Understanding Colorado’s Stand Your Ground Laws in Self-Defense Claims
August 26, 2025
If you’re convicted of a sex crime, one of the consequences of that crime usually involves having to register as a sex offender. Every state, along with our federal government, has a sex offender registry, but one court has found that a sex offender registry is unconstitutional.
That court is right here in our state. A federal judge in Denver recently ruled that having to register as a sex offender violated the Eighth Amendment rights of three plaintiffs. More specifically, [...]
In our state, if you’re convicted of a sexual offense, you are required to register as a sex offender for five, 10, or 20 years – up to life.
What happens, however, when you’ve completed your registration period?
Your first thought is probably that you no longer have to continue to register. Because that makes logical sense. Unfortunately, that thought would be wrong.
Discontinuing your registration doesn’t automatically happen. You actually have to petition the Colorado court and ask them [...]
If you are the parent of teenagers, you’ve probably heard all kinds of things about the dangers of sexting. If you are a young single adult, you’ve probably heard horror stories from friends or peers about sexts gone wrong.
Even if nude images are originally shared between consenting teenagers or adults, a bad breakup could lead to the image being sent out into the world in an instant. Widespread sexts have led to traumatic cases of bullying and big scandals [...]
Whether the offender is a teenage boy or a fully grown adult, no one likes a Peeping Tom. The term is a silly name for someone who “peeps” into the windows of homes, either by using binoculars from a distance, or by getting up close and personal.
Usually, but not always, the Peeping Tom has criminal or sex-related intentions, so peeping is quick to make people inside the home uncomfortable. For someone who decides to peep, though, there are far [...]
Our country needs a lesson on sexual assault.
College campuses around the nation are awash in controversy over allegations, accusations, and a “rape culture.” Regardless of whether the incidents actually occurred, our President-elect has openly bragged about committing sexual assault, and has been accused by multiple women.
As a response to all the media coverage, we are starting to hold universities accountable for how they handle sexual assault cases, and moving forward with ways to prevent and safely report 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 [...]