New York criminal courts, for a campus case.
Students and families facing a criminal matter alongside a campus case are frightened largely by unfamiliarity. The sequence is knowable, and most matters resolve well before its later stages.
Where it starts.
After an arrest, arraignment follows quickly: the charges are read, counsel appears, and the court sets release conditions. Those conditions matter more to a student than almost anything else that happens that day, because a stay-away order or a campus exclusion can make attending a required class a criminal violation. Mapping them against a class schedule is the first task, and any conflict is resolved by application to the court rather than by a judgement about necessity.
The two tracks.
Misdemeanours proceed in the local criminal court through conferences, motions and disposition. Felonies go before a grand jury and, on indictment, to a superior court. In either case a subpoena or target letter frequently arrives before any charge, and that pre-charge period is the most valuable in the matter - the point at which the charging decision itself can be addressed, exculpatory material presented, and in some cases the matter resolved without an indictment.
Discovery, which helps.
New York discovery obligations are broad and time-bound, which means the defence receives the prosecution file relatively early. That material is frequently useful in the campus matter as well - police reports, witness statements, and forensic material that the institution never gathered. The flow between the two proceedings is otherwise one-way, so this is a rare instance of information moving in the respondent’s favour.
Why the campus process should be paused.
Everything filed on campus reaches the prosecutor, and there is no Title IX privilege. The regulation permits temporary delay of the grievance process for good cause and names concurrent law enforcement activity as an example. A written request documenting the criminal matter is the single highest-value procedural move available, and it is granted more often than respondents expect.
Why you should call us.
If you are scrolling through search results trying to find someone to defend you, your search is over. You have found Spodek Law Group P.C. - and we are not your average defense firm. We know a thing or two about defending the accused in campus cases - and in the criminal courts that run alongside them. Over 50 years of combined experience, some of the toughest cases in the country, and we have come out on top. We have seen it all, and we empathise with you. We understand how frightening this is, and we have a legal team who can fight and win.
Unlike other attorneys who care about their reputation with the administrators and the prosecutors, our only goal is getting you the best outcome. We owe loyalty to only you. Our lawyers listen to you, your fears, and your goals. We care about your story, and that is where the work begins - by understanding and listening to you.
On billing, we are transparent about our fees, and there are no surprises. Choosing a lawyer is a big deal and cost is a real issue, so we are committed to being your champion irrespective of your ability to pay. Our firm has a simple belief: lawyers should only take on clients whom they can truly help. Many firms are mills that take every case through the door. We do not.
Working with us starts with a risk-free consultation, in person or over the phone. You can ask us anything, for as long as it takes, and we encourage you to ask the tough questions. We are available 24/7, we practise coast to coast, and every client has direct access to a partner. Call 212 300 5196 - an attorney answers.
