I have a question about the USCCA Attorney Network. Do they only respond to an actual life threatening situation where you had to use lethal force? I wrote to my preferred attorney with a legal question pertaining to the Attorney Network and after two weeks, I still got no response. Does USCCA have a help line or contact support page? I thank you in advance for any help or suggestions.
Depending on what the question is that you have, we may be able to assist or let you know if it would be better suited for an attorney.
As far as network attorneys answering questions, we don’t have them ‘under contract’ so to speak for answering basic/non emergency questions as they come in so it would be up to them and their schedules whether they answered those types of questions.
Thank you for getting back to me. Maybe you can get me answer to my concern. A gentleman told me that if someone was involved in a self-defense shooting and the prosecutor decided to indict that person, our USCCA Legal Defense would not defend them. Is this true? And under what circumstance would someone be indicted?
I don’t know my friend, but when I did a crude search, here’s what I found:
" Being “indicted” means a grand jury has formally charged someone with a crime. It is not a conviction. Instead, it marks the official start of the criminal trial process, issued only after a group of citizens reviews evidence and decides there is sufficient probable cause to proceed with a trial.
The Grand Jury Process
In the United States (primarily at the federal level and in many state courts), an indictment acts as a crucial constitutional check and balance:
- The Goal: To ensure an individual does not face a serious criminal trial without adequate evidence of wrongdoing.
- The Jury: A group of citizens (typically 16-23 people) hears testimony and reviews evidence presented by a prosecutor in a closed session.
- The Vote: The jury votes on whether to issue a “true bill” (indictment) or a “no bill” (declining to charge). A minimum number of jurors must agree to move forward.
Indicted vs. Charged
While the terms are often used interchangeably, there is a technical difference in how they originate:
- Indicted: The formal accusation is brought forward specifically by a grand jury.
- Charged (by complaint): The formal accusation is filed directly to the court by a prosecutor without requiring a grand jury’s involvement.
What Happens Next
Being indicted does not determine guilt. Following an indictment, the defendant is officially notified of the allegations and must appear in court for an arraignment. During this hearing, the defendant enters a plea (e.g., guilty or not guilty), and the court sets the conditions for their release, such as bail.
People who are indicted do not automatically go to jail. An indictment is simply a formal accusation that a grand jury believes there is enough evidence to proceed with a trial, not a conviction. "
On an optimistic note: God Forbid, one ever has to shoot, after one’s safe, call 911, report it, get off the phone fast, call the USCCA 24 hour help line, 877-677-1919, press star * for immediate assistance. I believe they will dispatch your preferred attorney for you, else find one for you STAT. USCCA please correct me.
An attorney will help you, be assigned to you, In the rare event you are “indicted”, by the time you are, you will have already “established” a case assigned attorney who will not ignore you. My humble impression is who ever told you about being “indicted” might not have studied the processes. Bless their heart. IDK.
However, I understand when our USCCA/Delta may have cases when their written policy states they cannot cover a client:
I think those are the cases when it was not in self-defense but actual premeditated murder. For the innocent good guy/lady reacting to save life or limb, in protection, the policy is for them. USCCA/Delta insurance is good to have. Hopefully that is all we’ll ever need, and never need.
There are other attorneys and insurances which cover the worst errors in life, like shooting or killing someone – not in self-defense. But if one ever feels the need, that’s a completely different insurance and attorney network, “criminal defense attorneys”. If one could afford it.
Best advice I ever heard was the Golden Rule:
“Do unto others as you would have others do unto you” (Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31).
Peace.
@USCCA You are being summoned
Happy to help! To answer you’re question, the short version is no.
Facing charges/indictment after a self defense incident is NOT a coverage exclusion. That language has never existed in any previous or current form of the policy that members get access to.
There are certain circumstances where coverage would not be provided, but those coverage exclusions are clearly written and defined within the policy (which you can always check out at https://www.deltadefense.com/public/self-defense-liability-policy.pdf if you were ever curious).
I personally contacted a lawyer that would answer the phone and talked to them. I later dropped by and got his card with his emergency contact phone number and discussed what procedures to take if an incident ever happened. This gave me the security of knowing and being prepared for the worse. You might have to make several phone calls to achieve this but to me it was worth it. After all this is why we are all here, to be prepared and to be responsible gun owners. As others have said, it is better to avoid a situation than to be in that situation. Any time you avoid a problem you have already won.
Thank you Todd. Great advice. Was the Lawyer you talked to a member of the USCCA Delta Defense?
Yes, he was.
Definitely a 5 star answer. Thank you Burdo. I have shot anyone, and I have no intention, or desire.
“Do unto others as you would have others do unto you” (Matthew 7:12 and Luke 6:31). Amen.
Stay blessed. Be Safe . . .
Thank you Sam. I just downloaded the policy. I will take the time to read it thoroughly.