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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 New York, not every crime requires criminal intent. Sometimes, people act so carelessly that their actions can be considered criminal, even when they never intended to cause harm. This is one characteristic of the reckless endangerment laws that govern behaviour in the Bronx and throughout New York State.
A Deeper Look at the Reckless Endangerment Laws of New York
There are two distinctions under the reckless endangerment laws in the state of New York, which carry separate sentencing guidelines. The distinction is based on the defendant’s actions and the severity of the risk of harm.
Reckless endangerment in the second degree occurs when an individual engages in any activity that creates “a substantial risk of serious harm” to others. The law doesn’t require that harm is resulted, but only that the risk is possible. Endangering the safety of another is all that’s required to establish a case for second degree reckless endangerment.
As a class A misdemeanor, New York courts can subject a convicted defendant to up to one year in jail. They also have the option of sentencing the individual to three years of probation, instead. The difference may depend on the judge and on the specific circumstances of the case. There’s also a monetary fine that may be imposed. According to the state’s penal code, the court has the choice of imposing a fine of up to $1,000 or they may request a fine that’s as much as double the gain the defendant received in connection to the criminal activity. First degree reckless endangerment is far more serious in that it requires the defendant exhibiting a “depraved indifference” to human life. In the eyes of the law, the phrase “depraved indifference” refers to a moral state of being in which the individual holds so little value for human life that it’s considered the same as acting with criminal intent. Acting with so much disregard, the perpetrator then commits acts so reckless that he or she puts the lives and safety of others in grave risk of death.
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.
Reckless endangerment in the first degree is categorized as a class D felony. In light of the extreme negligence that this crime implies, it’s easy to see why the state classifies this crime as a felony and why the associated punishment is much more severe. In New York, class D felonies are further divided into violent and non-violent classifications. That distinction may have more to do with the way the conviction appears on the defendant’s record, however, as the penalty is consistent for both classifications. Both a violent and a non-violent class D felony may be punishable by up to seven years of imprisonment.
Not Guilty by Reason of Factual Impossibility
Typically, this is the primary defense against a reckless endangerment charge, whether it’s a felony or a misdemeanor. A factual impossibility is a detail of the event that can not have existed in a manner relevant to establishing the criminal activity. This means one element of the crime is missing; either the depraved indifference or serious risk of harm is absent.
For instance, a defendant fires a gun into a room he believes to be populated, but, is in fact, vacant. Even though he intended to harm the people in the room, exhibiting depraved indifference, the fact that the room is empty takes away the significant risk of serious harm or the grave risk of death.
Even the Court of Appeals, otherwise known as the court of last resort in the state of New York, has established that factual impossibility is a legitimate defense to reckless endangerment. This is because the level of risk is necessary in establishing the charge of reckless endangerment.
If you are facing reckless endangerment charges, it’s important to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. The earlier you can bring your advocate in on the case, the better the chance that he or she can arrange a deal or a compelling defense. An initial consultation will help your lawyer look at the details of your case and determine the best courses of action. Together, you and your lawyer may be able to achieve an acquittal or get the charges dismissed. Even if those options fail, an experienced reckless endangerment attorney may be able to get you a reduced sentence.
