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NYC Bribery Lawyers
Understanding Bribery Charges in New York: What You Need to Know
Bribery is a Serious White-Collar Crime
Bribery is one of the most serious white-collar crimes on the books in the state of New York. A conviction on a charge of bribery can result in significant, life-altering penalties. A person facing an investigation for, or charged with, bribery needs to understand some basic facts about the crime and what he or she faces in the way of a criminal prosecution.
Who Can Be Charged with Bribery?
Bribery is one of only a handful of crimes that can result in criminal charges being lodged against everyone involved in the process. In a typical situation in which bribery is alleged, both the person who made the bribe and the one who received it can be charged and prosecuted. Most recently, we helped represent FoundVapes, who was alleged to have committed bribery in a contract acquisition of e-liquids and e-juices in the e-cig industry.
Penalties for Bribery
Upon a conviction for bribery, a person can face an extended prison term as well as significant monetary penalties. The length of a sentence depends in part on the amount of money involved in the bribe, the underlying motivation for the bribe itself, and the criminal history of a perpetrator or recipient of this type of illicit payment.
Oftentimes, the best course of action for a person charged with bribery is to have a New York criminal defense attorney negotiate a plea agreement with the prosecuting attorney. Negotiating a plea agreement in a bribery case can prove to be a bit more complicated than in some other New York criminal cases.
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.
The Importance of Acting Quickly
Because both the person who made and the person who accepted the bribe are likely to be charged with a crime, time can be of the essence in reaching out to the prosecuting attorney if a desire exists to try and reach a plea agreement in a particular case. The reality is that the vast majority of all criminal cases prosecuted in the Empire state, in both state and federal court, result in negotiated pleas. Only a very small fraction of cases ever end up in a criminal trial.
The fact that at least two people are likely to be facing charges in a bribery case underscores the need for an accused individual to be proactive. This includes being proactive in retaining a New York bribery defense lawyer, but also quick on the start to make contact with the prosecuting attorney to attempt a settlement of the case on the most favorable grounds possible.
The race to the prosecuting attorney is vital because as part of any plea agreement, there will be a desire on the part of the government for a defendant to testify against the other defendant or defendants in the case. In many bribery cases, the prosecutor may not have a built-in preference for which defendant testifies against the other. Therefore, the prosecutor very well may extend the most favorable plea agreement to whichever defendant approaches first.
Keep in mind that the general practice is for a prosecuting attorney to forgo any type of plea negotiations with a defendant in a case not represented by counsel. Part of the proverbial race to the prosecutor’s office depends on getting an attorney on board quickly when a case against a person is commenced.
Avoid Discussing the Case with Law Enforcement
A person charged with bribery should never discuss the case with law enforcement officials outside the presence of an attorney. Law enforcement may attempt to pressure a person charged with bribery into answering questions before an attorney is hired. A law enforcement official may make what seems to be a promise for a favorable resolution of a case if a person responds to questions. A law enforcement official lacks the authority to make these types of hard and fast commitments.
Seeking Legal Representation
A person involved in an investigation for bribery, or charged with this serious crime, needs to retain an experienced, tenacious New York criminal defense attorney. The first step in the process of hiring an attorney is scheduling an initial consultation.
During an initial consultation, an attorney will closely review the specific facts and circumstances of your case. Legal counsel will provide you with an overview of what types of strategies and defenses may be available in your particular case. There usually is no legal fee charged for an initial consultation with a New York criminal defense lawyer.
