Understanding Colorado’s Deferred Judgment and Sentence Options for First Offenders
May 1, 2026
If you’re facing assault charges but only acted to defend yourself, it can feel confusing and unfair. Proving self-defense isn’t always easy because the law looks closely at whether your response was reasonable.
At the Law Office of Jacob Martinez, our experienced Denver, CO assault defense lawyers have helped over a thousand people in situations just like yours. You tried to protect yourself—or someone else—and now you’re caught in a legal system that doesn’t always see the full picture.
We’re [...]
You’re out with friends, having a good time at your favorite bar when a heated argument suddenly turns into a bar fight. Maybe you were just defending yourself, but what seemed like a minor scuffle could lead to serious legal consequences. Believe it or not, a bar fight can result in felony charges. While these altercations may seem trivial, the legal aftermath is anything but. Can a seemingly minor incident lead to serious felony charges? Let’s break it down and [...]
Assault cases are not only about the act itself but also about where the incident occurs. The location of an assault can significantly influence legal outcomes, bringing into play various factors that shape the legal landscape.
In this blog, we will explore how the location of an assault incident, whether it happens in public spaces, private property, or specific areas in Denver, can impact the legal outcomes. Additionally, we’ll emphasize the importance of building a strong defense with an experienced [...]
When you get charged with a crime like assault in Colorado, you don’t simply have to accept the charges – you have the right to fight back. An assault conviction can affect the rest of your life, even after you’ve fulfilled the penalties. It is vital to work with your lawyer to have assault charges dropped or reduced, and it is possible.
Where do you start? After bringing an experienced and capable attorney on board your defense team, the real [...]
When you hear people talking about assault and menacing in Colorado, they may use the words interchangeably. However, it’s important to note that in the eyes of the law, they are different charges with different criminal penalties.
If you are facing an assault or menacing charge, it is critical to understand and know the difference between the two. That’s why it’s worth reading and learning about what these two crimes have in common and their differences.
Menacing in ColoradoMenacing [...]
A deferred judgment and sentence allows a first-time offender in Colorado to plead guilty, complete a period of court supervision, and then have the guilty plea withdrawn and the charge dismissed permanently. For someone facing their first criminal charge, this is often the best available outcome.
At the Law Office of Jacob Martinez, our Denver criminal defense team has negotiated deferred judgment agreements in Colorado courts since 2014.
How a Deferred Judgment and Sentence Works in ColoradoThe defendant enters [...]
Eyewitness testimony is undeniably a powerful form of evidence in criminal cases. However, there have been studies showing it is also one of the leading causes of wrongful convictions in Denver and across the United States. This suggests that human memory is not perfect and that some situations can lead to errors in identification.
In Denver, cases involving eyewitness misidentification span a wide range of crimes. You must defend against wrongful convictions, which requires a detailed review of the circumstances [...]
Violating a Colorado protection order can trigger a new criminal charge and contempt proceedings in the same court, and any new sentence must be served back-to-back with the sentence you were already facing, not at the same time. That means a single phone call, text message, or chance encounter can double your exposure while you are still on bond or probation. Denver criminal defense attorneys at the Law Office of Jacob Martinez have defended clients against these charges across Colorado [...]