?

The legal term self defense refers to a type of affirmative defense used to explain one person’s use of force against another person. For example, self defense describes a situation wherein one person reasonably uses force to defend himself against an attack by another person on the subway. A person might use non-deadly force, or deadly force, ...

How can a person remain protected under self defense laws?

The second is if the other person responded to the presentation of a conflict with excessive force.

When is the duty to retreat used in conjunction with self defense?

When the duty to retreat is used in conjunction with self defense as a legal defense, it is up to the defense to prove that the defendant was acting reasonably by avoiding conflict.

What is non-deadly force?

A person might use non-deadly force, or deadly force, to defend himself, depending on the situation. To explore this concept, consider the following self defense definition.

What is self defense in the movie "The Second"?

The second is if the other person responded to the presentation of a conflict with excessive force. What follows is an example of self defense that would be permitted as a defense for an aggressor: Billy discovers that Jack has been physically abusive toward Billy’s sister, Emily.

What is reasonable force?

Reasonable force refers to the amount of force that is necessary for a person to defend himself or his property, without going overboard. It is especially important to prove whether or not the force a person used was reasonable in order to determine his level of liability for the crime. Hence why reasonable force is also referred to as “legal force.” For instance, a father who gets into an argument with his son’s baseball coach, shoving him with his hands, has started the conflict. If the coach, in defending himself, picks up a baseball bat and slams it into the father’s head several times, it could not reasonably be considered self defense.

Why do police use deadly force?

While officers are permitted to use deadly force to prevent a dangerous suspect from escaping – and potential ly harming more people – they are required to give a warning whenever possible. Deadly force is considered unjustified when the suspect does not pose an immediate threat to the officer, nor to anyone else.

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What Is Self-Defense?

  • Self-defense is defined as the right to prevent suffering force or violence through the use of a sufficient level of counteracting force or violence. This definition is simple enough on its face, but it raises many questions when applied to actual situations. For instance, what is a sufficient level of force or violence when defending oneself? What goes beyond that level? What if the inte…
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Is The Threat Imminent?

  • As a general rule, self-defense only justifies the use of force when it is used in response to an immediate threat. The threat can be verbal, as long as it puts the intended victim in an immediate fear of physical harm. Offensive words without an accompanying threat of immediate physical harm, however, do not justify the use of force in self-defense. Moreover, the use of force in self-d…
See more on findlaw.com

Was The Fear of Harm Reasonable?

  • Sometimes self-defense is justified even if the perceived aggressor didn’t actually mean the perceived victim any harm. What matters in these situations is whether a “reasonable person” in the same situation would have perceived an immediate threat of physical harm. The concept of the “reasonable person” is a legal conceit that is subject to differing interpretations in practice, b…
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Imperfect Self-Defense

  • Sometimes a person may have a genuine fear of imminent physical harm that is objectively unreasonable. If the person uses force to defend themselves from the perceived threat, the situation is known as “imperfect self-defense.” Imperfect self-defense does not excuse a person from the crime of using violence, but it can lessen the charges and penalties involved. Not every …
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Proportional Response

  • Self-defense law requires the response to match the level of the threat in question. In other words, a person can only employ as much force as required to remove the threat. If the threat involves deadly force, the person defending themselves can use deadly force to counteract the threat. If, however, the threat involves only minor force and the person claiming self-defense uses force th…
See more on findlaw.com

Duty to Retreat

  • The original laws regarding self-defense required people claiming self-defense to first make an attempt to avoid the violence before using force. This is also known as a “duty to retreat.” While most states have removed this rule for instances involving the use of nonlethal force, many states still require that a person make an attempt to escape the situation before applying lethal force.
See more on findlaw.com

Stand Your Ground

  • In contrast to the duty to retreat, many states have enacted so-called “stand your ground” laws. These laws remove the duty to retreat and allow for a claim of self-defense even if the claimant did nothing to flee from the threat of violence. As mentioned above, this is the more common rule when situations involve nonlethal force. State self-defense laws are split on the stand your grou…
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Castle Doctrine

  • Even in states that require a person to retreat from the threat of imminent harm before defending themselves, a person can often use deadly force against someone who unlawfully enters their home. This rule, also known as “the castle doctrine,” allows people to defend their homes against intruder through lethal force. Like most of these rules, the exact result will vary according to the j…
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Need Help with A Claim of Self-Defense?

  • Self-defense claims are fairly common and the rules about the situations in which a person can defend themselves and the amount of force they are allowed to use can be complicated. Everything can be made much simpler with the advice of a competent local attorney. Find an experienced criminal defense attorneynear you with the click of a button.
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