Understanding Colorado’s Stand Your Ground Laws in Self-Defense Claims
August 26, 2025
The roads are congested, shopping malls are packed, and the in-laws are visiting—it’s natural to feel a little extra stress around the holiday season. But when feelings of stress escalate into angry and abusive behavior, that’s when domestic violence crimes occur. Studies show that domestic violence increases during the holidays, when cooking, shopping, hectic schedules, and a myriad of other factors can evoke feelings of frustration and irritation.
When discussing the prevalence of holiday domestic violence in a CBS News [...]
In Arapahoe County court, Denver DUI attorney Jacob E. Martinez successfully negotiated a resolution in which his client, who had originally been charged with DUI, was able to avoid an alcohol-related conviction, even though her BAC was above the legal limit. After carefully analyzing the police contact in the case, Mr. Martinez discovered that there was a distinct possibility that his client had been subjected to an unlawful Fourth Amendment search and seizure.
The Fourth Amendment to the United States [...]
In Arapahoe County court, Denver Domestic Violence attorney Jacob E. Martinez achieved complete dismissal of all charges in a case where his client faced domestic violence and child abuse counts. After carefully reviewing all police reports, as well as after interviewing those involved, it became clear to Mr. Martinez that his client was in fact herself the victim on the night in question.
Mr. Martinez presented this information to prosecutors, and, after multiple communications, prosecutors agreed to dismiss all charges [...]
When you hire an attorney, you want to feel confident that he or she knows what they are doing and will put in every effort to make sure that you get the best possible outcome in your case. This is especially true for people who are facing criminal charges, because in many cases you are literally putting your life in the hands of your lawyer. It takes a lot of faith and trust to do that, and it can relieve [...]
Recently, Denver criminal defense and DUI attorney Jacob E. Martinez earned a perfect 10.0 on the industry-leading attorney rating website, Avvo. Avvo determines its scores — which range from 0.0 to 10.0 — based upon a combination of factors including experience, industry recognition, professional conduct, and professional recognition and accomplishment.
By achieving a perfect 10.0 on Avvo, Mr. Martinez has demonstrated he is a the top of his profession in his areas of practice. Mr. Martinez is excited and honored [...]
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 [...]