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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.
In most cases, police officers need a warrant or probable cause to believe that a crime took place to search your property. There are certain exceptions where police can conduct a search without obtaining a warrant or probable cause first.
Consent to Search
The most common exception is when you consent to the search. If the police request to search your car, home or anything else and you respond affirmatively, they then have the legal right to conduct the search, confiscate anything illegal that they find, and use it as evidence to arrest and then prosecute you. This is why it’s critical that you never provide the police consent to conduct a search. The best way to respond if the police make this request is to say “I don’t consent to any searches.” Remember that the Fourth Amendment gives you the right to do this.
If you provide your consent and then choose to withdraw it after the police have entered your home but before they’ve found anything illegal, they do need to honor that request, and nothing that they found if they continued their search couldn’t be used against you in court. It’s far better to simply refuse to provide consent, though, to avoid any potential issues.
The police often obtain consent simply because people don’t realize that they have the right to refuse, and because the police aren’t required to tell them that. An officer may also phrase the request in a misleading way, or try to convince you that you that it will be better for you if you consent to a search. For example, if an officer has pulled you over, they may say “You don’t mind if I take a look around your car, right?” This type of phrasing works very well for the officer – if you answer “yes,” they can assume you’re saying that yes, they can look around your car. Answer “no” and they can assume you’re saying that no, you don’t mind them looking around your car. That’s why it’s always better to say that you don’t give consent for searches, as it’s clear and direct.
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.
For consent to be valid, it must be provided by an adult who the police can reasonably believe has the right to provide that consent. If a suspect’s girlfriend answers the door and gives police consent to search the home, the search will be considered legal even if it turns out that the girlfriend doesn’t live there, because it was reasonably for the police to believe that she lived there. On the other hand, if the suspect’s 8-year-old son answers the door and lets the police come in, the search will not be considered legal, because the child obviously doesn’t own the home and isn’t old enough to provide consent.
Plain View Exception
Another exception to the warrant requirement is the plain view exception. If the officer sees something illegal, even if it’s on private property, they can use this exception to make an arrest. For example, if the police see a bag of drugs in someone’s open garage, they can legally enter the garage, confiscate the drugs and arrest the home owner. However, this exception wouldn’t apply if the officer was trespassing on that person’s property before seeing the illegal activity. If an officer illegally entered a person’s backyard and saw a bag of drugs, they wouldn’t be able to use the plain view exception.
Exigent Circumstances
If there are exigent circumstances, then an officer can enter someone’s home without a warrant or consent. Exigent circumstances refer to emergency situations, such as those where there’s the risk of harm to a person or there’s probable cause that evidence could be destroyed. If police respond to reports of domestic violence at a home, they may be able to enter the house without a warrant through an emergency exception, since there’s the possibility that someone will be harmed if they don’t. Or, if the police are pursuing a suspect who runs into a house, they can enter the house without a warrant to arrest the suspect.
What To Do First If Federal Agents Come to Your Home With a Search Warrant
The sight of federal agents at your home might come as a surprise to most people. However, they generally don’t stop by people’s homes just to talk about the weather. Therefore, it is likely that the government is interested in learning more about various activities that you have engaged in. In some cases, they will come with a warrant to search your home, seize property or both. What should you do if presented with such a warrant?
Confirm the Warrant Is Correct
You generally have the right to see the warrant that is used to search your home or other property. If it is not signed, it is typically not valid. Therefore, it may be possible to deny a federal agent the right to enter your home. In the event that he or she enters anyway, any evidence could be considered illegally obtained and thrown out at trial. It is important to note that you should always be polite and courteous when speaking with a federal agent. This can help to keep you and your family safe during an encounter.
What If the Warrant Is Valid?
If the federal government has a valid search warrant, you have no choice but to comply with it. During the search, you may be confined to a certain part of your home. However, as soon as the search is over, you should make a phone call to your attorney. He or she will be able to schedule a meeting and talk about how it could impact your case. Legal counsel may also be able to find out more about the warrant by speaking with the judge or prosecutor in your case.
You Aren’t Necessarily Guilty of a Crime
It is important to understand that a search warrant isn’t an implication of guilt in a given matter. It is simply a tool that law enforcement can use to obtain evidence when it has reason to believe a crime has occurred. Of course, there is a chance that nothing is found that links you to a crime. Furthermore, it is possible that the government was lied to or misled by an informant prior to asking for the warrant.
Don’t Say Anything During the Search
You are under no obligation to say anything to any agent who comes to your home. Instead, you should sit quietly and patiently until the government has found what it is looking for. Generally speaking, you are under no obligation to cooperate with the search or help agents find anything that they are looking for. Talking to agents may result in saying something that could provide probable cause to expand the scope of the original warrant.
Anything In Plain View Can Be Fair Game
If an agent finds drugs, guns or other contraband in plain view, he or she can usually seize it. This may be true even if these items are not related to the charge or charges that the government is originally pursuing. For example, if agents were looking for a laptop, they could still take an unregistered gun or ammunition that belonged to it.
Let Your Attorney Protect Your Interests
An attorney may be able to help get evidence suppressed or put into context why it was found. For instance, it may be possible to prove that a gun was legally registered in your name or that drugs found in your home belonged to someone else. Your attorney may also be able to convince a judge or jury that any statements made to agents were made under duress. That may result in those statements being ruled inadmissible at trial.
While you may not expect the federal government to visit your home, it is important that you know what to do when its agents arrive. Ideally, you will stay calm, say nothing and let your attorney deal with any fallout that comes from a search.
