Navigating the criminal justice system can be overwhelming, especially when facing the uncertainty of a trial and the potential for severe legal penalties. For many defendants, a plea bargain offers an opportunity to resolve their case without going to trial while minimizing the consequences they might face. Understanding what a plea bargain is and how [...]

Police interrogation can be a daunting experience for anyone, especially if you find yourself in the midst of a criminal investigation. It's crucial to understand your rights and legal safeguards during these interactions to ensure that your interests are protected. At Catanzaro Law, we’re here to discuss how to navigate police interrogation safely, shed light [...]

Under New Jersey’s civil service laws, all state, plus many county and local government workers have the same rights and protections as any private sector employee would have. Civil Service was put into place to keep politics, nepotism and favoritism out of employment decisions, ensuring citizens would have the best possible government workforce. This means [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

For our final installment in our series on landmark criminal cases in United States history, we're taking a look at Dusky vs. United States (1960). You might have heard the phrase "competent to stand trial" quickly mentioned in court dramas like Law & Order. What does this phrase mean? When does it apply? How might [...]

In the past, seeing someone meant you had to physically be in their presence. Robbing a bank required actually going to a bank. Tracing someone's travel patterns involved literally following them. But not anymore. As technology continues to advance, it often takes several years for the law to catch up. The landmark case of Riley [...]

Wrapping up our series on the Sixth Amendment of the US Constitution, we're talking about the confrontation clause. If you're new to this series, check out our blogs on your right to an impartial jury, assistance of counsel, a speedy trial, and notice of accusation. We're reviewing some of the important aspects of this amendment [...]

For the past several weeks we’ve been breaking down the most important statements in the Sixth Amendment. Our goal has been to define and explain all the rights you have according to that amendment. It’s important to know your rights so that you can defend yourself, and hire the best attorney to defend your rights. [...]