Understanding Colorado’s Stand Your Ground Laws in Self-Defense Claims
August 26, 2025
Facing a criminal charge can be a stressful experience. Chances are, you’re living in the moment, and your are concerned about how it’s affecting your life in the here and now – not how it can impact your life in the future.
The truth of the matter is that, in Colorado and all across the United States, a criminal record can have huge consequences for your life. Even if you are successful in having criminal charges against you dropped, a [...]
For anyone with a criminal record, having a background check done to get a new job or secure a new apartment can be quite stressful. Background checks will show any criminal convictions and even arrests that have taken place, which can be a barrier for some people when it comes to finding a new job or getting a new place to live.
Thankfully, for many people, there is a legal remedy to this problem: record sealing or expungement. There are [...]
As you switch out your calendar and ring in the New Year, it’s time to think about your resolutions. How are you going to make a positive change in 2020? What will help you move forward in life?
We know the usual resolutions: go on a diet, quit smoking, hit the gym, etc., but if you’ve got a Colorado criminal record, there’s a more important matter at hand. Your history is probably already holding you back.
So have your criminal [...]
Whether you are convicted, charged, or even just arrested, you will get a criminal record. This criminal record will follow you wherever you go, making it difficult to get a job, rent an apartment, or do anything that requires a background check.
The good news is that some criminal records may be “sealed” or “expunged” in Colorado. Both of these processes essentially “hide” your record from anyone looking into your background. It also means that you are not required to [...]
If you are seeking employment, a new apartment or home, or if you need to get a loan, there’s a very high likelihood that the people in charge of deciding whether or not you’ll get what you want are going to do a background check on you.
Why should you care?
Because background checks contain all kinds of important information about you. Personal information. Employment information. Financial information.
They also bring up your criminal record.
No big deal, though, right? [...]
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 [...]