When Colorado Police Violate Your Rights During Home Searches
February 25, 2026
As one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana, the country has been looking to Colorado to see what effect legalization would have on our crime rates, incarceration rates, and overall functioning as a state. Among the many studies and reports taken in the few short years since the legalization of marijuana, one in particular looks at the rate of violent crimes in Denver.
According to drugpolicy.org, Denver saw a 2.2% decrease in all violent crimes in the first [...]
Even though marijuana was only legalized here a few years ago, it has already had a huge impact. Lots of new businesses are setting up shop in Colorado to legally cash in. Taxes from marijuana sales have bolstered our state’s coffers. Arrests for marijuana are down significantly. Even drugged driving arrests related to marijuana have decreased slightly.
But there’s potentially an even bigger impact where drug trafficking is concerned. How so? The effect is two-fold, and whether it’s good or [...]
Opinions on criminal justice reform cannot always be properly expressed in 140 characters, but apparently someone forgot to mention that to George Brauchler. Best known as the prosecutor in the Aurora movie theater shooting trial, Mr. Brauchler recently learned this lesson the hard way.
The high-profile district attorney sent out a tweet saying, “‘Mass incarceration’ is a myth. Individuals with their own attorneys were convicted and sentenced individually.” His tweet was written as a response to an opinion piece in [...]
Drug trafficking is illegal no matter where you are. But with the legalization of marijuana in Colorado, it’s easier than ever to ship marijuana somewhere else and reap the financial benefits.
Illegal drug traffickers are using Colorado as a safe haven for growing marijuana in regulated pot farms and warehouses, then discreetly sending it to other places where traffickers can make an excellent profit.
One instance of drug trafficking had an owner of a skydiving company filling his planes with [...]
If you’re a marijuana user, you’re probably pretty happy to be living in Colorado. It’s easy for you to make a trip to your local dispensary and enjoy a relaxing night. But just because recreational marijuana is legal, that doesn’t mean everything regarding marijuana is legal in our state.
There are still numerous ways that marijuana users can face drug crime charges for possession, sale, distribution, and cultivation of marijuana. So let’s look at four of those ways.
1. It’s [...]
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[...]