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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.

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Queens Drug Trafficking Lawyers

Drug Trafficking Charges and Defenses

Drug trafficking is the same as drug dealing. The law considers them to be separate. Drug trafficking includes the transport, manufacturing, distribution, and selling of illegal drugs. The context matters a lot when you are considering drug trafficking. Two factors that influence the charges include the measurement of the drugs and the weight. There is a trafficking amount that is determined by the law. One will be guilty of drug trafficking if they are found in possession of an amount that exceeds the threshold. One can also be charged with drug trafficking if they are found with any amount of an illegal drug. This applies even if that person was not transporting or selling those drugs.

Penalties

Prisons

The minimum prison term for a drug trafficking offense is one year. This applies even if the defendant is a first-time offender. The prison sentence for drug trafficking is ten years or more in most cases. This is the lower limit considering that some states have higher penalties for the offense. It is not uncommon for one to receive a life sentence in more serious cases.

Minimum Sentences

Drug trafficking laws impose mandatory minimum sentences that state the number of years that one must serve before they become eligible for parole. The period varies with each state. One cannot be paroled until that time is up.

Fines

The government set very high fines for anyone charged with any drug-related offense in a bid to discourage people from engaging in drugs. Fines usually range from $25,000 to $100,000 if it is a state trafficking conviction. They can go as high as ten million dollars if it is a federal trafficking conviction.

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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Probation

One is liable to get a probation sentence if they agree to a plea bargain. This is if they agree to plead guilty to a charge that is less-serious. These sentences last for at least a year. Most of them go for three years or more. The felon has to satisfy certain conditions that are set by the court during the probation period. This includes not breaking any other laws and monitoring by a probation officer. One has to agree to random drug tests to make sure that they do not go back to their old ways.

Drug trafficking crimes are very serious. The charges and conviction could seriously alter the course of one’s life. One should make sure that they consult a criminal defense attorney as soon as they are charged with the crime. It is advisable not to speak to the police or make any decisions regarding the case without consulting your lawyer first.

Defenses

Search Warrant

The police need to obtain a search warrant before conducting a search on you or your property. This is valid even if the accused was found to be in possession of drugs. This is because you will have shown that you were unlawfully searched. You can have the charges reduced if a warrant was not obtained. They can also be dropped if there is a strong case that the evidence was planted. The police might have failed to get a warrant and then proceeded to incriminate the defendant through false accusation.

Wrong Place at the Wrong time

Finding yourself at the wrong place at the wrong time could lead to a drug trafficking conviction. The police might assume that you were involved if you happen to be in an area where drug peddling is taking place. You have to show that you do not have any relation to any of the other parties involved in this type of defense. You can ask someone to testify as a witness if you were going to meet them. This defense is not hard to show because the evidence can be sourced easily.

No intent to traffic drugs

The defendant has to prove that a third party had forced them to engage in the activity. There has to be a threat of bodily injury in the case that the accused does not agree to do so. The defendant has to provide evidence that backs up this claim because it is a very serious one. It means that one will have to give up the name of the person who supplied them with the drugs most of the times. Drug smugglers usually threaten people so that they can transport illegal drugs for them. The accused has to show that they are an innocent party forced to do this because they did not have a choice.

Probable Cause

The defendant can discredit the circumstances that led to the eventual search by law enforcement. Drug trafficking charges can be dismissed if the constitutional rights of the defendant were violated in any way.

The first mode of defense is determining the reason why the police conducted the search in the first place. The cause should be valid enough and be reasonable. The charges can either be reduced or dropped if the cause is not established or backed by enough evidence.

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Todd Spodek

Founding Partner

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RALPH P. FRANCHO, JR

Associate

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JEREMY FEIGENBAUM

Associate Attorney

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ELIZABETH GARVEY

Associate

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CLAIRE BANKS

Associate

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RAJESH BARUA

Of-Counsel

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CHAD LEWIN

Of-Counsel

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