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.
Client Testimonials
5
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.
Of course, of course! Let’s discuss an important legal instrument in New York known as a “family offense petition.” Picture this: It’s pretty much your formal request for what’s often called a “restraining order” or, perhaps you prefer the term, “personal protection order.” When, say, someone has committed an act that’s forbidden against someone they’re related to—either by blood, marriage, or a shared child—then that victim can take it to the courts and call for their shield of protection, this family offense petition.
You follow so far? Good.
What’s Considered Offensive Enough?
With this order in hand, the victim is backed up by immediate penalties against the perpetrator, while enjoying the blanket of future protection. Are you curious to know what sort of things could prompt such a drastic measure? Well, the offenses qualifying for a family offense petition encompasses:
– Unwanted contact with another family member
– Physical harm, like hitting or throwing things at the victim
– Endangering the victim in any way
– Threats, harassment, including taunting
– Disorderly conduct
– Criminal mischief
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.
These unpleasant actions, and others like it—that’s what you’re looking to guard against. So the big question comes up…
Who Counts as Family?
A family member isn’t just restricted to blood relatives but also those you’re related to by marriage. Got a step-sibling? They’re covered. A step-parent or step-child? Same deal. Even ex-spouses make the cut. So, if you’ve got an old flame giving you trouble, you could file a family offense petition regarding them. Finally, if there’s a child but no ring, the parents are still considered family for the purpose of this petition. Remember our friend, Todd Spodek, over at Spodek Law Group? He’d express it far more eloquently, but I trust you’re following.
So, How Does This Play Out?
Let’s walk through the steps. Someone files a family offense petition. The courts then treat it as a ‘matter of urgency,’ to put it lightly—they’ll review the case stat. If the court ends up thinking there’s a real cause for concern here, it’ll put a temporary order in place. This temporary order is pretty heavy-duty, you know. It holds until an official hearing can be scheduled, and it might:
– Include a warrant for the person’s arrest
– Order temporary child support
You might be wondering when is an arrest warrant necessary? Well, when the court believes the victim may be in immediate danger, that’s when they’d issue the warrant. Things are getting serious.
What’s Next on the Agenda?
Next on the docket, we introduce the respondent, who’s the subject of a family offense petition. Now, the respondent can accept the court’s protection order. But, say they don’t. In that case, the judge investigates the info alleged in the petition. If the judge agrees that the allegations ring true, they then decide what order to issue. But wait a minute, say the respondent doesn’t agree with the judge’s ruling? The Spodek Law Group recommends consulting federal appeals lawyers for any appeals you want to make.
This next hearing, where the judge decides what order to put out, is cleverly labelled a disposition hearing. Time is a bit fluid in a courtroom, so this hearing might occur straight away, or the judge might take a breather to gather more info. If the judge has reason to doubt the allegations made, they’ll dismiss the petition then and there.
Decisions, Decisions…
Judgment day arrives. The judge has to choose from a menu of possible dispositions which can include:
– Informally postponing judgment for six months as probation for the offender
– Placing the offender on formal probation for up to a year
– Ordering the offender to undergo a domestic violence intervention program
– Alcohol or drug treatments
– Ordering the offender to pay restitution up to the princely sum of $10,000
Plus, in special circumstances, a protective order protecting the victim for up to two years or even up to five years.
What’s a Protective Order Contain?
When the court issues a protective order, it could lay out conditions such as:
– Ordering the respondent to avoid contact with the victim and their kids
– Pay attorney fees
– Pay medical bills
– Stay away from the petitioner’s place of work or school
– Not reoffending
– Removing personal possessions from the home
– An order regarding kids’ visitation
– Prohibiting harm to the petitioner’s pets or kids
What if Someone Ignores the Order?
If there’s a violation of a protective order, the court can have the respondent locked up for up to six months per violation. Plus, the family court has every right to pass the issue over to the criminal court. Violate the order, and the respondent could lose their right to own a firearm. Both sides of the case are entitled to a lawyer. If you’re in family court, you could fill out your own petition without an attorney’s help. But in a criminal court, the district attorney might handle the petition on behalf of the petitioner.
In practically any family, disagreements are bound to crop up. However, in certain families, these disagreements escalate into serious situations and could have dangerous outcomes. This is where the family petition comes into play, providing a legal shield for those affected. This legal instrument can help victims obtain legal protection, child support, and other court-ordered actions. The Spodek Law Group can provide further details and assistance on this matter if you need more information.
