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Law

of Self Defense LEVEL 1 Class: USCCA Expo 2017



This full-day Law of Self-Defense LEVEL 1 Class is being held on Thursday, April 6, 2017 in conjunction with the
USCCA Expo 2017 in Ft. Worth Texas (the Expo follows in the days immediately after this class). It provides a
comprehensive fact- and law-based education on use-of-force law (self-defense, defense of others, defense of
property) presented by Andrew Branca, an attorney and nationally recognized subject matter leader in the field.

The class illustrates how the law of self-defense is applied in real court cases involving real people. In addition, the
class is structured to engage students with scenario-driven applications of the legal principles governing the law of
self-defense. This class is customized to the self-defense law of the state in which it is held, using the statutes, court
decisions, and jury instructions for that jurisdiction. Participants will leave the class armed with the legal knowledge
and analytical tools necessary to apply the law of self-defense in a practical and actionable way to situations that arise
in their own or their clients daily lives. All participants will receive a certificate of completion. Both CLE (for
attorneys) and a printed-and-bound copy of the presentation slides are also available at an additional cost.

Syllabus


Seminar Leader: Andrew F. Branca is in his third decade of practicing law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
(BBO#: 557995). He has written several published books on the law of self-defense, including the currently available
The Law of Self Defense, 3rd Edition, (ISBN: 978-1-943809-14-1). He is an internationally recognized expert on the
law of self-defense, and has been quoted in this context by the Wall Street Journal, the Chicago Tribune, the
Washington Post, and many other mainstream media, including nationally syndicated broadcast media and foreign
press. He is a former Adjunct and Guest Instructor on use-of-force law at the Sig Sauer Academy. Andrew is also a
frequent speaker at law school symposia, including winning the 2014 UC Berkeley Law School Stand-Your-Ground
Debate, as well as at major industry events, including the NRA Annual Meeting 2014 and the USCCA Expo 2016.

Seminar Duration 9:00AM to 4:00PM

Total CLE time: 4 to 6 hours general CLE (varies by state)

Block 1: Understanding the Use-of-Force Legal Playing Field (9:00AM to 9:45AM)

Establishes a common foundation to ensure a robust understanding of the use-of-force legal playing field,
including some perhaps not-obvious consequences of raising the legal defense of self-defense, who bears
responsibility for proving what at trial, red flags that encourage prosecutors to bring cases to trial, exactly
what must be done to overcome a claim of self-defense, and accidental killings, and more.

Q&A: (9:45AM to 9:55AM)

Break (9:55AM to 10:00AM)

Block 2: Five Principles of the Law of Self-Defense (10:00AM to 10:45AM)

1. Innocence
2. Imminence
3. Proportionality

Emphasis is applied using actual law to illustrate varied approaches taken by different states.

Q&A (10:45AM to 10:55AM)

Break (10:55AM to 11:00AM)

Law of Self Defense LEVEL 1 Class: USCCA Expo 2017

Syllabus (v.161027)

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Block 3: Five Principles of the Law of Self-Defense (11:00AM to 11:45AM)



4. Avoidance
5. Reasonableness

Emphasis is applied using actual law to illustrate varied approaches taken by different states.

Q&A (11:45PM to 12:00PM)

LUNCH (12:00PM to 12:30PM)

Block 4: Defense of Others (12:30PM to 1:00PM)

Emphasis is applied using actual law to illustrate varied approaches taken by different states.

Block 5: Defense of Property (1:00PM to 1:45PM)

Emphasis is applied using actual law to illustrate varied approaches taken by different states.

Q&A (1:45PM to 1:55PM)

Break (1:55PM to 2:00PM)

Block 6: After the Fact/Interacting with Law Enforcement (2:00PM to 2:45PM)

Discusses implications for how conduct after the event can strengthen or undermine a self-defense claim.
Also discusses to what extent facts known about attackers character or reputation after the fact can be
introduced into evidence (e.g., your attackers reputation for violence). We also cover the critically important
knowledge of what one might consider saying, and not saying, to the 911 dispatcher, to responding officers,
and to investigative officers in the aftermath of a defensive encounter.

Q&A (2:45PM to 2:55PM)

Break (2:55PM to 3:00PM)

Block 7: Crafting a Legally-Sound Self-Defense Strategy (3:00PM to 3:45PM)

Covers the five key tactics around which to build a legally sound self-defense strategy that enables your
lawyer to construct a compelling narrative of innocence to maximize your ability to survive both the physical
and legal battles of a defensive force confrontation.

Q&A (3:45PM to 4:00PM) In fact, however, Ill stay as long as people have questions.

Equipment:

Open mind, notebook and pen (recommended)

Note: All times are approximate.

For more information, contact:

seminar@lawofselfdefense.com or visit Law of Self Defense LEVEL 1 Class: USCCA Expo 2017.

Law of Self Defense LEVEL 1 Class: USCCA Expo 2017

Syllabus (v.161027)

Page 2 of 2

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