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nyc criminal lawyers over 30 years of experienceWe Know How To Win Cases

Spodek Law Group handles tough cases
nationwide, that demand excellence.

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Faced 5+ Years in Prison

People Vs Joseph Amico

Covered by NYDaily News. Las Vegas man accused of threatening a prominent attorney and making vile remarks.

Faced 10+ Years in Prison

People Vs. Anna Sorokin

Covered by New York Times, and other outlets. Fake heiress accused of conning the city’s wealthy, and has an HBO special being made about her.

Faced 3+ Years in Prison

People Vs. Genevieve Sabourin

Accused of stalking Alec Baldwin. The case garnered nationwide attention, with USAToday, NYPost, and other media outlets following it closely.

Faced Potential Charges

Ghislaine Maxwell Juror

Juror who prompted calls for new Ghislaine Maxwell trial turns to lawyer who defended Anna Sorokin.

Why Choose Us

Clients can use our portal to track the status of their case, stay in touch with us, upload documents, and more.

Regardless of the type of situation you're facing, our attorneys are here to help you get quality representation.

We can setup consultations in person, over Zoom, or over the phone to help you. Bottom line, we're here to help you win your case.

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Meet Todd Spodek

WE PROVIDE WHITE GLOVE SERVICE TO CLIENTS
WHO WANT MORE FROM THEIR ATTORNEY

The Spodek Law Group understands how delicate high-profile cases can be, and has a strong track record of getting positive outcomes. Our lawyers service a clientele that is nationwide. With offices in both LA and NYC, and cases all across the country - Spodek Law Group is a top tier law firm.

Todd Spodek is a second generation attorney with immense experience. He has many years of experience handling 100’s of tough and hard to win trials. He’s been featured on major news outlets, such as New York Post, Newsweek, Fox 5 New York, South China Morning Post, Insider.com, and many others.

In 2022, Netflix released a series about one of Todd’s clients: Anna Delvey/Anna Sorokin.

Why Clients Choose Spodek Law Group

The reason is simple: clients want white glove service, and lawyers who can win. Every single client who works with the Spodek Law Group is aware that the attorney they hire could drastically change the outcome of their case. Hiring the Spodek Law Group means you’re taking your future seriously. Our lawyers handle cases nationwide, ranging from NYC to LA. Our philosophy is fair and simple: our nyc criminal lawyers only take on clients who we know will benefit from our services.

We’re selective about the clients we work with, and only take on cases we know align with our experience – and where we can make a difference. This is different from other law firms who are not invested in your success nor care about your outcome.

If you have a legal issue, call us for a consultation.
We are available 24/7, to help you with any – and all, challenges you face.

What Is the Burden of Proof in Federal Criminal Cases?

In any federal criminal case, it is the responsibility of the prosecutor to bear the burden of proof. The government must demonstrate that the defendant committed the crime. In a criminal case, guilt must be proven “beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Beyond a Reasonable Doubt in a Federal Case
The Due Process Clause of the Constitution’s Fifth Amendment guarantees that no individual should be deprived of “life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.” The Supreme Court in the 1970s expanded the meaning of the Due Process Clause to include that a person’s guilt must be proven “beyond a reasonable doubt.”

According to Winship, 397 U.S. 358, 374 (1970), the Supreme Court established that the government needs to prove every component of the crime to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. These burdens are the same whether the trial is held in state or federal court.

Proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt is a fundamental standard of law in the United States. This is the highest standard of proof in the country. In federal court, an individual faces steep penalties, including losing civil liberties, assets, and personal freedoms. For that reason, the burden of proof standards must be beyond any doubt.

With that, the government must prove every individual element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. While the burden is steep for the federal prosecution, it is not impossible. The prosecution is not meant to dispel all doubt. The burden only states that “reasonable doubt” must be erased for a successful conviction.

Elements of a Federal Crime
There are several parts of a crime, and they are often known as elements. For a conviction, the federal prosecutor must prove these elements. In many cases, the crime must establish a defendant’s state of mind, often called the intent. Other elements also play a significant role in a case. For example, a federal drug trafficking charge has several elements, such as:

The defendant must have knowingly or intentionally had intent to commit the crime.
The defendant must have distributed, dispensed, or manufactured the drug.
The drug must be a controlled substance.

With that crime, the prosecutor needs to prove that there was an intent, an action, and an object used by the defendant.

Once again, the government has the burden of proof. Federal prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that those elements took place in the commission of the crime. With the drug trafficking example, prosecutors must prove that the drugs were a controlled substance. Along with that, the defendant must have intended to distribute or manufacture the substance, and there was the action of manufacturing, dispensing, or distributing the substances.

If federal prosecutors cannot prove any of these elements of the crime, then the defendant can be acquitted of the offense. These burdens are often hard to prove. With that, federal prosecutors work hard to establish a case against the defendant.

Federal Sentencing
If the federal prosecutor is successful, then the sentencing phase takes place. In a federal criminal trial, the sentencing occurs after the defendant’s guilt was established in the court.

In the sentencing phase, the defendant’s punishment or sentencing is determined. While the prosecution had a high burden of proof in the trial, that does not exist during this stage. Instead, the defendant’s sentence must be proved by the preponderance of the evidence. Federal processors need to establish that standard, which only requires that more than 50 percent of evidence points to a specific conclusion in the case.

Find a Criminal Defense Attorney
The federal government must prove a defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. While that is a high standard, it is not impossible, especially for the federal government. They will use all their available resources to establish your guilt. For that reason, you will want to find a reputable attorney for your case.

With the right legal help, you can create a defense strategy that questions some parts of a federal case. If you have been charged with a federal crime, the burden of proof is the same as the state level. However, those penalties are often higher if you are convicted.

If you are being investigated or charged with a federal crime, you need to speak with an experienced federal defense lawyer!

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Testimonials

I was searching for a law firm with some power to help me deal with a warrant in New York . After 6 days I decided to go with Spodek Law Group. It helped that This law firm is well respected by not only the top law firms in New York , but the DA , Judge as well. I...

~Fonder Brandon

5 Stars
It was my good fortune to retain Spodek Law Group for representation for my legal needs. From the beginning, communication was prompt and thorough. Todd, Kenneth and Alex were the first people I worked with and they all made me, and my company Qumana skincare feel comfortable and confident that the team was going to work hard for me. Everything...

~A G

5 Stars
After meeting with several law firms, I chose the Spodek Law Group not only for their professionalism and experience, but for the personal attention given to me right from the initial consultation. It is important to recognize how crucial having the right legal team is when faced with potentially life altering events that impact families and the lives of loved...

~George Cherubini

Spodek Law Group

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We Provide Superior Service, Excellent Results, At A Level Superior To Other Criminal Defense Law Firms. Regardless Of Where Your Case Is, Nationwide, We Can Help You.
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