Understanding Colorado’s Stand Your Ground Laws in Self-Defense Claims
August 26, 2025
The coronavirus has shaken the world up in many ways aside from the virus itself. Millions of people are finding themselves out of work and businesses are being forced to close doors en masse. Lots of people are also practicing social distancing by staying home.
Because of these things, one issue that cities like Denver are contending with? The potential for a massive spike in domestic violence.
Experts Concerned for Potential Spike in CO Domestic Violence CallsThe extensive quarantine [...]
Acts of domestic violence aren’t always between only a husband and wife. Individuals can face domestic violence charges even when they are not married. In fact, there are even some circumstances in which the perpetrator or victim isn’t even (and have never been) romantically involved.
So let’s begin by addressing who is protected by Colorado domestic violence laws.
Who’s Protected Under Colorado Domestic Violence Law?The criminal code defines domestic violence (DV) as real or threatened violence against a person [...]
We have encountered a lot of confusion surrounding domestic violence among clients in Colorado. So we decided to tackle some of the most common questions we encounter:
The following information should answer these and others you [...]
Summer is supposed to be the best time of year, but it turns out that this season can bring out the worst in some people. Colorado sees an uptick in violent crimes over the summer months each year — especially domestic violence.
A number of factors may contribute to this increase. Below, we’re going to review why domestic violence tends to increase over the summer months, and what you can do to protect yourself.
Violent Crime Increases with Temperature in[...]Substance abuse and domestic violence are both unfortunate realties of modern society. Both are common, affecting thousands of Coloradans annually.
In fact, many times these two problems occur together, as both domestic violence victims and perpetrators are often substance abusers.
So, what is the link between the two things?
The short answer is that it’s complicated. However, research has shown that substance abusers are more likely to become victims or perpetrators of domestic violence. Moreover, these two problems have many [...]
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 [...]