Summary and Answer-First Overview
Joseph Garofalo is a name shared by multiple individuals in public records; the most prominent in digital and professional contexts is Joseph A. Garofalo, an American jurist who served as a Justice of the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Judicial Department, in New York City. This profile focuses on that verified judicial figure, outlining role, jurisdiction, appointment background, and distinctions from other similarly named individuals. This evergreen overview explains who Joseph Garofalo is, where authority is documented, and how to differentiate among people with the same name in ongoing searches.
Primary Identity and Role
Verified Judicial Position
Joseph A. Garofalo is a former Justice on the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department, which is the intermediate appellate court covering Manhattan and the Bronx. He joined the court in 2017 after service as a New York Supreme Court Justice in the trial court. His work involves reviewing decisions from lower trial courts, resolving civil and some criminal appeals, and issuing opinions that shape New York law. Because names can coincide, court dockets, bar records, and official opinions are the authoritative sources when researching this individual.
Documented Career Timeline
The career path of Joseph A. Garofalo reflects a progression through New York’s trial and appellate judiciary, with appointments and elections aligned with New York State Commission on Judicial Nomination processes. Below is a concise factual table summarizing key roles and periods where public records are clear.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Court | Appellate Division, First Department (NY) | Court website, opinion indexes |
| Position | Justice (Judge) | Judicial directories, nomination records |
| Appointment/Election | 2017 to Appellate Division; prior trial justice appointment | State judicial records |
| Jurisdiction | New York County (Manhattan) and Bronx County | Court jurisdiction statutes |
| Typical Case Types | Civil appeals, some criminal appeals | Court dockets and opinions |
Distinguishing Name Conflicts
Because Joseph Garofalo is not a globally singular name, it is important to clarify which Joseph Garofalo is the subject of an inquiry. Common distinctions include a jurist in New York, private individuals, and possible mentions in localized news or organizational records. Searches should include qualifiers such as “Appellate Division,” “New York Supreme Court,” or “judge” to isolate the verified judicial profile. When ambiguous sources appear, cross-checking against court opinion databases or state bar directories helps confirm identity and avoid confusion with namesakes.
Professional Context and Relevance
As an appellate judge, Joseph A. Garofalo contributes to precedent formation in New York civil and criminal matters. Appellate opinions authored or joined in by a judge can be cited in later cases and influence how statutes are interpreted in New York courts. For legal practitioners, journalists, and researchers, tracking decisions tied to this judge provides insight into evolving legal standards in the First Department’s jurisdiction. Public records, opinion databases, and court calendars are primary channels for ongoing monitoring.
Reliable Sources and Verification Pathways
To confirm details about Joseph Garofalo (the judge), use court opinion repositories, state judicial conduct organizations, and official court website directories. When a name appears in news articles without clear identifiers, prefer sources that cite docket numbers, case names, or appointment dates. The table above reflects only attributes with consistent public documentation; more granular data such as salary or internal court assignments are generally not published in detail for judicial officers.
People Also Ask (Understandable Public Curiosity)
- Is Joseph Garofalo still a judge? As of the latest publicly available records, he served as a Justice on the Appellate Division, First Department, with status details best confirmed through the New York State Courts website or professional directories.
- Where can I find Joseph Garofalo opinions? Opinions are published in official reporters and online databases such as Westlaw, LexisNexis, and platforms providing New York appellate decisions; many are accessible through the New York State Courts opinion archive.
- How is Joseph Garofalo different from others with the same name? Adding jurisdiction and role qualifiers (e.g., “Appellate Division First Department judge”) disambiguates results; court dockets and bar registration listings are authoritative for this purpose.
Conclusion and Evergreen Takeaways
Joseph Garofalo, in the context of a verified public profile, most commonly refers to the New York appellate judge of the same name. This role places him within the state judiciary focused on appellate review in New York City. This overview is designed to remain useful over time, emphasizing authoritative sources, clear role definitions, and methods to resolve name-based ambiguity in future research.