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Any lists of lawyers that handle 2A issues in Texas. While I don't currently need one, if I was ever presented with a sudden situation of needing one I would like to have a name and number readily available. I live in Katy but obviously a good lawyer can come from anywhere in Texas.

Is this that hard or dumb of a question to get no responses? Are we just supposed to contact Charles????

hmmm, I would have expected more replies too... oh well...

I used James Willi in Austin for my NFA trust setup and he's been very helpful with other gun issues. he does a lot of NFA stuff - but I don't think gun stuff is his main area, more something he does because he loves gun stuff.

Bill White is another austin atty that's supposedly top notch when it comes to gun laws, concealed carry, etc. I contacted him and he's not taking on any new clients so I had to look elsewhere.

I found David Goldman via guntrustlawyer.com and he refers to a "partner" lawyer in your area (he's in Florida I think).

I only have experience with Mr. Willi but perhaps the others will at least get you started down the right path. maybe start with some searches on other forums and see who everyone is talking about. not sure where to send you though :-)

Trele6 wrote:Are we just supposed to contact Charles????

Probably not a bad idea... lol

I look at it like one should find the best criminal defense attorney you can afford, and he can deal with any 2A aspects. That is better than finding an attorney who specializes in 2A issues but is not the best criminal defense attorney around. It is a question of priorities.

Also, there is going to be a short list of names in any large city or county that people recognize as the best defense attorney's in town. Someone who creates the "Oh crap, we're facing . . . . " reaction by prosecuting attorney. There is going to be a short list in each city that are widely respected as the top dogs in the junkyard, and that is not limited to 2A issues.

Part of being the top dog is knowing all the local courts and prosecutors. That aspect of the attorney's practice is much more valuable than most people realize, and is an important part of knowing how to work the system.

Jumping Frog wrote:I look at it like one should find the best criminal defense attorney you can afford, and he can deal with any 2A aspects. That is better than finding an attorney who specializes in 2A issues but is not the best criminal defense attorney around. It is a question of priorities.

Also, there is going to be a short list of names in any large city or county that people recognize as the best defense attorney's in town. Someone who creates the "Oh crap, we're facing . . . . " reaction by prosecuting attorney. There is going to be a short list in each city that are widely respected as the top dogs in the junkyard, and that is not limited to 2A issues.

Part of being the top dog is knowing all the local courts and prosecutors. That aspect of the attorney's practice is much more valuable than most people realize, and is an important part of knowing how to work the system.

Good point didn't really think of that. My main reason for thinking of this is due to the case in NJ of the dad posting a photo of his kid holding an AR and the police come barging in his home. While unlikely in Texas I would still want a quick reference to call in that situation if ever needed.

I don't know them but Horsley & Stewart in Dallas was recommended in my class

good points about the best defense attorney. but the question still exists: are there good defense attorneys who are willing to handle 2a work? and how does a relative innocent find them.

I've taken enough in the way of self-defense training to know the value of such but have no clue as to how to find them if a forum like this won't cough up names.

Specializing in a niche such as 2A issues wouldn't seem super profitable as most gun enthusiasts who carry a concealed weapon are generally law abiding citizens. Also - an attorney who is sold at setting up trusts (civil law) would likely not be my first pick to litigate my defense for a shooting (criminal court).

...Just to expand at what JumpingFrog wrote.

I can't answer for you or anyone else, but I can tell you what I've done. I became a member of [Pre-paid legal service] because my first concern is to get hold of an attorney ASAP when needed. As a member, I have a card with a 1-800 number (for members) that will be answered 24/7. That card is always with me and that number is also on speed dial in my cell phone.

I think there are other similar groups, but these folks are just a couple of miles away from where I live and they seem to be pretty knowledgeable on gun issues/laws. I hope I never have to find out!

Phill

PS - on the back of the membership card is a set of instructions to any law enforcement officer regarding questioning.

PhillRoath wrote:I can't answer for you or anyone else, but I can tell you what I've done. I became a member of [Pre-paid legal service] because my first concern is to get hold of an attorney ASAP when needed. As a member, I have a card with a 1-800 number (for members) that will be answered 24/7. That card is always with me and that number is also on speed dial in my cell phone.

I think there are other similar groups, but these folks are just a couple of miles away from where I live and they seem to be pretty knowledgeable on gun issues/laws. I hope I never have to find out!

Phill

PS - on the back of the membership card is a set of instructions to any law enforcement officer regarding questioning.

How much does that service run you?

Details for [Pre-paid legal service] can be found at http://www.uslawshield.com/texas/

I am, and have been, a LegalShield customer for a while. What Jumping Frog said about it being more important to have a good criminal defense attorney than a 2nd Amendment specialist makes sense to me. I have a regular MD who is an internist. If I need a cardiologist or a nephrologist, he'll send me to one, but neither a cardiologist nor a nephrologist would be my primary choice for my regular run of the mill care.

So it is with attorneys, and protecting yourself from prosecution. When arguing in court for the right to keep and bear arms (Heller and McDonald), then you want a 2nd Amendment specialist, and you're likely arguing in front of SCOTUS. But if you are charged with having used your firearm in a criminal way, then you want a criminal defense lawyer......and that is far and away the most likely scenario any of us will face for having used our guns......because we've already established our right to keep and bear arms via the CHL application process. You haven't broken the law by carrying your gun. You've broken it, in the prosecutor's opinion, for using deadly force when deadly force was not justified. It may as well have been a club or a knife that you used, and so the 2nd Amendment really isn't the issue.

I use [Pre-paid legal service] as well for both my wife and I. It runs around $11 per month per person.