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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.





NYC ACS Investigation Lawyers

New York ACS Investigation Lawyers

The prospect of child neglect is a serious matter indeed. In New York City, we have organizations that are focused on investigating any accusations of such a scenario, such as the Administration for Children’s Services. In the best of all worlds, this would ensure that the child’s best interests and safety remain a top priority. Sadly, these cases can often become a great deal more complicated and skewed due to the involvement of people who are willing to manipulate the system for their own purposes. In the wake of a divorce proceeding, individuals sometimes allow their own resentment to guide their decisions.  They make false accusations for the purpose of undermining the other parent. In other scenarios, a severe misunderstanding can cause a person to make an allegation despite not knowing the full story.

For a parent who is actually trying to do what’s best for their children, this can be a frustrating and frightening prospect. Despite the lack of any real proof, such accusations can be incredibly harmful. Trust your experienced ACS investigations lawyer with your legal representation.  That is the key to make sure that any such accusations are dismissed and that there is no lasting impact on the relationship between you and your children. At Spodek Law Group, we will stand for you and see that your rights are upheld at every juncture.

What is ACS?

George FernandezGeorge Fernandez
14:16 30 Apr 24
Excellent 10 out of 10, Helped resolve my case. Jeremy explained everything and made everything easy to understand.
RajRaj
21:33 24 Apr 24
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!
Yelva Saint-PreuxYelva Saint-Preux
19:26 19 Apr 24
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.
Katherine SunKatherine Sun
18:08 18 Apr 24
my lawyer is Alex Zhik. Efficient, patient and professional
Nun yaNun ya
17:48 18 Apr 24
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.
Keisha ParrisKeisha Parris
20:45 15 Mar 24
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.
Taïko BeautyTaïko Beauty
16:26 15 Mar 24
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!
K MarK Mar
01:37 25 Jan 24
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.
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New York’s Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well-being of the children and families of New York City by providing child welfare, juvenile justice, and early care and education services.

ACS has services to help the children and families who are in the juvenile justice system.  They also seek to build stronger and safer communities and advance public safety. They provide supportive services that are responsive to the needs of individual youth and families. These include: 

  • Preventive programs in communities that are designed to keep young people out of the juvenile justice system
  • Detention services for youth who get remanded to ACS’ custody while court cases are pending
  • Placement services for youth who are determined by the Family Court to be juvenile delinquents.  They also have aftercare services to transition youth from residential placement back to their communities
  • Alternative programs that make it possible for youth to stay in their home community in lieu of an out-of-home program
  • ACS works with judges, other city agencies such as the Department of Probation and Department of Education; attorneys, community-based service providers and other stakeholders throughout the process.

Overview of the ACS Investigation Procedure

Should an allegation of child abuse or mistreatment be made, ACS responds by opening an investigation and involving the Child Protective Service Agency (CPS). CPS follows up by contacting the individual that placed the call.  They then make an unannounced visit, all of which takes place within 24-48 hours of the report being filed.

The reason for the short time frame is to make sure that parents responsible for neglecting their children aren’t given any opportunity to conceal their behavior. Unfortunately, this tends to be an extremely jarring experience to a family with no reason to expect such a visit. During the course of such a visit, CPS workers speak directly to the children, as well as any adults who reside at the house. They inspect the premises for any apparent hazards or potential evidence of neglect. At this juncture, the accused parent is informed of the ongoing investigation and handed a Notice of Existence.

After the home visit, CPS investigates various other parts of your family’s life.  They will speak with peers and teachers at school, extended family members, and any other individuals that may regularly interact with your child. On top of attempting to determine whether the accusation was factual or not, ACS will also determine whether any services are required. For example, they may decide to implement preventive services that are aimed to stabilize families considered to be in crisis.

CPS has 60 days to make their final ruling in regard to the nature of the call, at which point they’ll announce that the report was “indicated,” meaning it was truthful, or “unfounded.” If the report is “indicated,” CPS will then send out a letter called a Notice of Indication, at which point the Family Court may become involved.

How New York ACS Investigation Lawyers From Spodek Law Group Can Help

At every stage of an ACS investigation exist opportunities for a knowledgeable attorney to advocate for you and your family. Sadly, it’s a simple thing for parents accused of neglect or abuse to become overwhelmed with fear or uncertainty, despite having done no wrong.  Nevertheless, you have rights. At Spodek Law Group, we have years of experience with ACS cases. We guide you through the whole process as quickly and painlessly as possible.  In addition, we can also answer any questions or concerns that you have along the way.

If the report is discovered to be “indicated,” that doesn’t mean that you’ve actually been found guilty of any crimes.  Nor does it mean that your child must be removed from your home. What it does mean is that a bare minimum quanity of evidence supporting the allegations made against you has been found. A skilled ACS investigation attorney can help you appeal the decision, in addition to mounting a strong case should a judge eventually become involved.  Call us today for your free consultation.  

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