Self-Defense With a Shovel
Texas & U.S. LawShield member Tina took full advantage of her membership after she was forced to defend herself with the closest weapon she could find!
Member Ambassador Sherry Hale shares member Tina’s story.
“Arguments and disputes can sometimes lead to physical confrontations. Often when the police arrive, they don’t know who is to blame, and this is especially difficult when the dispute is among family members. Our member Tina had concerns her son was hanging out with the wrong crowd. She suspected they were doing drugs.”
“We were constantly arguing, and he just wouldn’t listen. It got to the point where he wasn’t doing any better, so I told him he needed to leave.
The next week, I contacted him and told him to come and get his stuff. I also told him not to bring his girlfriend or any of his friends. To make things easy, I put his stuff on the left side of the garage.
A few hours later, he arrived not only with his girlfriend, but her daughter as well. I watched as they entered my garage and began gathering things.
As they were about to leave, they suddenly began taking things that were not theirs.
We got into a heated argument about what belonged to who. Then the girlfriend and daughter both grabbed my arms and attacked me.
I was able to shake free and grabbed something that I could defend myself with. With shovel in hand, I watched as they rushed to their car and sped away.
Shortly after, police officers arrived at my house. They asked questions and took pictures of the injuries I had from the confrontation. Even though I was cooperative and answered all their questions, I was shocked when they arrested me and charged me with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.”
“Upon being arrested, Tina called the US Law Shield Attorney-Answered Emergency Hotline. Our Independent Program Attorney advised her not to make any more statements and was with her every step of the way for 6 months.
Fortunately, all charges were dropped and Tina’s case was ultimately dismissed. Make sure you know what to do if you are ever in a situation where you have been forced to defend yourself. No matter how you defend yourself, we’ve got you covered.”
It’s not relevant to the point that Law Shield will defend members no matter what they have used to defend themselves. But I would like to know if the initial aggressors, the son and girlfriend, were charged. From the way the article is written, it sounds as if they planned the assault before they got to her house. Did prosecutors just throw up their hands and say, “Oops, missed that one.” Or did they do their job and prosecute the correct defendant.
that was great information on self defence will this apply to colorado residents ?
Hi Harry. Thanks for your question! Please see the below response from one of our Independent Program Attorneys in the state of Colorado.
“A shovel could certainly be considered a deadly weapon and used to inflict deadly physical force. The use of a shovel for self-defense will be applied to the same standards listed in the Colorado laws used to defend oneself, another person, or property.” For more information regarding Colorado self-defense laws, we encourage you to contact Member Services at (877) 448-6839. They can put you in contact with an Independent Program Attorney in the state of Colorado to further answer your questions if needed.
Should not have answered any questions to the officer, instead called up US Law Shield to speak with them
Good to know. A bad situation. You hope for the best from your family but when substance abuse is involved you never know. Exchange should have been done in a neutral location and Tina should have had someone with her. The attackers probably thought Tina would call the police so they switched it up on her. They should have neen charged.
As a rule of thumb most cities will do what mine does: Sale transactions with an unknown person can be done at our local Police Station in the Lobby in front of the Fishbowl or you can call for an Officer to stop by your house to oversee a transaction. NEVER give a statement to an Officer. Just call your Attorney or in the case of self defense with any type of weapon LawShield.