I think if one commits petty crimes for survival, like stealing food etc, he/she is not a bad person, but if somebody can survive without committing crimes, but still does it, then this person can't be justified, no matter if he/she cares for the family. Crimes can have extenuating circumstances, of course, like when you kill out of despair somebody who slaughtered your family and the law doesn't help you, but we are talking about the mafia, this is different. In the mafia, even vengeance always has to do with power struggle and money.