Understanding Colorado’s Stand Your Ground Laws in Self-Defense Claims
August 26, 2025
A restraining order – also called a protective order – is an order issued by a judge that tells one person to stay away from and not to communicate with, threaten, or hurt another person. Protective orders are usually used in domestic violence cases to protect victims and family members.
Whether you’re an individual seeking a protective order against someone else or another person is seeking a protective order against you, it’s important to understand the conditions of a protective [...]
Even though the media may stress that domestic violence increases over the holidays, domestic violence advocates and research tell a different story.
Overall, domestic violence does not increase over the holidays. In fact, it may actually decrease a bit. Depending on whom you ask and where you collect your data, there may be spikes in domestic violence, but there are usually other factors to consider. And increases in holiday domestic violence are the exceptions instead of the rule.
It makes [...]
Though many people are aware that federal law restricts felons from owning firearms, they may not be aware that Colorado also restricts the gun rights of individuals convicted of domestic violence crimes—even if the offense was a misdemeanor.
In 2013, Colorado passed a law preventing convicted domestic abusers from purchasing guns. If a misdemeanor domestic violence charge shows up on a background check, gun retailers cannot sell that person a firearm.
The law also made it illegal for offenders to [...]
Domestic violence is a crime that occurs behind closed doors—both the closed doors of a shared dwelling and the closed doors of the domestic abuser’s mind.
The psychology of a domestic abuser is different from other violent criminals. Often the abuser has no history of violent crime, and his sudden acts of aggression can seem uncharacteristic to his partner, family, and community.
A new study from the psychology research lab at Northwestern has shed some light on the mind of [...]
Law enforcement officials, government agencies, and the general public acknowledge that domestic violence is a serious problem affecting women and men who are married or in a romantic relationship. However, domestic violence can occur between two people in any type of relationship—including those in gay and lesbian relationships.
Studies have found that domestic violence between gay and lesbian couples occurs at rates that are comparable to those of straight couples. Now that same-sex marriage has been legalized and the public [...]
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 [...]