Understanding Colorado’s Hate Crime Enhancement Laws and Penalties
January 29, 2026
If you have been charged with violating a restraining order in Colorado, it’s important to know what happens next. In this post, we’re going to explain the restraining order laws in our state as well as the penalties for violating an order.
Understanding Protective Orders in ColoradoA protective order, otherwise known as a restraining order, prohibits you from contact with a person who believes that you intend to do them harm. The order is intended to prevent touching, tampering, [...]
If you have ever been in a fight with another person, you know that sometimes you say things you don’t mean. For example, a partner could threaten leaving, taking your kids, taking your property, or even filing a restraining order.
Most of the time, these threats are empty and don’t amount to anything after you’ve both calmed down. But what happens if a partner, roommate, or family member does decide to file a restraining order? When are they issued, and [...]
A restraining order – also called a protective order – is an order issued by a judge that tells one person to stay away from and not to communicate with, threaten, or hurt another person. Protective orders are usually used in domestic violence cases to protect victims and family members.
Whether you’re an individual seeking a protective order against someone else or another person is seeking a protective order against you, it’s important to understand the conditions of a protective [...]
In Colorado, a protection order can be obtained on the mere word of another person and with no notice to you.
Often referred to as “restraining orders,” protective orders are legally enforceable documents ordering one person to stay a certain distance away from the person who filed for protection and avoid contacting them. To secure a temporary protection order against you, all someone needs to do is go to court and claim you have been abusive towards them. No proof [...]
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 [...]