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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 this post in our ongoing series where we look at New York’s penal law, we’re going to tackle the various crimes that are covered under bribery of public servants. So let’s get started with bribery in the third degree.
Bribery in the third degree.
You’re guilty of this crime when you confer some kind of benefit on a public servant with the agreement or understanding that the public servant’s vote or other type of action will be influenced. This charge is a class D felony.
Bribery in the second degree.
Same thing for this charge, but with the addition that the value of the benefit is greater than $10,000. This charge is a class C felony.
Bribery in the first degree.
To be guilty of bribery in the first degree, you’ll have to confer a benefit on a public servant on an agreement that the public servant’s vote or action will be influenced in the overall decision on the commission or alleged commission of a class A felony. Bribery in the first degree is considered a class B felony.
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.
Bribery; defense.
It’s a defense for bribery that the benefit was involved as a result of conduct that constitutes larceny that’s committed through extortion, or an attempt to commit extortion, or else the same for coercion.
Bribe receiving in the third degree.
Bribe receiving in the third degree basically involves someone soliciting, accepting, or agreeing to accept benefit from someone else on an agreement that their vote or decision will be influenced. This crime is considered a class D felony.
Bribe receiving in the second degree.
This is the same charge, but with the addition that the benefit is in excess of $10,000. This particular charge is a class C felony.
Bribe receiving in the first degree.
To be guilty of this crime you’d have to be a public servant who solicits or accepts a benefit from someone else on agreement or understanding that their vote or opinion will be influenced in the investigation or arrest of anyone for the commission/alleged commission of a class A felony. This crime is classed as a class B felony.
Bribe receiving; no defense.
The crimes of bribe receiving and larceny that’ve been committed by extortion, coercion, and attempt to commit coercion aren’t mutually exclusive, and it’s not a defense that the defendant also committed one of the other specified crimes. It’s also no defense that the public servant didn’t have power or authority to perform either the act or omission that the bribe was given for.
Rewarding official misconduct in the second degree.
For rewarding official misconduct in the second degree, you’re guilty when you confer or offer a benefit on a public servant for violating their duty as a public servant. This charge is a class E felony.
Rewarding official misconduct in the first degree.
The first degree charge of this crime is when you confer or offer a benefit on a public servant for violating their duty as a public servant in the investigation or prosecution of someone for a class A felony. This charge is punished as a class C felony.
Receiving reward for official misconduct in the second degree.
This is a crime that involves soliciting, accepting, or agreeing to accept a benefit from someone else for violating their duty as a public servant. This crime is punished as a class E felony.
Receiving reward for official misconduct in the first degree.
This crime involves soliciting, accepting, or agreeing to accept benefit from someone else for violating their duty as a public servant in the investigation or arrest of anyone for the commission of a class A felony. This crime is a class C felony.
Giving unlawful gratuities.
This crime involves knowingly conferring or agreeing to confer a benefit on a public servant for engaging in official conduct that was required. This is a class A misdemeanor.
Receiving unlawful gratuities.
A public servant is guilty of this crime when they solicit, accept, or agree to accept a benefit for engaging in official conduct they were required to perform. This crime is a class A misdemeanor.
Bribe giving and bribe receiving for public office; definition of term.
A party officer basically means someone who holds office in a political party, whether by election, appointment, or something else.
Bribe giving for public office.
To be guilty of this crime, you’d have to confer, offer, or agree to confer money or property on a public servant or party officer on agreement that someone will be appointed to public office. Bribe giving for public office is a class D felony.
Bribe receiving for public office.
To be guilty of this crime, you’ll have to be a public servant who solicits, accepts, or agrees to accept money or property from someone on an agreement that the person will be appointed to public office. Bribe receiving for public office is considered a class D felony.
Impairing the integrity of a government licensing examination.
You’re guilty of impairing the integrity of a government licensing examination when you wrongfully alter or change an applicant’s grade on a government licensing exam, or cause any false or inaccurate grade to be entered, or provide answers to current questions on a pending government licensing exam, or wrongfully provide a copy of a current test that’s used to determine competence. This crime is a class D felony.
Corrupt use of position or authority.
To be guilty of corrupt use of position or authority, you’d have to corruptly use any official authority or influence in the way of conferring on anyone, or to secure office or public employment, on consideration that the vote/political influence be given or used on behalf of a candidate, officer, or party on a corrupt condition, or being a public officer or employee of the state who has authority that affects the nomination or other impact of a public officer or employee, corruptly promises or threatens to use their authority or influence to affect the vote. This crime is considered a class E felony.
