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.
What Is Criminal Intent?
Criminal intent is a key component of the legal system that revolves around a conscious decision one person makes to injure someone else or deprive them of something they own. There are multiple forms of criminal intent that can be used to establish guilt in a standard criminal case. It’s possible for criminal intent to be anything from a spontaneous action to premeditation.
While criminal intent is commonly established for premeditated crimes, it can also occur even when the crime isn’t premeditated. If someone ends up committing a crime spontaneously, they may still know that their actions will result in another party being harmed. The following offers a more comprehensive overview of criminal intent and how it’s established in a criminal case.
Difference Between Motive and Intent
Before detailing the specifics of criminal intent, it’s important to understand the difference between motive and intent. If someone has a bad motive for committing a crime, the motive itself isn’t considered to be punishable. In the event that someone steals some food to feed their family, the motive may technically be “good”.
However, the crime is still considered to be theft, which means that motive is entirely irrelevant when charging someone for a crime. When someone has criminal intent, they are intending to commit an act that they know is against the law, which is why criminal intent is essential when trying a case.
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 Mental Culpability Means
The amount of culpability that a person has when committing a crime can determine how they will be charged for the crime. When it comes to criminal law, there is a difference between recklessness, intent, and knowledge. Intent itself can be broken down into intending the initial conduct and intending the final result.
Let’s say that one person is charged with shooting and intentionally killing another person. Even though the person may have intended to pull the trigger, it’s possible for the defense to make the argument that the defendant was acting in self defense or believed the gun to be empty. As such, the intention was not to kill somebody.
Certain criminal acts require the defendant to commit the crime knowingly and willfully. If the defendant is acting knowingly and willfully, they don’t need to intend a specific result. Instead, they are only required to know that the result was certain to happen.
As for recklessness, this act is positioned between intent and negligence. In this situation, the defendant will have been aware that they were committing an act that had a certain amount of risk to it. If the defendant believes that an injury could occur but commits the act regardless, the act could be deemed to be reckless.
How the Government Proves Intent
During a federal criminal case, the government will be tasked with proving what the defendant’s mental state was at the time of the incident. While it can be difficult to determine what someone was thinking at the time they committed a crime, it’s possible to infer the defendant’s mental state. The government will take a look at the details of the criminal act as well as the defendant’s own words to ascertain what mental state the defendant was in at the time they committed a crime.
Witness statements and testimonies can also be used to strengthen the case against the defendant. The government will be tasked with persuading a jury that their inference of the defendant’s mental state is accurate beyond a reasonable doubt. In these situations, motive is commonly used to enhance the government’s case since criminal intent can be inferred from a motive.
Importance of Time of Intent
It’s important to understand that someone isn’t guilty of committing a crime because they intended to break into a house but didn’t follow through. Intent must occur throughout the entirety of the criminal act and will need to continue until the act is completed.
Criminal intent is a key component of nearly every legal system. In some jurisdictions, it’s possible to distinguish between basic intent and specific intent, the former of which is used much more often when creating a legal case against a defendant. If the prosecution attempts to argue specific intent, they may be unable to obtain the desired verdict. If you have been charged with committing a crime and would like to seek legal representation, call our defense lawyers today to schedule your first consultation.
