Understanding Colorado’s Deferred Judgment and Sentence Options for First Offenders
May 1, 2026
Domestic violence is a serious offense in Colorado, and the laws clearly outline what the justice system considers domestic violence.
While the definition of domestic violence may be clear in the state, the idea that someone was defending themselves against the abuse of another isn’t as clear. It’s common in domestic violence cases for the party being accused of domestic violence to say they were only acting in self-defense. However, anyone claiming self-defense can only argue it successfully in court [...]
Domestic violence in Colorado is not a crime in and of itself. It’s an aggravating factor or sentence enhancement in cases that involves offenses against those with whom a person is in an intimate relationship.
There’s a lot to understand about domestic violence in our state, and a lot of information to wade through. That may be why there are so many misconceptions about domestic violence in the state.
Here are a few of the facts about domestic violence charges [...]
Domestic violence is not an uncommon crime to be accused of in Colorado – and it can be complicated to understand.
Once the ball gets rolling on domestic violence charges in Colorado, they are difficult to stop. This makes it even more important to comprehend domestic violence charges and your rights if you’re accused of this crime.
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about domestic violence in Colorado, including how it is defined, how it is charged, [...]
Domestic violence does not occur in a vacuum. Often, consequences reach anyone involved in domestic violence, from the perpetrator to the victim to any children in the household.
Certainly, criminal repercussions affect perpetrators of domestic violence, but how does domestic violence impact the children that witness the relationship?
Here’s what you need to know about domestic violence and how it may shape your children.
The Impact of Domestic Violence on ChildrenAn overwhelming number of children exposed to domestic violence [...]
Domestic violence crimes in Colorado occupy a unique space. That’s because domestic violence isn’t an independent crime in and of itself. Instead, it serves as a sentencing enhancement for other crimes.
Up to this point, it’s been asbent as an enhancement for certain crimes that seem like they should fall under domestic violence, such as child abuse.
House Bill 21-1099 seeks to change this. It would include child abuse in domestic violence laws in the state. Essentially, the bill strives [...]
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 [...]