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New York Penal Law 135.35: Labor trafficking
Labor trafficking is increasingly becoming popular in the United States. In a bid to curb this practice, the New York state government came up with a set of rules under the New York Penal Law 135.35. Anyone found guilty of violating this code would face serious consequences.
A person is considered guilty of labor trafficking in New York if he or she compels or induces another person to engage in labor by intentionally forcing him to work to pay off debts. Other offenses include;
• Forcing someone to work by giving him or her a controlled substance with the intent of impairing his or her judgment. • Requiring someone to work with the intent of defrauding him or her. • Forcing someone to work with no payment by withholding his or her immigration documents, passport or government identification number. • Engaging in a scheme or plan to compel someone to work by threatening to harm him or her physically or cause damage to property in case he or she fails to do the work as required.
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.
Chelsea is a busy woman who rarely have time to take care of her young children and do household chores. She decided to hire a maid to help with the house and children while at work. They quickly agreed on a monthly wage and the maid started working immediately. Though Chelsea is a wealthy woman, she was not willing to pay the maid according to their agreement. She began to skip payments. When the maid complained, Chelsea ordered her to continue working. The young woman could not tolerate Chelsea’s dubious methods and decided to quit. Chelsea did not take her decision lightly. She told the young maid to work and that if she refused, she would call the police and accuse her of theft.
Chelsea could be charged with labor trafficking because she forced the young woman to work by threatening her and paying her poorly.
Defenses
Labor trafficking is a serious offense that could land you in jail for many years. A prosecutor will try to convict you of this crime using all means possible. You can defend yourself by showing the judges that the person is working under fair conditions and that he is free to leave your premises whenever he wants. You will have to gather enough evidence in order to convince the judges that what you are saying is indeed true. You can request other employees to testify in court and tell the judges how well you treat them. You can also gather documents that show that you pay your employees according to the standards.
Sentence
The state of New York classifies labor trafficking as a class D felony. A class D felony attracts up to seven years in prison. The actual length of the prison sentence depends on factors such as your criminal history, the facts surrounding the case and whether you take responsibility for what happened. The judge may sentence you to probation if you don’t have prior criminal records. The judge will send you to prison if you have several prior felony convictions.
Spending up to seven years in prison can potentially change your life for the worse. You have to do everything possible to ensure you don’t go to prison when charged with labor trafficking. Your defense strategy should be strong to convince the judge that you are innocent. You need to hire a NYC criminal lawyer to bolster your defense. A criminal lawyer knows all the complexities that might arise during trial. He also knows how to explore potential loopholes to make the judge rule in your favor. Do not attempt to defend yourself alone in a labor trafficking case. Hire a lawyer to be on the safer side.