NYC White Collar Crimes Lawyers
White Collar Crimes Lawyers: Defending Clients Against Financial Fraud Charges
White collar crimes are non-violent offenses committed by business professionals or public officials that involve financial fraud or deception. These crimes can include embezzlement, money laundering, tax evasion, bribery, securities fraud, and more. White collar crimes lawyers specialize in defending individuals or companies accused of these types of financial offenses.
An Overview of White Collar Crimes
Some common examples of white collar crimes include:
- Tax Evasion: Intentionally under-reporting income, overstating deductions, hiding money in offshore accounts, etc. to lower tax liability. Can result in fines, back taxes, and prison time.
- Securities Fraud: Providing false or misleading information related to buying/selling of stocks. Includes insider trading, Ponzi schemes, accounting fraud, etc. Punishable by fines and imprisonment.
- Bribery: Offering money or gifts to influence a business or government decision. Violates anti-corruption laws like the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
- Embezzlement: When an employee steals or misappropriates funds entrusted to them by employer. Can lead to victim restitution and jail time.
- Money Laundering: Concealing the source of illegally obtained money by filtering through legitimate businesses. Done to hide tax evasion, fraud, etc.
- Identity Theft: Using someone else’s personal information to obtain credit, loans, or goods and services fraudulently.
- Mortgage Fraud: Falsifying information on mortgage applications to obtain larger loans or better terms. Can result in foreclosure, fines, and prison.
The penalties for white collar crimes can be severe, including hefty fines, victim restitution, asset forfeiture, probation, and years in federal prison. The complexity of these financial cases is why hiring an experienced white collar defense lawyer is so crucial.
The Role of a White Collar Crimes Lawyer
White collar defense attorneys have specialized expertise in the complex laws and regulations involved in financial fraud cases. Their most important responsibilities include:
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.
- Investigating the Charges: Thoroughly examining the prosecution’s evidence and claims to identify any weaknesses in their case. Finding exonerating evidence when possible.
- Advising the Client: Explaining the potential penalties if convicted and likelihood of conviction based on the evidence. Providing strategic advice on best options.
- Negotiating Plea Deals: Attempting to negotiate a favorable plea bargain with reduced charges/penalties if appropriate.
- Filing Pretrial Motions: Seeking to have evidence thrown out or charges dismissed if there are constitutional violations or lack of evidence.
- Defending in Court: Aggressively defending the client in trial and presenting evidence/witnesses that rebut the charges. Cross-examining the prosecution’s witnesses.
- Appealing Convictions: Identifying grounds for appeal, such as procedural errors or insufficient evidence, if client is convicted at trial. Filing appeal briefs.
- Avoiding Future Issues: After the case, counseling clients on compliance programs to avoid issues going forward.
The right white collar crimes attorney will thoroughly examine the prosecution’s case and the applicable laws to build the strongest defense. This can lead to dismissed or reduced charges.
Common White Collar Crimes Defenses
There are several legal defenses that skilled white collar crimes lawyers frequently use to get charges against their clients dismissed or to win pretrial motions or at trial:
- Lack of Criminal Intent – Prosecutors must prove the defendant knowingly and willfully violated the law. Evidence showing no intent can defeat charges.
- Statute of Limitations Expired – Most frauds have a 5-10 year time limit on bringing charges. Expired statute of limitations can nullify case.
- Improper Government Procedures – Demonstrating constitutional violations in how evidence was obtained or defendants’ rights weren’t read. Can lead to evidence being barred.
- Lack of Sufficient Evidence – No conviction if a reasonable doubt exists. Good defense lawyers find all reasonable doubts.
- Coercion/Duress – Doing something illegal under threat can be a defense. Must prove no reasonable alternative.
- Entrapment – When government induces a crime. Burden is on defense to prove no predisposition for crime.
- Ignorance/Mistake of Fact or Law – Defendant must actually know act was illegal. Complex laws can lead to mistakes.
- Diminished Mental Capacity – Being unable to understand criminal nature of actions can be defense. Insanity rarely used.
- Self-Defense – Rarely used for financial crimes, but can apply if crime done under threat.
- Whistleblower Retaliation – Proving client was targeted for properly reporting fraud by others.
A skilled white collar defense lawyer will analyze the specific circumstances to identify any viable defenses to put forth. Even technicalities like errors in warrants or procedural mistakes can get charges dismissed before trial.
Selecting the Right White Collar Crimes Attorney
Choosing the right lawyer is crucial to build an effective defense in a white collar case. Key factors to consider include:
- Experience: Look for an attorney with extensive experience specifically in white collar criminal defense cases. Check qualifications and trial record.
- Knowledge of Applicable Laws: Find lawyer well-versed in the complex fraud and financial crime laws like securities regulations, tax codes, etc.
- Specialization: Avoid general practice attorneys. Hire a lawyer focused on white collar defense work full-time.
- Resources: Opt for attorneys in firms with the investigative and accounting resources needed for financial cases.
- Negotiation Skills: For plea deals, choose lawyer with proven ability to negotiate with prosecutors effectively.
- Trial Skills: If case may go to trial, hire attorney with strong litigation skills and trial experience.
- Credentials: Look for former prosecutors and SEC/IRS attorneys who know the system. Ivy league degrees also a plus.
- Personality Fit: Find a lawyer you feel comfortable with and who will fight aggressively on your behalf.
Don’t just hire any lawyer – do in-depth research to find the right white collar defense attorney with specific experience in similar financial fraud cases and a proven record of favorable outcomes for clients. This can make all the difference in avoiding harsh penalties.
The Benefits of Hiring a White Collar Defense Lawyer
Trying to handle a white collar crime case without an attorney, even if innocent, is extremely unwise. The benefits a knowledgeable white collar defense lawyer brings include:
- Avoiding Mistakes: Complicated laws and procedures mean mistakes by non-lawyers lead to convictions. Lawyers prevent missteps.
- Expert Negotiations: Experienced lawyers negotiate better plea deals with prosecutors than defendants alone.
- Stronger Defense: Lawyers know how to attack the prosecution’s case and present persuasive defenses.
- Courtroom Presentation Skills: Lawyers are comfortable speaking in court and adept at cross-examinations.
- Avoiding Emotional Pleas: Angry outbursts or emotional pleas by defendant can hurt cases despite innocence. Lawyers prevent this.
- Knowledge of Sentencing Guidelines: Lawyers use sentencing guidelines to argue for leniency. Non-lawyers don’t understand complex rules.
- Appeal Support: Lawyers identify appealable issues not obvious to non-lawyers. Also help get bail while appealing.
- Reduced Penalties: Skilled lawyers keep charges as low as possible to reduce fines, prison time, restitution, etc.
- Future Protection: Lawyers can negotiate deferred prosecution agreements that lead to charges eventually being dropped after compliance.
Don’t take chances – the consequences of white collar convictions are too severe. Hiring an expert white collar defense attorney is the smart choice.
Conclusion
Facing white collar charges like securities fraud, embezzlement, or money laundering can be an extremely frightening and confusing situation. These complex financial cases often carry harsh penalties that can destroy family, career, and reputation.Fortunately, hiring a knowledgeable white collar defense lawyer levels the playing field by aggressively defending your rights, fighting the allegations, and negotiating reduced penalties when possible. Don’t go it alone against experienced prosecutors – retain top legal counsel to protect your future. The right lawyer can make all the difference.