Understanding Colorado’s Stand Your Ground Laws in Self-Defense Claims
August 26, 2025
In 1994, victim-advocacy groups told the state of Colorado that the current laws on domestic violence did not bring justice to victims. Colorado listened, and enacted some of the harshest domestic violence laws in the country.
The laws, which address everything from the process of arresting someone for domestic violence to mandatory sentencing, have proven to be tough on domestic violence offenders… but are they too tough?
Some criminal justice experts argue that Colorado’s laws are so harsh they end [...]
On June 27, the United States Supreme Court concluded a historic gun rights case by upholding a federal ban on individuals who have been convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence from owning or purchasing firearms. The court voted 6-2 in favor of upholding the ban.
The case, Voisine vs. United States, involved two men from Maine: Stephen Voisine and William E. Armstrong III. Both men were petitioning for their right to own a firearm despite their past domestic violence convictions.
Stephen [...]
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 [...]
Domestic violence charges are taken very seriously in Colorado. Not only will you potentially face harsh penalties and restrictive protective orders, but a domestic violence conviction will also affect all aspects of your life.
A domestic violence conviction greatly limits your ability to find employment and housing. If you have children, a conviction could severely reduce visitation or even take away your parental rights altogether. Not to mention the damage a domestic violence conviction can do to your reputation and [...]
You thought that it was just a little lover’s quarrel. So when the police showed up and arrested you on charges of domestic violence, it was a complete shock. They didn’t even care that your supposed victim said it was a mistake and they had no interest in pressing charges.
How can something like this happen?
Many Coloradans don’t really understand how our state defines and handles criminal acts of domestic violence. Because of this, it is fairly common for [...]
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 [...]