AOR Covers You Even if Your Incident is Classified as a Domestic Dispute
Not all threats come from strangers. Sometimes, the danger arises from someone you live with, someone you once loved, or someone you trust.
Self-defense incidents that arise during domestic disputes are among the most emotionally charged and legally complex cases in the criminal justice system. Even when force is used lawfully, these incidents often lead to serious criminal charges and immediate arrests.
Unfortunately, many self-defense programs backed by traditional insurance may deny coverage if your act of self-defense is related to a domestic dispute – even if your use of force is later determined to be justified.
Consider the case of Kayla Giles, who used her legally owned firearm to defend herself against her allegedly violent ex-husband during a confrontation. Initially, her legal defense was supported by her traditional insurance backed self-defense program. However, the provider later terminated her coverage despite Ms. Giles’s claims of self-defense. As a result, she was left to fund her legal defense on her own.
At Attorneys On Retainer (AOR), we do not deny legal representation simply because your act of self-defense occurred during a domestic dispute. We believe that your right to defend yourself remains valid, regardless of whether the threat came from someone you once cared for or someone related to you.
What Does Self-Defense Look Like in a Domestic Dispute?
Domestic disputes refer to conflicts that occur between individuals in a personal relationship. This can include spouses or ex-spouses, dating partners, parents and children, other family members living together, or even roommates in some states. In domestic disputes, like in every other circumstance, the right to self-defense applies if there is an imminent threat to yourself or others.
Domestic disputes often take place in highly emotional environments, where misunderstandings and false accusations can easily arise. Due to the nature of these incidents, where individuals have prior or ongoing relationships, it may not always be clear who is the actual threat. Unfortunately, this can lead to the true victim being arrested or misidentified as the aggressor, particularly in situations where:
- There are no neutral witnesses.
- Both parties have visible injuries.
- There is no physical evidence of injury to either party.
- One person has a prior criminal record.
If a victim is arrested, they could face serious consequences, including felony charges, restraining or protective orders, the loss of their right to possess a firearm, permanent damage to their reputation, and both criminal and civil penalties. This highlights how a single defensive action in your own home can lead to life-altering outcomes, whether you were trying to protect yourself or someone else.
Why This Matters
Many self-defense programs supported by traditional insurance companies typically exclude coverage for incidents related to domestic disputes, aiming to reduce financial risk and avoid complex legal challenges. This is troubling, as incidents of domestic violence are quite common.
According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, nearly 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men experience some form of intimate partner violence during their lifetime (Smith et al., 2018). When traditional self-defense insurance programs deny coverage in these incidents, their members are often left to pay legal fees and expenses out of pocket, which can be financially devastating.
Without strong legal representation, individuals defending themselves risk not only a conviction but also the potential loss of their freedom, assets, and civil rights. This reality underscores the importance of having adequate legal protection through a program like AOR, which supports members regardless of the complexity of a domestic dispute.
The Attorneys On Retainer Difference
At AOR, we understand that there are times when individuals may need to defend themselves or others from someone they are close to, whether it is a spouse, partner, family member, or roommate. The emotional complexities of these situations do not diminish your right to self-defense. You should not have to navigate the criminal justice system alone simply because you were protecting yourself from a loved one.
Unfortunately, many traditional self-defense insurance programs are limited by industry regulations and public policy, which often specifically exclude coverage for incidents of domestic violence. However, at AOR, we are not constrained by such limitations. Backed by The Attorneys For Freedom Law Firm (AFF), we have established our own Risk Retention Group (RRG). This unique and independent structure enables us to set our own standards and provide protection to our members where others cannot.
Our team of experienced criminal defense attorneys is committed to protecting your freedom, not passing judgment on your personal relationships. If you meet our three established criteria, we will represent you:
- You are charged (or are reasonably concerned about being charged) with a crime (felony or misdemeanor).
- You can reasonably and in good faith assert that you acted in self-defense or defense of others.
- The charges arise out of conduct that occurred entirely after you became a member of Attorneys On Retainer.
Real World Examples
Example 1: You Defend Yourself Against an Abusive Spouse
During a heated argument, your spouse becomes violent and physically attacks you. You use your firearm to stop the assault and protect yourself. Although you reasonably acted in self-defense, many traditional self-defense insurance programs may deny coverage, but AOR will not.
Example 2: You Protect Your Child from a Violent Parent
You witness your child being threatened or harmed by your former partner during a custody exchange and intervene with force to stop the threat. Despite acting in lawful defense of your child, traditional self-defense insurance programs may deny coverage. With AOR, your defense will be fully covered.
Example 3: You Use Force Against a Roommate Who Attacks You
A roommate becomes aggressive and threatens you during a disagreement. You respond with proportional force. Because this incident involves two people living in the same home, most self-defense programs may deny coverage if the jurisdiction considers roommates to be in a domestic relationship. However, with AOR, our attorneys will represent you.
Example 4: You Defend Yourself Against a Former Partner During a Breakup
While trying to leave a relationship, your former partner attacks you and falsely claims to authorities that they are the victim. Due to your past criminal record, the police believe their false claim and charge you with a crime. Traditional self-defense insurance programs might deny your claim, but AOR will handle your defense.
Example 5: You Defend Yourself, but a False Witness Is Present
You have a verbal disagreement with your brother at home. The situation escalates when he suddenly attacks you with a blunt object. You use a nearby knife to stop the threat. However, when police arrive, a witness who only saw the end of the incident falsely claims that you were the aggressor. As a result, the responding officers arrest you and charge you with aggravated assault. Other self-defense insurance programs may deny your coverage, but with AOR, you will be fully protected.
Conclusion
Self-defense incidents are not limited to any gender or demographic. They can happen to anyone. That is why it is important to not only think about protecting yourself physically, but also about protecting yourself legally. If you acted in self-defense and your case meets our three criteria, we will represent you.
Read our full “We Cover You Even If…” series to see how far that commitment goes.
If you own a firearm or believe in your right to defend yourself, it is essential to have more than just a weapon; you need a legal team ready to advocate for you. At AFF, we do not just talk about defending freedom; we actively do it in the courtroom every day. If you are a responsible gun owner or value your freedom, we encourage you to learn more about our AOR Program. For more information about our law firm and how our AOR Program can assist you, please call 866-404-5112 or email us.
Citation
Smith, S.G. et al., The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2015 Data Brief – Updated Release, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2018), https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/2015data-brief508.pdf.
