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Pictured from left to right: Kurt's oldest son, Kirtan; Massad Ayoob, Director and Founder of Lethal Force Institute, and Kurt, after LFI (1) in 2004. [Kurt's graduation present to Kirtan and Kurt's second time through LFI (1).] |
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Defensive Use of Force
If you've been involved in a violent encounter and are charged with a crime, you will need an attorney who understands the physical, psychological and tactical aspects involved in the defensive use of force. The public at large has been misled for years by erroneous depictions of violence in the media. As a result, many people have misconceptions about violent encounters, including human physiology, reaction time, firearms and the impact of violence on the human body.
It is vital to a successful defense to have an attorney and, if necessary, an expert witness who understands the dynamics of violent situations. It is often necessary to educate the District Attorney in order to convince the prosecution to drop or modify the charges. And, if the case goes to trial, the jury will need to be educated. Knowledge dissipates ignorance and, as Massad Ayoob is fond of saying, "The truth will set you free." Getting to that truth requires a legal team that understands the use of defensive force.
Too often, attorneys on both sides of the criminal justice system lack in knowledge about the fundamental dynamics of violent encounters. For instance, when a human being is under severe stress, sometimes known as the "flight or fight" syndrome, perception of time can be grossly distorted. This can be a crucial factor when a suspect is asked how long it took to use the force that he or she applied in self-defense. Time has a tendency to slow down for someone under severe stress. Answering incorrectly and asserting that a much longer time passed than really did can make the violence seem premeditated or even unnecessary.
In our culture and judicial system it has always been both morally and legally acceptable for a person to use a reasonable degree of force in defense of oneself or innocent third parties. What constitutes a "reasonable degree of force" has been the subject of numerous cases and much debate over the centuries. Self defense is otherwise known as "justification." Justification is a defense to a charge of Assault, and all levels of Homicide (from Manslaughter to Murder). There are instances when it is legal and acceptable to physically injure or even kill another human being, and if one is charged with a crime after having used force in an appropriate manner, the defense of justification comes into play.
Having developed a special interest in these kinds of cases, Kurt has studied with one of the foremost experts in this area of law. Massad Ayoob the founder and director of Lethal Force Institute has worked in law enforcement nearly thirty years. His curriculum vitae is as impressive as it is lengthy. Massad is one of the founders of the Officer Survival Movement and has been a premier educator of both law enforcement personnel and civilians in the area of the judicious and legal use of force in self defense. Kurt is a graduate of Lethal Force Institute 1 and Lethal Force Institute 2 as well as several other shorter courses offered by Massad and his colleagues.
The dynamics of a violent encounter are complex not only in terms of the human physiological reaction to such an occurrence, but in regard to the legal aspects as well. Knowing how the human mind and body works under stressful conditions involving the use of force and having experienced first hand the training and defensive tactics and the use of firearms applicable to such circumstances, Kurt has placed himself in the small percentage of attorneys who have hands on experience with the dynamics of a violent encounter. Kurt is often quoted as saying that he has learned more from Massad Ayoob then he learned in law school. He stands by that statement. Visit Massad Ayoob's Web site for more information about his courses and the educational opportunities that he is offering to the public and to members of law enforcement.
For more information, visit www.ayoob.com.
Read the article about Kurt in COMBAT HANDGUNS written by Massad Ayoob.
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