If you ever have to use your firearm to defend yourself physically, there will be police questioning. It’s not a matter of IF there will be questioning, there will be questioning. Are you prepared to talk with the police?
https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/blog/after-a-shooting-when-youre-taken-for-questioning/
Are there any community members who have been through a police questioning following a self defense situation and are willing to share their experience?
Thnx,
Patrick
Definitely, I would like to hear if there are personal stories someone wants to share.
I think that this part of a possible sequence is nearly as scary as the self-defense part. Agree that you’ll talk when your lawyer is in the room, ask for your lawyer politely but firmly, then hunker down and zip up.
That is why I have USCCA! I AM FULLY WILLING TO COOPERATE, BUT I NEED TO MAKE A PHONE CALL… choose to remain silent, until my lawyer arrives.
Okay, MAYBE slightly off-topic, but I learned a lot AND thoroughly enjoyed Jay K. Ramey’s series of video’s (the first three, for sure) on YouTube: Know Your Rights Episode 1: The Three Big Things You Need to Know - YouTube “Know Your Rights”.
I don’t think anyone is prepared for it, I would hate being questioned over and over again. Famous police officer Masaad Ayoob who testified on behalf of police officers involved in shootings recommended you keep a large pool of cash available to a trusted friend, family or spouse for two reasons, get a bail bondsman to get you out and retain an attorney. You would think as a citizen and homeowner, if your home gets broken into by a scumbag that police would be on your side, sadly, they most likely not be. Just keep your mouth shut, be polite, tell them your name and address and that is all, tell them that you want to cooperate only through representation of counsel. Hang in there for the roller coaster ride of your life.
I was instructed give the officers the bare minimum. Let them know if any of the assailants ran off, point out as many witnesses as you can, then SHUT UP. I keep a USCCA card in my wallet, one in my wife’s wallet, and have the number in both phones, with my Member ID in the note section of my phone. We have a right to remain silent, and that’s what we need to do.
Really good subject. I didn’t realize just how unprepared I was until I became an instructor and started getting very good advice from multiple trainers and attorneys around the country.
Having been on the other side of the table doing the interrogation, my advice is this: at the scene say the minimum in order to identify yourself and any evidence and witnesses-then shut up and lawyer up. The assigned detective won’t be upset. It’s the way business is done. It’s exactly the way police handle it when they are involved in a shooting. And then hope you get assigned a detective who walks in looking for the facts and ultimately the truth. Not one who walks into the room looking for a conviction. I worked with both.
The only thing I’d add here is to establish your claim of self defense immediately and that you had no other choice.
In quite a few states you cannot even be arrested if the initial investigation supports your version of events and claim of self defense.
Just anecdotal but in CA I never saw a shooter in a self defense shooting not taken to the station for interrogation. If a fatality is involved most certainly you will be removed from the scene away from evidence and witnesses. Again I’m speaking about CA.
I don’t doubt that but we have to keep in mind here that we’re talking to people from all over the country.
Even in FL & TX you’re still going to the station to be questioned and for tests to be performed on your firearm but you’re not going to be arrested unless you claim is suspect.
Thank you.
That doesn’t surprise me at all about California, @Bulldog! With the variety of laws and self-defense incidents, there’s a chance you’ll end up at the police station no matter where you live depending on the situation.
Thanks for calling out that you’re talking about CA, @Bulldog!
I was not ready until I become a Member of USCCA. I carry my membership card and the Post-Incident Instruction and my cell phone all the time. That is the only why I will carry my firearm.