Understanding Colorado’s Stand Your Ground Laws in Self-Defense Claims
August 26, 2025
Around the country, there have been many unintended side effects as a result of the COVID-19 virus. Law enforcement has been reporting everything from increased domestic violence to rising suicide numbers.
One other effect the virus seems to be having is that some people have become emboldened in carrying out criminal activities. One example was a case in Connecticut that involved a couple using masks and gloves to carry out criminal acts, including retail theft.
The numbers of these crimes [...]
A bank robbery over the holiday in Colorado Springs took an unexpected twist when the suspect, an older man with a white beard, allegedly put a Christmas spin on the offense.
The defendant allegedly entered the bank and robbed it using a weapon to threaten tellers. He then proceeded to leave the bank, throw the money on the sidewalk, and yell “Merry Christmas!”
Yes, you read that right.
Robbery’s Still a Crime in CO, Even When…Your Heart’s in the Right[...]When people think about crimes that involve stealing, some immediate types of thefts tend to come to mind. Grand theft auto, perhaps. Shoplifting. Breaking and entering. Mugging. Maybe identity theft.
All of these are commonly listed kinds of theft crime charges. However, there are lots of different ways that people can commit theft, and Colorado has quite a few crimes on the books that are less well-known… but can still cause problems for you if you end up being charged.[...]
The short answer to this question: yes.
Every criminal offense on the books has a corresponding statute of limitations. That is — there is a limit to how long prosecutors have to file charges against someone they believe has committed a crime.
In most cases, this is defined as a certain amount of time from the point a crime occurs. In today’s post, however, we specifically explore the sentencing and penalties for Colorado theft crimes, and the statutes of limitations [...]
When someone is arrested for theft in Colorado, the charge can be classified as a petty theft, a misdemeanor, or a felony. What determines the seriousness of the charge? In most cases it’s pretty simple: the value of the items that were taken.
There are multiple classes of misdemeanor theft charges, but at a certain point these switch over and become felonies. That point is called the “felony theft threshold.” Basically, it’s the point at which the value of the [...]
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 [...]