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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 Is the Burden of Proof in Federal Criminal Cases?
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.
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!
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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!
