What is US Law Shield?
US Law Shield is an organization that provides legal defense protection to its members in case they become involved in acts of defense of themselves, their family members or their property. It’s a service that is offered to help its members cover any criminal or civil cases relating to self-defense. They have been in operation since 2009. Members become covered as soon as they pay their initial membership payment. They’ve established a nationwide network of affiliate attorneys with whom they work to represent their members.
The main purpose of US Law Shield is to be able to provide members with resources so they know what to do if they ever become involved in situations where they are forced to act in self-defense. Many people don’t know the laws surrounding the use of force and are uncertain of how to act in the heat of the moment , but US Law Shield gives its members the necessary resources to ensure they are always informed about these laws. If you are ever involved in a shooting, it’s important to know the laws governing the use of deadly force. Every state has different laws for members who feel that deadly force is needed, so being informed about your state’s laws relates to the use of self-defense is necessary in case you ever need to resort to lethal force to protect yourself. Without prior knowledge of your state’s laws, you could easily be charged with a crime, even if a situation legitimately called for your ability to protect yourself with deadly force.
US Law Shield Products and Services in NJ
In the Garden State, US Law Shield provides policyholders with a dedicated 24/7 legal defense for covered claims under the Personal Injury Protection (PIP) component of their auto insurance plans. This service is free up to the first $5,000 in qualified medical expenses. Note, service under another component of an auto insurance policy that does not include PIP is not covered. All members of US Law Shield enrolled in the program understand that they will be covered regardless of the accident type (wrongful death, self-defense legal assistance, dismemberment, job-related harm leading to dislocated bones and fractured limbs, or personal disorders), provided it is not specifically included in the member agreement’s exclusionary clause. Certain membership plans provide full-bore criminal protection, including up to 24 hours of criminal defense representation without cost or penalty, as well as access to licensed attorneys to represent members at administrative or legal hearings. Further, in-home or hospital-visit legal services are included for serious cases. Generally, US Law Shield members do not have to pay any deductibles, retainer fees, or even cover legal bills related to representation in court. Further, US Law Shield attorneys will represent clients in intra-state and even inter-state legal matters as necessary.
Levels of Legal Protection Available
Each member of US Law Shield in New Jersey is provided with a Trial Defense Benefit and Immediate Legal Access Legal Coverage. The Trial Defense Benefit provides members with coverage for attorney fees and legal expenses incurred from any civil or criminal legal matters involving a firearm, knife, or any other legal weapon that occurs while you are in the defense of yourself from a violent attack. The Benefit includes: Coverage for attorney fees, expert witness fees, prosecutor interview, travel expenses, subsistence expenses, bond premium for bail, appeals and post-conviction. Legal Access includes unlimited attorney access by phone, email, and office consultation. Members may also call US Law Shield for coverage information or updates regarding new laws and policies. The following are the legal coverage options available to members: For coverage options pertaining to more specific legal issues, members should refer to their US Law Shield membership agreement. The above-mentioned legal coverage options apply to non-member affiliates in New Jersey.
Advantages of a Membership in NJ
As a member of U.S. Law Shield, you enjoy the following benefits:
No Civil Limit
In the unfortunate event that you find yourself in a situation where you must use your licensed, concealed handgun, you will be covered in court should you be taken to civil court by the person who attacked you or by the government of New Jersey. The state will often charge you with illegal carrying of a weapon or some other gunrelated charge, but it does not have jurisdiction to charge you with murder or manslaughter for killing a person in self-defense. These charges are criminal in nature and can only be filed by the county prosecutor. Once you are acquitted at trial of the murder charge, the state cannot prosecute you in civil court for wrongful death.
Criminal Defense Attorney Access
If you are charged with a crime, you can call 24/7 to be connected to a criminal defense attorney in your area to discuss your case. Within 12 hours you can generally be talking to an attorney. The attorney will generally come out to talk to you and handle your arraignment. Don’t worry, the arraignment is not a big deal. It’s just your initial appearance before the court so the charges can be read to you.
Expert Witness Services
In civil matters when the state is trying to take your firearm away from you or in criminal matters when you’ve been charged with a gun crime, we can provide expert witness services for you. The second layer of protection is many times more powerful than the first, especially when the first is never enacted.
Comparison with Other Forms of Legal Protection
The general concept of legal defense, or expert witness coverage, is not new and has been offered for many years by national and local insurance providers, brokers and other businesses. For an annual premium, these providers agree to pay legal fees, including representation of the insured persons by experienced criminal defense attorneys, in the event that the insured becomes involved in a situation involving defense of a criminal charge. Some of these plans cover criminal charges involving hunting, fishing, and other non-self-defense related situations.
One of the most common plans covering criminal defense are those provided by NRA, USCCA, or similar insurance/benefits providers. These types of plans provide for a monthly, annual, or biannual premium fee, followed by a single deductible or co-payment amount, if chosen by the insured. These plans offer no guarantee of coverage and no guaranteed prompt response.
US Law Shield stands apart from other legal defense plans in New Jersey in three primary ways: First, US Law Shield guarantees that the insured will be represented by an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible, in person when possible but by teleconference if necessary; and will promptly arrange for payment of legal fees incurred on behalf of the insured. Other legal defense plans may provide free monthly seminars on criminal defense topics, or forums for members to ask questions, but some of these plans never offer actual representation , will not guarantee a response or reimbursement of legal fees, and often do not have a New Jersey presence.
Second, US Law Shield’s 24/7 Legal Defense Hotline is always available for members with any legal issue, criminal or otherwise. Other providers may limit coverage to investigation and defense of criminal charges, or may require additional co-pay fees for civil or other legal matters.
Third, US Law Shield has underwritten each member’s monthly membership fees for defense of any criminal charge related to self-defense within a period of 10 hours of an act of self-defense. Many wrongful arrest and negligence lawsuits against law enforcement agencies are promptly settled, according to US Law Shield, and these cases require legal defense of a civil claim but not payment of a criminal defense attorney. While coverage is not guaranteed for civil claims, such claims are reasonably assured of being handled by experienced legal defense counsel through the US Law Shield 24/7 Legal Defense Hotline and Mobility Program.
US Law Shield offers, generally, the best combination of 1) guaranteed in-person, local representation by an experienced criminal defense attorney accustom to representing members facing criminal charges, 2) coverage of non-criminal legal matters, and 3) availability of a reasonable copayment amount for civil claims. These features make US Law Shield the leading choice for legal defense in New Jersey.
How to Become a US Law Shield Member in NJ
The process of joining US Law Shield in New Jersey is straightforward and user-friendly. Below is a step-by-step guide for potential members, including any requirements needed to join.
Visit the US Law Shield website or contact a representative for a membership application. Fill in your personal information, including name, address, date of birth, and any other requested identification information. Agree to any terms and conditions provided by US Law Shield, which may include a waiver of certain rights to a jury trial in the event of legal action taken against the company. Provide payment information, as membership requires an initial payment and then monthly or annual fees thereafter. Review your application for correctness and submit it as instructed, either online or through the mail. Upon receipt of your application and payment, US Law Shield will send you a confirmation of your membership. If applicable, review the Terms of the Membership Plan and contact a representative with any questions or concerns before beginning the application process. Maintain records of your contact information in case they need to reach you regarding your membership.
Testimonials and Reviews
Since their inception, US Law Shield has made a profound impact on the lives and wallets of many different NJ residents. Consider the case of a homeowner in Middlesex County who used the services when a fight with an intruder led to an arrest and imprisonment. "I had called US Law Shield before I shot that guy. The scumbag came into my home and tried to take my life. I may have ended up paying a lot of money to keep my house if I hadn’t called." Then there is the matter of Northern New Jersey immigrants who have benefited from the legal services provided by the service. "I wasn’t on a list of the deportees that the federal government had collected, but when I went out, I was stopped and questioned for 25 hours. I called US Law Shield and they immediately filed for an injunction. Now, my future in America has been preserved." Even those whose incidents didn’t lead to an arrest can still rely on the team’s comprehensive support. "My husband was attacked and started fighting back as we were walking through the park. We called US Law Shield as soon as we heard the commotion , and they immediately sent someone out. Even when he isn’t facing charges, they have covered all of the medical for the injuries we sustained. Who else does that? They are amazing." Even when the worst happens, US Law Shield has NJ residents covered. The case of one woman who contacted the team after the police had killed her husband involved another situation in which the client was added to the membership roster. "The cops busted down our door at 3 a.m. when they showed up looking for drugs. They found nothing, but as my husband stumbled out to find out why they broke the door down, the officer claimed he was reaching for a weapon and shot him. US Law Shield helped me when I was completely lost. Now, I have peace of mind that I have a team I can trust to support me." From home invasion to active shooter situations, lone intruders to outlawed classes of weapons, US Law Shield membership offers peace of mind to NJ residents who want to be satisfied that they have the legal support they need for any scenario.