While there are several sex related offenses that fall under federal law, the majority are prosecuted in state court. For example, many offenses may be referred to as “rape’ or “sodomy,” however in New Jersey, these terms are not utilized. Instead, the state has broken down these kinds of criminal acts into five different categories [...]

We at Catanzaro Law understand the negative implications of a criminal background. Legal troubles of the past can disrupt a person’s right to a normal life, as there can be difficulties finding a job, getting acceptance to college, or inhibit your right to certain things due to a background check. However, there are opportunities to [...]

While many people associate prison time and hefty fines with more traditional crime, like acts of violence or physical theft, there are other, more fraudulent ways to find yourself charged with a daunting sentence. White collar crime, usually committed by individuals against businesses or the government, is still taken very seriously and will have more [...]

Whether you’re a long time Judge Judy devotee, a crime drama addict, or simply someone who overheard a legal case on the news, you’ve likely heard the term Burden Of Proof before. But what does the phrase mean, and where does it fit into our legal system? If you’re looking for answers, you’ve come to [...]

Over the last month, Catanzaro Law has explored clemency and its various manifestations in the U.S. legal system. Pardons, commutations, and reprieves have all been used throughout U.S. history to grant some level of leniency to criminals ready for reform. But what do these processes look like to the layperson? How can a criminal apply [...]

The voluntary, unlawful taking of a human life is considered to be among the most heinous of crimes. While countless films, tv shows, news stories and videogames have desensitized the populace to murder and other criminal forms of homicide, the genuine article is as tragic and terrible as it ever was. Though different states often [...]

How long should past mistakes cause a penitent person to suffer? Is a system that shuts out those with a criminal record encouraging improvement or repeat offenders? If you have a criminal record, you’ve likely wrestled with these troubling thoughts and harsh realities. The good news is this: for many of you, there’s hope to [...]

Living with a criminal record in New Jersey can feel overwhelming and devastating; a blemished record can turn even the simplest procedures into drawn out difficulties. Job applications, housing opportunities and even educational advancement can be hampered by an unclean record. But errors of the past don’t have to be life sentences, and exploring expungement [...]

In our series on the different degrees of murder, we’ve already covered first degree murder. So, today we’ll be answering, “What is second degree murder?” This one might be the one the average person knows littlest about. Yet, it’s important to understand. Leading up to any murder trial, the prosecutor might attempt to increase the [...]