YOU MAY HAVE SEEN TODD SPODEK ON THE NETFLIX SHOW INVENTING ANNA
When you’re facing a federal issue, you need an attorney whose going to be available 24/7 to help you get the results and outcome you need. The value of working with the Spodek Law Group is that we treat each and every client like a member of our family.
Client Testimonials
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THE BEST LAWYER ANYONE COULD ASK FOR.
The BEST LAWYER ANYONE COULD ASK FOR!!! Todd changed our lives! He’s not JUST a lawyer representing us for a case. Todd and his office have become Family. When we entered his office in August of 2022, we entered with such anxiety, uncertainty, and so much stress. Honestly we were very lost. My husband and I felt alone. How could a lawyer who didn’t know us, know our family, know our background represents us, When this could change our lives for the next 5-7years that my husband was facing in Federal jail. By the time our free consultation was over with Todd, we left his office at ease. All our questions were answered and we had a sense of relief.
How Criminal Cases Start in New York Local Criminal Courts
An action regarding a crime is first commenced by filing an accusatory instrument with a criminal court. If more than one instrument is filed in the course of the same crime, action commences when the first instrument is filed. The only way a criminal action can be commenced in a superior court is by filing through a grand jury an indictment against a defendant who’s never been held by a local criminal court for the action of said grand jury in regards to any charge contained in the indictment. A criminal action can be commenced only in a local criminal court, by filing a local criminal court accusatory instrument.
Commencement of Action
A criminal court must have concurrent jurisdiction over family offenses, notwithstanding of course the fact that a family court might be exercising jurisdiction over a petition containing mostly the same allegations that were set forth in the accusatory instrument or indictment.
Local Criminal Court Accusatory Instruments
Information is a verified written accusation by a person, filed with a local criminal court, charging one or more people with the commission of one or more crimes, none of which being a felony. It might serve as a basis for the commencement of a crime and for the prosecution of the crime in a local criminal court. A simplified traffic information is a written accusation by a police officer or other public servant, filed with a local criminal court, that charges a person with the commission of one or more traffic infractions and/or misdemeanor crimes related to traffic. Being in a brief or simplified form prescribed by the commissioner of motor vehicles, this designates the offense or offenses charged but actually doesn’t contain factual allegations for use as evidence that support such charges.
If you are looking for a lawyer that listens, is aggressive where needed, and holds his word above all else, Todd is the best pick. I had hired multiple attorneys prior to hiring the Spodek Group for a white collar case. The first thing that stood out to me was the cost, as anyone going through the process and dealing with the system, money was tight at that time - especially after hiring and firing multiple lawyers. The cost was not as high as others which was definitely a plus. Todd's intake process was also unlike other attorneys. He took the time to actually listen. He cared. He was trying to put himself in my shoes while I was explaining the situation to him and he really took the time to understand the whole situation. Other lawyers will give you 15 mins and send you a retainer agreement. Not Todd, I think he spent almost two hours with me as I was explaining everything.Not only was he great during the onboarding process, he was supportive and very informative through the entire plea process and eventually sentencing. After hiring him, I asked if I should hire a prison consultant, he told me to save my money as he would do everything they would. He was right and held up to his word. Later on I would hear from others that went with the prison consultants that they were a waste of money - I am glad I listened to Todd!When it came time for sentencing, two days prior to sentencing, the prosecutor tried increasing my proposed prison time by almost double - apparently a normal move. Todd and his team worked with me non-stop through the weekend prior to sentencing to ensure that I was not given additional prison time. Again, he took the time to listen and came up with a strategy to explain the case with great detail.Unfortunately, I did plead guilty as that was my best option. Todd and his whole team wrote up nearly 300 pages of a summary of what happened and why I should not be given prison time. If I breakdown the amount I spent with Todd versus the amount of work that I saw being done, I am shocked I was not charged four times as much. The other benefit was, a lot of criminal defense lawyers were just a single attorney with a paralegal or two. Todd had a team of people that I dealt with (5-7 people that I interacted with), but he was ALWAYS accessible. It would never take him more than an hour to reply unless he was in court.I was sentenced to prison and I was emotionally distraught. Todd and his team did whatever they could even after sentencing to make sure I was alright. He personally stayed in touch with my family to ensure I was doing alright and offered support to them. Most lawyers would consider the job complete at sentencing, not Todd.After prison, Todd still spent time with me to make sure I was on the right track and avoiding any potential risks in the future. He has also been giving advice on how to navigate probation etc and has not been looking at the clock for billing.Although I wish I had never been arrested in the first place, I am glad I had Todd and his team in my corner. Without them I likely would have had to spend a lot more time in prison than I did.Thank you, Todd, and the entire Spodek Law team, for helping turn what was a nightmare into a manageable situation!
I am immensely grateful to the entire team at Spodek Law Group for their unwavering dedication and exceptional expertise throughout my case. From our initial consultation to the final resolution, their professionalism and tireless advocacy made all the difference. Their strategic approach and attention to detail instilled confidence in me every step of the way.Thanks to their hard work and commitment, we achieved a truly favorable outcome that exceeded my expectations. Not only did they navigate the complexities of my case with precision, but they also provided invaluable support and guidance during what was undoubtedly a challenging time. I cannot recommend Spodek Law Group highly enough, especially attorneys Todd Spodek and Claire Banks; they are beacons of excellence in the legal profession.YSP.
Todd, Ralph and Alex are amazing. Helped my husband get from a double digit number with multiple charges to a single digit, by the time I blink he will be out. They very professional and help with all your needs. They dealt with my anxiety and worry very well and they understand that your family member needs to get home as soon as possible.
Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.
I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence.Thank you team!
I recently had Spodek Law Group represent me for a legal matter in NYC and I am thoroughly impressed with their services.Alex Zhik secured the best possible outcome for my case.It was a seamless journey from the initial consultation to the resolution of my legal matter. From the moment I spoke to Todd about my case, his enthusiasm to help was evident, setting a positive tone for the entire experience. The efficiency and professionalism displayed by the team is commendable.A particularly noteworthy aspect of their service is their user-friendly portal to upload your documents/evidence. This not only simplified the process, but showcases their commitment to streamline the client experience.Lastly, in an industry where legal fees can often be a concern, I found their pricing to be very reasonable, making needing legal assistance feel accessible and stress-free.I am grateful for their support and wouldn't hesitate to turn to them again in the future.
It’s a basis for commencement of a crime for said traffic offenses, alternative to charging them by a regular information, and, under certain circumstances, it may serve, either in whole or in part, as a basis for prosecution. A simplified parks information is a written accusation by a police officer or other public servant, filed with a local criminal court, that charges a person with the commission of one or more crimes, other than a felony, for which a uniform simplified parks information could be issued in relation to the parks and recreation law and navigation law. Being in a brief or simplified form prescribed by the commissioner of parks and recreation, this designates the offenses charged but doesn’t actually contain factual allegations for use as evidence that support such charges.
It also serves as a basis for commencement of a criminal action for such crimes, alternative to the charging of them by a regular information, and, under certain circumstances, it may serve, either in whole or in part, as a basis for prosecution of said charges. A simplified environmental conservation information is a written accusation by a police officer or other public servant, filed with a local criminal court, that charges a person with the commission of one or more crimes, other than a felony, for which a uniform simplified environmental conservation information could be issued in relation to the environmental conservation law. Being in a brief or simplified form prescribed by the commissioner of environmental conservation, this designates the offenses charged but doesn’t actually contain factual allegations for use as evidence that support such charges. It serves as a basis for commencement of a criminal action for such crimes, alternative to the charging of them by a regular information, and, under certain circumstances, it may serve, either in whole or in part, as a basis for prosecution of said charges.
How Does Federal Sentencing Work?
When you’re facing sentencing in a federal court, you’ll want an experienced attorney by your side. The punishment for a federal crime is often harsher than what you would receive in a local or state court. The federal court rate of convictions is also high when compared to other courts. You might think you can represent yourself, but that’s generally not a wise idea. And in the event of a conviction, you’ll need an attorney to help you during the Federal Sentencing process.
Federal Sentencing Federal sentencing takes place after you’re convicted of a federal crime. The judge determines if you’ll spend time in prison. If so, the judge then determines the length of that punishment. But there is a procedure the courts must follow before the judge can make any determinations.
The first part of this procedure involves an interview. A probation officer will conduct this interview to learn more about you. The point of the interview is to create a pre-sentence report the judge can use before deciding on the punishment. The prosecutor and defense lawyer also receive copies of the pre-sentence report.
The report includes information about your family life, financial history, social standing, criminal history, and education. The purpose is to provide an in-depth look into your character and circumstances. Information in the report may or may not affect the judge’s final decision. Because of its importance, you have the right to object to anything in the report.
In addition to the pre-sentencing report, the attorney will prepare a sentencing memorandum. The memorandum contains letters of support from family and friends. Supporters can also state why they think you deserve the lightest sentence possible. The judge receives a copy of this memorandum prior to the sentencing hearing.
Sentencing Hearing The final step in the sentencing process involves the sentencing hearing. The judge gets one more chance to hear from your attorney and the prosecutor prior to your sentencing. You can also choose to make a statement, but it’s not mandatory. If you decide to speak, you and your attorney should prepare a statement before the day of the hearing. What you say here can possibly sway the judge’s decision either in your favor or against it.
Federal Sentencing Guidelines The pre-sentencing report and the sentencing memorandum are important. They play a huge role in the judge’s final decision. But the federal sentencing guidelines are important as well. The sentencing guidelines are contained in a book issued by the sentencing commission. The guidelines suggest a range of imprisonment for specific federal crimes. The judge will refer to the guidelines but is not required to follow them.
Ultimately, the decision concerning punishment rests with the judge. The pre-sentencing report, sentencing memorandum, and sentencing guidelines are there for guidance. But in the end, the judge makes the final decision no matter what the reports and guidelines recommend.
Some additional things the judge should consider include the specifics of the crime. What was the reason for the crime? Did the crime cause harm to anyone? Do you have a criminal history? Did something in your background affect your behavior in a negative manner? These are just samples of the type of questions a judge is likely to consider.
Communicating with Your Attorney It’s important for you and your attorney to discuss your situation in-depth. Failing to communicate with your attorney can hurt your case. Remember that the attorney is there to represent you to the court. The goal is to receive the best possible outcome, even if that does include a conviction. Working closely with a good attorney can increase your chances of receiving a favorable outcome.
