ZIMMERMAN VERDICT SURVEY - Tell us what you think

George Zimmerman, the Florida neighborhood watch volunteer accused of murdering Trayvon Martin, was found not guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter.

Zimmerman says Martin attacked him, punching him in the face and slamming his head into a sidewalk, before he was forced to use his concealed firearm to shoot Martin in self defense.

Martin's lawyers say Zimmerman racially profiled Martin, got out of his car to follow him, then confronted and murdered the youth without justification.

What George Zimmerman can teach us about legal defense

by Sean Maloney, Defense Attorney

If you learn just one thing about armed self defense from the trial of George Zimmerman, it is this ...

CONSULT AN ATTORNEY IMMEDIATELY!

Subjecting yourself to a police investigation, interrogation from multiple officers, and a reenactment of the incident on-camera without representation as Zimmerman did is nothing short of insane. And it could be a death sentence, or in this case a potential sentence of life in prison.

Beware the "excited utterance" when talking to law enforcement

One of the most important concepts to understand in the laws of evidence is what is referred to as the "excited utterance."

An excited utterance is a statement made in response to a shocking event.

Supreme Court ruling on 5th Amendment puts you at even more risk

The Supreme Court recently ruled in Salinas v. Texas that your silence can be used against you.

What to do AFTER a Self Defense Shooting

A step-by-step guide for dealing with law-enforcement under stress

by Sean Maloney, Defense Attorney

As an American citizen, you have the legal and moral right to defend yourself and your family against death or grievous bodily harm. But even if you act properly, it is possible that you will find yourself in trouble with the law. What you do and say in the minutes following an act of self defense can mean the difference between freedom and imprisonment.

The surprising truth about Self Defense Insurance

If you own or carry a firearm for self defense, you've probably thought about the very real probability that one day you may have to use your gun to defend yourself or your loved ones.

And if you've thought through the various scenarios to their logical conclusion, you will have considered that in the minutes and hours that follow, you could find yourself facing arrest and prosecution, and in dire need of legal defense.

Understanding the Miranda warning and what it means to you

The Miranda warning, sometimes referred to as your Miranda rights, is a warning police give to criminal suspects after they are taken into custody.

The purpose of the Miranda warning depends on whether you are the law enforcement officer or the suspect. From a suspect's point of view, it is to remind you that you have a 5th Amendment right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. From an officer's point of view, it is to help preserve the admissibility of your statements in a criminal proceeding.

7 tips for summer weather concealed carry

by Sean Maloney, Esq.

The weather is warming and it's time to switch to summer methods of concealed carry.

For some, it’s not a big deal. You may carry the same way all year long. For others, the shorts and T-shirts are coming out, and concealment will become more of a challenge.

Here are some methods of warm weather concealed carry. These could be helpful if you dress to stay cool but still want to stay armed.