Given all the Bug Out Bags, What Ifs, etc...

[Cameron23]

Given all the thought and preparation that go into people's ("Sheepdog's" at least) daily carry gear, BOBs, home/auto/travel preparedness kits, MBC training, etc: I got to thinking about a more likely possibility that it may pay to prepare for.

Legal Issues:

Some of the more recent, widely commented on topics have been in regard to legal woes and misadventures. Would it therefore be a good idea to set aside say $500 for a quick meet and greet with a GOOD criminal defense attorney?

I'm not talking about putting someone on a full time retainer, rather just arranging for a sit down where you can give them your resume', give them a quick run down of your personal and professional life, and why you think it might be a good idea to have their card (with mobile or pager number) in your wallet at all times.

That way if you are ever unfortunate enough to need criminal representation services you have someone who knows that you are not just some "low life" looking to get off of a legitimate charge, and they kind of have a feel for who you are, and may represent you with more vigor for it.

Given the state of affairs in some locals this is a more likely scenario than ever needing your SUPA-DUPA-BOB with 1000 round capacity.

Of course if you have a personal friend or trusted family member who is "Esquire" one might have already thought of this. :rolleyes:

Thoughts?

Cameron

[vampyrewolf]

Having good relations with a good lawyer is always a benefit.

My family has used the same lawyer a few times over the years (accident and business claims), he's pretty much the first number to call if anything goes cockeyed.

I've got a fairly good understanding of the law and what I'm allowed to do (and how far some of them can be stretched).

That said, if the SHTF, it's better to put the other guy down and not have to deal with them making up BS stories to the cops. It's easier to get out of jail than the morgue.

[The Deacon]

Assuming you are reasonably sure you would be able to afford a lawyer if a situation arose where you needed one, then it would certainly make sense to at least do some research. At a minimum, find a criminal defense lawyer in your area who has a reputation for winning cases and keep their phone number in your wallet. Many would be more than happy to give you their card for the asking. Problem is, as illustrated by one of those incidents, problems do not always occur near home. So an alternate plan might be to establish a relationship with a lawfirm that has both civil and criminal defense lawyers, perhaps by having a will drawn up. Then, if anything happens, you can call "your lawyer" who will, in turn, contact one of their criminal defense partners/associates, or a criminal defense lawyer in the city where you've been arrested.

[Bolster]

Definitely. Once something goes wrong in your life, that's not the time to be shopping for attorneys. You need to get a relationship going with one beforehand. I am fortunate enough to have a freind who is an attorney, and he has helped me out twice in the past decade, on things I was never expecting to happen to me.

Often time is of the essence, and when it gets bad, you need to move fast. Not the time to be shopping. Often, the bad stuff happens when nobody's in their offices anymore.