Kelly Martin

Attorney · Golden Gate University School of Law

Kelly Martin is a contributing writer for Nolo with a focus on criminal law. She writes for several sites, including Nolo.com, CriminalDefenseLawyer.com, and Lawyers.com.

Education. Kelly earned her J.D. at Golden Gate University School of Law, which she attended on a merit scholarship. She graduated in 2005 in the top 5% of her class with Highest Honors and received several awards for academic achievement.

Legal experiences. Kelly has been a licensed attorney since 2005. After working at the trial level for two years, she began representing indigent defendants in the California Court of Appeal and soon established a full-time criminal defense appellate practice. In addition to maintaining that practice, she spent two years at the Office of the State Public Defender, representing defendants on appeal in capital cases. She has also taught several semesters as an adjunct professor of legal writing and appellate advocacy at Golden Gate University School of Law. She continues to handle criminal appeals for defendants in California who can't afford lawyers.

Nolo. Kelly started at Nolo in 2022. She was inspired by Nolo’s mission to educate the public about laws that affect us all and is honored to be able to contribute to that work.

Other pursuits. Kelly enjoys road cycling (despite the spandex) and can often be found riding in the Napa Valley. This activity balances out her love of cooking and her enthusiasm for sitting around with a good novel and a lap cat.

Articles by Kelly Martin

Using a Gun for Self-Defense: Laws and Consequences
Carrying a gun for protection raises hard questions: when can you legally shoot, what happens after, and could you still be charged? Learn about key self-defense provisions in the law.
Utah Domestic Violence Laws
Learn about Utah’s domestic violence penalties, protective orders, and next steps for anyone involved in a case.
Are Fireworks Legal in California?
California limits the kinds of fireworks people can legally have and restricts the places they can set them off.
Falsely Accused of Domestic Violence
Domestic violence allegations are serious. It's important to know what to do and what not to do when facing domestic violence charges, real or fabricated.
Iowa Domestic Violence Laws
Iowa punishes domestic abuse by increasing the punishment for any assault committed by or against a family or household member. The law also allows a victim to ask for a protective order.
Oklahoma Criminal Domestic Violence Laws
A person who commits domestic abuse in Oklahoma can face criminal charges, jail or prison time, firearms restrictions, and protective orders.
Maryland Assault and Battery Laws
First- and second-degree assault in Maryland carries some stiff penalties, but not every unwanted physical contact amounts to an assault.
Disorderly Conduct in California
California's disorderly conduct laws ban fighting in public, blaring loud music, and hiring prostitutes, which can lead to a criminal conviction. Learn how California penalizes behavior that disturbs the peace.
Disorderly Conduct in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, laws against disorderly conduct and disturbing the peace criminalize fighting, being noisy and annoying in public, and other behavior that is likely to alarm, upset, or provoke others.
How to Handle a Bench Warrant or Failure to Appear in New York
Failing to appear for a court date can be used by the prosecutor as evidence of your guilt on the underlying charge. Don't risk this potentially devastating argument.
<< < 1 2 > >>