What Exactly is US Law Shield?
US Law Shield is an organization that provides legal defense coverage in case a member gets involved in a self-defense situation. For an annual fee, members of US Law Shield are assured that they have a qualified attorney in their area to assist them in their self-defense case, should one of the situations addressed by the program occur. This includes any deadly force situation or even situations where deadly force was not used but where there was a confrontation with a firearm.
US Law Shield began in Texas to deal with self-defense shooting issues in the Lone Star State. Florida was the first state that expanded into that coverage. Since then, US Law Shield has expanded throughout the country and now covers over half the United States. It has been extremely successful.
US Law Shield provides a lawyer to individuals who need a lawyer in the event they’re involved in a shooting or other self-defense situation. Many times , the first assessment by police officers and investigators at the scene of the shooting leads to charges filed against the shooter, whether there was adequate justification or not. In these cases, people with US Law Shield coverage have an attorney at the scene to immediately address the issues, preserve evidence, and prevent the infringement of constitutional rights.
Because US Law Shield coverage involves criminal law matters, the Florida Bar rules with regard to lawyer advertising apply. Florida Bar rules for lawyer usability on websites, in social media use, and in other forms of advertising are dependent upon certain file numbers. As such, because this matter is criminal law related, only criminal law related lawyers are allowed to provide third-party statements regarding US Law Shield.
Florida’s Legal Landscape for Firearm Owners
Florida has made some notable strides toward a more accommodating environment for gun owners. The passage of Senate Bill 176, also known as the "Warning Shot Law," is a fairly recent highlight, as is the statute concerning the "Stand Your Ground" defense. The 2005 Florida statute includes both a "no duty to retreat" provision and immunity from criminal prosecution for self-defense, if the defendant had reasonable cause to believe that he was in imminent danger of being killed or suffering great bodily harm and the defendant did not provoke the immediate need for self-defense.
Less positively, Florida requires guns kept in cars to be locked in a secure compartment, which could mean a trunk or gun safe. The legislature passed the bill to discourage theft. Vehicles in which guns are locked away in a glove compartment, center console or center console hatch are considered secure compartments for the purposes of the law. Except in certain circumstances, Florida Gun Owners Must Have a License to Carry A gun.
Contrary to popular belief, federal law does not permit concealed carry of firearms for everyone. Florida gun owners who want to carry hidden weapons must have a license from Florida.
Another legal area in which US Law Shield can be helpful to Florida gun owners is concealed carry—a status advisors love to help with, both with regard to the associated legal requirements and the process by which a citizen obtains a concealed carry weapon permit under Florida law.
Unlike other potential regulatory obstacles such as transportation and storage requirements, concealed carry licensing has two goals:
Both of these goals have significant benefits and qualities to Florida gun owners. In addition to reducing the number of regulatory hurdles, if one exists, a concealed carry license also creates a legal presumption of self-defense in the absence of evidence to the contrary. In other words, it lowers the burden of proof on the accused in the legal system.
Obtaining a concealed carry license, however, does have challenges. For instance, you must be 21 years old—you cannot get a concealed carry license until you turn 21. This is true even if 18 is the legal age for most other activities in Florida. Furthermore, Florida gun owners applying for concealed carry licenses are required to undergo firearm safety training to demonstrate proficiency with a firearm, which is defined as a pistol or revolver.
Forms of proficiency include completion of a course offered by the National Rifle Association, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, or a law enforcement agency; certification by a U.S. Armed Forces small arms instructor; or completion of a firearm safety course given by a state-sanctioned training center. There is no specific requirement as to where you may take a course, but US Law Shield provides a helpful point of reference for local resources.
The Florida process and requirements for obtaining a concealed carry license go hand-in-hand with the aforementioned.
Again, US Law Shield can provide assistance with these concerns. Florida gun owners seeking a more complete analysis of licensing requirements can obtain this information through membership.
Advantages of US Law Shield Membership
Florida residents who become members of US Law Shield can expect certain benefits from their membership. Members gain access to unlimited legal defense services for incidents that arise in their home, workplace or vehicle. These incidents include defensive display of a firearm, brandishing a firearm, self-defense and justifiable use of deadly force. Membership also provides educational tools to help members educate themselves on firearms conduct and self-defense laws. Members can download exclusive e-books and use interactive tools to learn how to respond in a variety of situations. Members also have access to emergency attorney access 24 hours a day, seven days a week, an especially helpful benefit if an incident occurs outside of conventional business hours. Legal consultations cover a variety of topics, including laws that apply to concealed carry in Florida and reciprocity laws for carrying a concealed weapon in other states. Members can also expect their representation to include possible criminal and civil defenses, pretrial protection, assistance with bond reductions and other ancillary witness assistance if requested. Fully licensed attorneys licensed in Florida handle all legal representation. Unlike other companies, US Law Shield allows its members to choose their own attorney for representation if the member wants. This is not a benefit all similar companies offer to their members.
How US Law Shield Works in the State of Florida
In Florida, US Law Shield operates in much the same way as it does across the country. Members in the Sunshine State typically have 24/7 access to a panel of attorneys or a law firm that may be situated in the state or outside of it. Their website suggests that a Florida resident will be represented by a local attorney only if that specific attorney is the one they contact for legal assistance.
For gun owners wanting a closer relationship with their attorney, it may be possible to contact a member services agent after joining and ask what local attorney is available for consultation or on-call. Whether members agree to this or not, the law firm or panel of attorneys will then assign the case to a lawyer who is well-versed in cases related to gun law in the state of Florida.
Like in every other state, members of US Law Shield in Florida are cautioned not to accept any free legal advice unless advised to do so by the law firm. In addition, members should make it clear that they are a USLS member when speaking with law enforcement officials or going into a precinct to make a statement regarding a shooting or gun law infraction .
There are some things that every US Law Shield member in Florida should know about the organization:
Just like all US Law Shield members, Florida members have completely unrestricted access to their attorneys at all times, day or night. However, they are reminded that they are responsible for paying for their attorney’s time if the call involves advice on legal matters unrelated to gun law.
The organization has earned a reputation for providing prompt responses to its members after they contact them about a legal issue, generally within a few hours. Florida members can expect no less responsiveness.
Legal Shield has made it a policy to not use plea bargains in personal injury cases to resolve cases quickly. This comes as a huge benefit to Florida members, especially those whose cases would otherwise involve a grand jury. Grand juries decide in secret if there is enough evidence to even proceed with a criminal case.
Many Florida members have been proactive in helping the organization promote the benefits of a membership to their friends and family. To that end, US Law Shield has its own rewards program that pays members for every referral that ends with a new member joining.
Customer Experiences with US Law Shield in Florida
From shooting incidents to self-defense cases, the three self-defense shootings from 2014 that made headlines include: the killing of a child’s father in Miami Gardens by a police officer, a Colee Hammock banker misfiring a gun that accidentally killed his toddler, and the fatal shooting of an armed robber by a locksmith. For the most part, the victims in all of these cases received some form of legal assistance, which is usually a legal consultation and representation in court, finding a lawyer, or any other legal service that might arise as a result of the self-defense shooting incident. That’s not too far from how US Law Shield protects its members. All members can experience similar legal protection services anywhere in Florida as well as other states in the United States. Membership allows legal representatives to prepare a legal case beforehand and offer representation at every step of the way in court. And, if any of the members of US Law Shield happen to be arrested and charged for using their weapon in self-defense, the membership will provide legal aid indefensively. Here are some real-life testimonials from US Law Shield membership from Florida (and outside of Florida): "It made a difference in my life with this case. I am not broke and homeless. Definitely worth it." "I had an auto accident in the past, and my blood alcohol content was .47 and no DUI in 2000 because my membership in US Law Shield worked. I would have been in jail for 90 days/ $1,500/ 100 hours of community service and an Ignition Interlock Device." "Nice service, thanks."
How to Enroll in US Law Shield in the State of Florida
To join US Law Shield in Florida, potential members will first need to visit the company’s website or contact a local representative. The membership plans are straightforward and designed to be affordable for the average Floridian. There are several pricing tiers available, ranging from basic to expanded coverage with additional benefits such as national coverage and protection for additional weapons.
Members can sign up for an annual membership, which is usually more cost-effective than paying on a monthly basis. Memberships automatically renew at the end of their terms unless a member opts to cancel.
Once you’ve chosen the right plan for your needs and completed the application , make sure to read all the fine materials provided. Florida has some unique gun laws that are not present in other states, so it’s important to understand exactly what protections are afforded to you and how US Law Shield can help in the event of a firearm-related legal incident.
Payment can be made via card or as a one-time deposit, depending on your plan, and new members are eligible for certain incentives, such as discounts on firearms training.