Understanding Colorado’s Stand Your Ground Laws in Self-Defense Claims
August 26, 2025
While the state of Colorado has relaxed some of its laws against the use of substances like marijuana, it’s still a very serious offense to be accused of operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol in the state.
Many people assume they know what happens when a person is arrested for a DUI. However, the cold truth of the matter is that most are surprised by what follows an arrest. The chain of events that happen [...]
When you are pulled over for a DUI, you may expect to get a breath test by the police. This will test your blood alcohol content and demonstrate if you are above the legal limit of 0.08 percent. But what many people don’t know is that you can also opt to have a blood test done to determine your blood alcohol content.
Which is better: blood or a breath test? The truth is, there is no wrong or right answer [...]
The holidays are a time to get together with loved ones and make some memories to cherish. The key is to make good memories, not things that will stick with you for life for all the wrong reasons – like being arrested for a Colorado DUI.
This holiday season, the Colorado police will be out in full force, patrolling the streets to make sure that everyone stays safe. That means that sobriety checkpoints and other precautions may be used. You [...]
While most people may be able to guess what the definition of a persistent drunk driver is, it is actually a term codified in Colorado law. Because of that, there are specific characteristics that define who is labeled as a persistent drunk driver.
The truth is, being labeled as a persistent drunk driver in Colorado has serious consequences. So it’s vital to know what it is and how a person can be labeled as one. Read on to find out [...]
Many people want to avoid going to court when they’re charged with a crime. After all, it’s expensive, and the outcome is not guaranteed. Many people opt for plea bargains, including those in DUI cases in Colorado.
While a plea bargain is an option, it’s not always the best one. In fact, sometimes a plea bargain may be the worst thing you can do for your DUI case.
What’s important is to understand what a plea bargain is, what it [...]
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 [...]