When Colorado Police Violate Your Rights During Home Searches
February 25, 2026
It’s stressful enough to be charged with a crime. The last thing you may want to do is shop around for a criminal defense attorney and talk legal fees. Choosing the right attorney, however, may mean the difference between years in jail and dropped charges.
Keep the following questions in mind while searching for and consulting with different criminal defense attorneys about your situation.
How Long Have You Been Practicing Law?
An attorney’s years of experience and the number of [...]
Being charged with a crime can be incredibly stressful. You don’t want to plead guilty, but how can you prove your innocence or lessen your sentence?
Luckily, there are many ways to defend against criminal charges. Some are well known, like self-defense, but did you know that hypoglycemia can be used as a defense in some cases? Do you know about the “make my day” law, and how can it help you in court?
Below we have a few examples [...]
Recently, Johnny Manziel, the former Cleveland Browns quarterback and 2012 Heisman Trophy winner, was indicted on domestic violence charges. Colleen Crowley, one of Manziel’s ex-girlfriends, is accusing him of hitting and threatening her in an assault that took place in February.
This case is getting a lot of coverage in the media due to Manziel’s celebrity and notoriety, but it does bring up a common question concerning domestic violence charges. Although Manziel was formerly indicted by a grand jury for [...]
Put simply, as a criminal justice attorney, I help ordinary people navigate the often confusing and intimidating criminal justice system in Denver and surrounding areas.
But what are the specific duties and services a criminal justice attorney like me provides for his or her clients? Here I’ll outline what you should expect from a capable attorney throughout the entire process of a case—before, during, and after a trial.
Why Hire a Defense Attorney?The courts do allow you to represent [...]
Colorado has its share of violent crimes, and some counties see quite a bit more than others. Not surprisingly, law enforcement officials tend to police “known” violent areas more closely. But how do you know where the most violence occurs in our state?
Using the data collection site, Graphiq, we produced a map from violent crime reports in 2013, the most recent FBI statistics available.
The statistics from the FBI include a number of crimes under these terms. Violent crime, [...]
A home search in Denver can go from a knock at the door to criminal charges in minutes. Police may claim they have permission, cite an emergency, or present paperwork that appears official, even when the scope exceeds legal limits.
The Law Office of Jacob Martinez helps people push back when officers cross the line during residential searches. A Denver criminal defense attorney helps you understand what police must have before they enter, what exceptions they rely on, and why [...]
Road rage and aggressive driving offenses in Colorado can carry serious legal consequences. These cases often arise from incidents on busy streets or highways. If you are facing charges for road rage and aggressive driving in Denver, having legal guidance can make a significant difference. The Law Office of Jacob Martinez can assist you in handling the ins and outs of your aggressive driving and road rage case. A Colorado defense lawyer will explain your rights and apply possible defenses [...]
Hate crime enhancements allow Colorado prosecutors to increase criminal penalties. A misdemeanor assault could become a felony with years in prison if bias motivation is proven. These enhancements don’t require explicit hatred; prosecutors just need to show that prejudice based on protected characteristics played a role.
At the Law Office of Jacob Martinez, our Denver criminal defense attorneys defend clients statewide, challenging subjective or ambiguous evidence. Many alleged “proofs” of bias have reasonable alternative explanations.
What Are Colorado Hate Crime[...]