Lawyer on retention

killerquad · #1

I have a quick question. Does anyone use prepaid legal, or have a lawyer on retention? Should a CHL holder have some kind of legal help on "standby"? How much should one expect to spend on having a lawyer on retention?

#2

Welcome to TexasCHLforum.

There are a couple of threads on CHL protection plans, but this is the first post I recall asking specifically about pre-paid legal plans - which is the most accurate way to look at it in my opinion. You might want to run a search on "CHL Protection Plan" or similar words to find those threads, but I think your question is narrower.

I'll have to recuse myself from this one. I'm an attorney and I'm sure I look at this differently than some folks, though based upon the older threads many may agree. I suspect it's somewhat like an auto mechanic deciding whether to get an extended warranty.

Regards,
Chas.

nitrogen · #3

Something else to consider: Make sure you know exactly what you're getting.

For instance, the CHL Protection plan I know of only covers you up to the grand jury phase. If you go to trial, you're on your own.

PrePaidLegal Inc., plan, with the Legal Shield Rider I believe only covers even less, only if you get arrested. I had a similar legal plan through my last company, and for everyday, non-criminal trial related things, it was actually pretty good; I always had a lawyer I could call to have them decipher contracts, ask legal questions, and help me deal with some other issues. When I got laid off, the plan was still in effect and they even helped me decipher my laid-off paperwork!

If you see value for your money for this, then absolutely spend money on it. Just make sure you know exactly what you are getting. Do your research.
My beef with the PrePaidLegal.com stuff is that it's an MLM, and I have moral issues with those.

bauerdj · #4

Whats an MLM?

Dave B.
(who is acronym challanged)

killerquad · #5

Thanks for the responses. I heard about the CHL protection plan before. They do only cover you up to the grand jury, but if it makes it that far anyways you probably weren't justified in the first place. I am completely new to dealing with any kind of lawyer and just want an idea of how a retainer works and how much it would usually run. I have searched for lawyers on retetion but there is not much on that topic. I will try looking under the CHL protection plan as well. Thanks.

MLM- multi-level marketing, for some companies it works a lot like a pyramid scheme.

I recently found this forum and I am glad to be a member of it, you guys have a great site with an enormous amount of great informatiom

seamusTX · #6

A retainer is simply advance payment for legal services. Let's say you are arrested and you want the lawyer at your bond hearing. He's assured of getting paid for that, even if you're stuck in jail.

Twenty years ago, a typical retainer for an individual was $1-2,000. I haven't needed a lawyer since then. No doubt they've gone up.

- Jim

#7

Killerquad -

You don't necessarily need to pay a retainer in advance, just in case you ever need a lawyer. A better approach might be to pay a lawyer for an hour of his time so that you can interview him, find out how gun friendly he is, and get his card. (Some will give a free consultation.)

Then, if you decide he is the guy for you, and you ever get into trouble, when you call him from jail you can remind him that you are the guy that he met before.

That's my theory on this. Your mileage may vary.

killerquad · #8

llwatson--I have not thought about that. It sounds like a great idea. Thanks for the advice.

Commander · #9

I just sent in the sign up form for CHL Protection Plan. As mentioned in this post, they only cover you up to and including the Grand Jury. If you are indicted, you must find another attorney to handle your case from that point on. I signed up because I felt that if I was involved in a situation that my CHL came into play, it would be valuable to have a attorney to call and help me through whatever process takes place. One case they talk about is a CHL holder that was being shot at by a group of teens with .22 rifles. He called Grapevine Police, but for some reason they couldn't or didn't arrive for some time. Finally, the CHLer drew his weapon and held the group at gunpoint unitl Grapevine PD arrived. They promptly arrested everybody including the CHL holder. He was charged and lost his CHL and gun. CHL Protection assisted and eventually got the charges dropped and his weapon back.

stevie_d_64 · #10

I would go with the idea to interview a prospective lawyer, see how they feel about the issue and honestly approach it from the standpoint that you hope you never have to call them...

You are taking the mature and responsible approach to protecting yourself legally...

I happen to have a couple of lawyers on my speed dial, and have been told to not to bother calling at oh-dark-thirty in the morning...I'll still be there when they get up at a decent hour...

Geesh...