If a person threatens someone with violence, in effect terrorizing them, they may be charged with terroristic threats in New Jersey. Typically, terroristic threats charges are seen in two scenarios. The first is between an individual and many people, such as a bomb threat to a crowded location. The second, and far more common scenario, [...]

The initial penalty following a decision on a juvenile offense is often the defendant’s first concern. But, after your disposition is complete, a criminal record can have even longer-lasting effects. If someone’s juvenile offense can be chalked up to a youthful indiscretion, is it fair for their criminal record to follow them through their adult [...]

If you are accused of shoplifting, you face penalties that include high fines and potentially jail time. While this can be a serious crime, you have a much better chance for a dismissal or reduction of charges by retaining a New Jersey shoplifting defense lawyer. Mark Catanzaro is a skilled lawyer who wants to help [...]

A crime of violence, especially where death is involved, is extremely serious in the eyes of the law, and carries with it the heaviest sentencing potential. But not all instances where a defendant used force on another should result in a criminal conviction. The act of self-defense is a legitimate and lawful behavior – in [...]

We’ve all be there at some point: you’re driving along the open road, traveling slightly above the speed limit, and suddenly your heart drops as you see blue and red lights flashing in your rearview mirror. While speeding tickets may be fairly common, these and other similar traffic offenses should still be reviewed and handled [...]

A criminal conviction can affect you for the rest of your life. If you or a loved one recently has been convicted of a crime and lost on appeal, you might be thinking that you’re all out of options. In some instances, you may have an opportunity to challenge the conviction or the sentencing through [...]

Leaving the scene of an accident (most commonly referred to as a “hit and run”) has serious consequences in New Jersey. State law requires a driver to stop and report any sort of motor vehicle accident, even if no injuries were sustained. If you’ve been charged with this crime, it is important to retain an [...]

In order to be convicted of a crime in New Jersey, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that, among other factors, you had the necessary state of mind (“mens rea”) to carry out the specific criminal behavior. In applicable cases, Mark Catanzaro, a criminal defense attorney in New Jersey, first seeks to demonstrate [...]

Most people have a general idea of what “assault” means, but not everyone understands the difference between simple assault and aggravated assault. In New Jersey, the distinctions generally come from the degree of force involved; the nature of the injuries; the presence or absence of a weapon; and whether the victim is afforded special protection [...]