Understanding Colorado’s Stand Your Ground Laws in Self-Defense Claims
August 26, 2025
White collar crimes are serious offenses that are often prosecuted federally. If convicted, you could face serious criminal consequences, such as substantial fines and lengthy prison sentences, together with seizure of assets and other civil actions.
The term “white collar crime” generally refers to financial crimes that are committed with the intention of fraudulently obtaining financial gain. Common examples include tax fraud, securities fraud, insurance fraud, and insider trading.
White collar crimes are much more complex than most other criminal [...]
A 36-year-old Fruita woman was recently accused of collecting almost $10,000 in unemployment benefits while she was, in fact, employed.
The investigation began in 2017, when a random audit of one of the suspect’s employers revealed that she had been employed while collecting unemployment benefits. She is now facing multiple felony-level charges of fraud, theft, and computer crimes.
The process of filing for unemployment and receiving benefits is complex – meaning that it is common for people to intentionally exploit [...]
Undoubtedly you have heard of both fraud and forgery, and you probably know that both are illegal acts punishable by the laws of Colorado. You might not realize, though, that forgery is actually a specific type of fraud. Or that there are six different laws in our state statutes related to the act of forgery.
This is important to understand, because most people’s understanding of what forgery is only encompasses some of these charges. You need to know what the [...]
There are a lot of good things that have come from legalizing marijuana in our state. Tax money collected from the marijuana industry has been used for programs around the state. Police have been able to focus their efforts on more serious offenses. Colorado has even developed a new tourism industry based largely on the legalization of marijuana.
Unfortunately, while marijuana legalization is still doing great things for our state, the industry is showing signs of getting spoiled by white [...]
What do Enron, Bernie Madoff, Charles Ponzi, Tyco International, Jack Abramoff, and WorldCom have in common?
Although it might sound like the beginning of a bad joke, the men and companies on this list have all been involved in white collar criminal activity and are notorious for their crimes. They might seem like heroes to some. Stealing money from others and keeping it for themselves. But they aren’t heroes. They’re criminals. I make this point not to pass further judgment [...]
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 [...]