The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees the right to bear arms, but this right is not absolute and can be subject to state-level regulations. The state’s laws determine who can legally own firearms and under what circumstances. These laws are...
criminal defense
Is there a duty to retreat in Colorado?
Self-defense can be something of a tricky claim when trying to prove that some level of violence was necessary. On one hand, people certainly do have the legal ability to use force to defend themselves and those that they love. On the other, they need to make sure...
3 ways criminal charges can affect professional licenses
It may take a lot of specialized education or possibly state testing for you to obtain a professional license. Having the right license can be a key component of your career development. From landscape architects to social workers, professionals in dozens of different...
When can evidence be inadmissible in court?
Evidence is a crucial part of any legal proceeding. This is because prosecutors use it to connect the defendant to the crime, and the defense team uses it to show the defendant is innocent. Also, using evidence correctly is the key to convicting someone or keeping...
The problem with polygraph tests
The polygraph, or lie detector test, is a controversial tool law enforcement uses to assess honesty. But how accurate are these tests and do they unfairly target certain groups of people? We'll take a closer look at the science behind polygraphs and their potential...
3 times you could challenge the evidence against you in court
State prosecutors usually take on only the cases that they believe they can win. That means that there is enough evidence available to convince a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that somebody violated the law. Those hoping to defend themselves against pending criminal...
Has unreliable CCTV evidence been used against you?
Nowadays, particularly in populated towns and cities, you are likely to be captured on Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) every few seconds when moving around. In fact, in Denver alone, there are over 12,000 CCTV cameras in action. These systems are put in place to...
Know your rights when the cops are at the door
Would you know what to do if the cops got called out on a noise complaint at your house party? You should, because the repercussions from not understanding your Constitutional rights can reverberate across all aspects of your life – now, and in the future. One student...
Colorado lawmakers tackle the issue of police lying to juveniles
Law enforcement officers can legally lie to suspects to get them to confess to a crime. They may tell them they have evidence they don’t have or that someone else turned on them, for example. However, when it’s a couple of 50-something detectives lying to a...
What are your options when you’re asked to enter a plea?
After an arrest, defendants are typically given arraignment, which is their first appearance in court. At that point, the judge will go over the existing charges and ask you to enter a plea. What are your options? Although you’ve likely discussed the situation with...