Understanding Colorado’s Stand Your Ground Laws in Self-Defense Claims
August 26, 2025
If you’ve ever faced confusion when it comes to Colorado courts, you’re not alone – the system can be fairly complex. There are many layers and divisions and many don’t have a clear understanding of exactly how they work.
For example, if you are told that you are going to have to go to municipal court, you might have questions. Is your case less serious than those that go to other types of courts? What are the rules?… Do you [...]
A recent report from the United Nations said that the most dangerous place for women to be was their homes – largely due to domestic partner violence. This doesn’t just apply to faraway countries, either. According to reports, one in three women in the United States has experienced some sort of intimate partner violence in their lifetimes.
Women, however, are not the only victims of domestic violence. Men’s rights groups throughout the country want to get the word out about [...]
In Colorado, a charge of vehicular homicide comes with serious penalties. In this post we’ll break down the law on vehicular homicide and how it applies to individual cases. We’ll also describe the penalties and let you know what legal help is available.
First, let’s look at a couple of actual recent cases.
Two Recent Vehicular Homicide CasesOn Jan. 27, a three-vehicle crash killed two and injured three on Interstate 25 near Denver. A 2006 black Jeep utility vehicle [...]
If you or your child have been accused of a crime, you are no doubt concerned about the long-term consequences of a criminal record. However, depending upon the nature of the crime and any prior convictions, you or your child could qualify for a diversion program that will get the charges dismissed.
What are criminal diversion programs, and how can they help you?
The aim of criminal diversion programs is to rehabilitate defendants and help them avoid a criminal record, [...]
If you are facing criminal charges, don’t think your sentencing is inevitable. There are a number of different things that a skilled Denver criminal lawyer can do to help you get your charges reduced, dismissed, or dropped.
You may be able to make a plea agreement with the prosecution, admitting your guilt in exchange for lesser charges. Alternatively, some Colorado defense attorneys have a successful track record at getting charges dropped before the case even goes to trial by using [...]
Self-defense is one of the most frequently raised arguments in Colorado criminal cases involving assault, homicide, or weapons charges. When a person believes their safety is threatened, the law allows them to use reasonable force to protect themselves. However, the scope of that right depends on the circumstances. While some states have explicit “stand your ground” statutes, Colorado takes a different approach, blending principles of the Castle Doctrine, the state’s “Make My Day” law, and court rulings that have shaped [...]
If a prosecutor has surveillance footage, you might feel your case is hopeless. The reality is, this powerful evidence is not foolproof. The Law Office of Jacob Martinez, a Denver, CO criminal defense attorney, focuses on challenging the reliability of surveillance footage. We investigate technical flaws like poor image quality and legal issues such as a compromised chain of custody or constitutional violations. By exposing these vulnerabilities, we can work to have the footage excluded or cast significant doubt on [...]
The legal process can be confusing and intimidating, with serious consequences for your future, your freedom, and your reputation. Knowing you have a lawyer who understands the local legal system, knows the judges and prosecutors, and is ready to act on your behalf can make a significant difference. If you are in Denver, having a Denver, CO criminal defense lawyer with this local insight is particularly important.
At the Law Office of Jacob Martinez, we are deeply familiar with Denver’s [...]