I.    Criminal Charges – Trial & Defense: Complete legal representation (all attorneys fees paid) for criminal charges (including DWI and Criminal Traffic matters- meaning where jail time may be potentially be imposed), whether job related or not, within the States of Minnesota and Wisconsin.  Covers all attorneys fees for all stages of representation, from pre-charging to sentencing. All appeals, probation violations, and post conviction motions are excluded.

Additionally, all costs (costs are not attorneys fees- these are expenses the firm pays out of pocket or advances to the client’s case) incurred by the Firm shall have a maximum coverage of $5,000 per case.  Cost may include, but are not limited to, online legal research fees, mileage, filing fees, copy expenses, fax expenses, obtaining police reports, expert witness fees and retainers, depositions, statements, fingerprints, collection of physical evidence, hiring private investigators, etc.  For costs in excess of $5,000, the Member shall be personally responsible.  The Firm has sole discretion in incurring any costs or not.

Persons eligible: Member and spouse.

II.   Motor Vehicle Criminal and Traffic Violation representation: Complete legal representation (all attorneys fees paid) for traffic violations within the State of Minnesota, whether job related or not. Traffic violations in Wisconsin where no jail time may be imposed is NOT covered by this agreement.

Persons eligible: Member only. 

Includes court representation for traffic violations, from pre-charging to post trial sentencing. All appeals, probation violations, and post conviction motions are excluded. (Examples covered include, but are not limited to: Careless Driving, Inattentive driving, Misdemeanor traffic violations, and Petty misdemeanor traffic violations)

Additionally, all costs (costs are not attorneys fees- these are expenses the firm pays out of pocket or advances to the client) incurred by the Firm shall have a maximum coverage of $5,000 per case.  Cost may include, but are not limited to, online legal research fees, mileage, filing fees, copy expenses, fax expenses, obtaining police reports, expert witness fees and retainers, depositions, statements, fingerprints, collection of physical evidence, hiring private investigators, etc.  For costs in excess of $5,000, the Member shall be personally responsible.  The Firm has sole discretion in incurring any costs or not.

III.     DEFENSE of Administrative /employment or Civil proceedings, Job Related: Complete legal representation (all attorneys fees paid) for DEFENSE of Administrative or employment cases relating to termination, demotion, suspension or other disciplinary action by the Member’s employer,within the State of Minnesota.  The plan does not cover dissolution of police departments via valid political process.   In cases where the FOP member is covered by membership in an exclusive collective bargaining unit (such as a labor union or association), that exclusive representative will have the responsibility to cover the member first in such a proceeding.  In such cases, the LDP will then cover the member only in a monitoring capacity, which may include if needed, the LDP providing the member with the service of negotiating with the exclusive representative; and/or assisting, to the extent the exclusive representative consents, with the preparation of the member’s case; and/or persuading the exclusive representative that the member’s case has merit.  The LDP cannot by law force the exclusive representative to waive its right to represent the member, or interfere with its right to represent the member.

If the FOP member is not a member of an exclusive collective bargaining agreement, the plan will be the member’s first line of defense in such cases and fully defend the member.

The LDP will also cover complete legal representation for DEFENSE of civil proceedings, for on the job related incidents within the State of Minnesota. Examples would include, defense of excessive use of force complaints, civil actions for negligence, property damage, etc.  This service is excluded if the employer, county, city or state indemnifies the officer and/or offers legal representation.  The service of determining whether an employee should be indemnified, and compelling an employer to indemnify, is covered.

Persons eligible: Member only.

Additionally, all costs (costs are not attorneys fees- these are expenses the firm pays out of pocket or advances to the client) incurred by the Firm shall have a maximum coverage of $5,000 per case.  Cost may include, but are not limited to, online legal research fees, mileage, filing fees, copy expenses, fax expenses, obtaining police reports, expert witness fees and retainers, depositions, statements, fingerprints, collection of physical evidence, hiring private investigators, etc.  For costs in excess of $5,000, the Member shall be personally responsible.  The Firm has sole discretion in incurring any costs or not.

IV.     Unlimited free phone consultation: on any personal legal matter, for any household member– via calling the Firm through its contact information.  Office: 651-287-8883; Toll Free: 1-877-709-8877; or 24 Hour cell number: 651-357-8877.            MEMBERS SHOULD USE 651-287-8883 for all critical incidents.

V.      Discounted Rate for other legal services.  A discounted rate of $100 per hour, regardless of attorney assigned, or a contingency fee reduced to 25 % for all legal services not provided by the plan, subject to the firm’s ability to provide these services based on subject matter area of practice and jurisdiction.  The Firm’s normal rates are $180 per hour depending on the attorney assigned for hourly matters, and normally are 33 1/3 % for contingency matters.  By way of example, and not limitation, the firm does not practice bankruptcy, family law, workman’s compensation, or taxation law.  However, the Firm will attempt to refer the member to a lawyer who will accept the discounted rate if Fowler Law Firm does not practice the desired area of law.             

Persons eligible: Member and household members.

VI.     Exclusions: Except as otherwise agreed, the Firm shall not be required to provide legal representation under the following conditions:

A.  For pre-existing conditions which are defined as those acts (or offense date) which give rise to charges, litigation or an administrative proceeding which are alleged to have occurred prior to the Member’s enrollment in the FOP Defense Plan, even though the charges, lawsuit or administrative proceedings may have been initiated after such date.  However, if the employer initially indemnifies the member for an incident occurring prior to the member’s coverage date, but then discontinues to indemnify or represent the member; the plan will cover the member if the date of the discontinuation of the employer’s representation/indemnification occurs after the date of the member’s joining the plan.  It is each member’s affirmative duty to renew the plan each year in a timely manner.  Ultimately, regardless of the FOP’s actions or lack thereof in reminding the member, it is the member’s responsibility to renew in a timely fashion (Oct. 31), failure to do so will result in a gap in coverage.

 B.  Matters, claims or defenses pertaining to any matter listed herein or which the Firm and the FOP Executive Committee determine to be frivolous, or otherwise non-meritorious including decisions to appeal any judgment or decision.  The Firm reserves the right to make independent professional judgments as required by the Code of Professional Responsibility, regarding the presentation of such claims or defenses.

C.  Any matters which the Firm, by the Code of Professional conduct, is prohibited from handling.

D.    Any matters which the FOP Executive Committee, in its discretion, directs the Firm not to pursue because the matter does not advance the principles and interests of the FOP.