YOU MAY HAVE SEEN TODD SPODEK ON THE NETFLIX SHOW INVENTING ANNA
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.
What Happens in a Federal Criminal Appeal?
When people believe that they were wrongly convicted of a crime or that the sentence they were given was too harsh, they are entitled to appeal the conviction or the sentence to the Circuit Court. The appeal gives the defendant the opportunity to introduce errors that may have occurred during the trial because these errors may have been the cause of your unfortunate outcome. An attorney would need to demonstrate that the decision was wrong, and if she manages to do so, she may be able to reverse the outcome. The defendant has the right to appeal a “guilty” verdict, but the government is not allowed to appeal a “not guilty” verdict.
The appeals court may make a decision based on written briefs, but the court selects some cases for “oral argument.” In the court of appeals, oral argument means that the appellate lawyers and the judges will discuss the legal principles in question. Both sides have a chance to address the court for a limited amount of time. In most cases, it will be 15 minutes.
It is your choice whether or not to take the opportunity to argue orally, but it is always recommended that you accept it. When an attorney has a chance to make oral arguments, it is the best opportunity that you have to get your point across clearly and concisely. If you can manage to do this, your chances of winning your appeal will increase.
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 First Step – File a “Notice of Appeal.”
The first step is to file a “notice of appeal.” You only have 10 days to file a notice of appeal after you receive your verdict. This is enough time for you to hire an attorney and begin the appeals process. After your attorney files the notice of appeal, he or she can begin to prepare your case.
The Second Step – Prepare the Record.
The attorney will file a record on appeal that contains the court reporter’s transcripts and the clerk’s records.
The Third Step – File the Opening Brief.
The opening brief is the written argument that explains why the court’s decision must be reversed. It may only be based on what is in the record, and it outlines the defendant’s reasoning for wanting to reverse the conviction. If you are asking for a lighter sentence, it gives the reasons that the defendant is deserving of a lighter sentence.
The government attorney has 30 days to prepare his or her answering brief.
The Fourth Step – The Oral Arguments.
A date may be set for oral arguments. On that date, the government attorney and the appellate attorney will argue the case before the judges. The defendant does not attend the oral arguments, and witnesses and evidence will not be presented at this time. If oral arguments were not presented, the judges will make the decision based only on the written briefs.
The Fifth Step – The Decision.
After the judges read the briefs and hear the oral arguments, they will decide that the verdict was correct, needs to be reversed or needs to be modified. A judge will explain the court’s reasoning for the decision that it made. The interested parties will learn the judge’s opinion within three months.
The Final Step – The Outcome.
In most cases, when the defendant prevails, it results in a new trial or resentencing.
The “Writ of Certiorari.”
In the event that the defendant loses in the court of appeals, he or she may file a petition for a “writ of certiorari.” A writ of certiorari is the document that asks the Supreme Court to review the case. This usually does not occur unless the case involved an “unusually important legal principle.” It also occurs if at least two federal appellate courts gave different interpretations of the law. A case may also fall under one of the few special circumstances when the Supreme Court is required to hear the appeal.
Waiving the Right to Appeal.
You may waive the right to appeal. Most government attorneys require that you waive your right to appeal before they will offer you a plea bargain. In the event that the government breaches your plea bargain, your right to appeal will be intact, so you will be able to appeal in that instance.
