PieterCoetzee
Professional
I jumped on the Self Defense insurance thing maybe 20 years ago UNTIL I started listening to what they were saying. One firm says we will reimburse you if you were found not guilty. One firm says their policy is only good in your state. Another says if you want other states theres an additional fee. One says the kids in your home (to young to have a policy arent covered)
AND they all tell you not to talk to the POLICE. I keep saying that as a cop, I didnt want your statement because it only slowed me down. If you wanted to talk but wanted your lawyer present, I could be waiting all night for him to get there; and I still had to write the report and get it approved, and only then get search warrants, and and and.
Most importantly for the good guy, if you dont talk chances are any evidence for YOU will be missed or lost forever. I wont go looking for the bad guy's gun that he tossed in the creek or on top of the roof or down the drain BECAUSE you didnt give me your side. Sure you should have a lawyer; but you can trust ONE THING, he will go home that night, no matter what you say or dont say.
Victims dont get arrested. When the police take a report, you can be listed as a Victim, as Suspect, or a Victim/Suspect. Once you have suspect before your name NOTHING will change that. It all starts with what you say to 911. They dont need a novel. Just tell them YOU were attacked and had to defend yourself. Tell them what youre wearing and that you need a medic for you and the guy that attacked you. (You will be glad you asked for one for yourself even if you didnt get shot/stabbed--trust me). Stay on the line with 911 but avoid chit chat (its all recorded) Tell them to let you know when the officer is close so you can put your gun away.
When the officer gets there obey his commands and tell him you will answer all his questions but could he just be sure the other guy is safe and cant hurt you anymore. Also ask to be checked by the medics because of your (heart or BP or or or--trust me). The responding officer doesnt need a novel either but he does need the scene details, so he knows where to look and if there were other bad guys who got away, in case they might be coming back OR took away evidence. You need to establish that YOU are the victim, the ONLY victim. Do not lie because they will bite you. Tell the truth and tell it passionately. Learn how to ARTICULATE.
Chances are you will have to make a longer statement at the station. This is NOT an arrest. Its just easier for everyone to sit down at a table in a lit room. You will probably notice that they tell you that your are free to go; but that they just want to know what happened. THATs when you can start the long version. You have to keep them on track that YOU were the VICTIM. You were in a place where it was legal for you to be, and there for a legal reason (walking the dog, getting milk for the morning etc). You didnt want any trouble and the last thing you wanted was to have to hurt anyone. You tried to get away from them (but they were younger/faster and you have a heart condition), you even gave them money and your watch (if true); but they wanted your wedding ring and it was given to you by your deceased wife and you just couldnt bear to give that up (again if true). Its only when they started attacking you that you finally had to use your gun. Tell them if the bad guys called you racial names. Tell thew that they said they were gonna hurt you and you just knew you were going to die and you closed yor eyes and saw your wife....)
Theres more but the idea is that you have to convince them you are the VICTIM. Its really not that hard
AND they all tell you not to talk to the POLICE. I keep saying that as a cop, I didnt want your statement because it only slowed me down. If you wanted to talk but wanted your lawyer present, I could be waiting all night for him to get there; and I still had to write the report and get it approved, and only then get search warrants, and and and.
Most importantly for the good guy, if you dont talk chances are any evidence for YOU will be missed or lost forever. I wont go looking for the bad guy's gun that he tossed in the creek or on top of the roof or down the drain BECAUSE you didnt give me your side. Sure you should have a lawyer; but you can trust ONE THING, he will go home that night, no matter what you say or dont say.
Victims dont get arrested. When the police take a report, you can be listed as a Victim, as Suspect, or a Victim/Suspect. Once you have suspect before your name NOTHING will change that. It all starts with what you say to 911. They dont need a novel. Just tell them YOU were attacked and had to defend yourself. Tell them what youre wearing and that you need a medic for you and the guy that attacked you. (You will be glad you asked for one for yourself even if you didnt get shot/stabbed--trust me). Stay on the line with 911 but avoid chit chat (its all recorded) Tell them to let you know when the officer is close so you can put your gun away.
When the officer gets there obey his commands and tell him you will answer all his questions but could he just be sure the other guy is safe and cant hurt you anymore. Also ask to be checked by the medics because of your (heart or BP or or or--trust me). The responding officer doesnt need a novel either but he does need the scene details, so he knows where to look and if there were other bad guys who got away, in case they might be coming back OR took away evidence. You need to establish that YOU are the victim, the ONLY victim. Do not lie because they will bite you. Tell the truth and tell it passionately. Learn how to ARTICULATE.
Chances are you will have to make a longer statement at the station. This is NOT an arrest. Its just easier for everyone to sit down at a table in a lit room. You will probably notice that they tell you that your are free to go; but that they just want to know what happened. THATs when you can start the long version. You have to keep them on track that YOU were the VICTIM. You were in a place where it was legal for you to be, and there for a legal reason (walking the dog, getting milk for the morning etc). You didnt want any trouble and the last thing you wanted was to have to hurt anyone. You tried to get away from them (but they were younger/faster and you have a heart condition), you even gave them money and your watch (if true); but they wanted your wedding ring and it was given to you by your deceased wife and you just couldnt bear to give that up (again if true). Its only when they started attacking you that you finally had to use your gun. Tell them if the bad guys called you racial names. Tell thew that they said they were gonna hurt you and you just knew you were going to die and you closed yor eyes and saw your wife....)
Theres more but the idea is that you have to convince them you are the VICTIM. Its really not that hard
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