Attorney on retainer

[c10bonanza]

How many of you guys have a criminal defense attorney on retainer?

Better yet, can you recommend any good ones in the Tulsa metro area? I don't have anyone, and now that I have been carrying for the better part of a year I think it only smart to have one lined up.

Comments/suggestions?

[skyydiver]

I was looking at pre-paid legal. It actually doesn't look like a bad deal, and they're a national company, but locally owned (Duncan). Of course, a baaad case would still cost you, but it covers all the litle stuff, and would help with some pretty tough stuff. not sure of the proper link, but google pre paid legal.

[c10bonanza]

I appreciate the input, but I am looking to develop a relationship with ONE attorney. Someone I can (God forbid) call up and say "Tom, I've just had an attempt on my life and had to defend myself. I need your help."

Not call a 800 and wait on hold for 30 minutes until someone is available.

Again, thanks for the idea and best of luck to you.

[JBW]

Thanks c10bonanza....I just came to the site to post the exact same thread.

Hopefully we'll find someone.

We really need a lawyer who specializes in gun law I would guess.

I will ask some lawyer friends and post my replies when I get them. One of my customers who is a lawyer gave me the name of his friend, but he doesn't specialize in gun law apparently.

Anyone else have anyone in mind?

It would stink to sit in jail while trying to find an attorney to get you bailed out.

[c10bonanza]

Exactly...come on, no one has an attorney lined up here? Share the love! :kiss:

[10mm1911]

Maybe a really quick way to find the perfect attorney for you would be to research and find out who represents the police officers in your area after a use of force incident. Not necessarily the attorney who represents the dept., or the city, but the guy who represents the officers individually in these matters.

If that fails, call my attorney here in Oklahoma City, Doug Friesen. He's the best here in such matters, and I'm sure he knows whom to recommend in Tulsa. Doug has covered my hairy butt several times, and for what he does, his rates are very reasonable.

[c10bonanza]

Thanks 10mm...that was exactly the info I am looking at. I tried to follow with a few Tulsa PDs, but the attorney's they use only take officer's as clients when it comes to use of force issues.

I will give Doug a call this week. Thanks again!

If anyone else has an opinion...jump in!

[capmarine]

if you have money-robert manchester,OKC.he is OCPD's atty.when i was with the S.O. i joined the nat'l FOP and paid them some money and had an atty on retainer-just in case i did the deed.

[Michael Brown]

This is truly a complex matter as it depends on what you are looking for.

Scott Wood handles almost all the police shootings in Tulsa. He has a thorough understanding of the civil ramifications of a shooting. However I'm not sure if he's interested in cultivating non-police clients.

If I am concerned about criminal penalties reference an action I've taken and I'm 100% on the side of the angels, but a prosecutor has chosen to wrongfully prosecute me, I need a lawyer who will take to the fight for what is right. Personally, Mark Collier and his wife Kim come to mind. They were extremely successful prosecutors when they worked for the D.A.'s office and they have the strongest sense of jstice I've ever seen in a lawyer. I have a home number and a backup contact but that's only because I know them. My guess is they don't regularly give out their home number.

The important thing to do in such a case is find a lawyer who represents INNOCENT people. There aren't many of them around.

If I need someone who can do some backdoor wrangling because some minor issues need to be cleared up, I would call Alan Smallwood. An attorney who can get a meeting with the D.A. or judge at any time is a true benefit. A lot of criminal law is conducted this way and Smallwood is on a first name basis with just about everyone in the Tulsa legal community.

Lastly, if I've committed a crime (and know it) and want someone to keep me out of jail, I'd call Richard O'Carroll. I do NOT reccomend him to an innocent person as I believe the vast majority of his clients (including one former Tulsa Police Officer) are guilty. He is willing to stretch the truth and do whatever it takes with little regard for ethics or justice.

While this initially sounds appealing, its not. You want a lawyer to fight hard for you but self-defense is an affirmative defense and you need your lawyer to demonstrate that you were right, not that the police misled the investigation or the D.A. is politically motivated. Judges, D.A.'s and the police usually see through this type of routine (most importantly juries usually see through this as well and don't buy it) and you definitely want these folks on your side.

If the police are on your side during the initial stages of the investigation, my experience has been that you are 99% of the way home. I have been on the scene of numerous self-defense shootings and have never had to arrest someone who truly fired in lawful self-defense. I have argued with other officers on the lawfulness of a shooting on one occasion but that was unusual and in the end did not result in an arrest.

Choose your lawyer based on your needs and with careful consideration.

Michael Brown

[c10bonanza]

Thank you Mr. Brown!!!!

That is exactly the type of response I was hoping for. You have read my mind sir. I appreciate you breaking it down into the different "groupings" of attorney's because there truly are ones without morals, while many are the finest people you would ever meet.

Your reference to Scott Wood rings a bell. I had called a couple of attorneys in the great Tulsa metro area, who did not have an interest in obtaining a "civilian" client. I don't blame them. I'm not sure if he was one I contacted.

It would seem to me from your description that Mark and Kim Collier and just the folks that I have been looking for. You see, my intent was that if I am going to take on the responsibilty of concealed carry, I feel that being able to have an attorney whom you know is a necessity. I pray daily (about many things!) that the Lord keeps me from harms way and never presents me with a situation where I must defend myself. Not that I don't believe in my ability or basic instinct to protect myself and those I love, but because I believe that 99% of preparedness is avoidance of situations that might prove dangerous.

I wouldn't think that these folks would appreciate their home numbers floating around, but perhaps they have an office number or email address. I would like to get in contact with them. Are they still practicing attorneys?

Thank you again for your insight!

[Michael Brown]

I believe they work for Richardson and Richardson. At least I'm pretty sure Mark does.

I'm not sure Mark does regular criminal work anymore as he's making a ton, as I understand it, in litigation work. I don't think he's into criminal law anymore because he's a law and order type and the bottom line is if you're a criminal defense attorney, you're going to be representing guilty people more often than not. Last I heard, Kim was still practicing criminal law but I also heard she was being considered for a judge's seat.

I'd think Alan Smallwood would be a better choice. He's definitely active in criminal law. He's in the book so give him a call.

Michael Brown

[capmarine]

D.C.Thomas,okc;mike gassaway,okc(mike is a big thorn in the side of law enf.)he has been to federal prison twice.if i need a tough guy on my side it would be mike.