The 5 Elements of Lawful Self-Defense
Steve Moses has been a defensive firearms trainer for over 26 years and is a retired deputy constable and spent over 10 years on a multi-precinct Special Response Team. In this article, Steve explains what it might take to accomplish the following:
- Win the physical fight without being seriously injured or killed (winning may include successfully breaking contact without using a gun or lawfully using a gun in order to accomplish this objective).
- Not get charged with a criminal offense.
- If charged, to not be found guilty.
- Not be an easy target for a civil lawsuit.
The True Costs of Self-Defense
Financial and Emotional Damage
The Legal Battle. Especially in critical force cases, the cost of a proper defense can be overwhelming. Attorneys' fees alone can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and you may need to pay for private investigators and expert witnesses.
Living with Trauma. Fighting for your freedom in court can be emotionally devastating when you recently fought for your life. That is why we offer the highest caliber of legal coverage with our memberships and complementary sessions with a certified counselor.
Watch John Wyche's Story
Why Is Proper Defense Essential?
Sometimes, an innocent person who cannot afford a proper defense can end up in jail.
Each state is required to disprove any one of the five elements of self-defense in order to win the case. What this means is that each element is a target, and the prosecution may work hard to find just one element that they can attack. It is not a matter of whether or not the accused threatened, injured, or killed another person as they have already admitted that they did. However, the accused contends that the action took place because of the direct actions of the other person. Concealed carriers should be aware that judges sometimes make improper rulings during the trial, and that the win rate for cases that prosecutors take to trial may be as high as 90%. The consequences for unlawfully using a firearm to threaten, harm, or kill another person are harsh. Set out below are some examples:
- Murder: Life in prison.
- Manslaughter: 15 to 40 years in prison.
- Aggravated Assault/Battery: 10 to 20 years in prison.
- Brandishing/Menacing: Jail time may vary but attorney costs including fines may be as high as $100,000 or even more.
Questions About Memberships?
If you carry a firearm and discharge your weapon in self-defense, you could face hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees and expenses. That is why CCW Safe Memberships have self-defense coverage that protects you in the aftermath of an incident.
- Upfront payment of defense costs
- No out-of-pocket for members
- Unlimited defense budgets
- Unmatched legal expertise
- Same support as police officers have
- Decades of legal, law enforcement, and investigative experience
We look forward to answering your questions.
No Caps, No out of pocket
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Plans and Memberships
PLAN ADVISOR
Find the right plan for you.
We have many plans to accommodate member’s needs from those with Concealed Carry Permits to those without a Permit. We also have special plans for Law Enforcement, First Responders and Military Personnel.
To find the plan that is right for you, select the button below to receive plan recommendations.
MEMBERSHIP
Right Coverage. Right Expertise.
Holistic coverage matters for the worst moment of your life. When you are forced to defend yourself or your family, it is a traumatic event that can impact your life on both a personal and professional level. Knowing that you have a team of experts ready to activate for your defense brings peace of mind and a good night’s sleep.
We take a holistic approach with our top legal counsel and experienced homicide investigators bringing their insights to your case immediately while also addressing the emotional and mental side with added peer support and licensed psychologists for both you and your family.
