1. Will the new plan
reduce the services covered compared to the National legal plan?
NO. In fact, the Minnesota legal defense plan greatly expands the
coverage provided by the nationwide legal defense plan. For example,
any time an officer is charged with a crime, whether on or off
duty, the plan would cover the defense of the officer. Previously,
only on duty events were covered. Also, spouses would now be
covered for criminal defense. In addition, for other
non-defense legal services that Fowler Law Firm practices,
members and household members are eligible for reduced rates.
2. Who will administer
the plan?
The plan will be locally controlled by the State Lodge
or other committee it delegates. A big advantage to the Minnesota
plan is that it is locally controlled and administered. Your costs
will not go to the pool that is used for claims nationwide. In
addition, the Minnesota State FOP Lodge will create a fund that can be used
to pay for cases that otherwise would not be covered under the
plan, or are in the interests of the greater purposes of the FOP.
Further, this fund, if not used up annually, can grow to help the
FOP be self-insured in the future, further reducing member costs.
Further, the FOP State Lodge has the ability to work directly with
the law firm in controlling the plan and negotiating the contract
year to year to keep costs down and to make improvements as
needed.
3. Does the Minnesota
Legal Defense Plan
cost more than the nationwide plan?
No. It's about the same cost per member at this time.
However, indications are that the nationwide figure will
continue to rise annually.
4. What about choosing my
own attorney?
It is true that under the nationwide plan, members can chose an
attorney from a list of attorneys. However, Fowler Law Firm
is the exclusive legal services provider under the Minnesota
plan, except in limited circumstances. Such examples would be in
conflict of interest situations (usually involving two officers in
the same event), or in rare cases where a local attorney is needed
promptly in an emergency situation. Fowler Law Firm has experience
representing police officers in criminal, civil, and
administrative matters. Bottom line: if they cannot do a
matter, we will find competent attorneys in your area that can
assist you.
5. I live
out-state. Will this plan be able to cover me?
Yes. The law firm will respond to critical incidents via
phone contact numbers
24 hours, 7 days a week, state wide (651-287-8883, toll free
1-877-709-8877) They travel on a moments notice
and often to many destinations, some as far away as International
Falls. They usually arrive before or shortly after the BCA
investigators arrive for critical incidents. There is nothing that would
prevent them from providing quality service state- wide.
As stated before, if it's an emergency situation, and they are unable
to respond, we will find an attorney for you right away in your
area.TOP
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