Legal Defense Fund Information

24-HOUR EMERGENCY NUMBER – (800) 255-5610

If you are involved in a Critical Incident you are entitled to legal representation. Contact the Legal Defense Fund immediately!

Click link for our attorney profiles: Attorney Profiles

A Critical Incident is defined as an action which arises from any act or omission within the scope of employment in which serious injury or death occurs; or, the discharge of a weapon is involved.

Also contact the Legal Defense Fund when:

  • You learn that you are the subject of a criminal investigation

  • You are served with a summons and complaint in a civil matter arising out of acts or omission within the scope of your employment

  • Any licensing action is brought against you by the Police and Fire licensing boards, whether within the scope of employment or not.

You pay no out of pocket expenses. You pay no deductibles. There is no cap on legal costs to defend. Simply put, you will be provided the best defense for the cost of being a member of LELS.

Difference Between Internal Investigation and Criminal Investigation – LDF and LELS Roles

Legal Defense FUND (LDF) PLAN NOTES
PORAC is the LDF Plan provider for Lels members

  1. * Our Legal Defense Fund provides Appellate and Supreme Court litigation. Coverage under the Benefit Plans I-V provides members the opportunity to appeal their matter through the Appellate court, upon determining that there is a reasonable likelihood of success. Otherwise, if PORAC determines there is a statewide or nationwide importance, PORAC has the discretion to grant coverage under Matters of General Importance (MOGI) coverage. PORAC has pursued appeals all the way through the United States Supreme Court on several occasions.

  2.  *This coverage is automatically covered by PORAC if the officer has legal exposure arising out of their duty to intervene or is otherwise exposed to potential criminal liability.

  3. *PORAC provides this coverage.

  4. *PORAC will provide a local attorney coordinator (attorney to be selected and approved by LELS) to serve as the primary contact for the initial coordination and selection of the responding attorneys when a critical incident occurs. The attorney coordinator will be paid by LDF.

  5. *PORAC allows each Association to designate which attorneys to use for their members.

  6. *PORAC will pay for all reasonable and necessary attorneys’ fees without any limitation.

  7. *PORAC will pay for all reasonable and necessary expenses (i.e., transcripts, expert witnesses, polygraphers, videographers, etc.). Expenses are subject to written request and pre-approval by PORAC.

  8. *LELS will provide an attorney for the recovery of Line-of-Duty Death Benefits (State and Federal Benefits

  9. *LELS and PORAC can provide Critical Incident Response Training.

  10. * PORAC provides coverage in all 50 states and 2 U.S. Territories for active members and retirees. 

PORAC LDF - SUPPLEMENTAL DETAILS

  • PORAC has a membership base of over 150,000+ spanning all 50 states and 2 U.S. Territories.

  • PORAC offers a $72 million financial safety net.

  • PORAC offers access to a robust pool of vetted and experienced expert witnesses available in all 50 states to support cases in Minnesota.

  • Comprehensive coverage through PORAC extends to all licensed, non-licensed, and retiree members.

  • PORAC includes Critical Incident “Witness” (Duty to Intervene) coverage.

  • LDF cost for Retiree Members: $90 annually