Wednesday, August 10, 2011

How To Get Rail-Roaded By The Legal System After Being Carjacked

The vast majority of us, who have valid Michigan issued Concealed Pistol Licenses (CPLs), jumped through all of the statutorily defined hoops so that we could have a means of defense against violent predators. However, it would myopic to assume and believe that merely surviving an unprovoked attack from a dangerous criminal is your only objective.

Winning the game of self-defense has two other equally important objectives - not being charged and convicted of a crime AND not being sued civilly for the wrongful death of a morally deficient scumbag (i.e. rapist, carjacker, home-invader, and etc.).

In Michigan, a citizen can not be sued for any injuries or fatalities incurred by bad guys during bona fide cases of self-defense. Thus, it is imperative that legally armed citizens avoid catching a criminal case. As a consequence, he is then automatically shielded or immunized from a civil suit.

One obvious key to avoid being charged with a crime is to both know and adhere to the laws of self-defense. The best way to do that is to take a "good" CPL Class. I won't get into a rant about the varying quality of courses in the marketplace today but rest assured that the content in a $65 class is not the same as that present in a $150 course.

Any graduate of a competently taught CPL Class knows how he is to act in the aftermath of a self-defense encounter - call your lawyer, call 9-1-1 to report a shooting, and SHUT UP until you have talked to your attorney. Any other course of action could have grave consequences to your lifestyle for many years into the future.

Imagine my shock, horror, and surprise when I awakened to news today that a recent victim of a carjacking attempt was being interviewed live on a local radio show. I don't fault the show's host and producer for trying to secure the guest's appearance; that is what they do. Talk radio is all about getting the hot commodity in the studio to secure high ratings. It's business - nothing personal.

I call into the question the judgement of the shooter in yesterday's carjacking incident. It was totally idiotic to discuss the case with the media before the case was cleared by the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office. I am certain that staff from Kym Worthy's Office were listening into the show and taking notes for any and all inaccuracies in the oral account being told live on the air.

It is very possible that some seemingly small detail could eventually lead to the shooter being charged with and being convicted a crime. If that happens, what was the original point of carrying a firearm and using it for self-defense? Going to prison for a few decades is not a good consolation prize for winning a shoot-out.

Along with the right to keep and bear a firearm are also the rights to remain silent and to not self-incriminate yourself. Why is it so easy to exercise the former and ignore the latter ones?

No comments: