Understanding Colorado’s Hate Crime Enhancement Laws and Penalties
January 29, 2026
Restraining orders, commonly known as protection orders in Colorado, serve as valuable tools to protect individuals from threats, harassment, or violence. However, there are instances where restraining orders are issued unjustly or based on false allegations.
If you find yourself facing an unjust restraining order in Colorado, it’s essential to understand your legal remedies and the steps you can take to challenge it. In this blog, we will delve into the process of challenging restraining orders that may have [...]
Sex crimes are taken seriously in Colorado and around the country. However, time spent in jail for the offense may be just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to sex crimes. Why?
To put it simply, there are many hidden costs associated with being convicted of a sex offense. Many people are not aware of these consequences and what it could mean for their future.
That’s why it’s crucial to not only understand what type of actions can [...]
Protection orders are issued by courts in Colorado to protect one person from another. It keeps the person named in the order from contacting the other in any way. You may hear these types of orders referred to as restraining orders, no-contact orders, or injunctions, but they all effectively serve the same purpose.
In most cases, victims of domestic violence seek protective orders against their abusers, but there isn’t simply one kind of protective order. In fact, the state of [...]
Many people think of protective orders and restraining orders as interchangeable. The truth is that they are two very different things in Colorado.
Here’s what you need to know about these two distinct orders, how they’re different, and what happens if one is violated.
Colorado Restraining OrdersRestraining orders are court-issued. They demand that a person suspected of domestic abuse or violence avoid contact with a victim.
What a Restraining Order IsAnyone who fears for their safety can ask [...]
The Coronavirus pandemic has turned all of our lives up-side-down in one respect or another. This is especially true for Coloradoans currently bound to the court system in some way.
For those dealing with a protective order in particular, on top of any restrictions you’ve experienced under the current pandemic protocol, a protective order can further restrict your ability to travel and can have an overreaching impact on your livelihood.
Another requirement often associated with protective orders?
No contact with [...]
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[...]In criminal cases across Denver, CO, DNA evidence is presented as powerful proof linking a defendant to a crime scene, victim, or weapon. While DNA analysis can be highly reliable when performed correctly, it is not infallible. Criminal defense attorneys at the Law Office of Jacob Martinez frequently challenge DNA evidence on multiple grounds to create reasonable doubt or even exclude it entirely from trial. This is especially relevant in Denver, where many cases rely on testing from the Colorado [...]
Police body camera footage has become one of the most influential types of evidence in Colorado criminal cases. What officers’ records can support their account or expose inconsistencies that benefit your defense. Understanding how to obtain and use this footage is essential when facing charges.
At the Law Office of Jacob Martinez, our Denver criminal defense attorney team pursues body camera footage in every case where it exists. We know how to analyze video evidence, identify improper police conduct, and [...]