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What are the possible outcomes of a criminal case in NYC?
April 1, 2024
Getting arrested is a very scary process – and what happens after is even scarier. You’re likely overwhelmed, you don’t know what to do. No one knows what will happen next. At major turning points like this, you need to hire a criminal defense law firm who gets it. Our NY criminal defense attorneys will walk you through the process, and discuss potential outcomes. The first thing that will happen is the prosecutor will decide whether to pursue charges, or not. This is important. If they decide to press charges, you’ll be arraigned before a judge who’ll set bail, and determine the next court date. From there, the game of chess begins. Our criminal defense attorneys will start building your defense. We’ll look at all the possible outcomes, and we’ll try to get you the best outcome. There’s a lot of potential outcomes to a criminal cases.
Dismissal: This is our goal. We will work to poke enough holes in the prosecutors case to get the criminal charges dismissed. Getting charges dismissed means the case against you is dropped. No criminal record. No penalties.
Plea Bargain: This can be a great move. It’s essentially negotiating a deal with reduced charges/sentences. Many cases end up with a plea bargain.
Not Guilty Verdict: If our criminal attorneys decide to take your case to trial, our team will make the strongest defense strategy to prove your innocence. Sometimes – you have to fight in court, in order to win your freedom.
Excellent 10 out of 10, Helped resolve my case. Jeremy explained everything and made everything easy to understand.
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.
What Are Factors That Influence Case Outcomes
There’s no magic formula when it comes to what influences that case. There’s a number of factors which can help tilt the scale in your favor:
- Prior Criminal Record – First-time offenders in the criminal justice system are typically given leniency. If you’re a repeat offender the court is less likely to be lenient.
- Evidence – Holes in the prosecutors case by going after their evidence make it easier to get charges reduced, or dismissed. Mitigating Circumstances – Factors that mitigate guilt are important. Variables like self-defense, lack of criminal intent, or entrapment can lessen the charges against you.
- Your Criminal Defense Lawyer – Having an aggressive, and experienced criminal defense attorney matters.
At the end of the day, the outcome of your case depends entirely on how we are presenting the facts in the most positive light possible.
What Are Potential Penalties for Criminal Convictions in NYC
If you are convicted of a crime – whether its federal, state, felony, or misdemeanor, the penalties of a conviction include, but are not limited to:
- Jail/Prison Time – Felony convictions usually come with prison sentences. These sentences can range from from 1 year to life; but misdemeanors can result in jail time up to 1 year.
- Financial Fines – It’s usual for there to be financial fines can range from hundreds of dollars, to millions of dollars depending on the offense you committed – such as a white collar federal crime.
- Probation – You could be sentenced to probation, instead of jail time.
- Community Service – Courts sometimes will sentence you to unpaid community service as part of the sentence.
- Restitution – You might have to pay money to victims to compensate for losses/damages you caused.
There are many consequences of a federal or misdemeanor conviction. In addition to the direct penalties, mentioned above, there are other consequences which can impact your life. For example:
- Employment could be a problem. It can be difficult to find a job in the future due to background checks.
- Housing can be an issue. You could face eviction, be ineligible for public housing, or have troubles renting.
- Immigration could be an issue. Non-citizens can face deportation concerns, be denied citizenship, or worse.
- Loss of rights. You could lose your right to vote, own firearms, etc.