At a Glance
Rating Breakdown
Performance Overview
Scores out of 5, based on our editorial analysis
About Spodek Law Group
Spodek Law Group works out of Midtown Manhattan but you will find their attorneys in courthouses across all five boroughs — 100 Centre Street in Manhattan, 320 Jay Street in Brooklyn, 125-01 Queens Boulevard, 851 Grand Concourse in the Bronx, and 26 Central Avenue on Staten Island. Why does that matter? Because each borough's DA office plays a different game. The Bronx DA's office tends to be more aggressive on drug charges but more flexible on white-collar cases. Queens judges set higher bail amounts for certain offense categories. A lawyer who only practices in Manhattan does not know these patterns. Spodek's attorneys have working relationships with prosecutors and court staff in all five jurisdictions because they are in those courthouses every week. The firm's entire strategy revolves around getting involved before formal charges are filed. Most people do not realize this, but in New York the DA's office has just 144 hours — six days — to present felony charges to a grand jury if the defendant is in custody. Miss that window and the case risks dismissal. During those six days, a sharp defense attorney can present evidence that changes the picture, negotiate charge reductions, or talk the ADA out of prosecution entirely. Spodek's team includes former prosecutors who know how those decisions get made from the inside — which cases get fast-tracked, which ADAs have room to deal, and when a supervisor needs to sign off on a plea offer. New York's bail reform law (effective January 2020 and amended several times through 2025) eliminated cash bail for most misdemeanors and non-violent felonies. But judges still set bail on violent felonies, sex offenses, and gun cases. For clients facing bail-eligible charges, Spodek puts together detailed bail packages — verified employment, community ties documentation, travel document surrender, GPS monitoring proposals — that give judges concrete reasons to set lower bail or release on conditions. This matters more than most people think: defendants sitting in Rikers are statistically far more likely to accept bad plea deals just to get out. Keeping you on the outside changes the entire trajectory of the case.
Key Features
All Five Borough Coverage
Every borough is its own world — different judges, different prosecutors, different court culture. Spodek carries active cases in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and Staten Island, which means they know which judges are lenient on first offenses, which ones demand detailed sentencing memoranda, and which courtrooms have backlogs you can use to your advantage. That kind of knowledge only comes from showing up in those courthouses week after week.
Pre-Indictment Intervention
The biggest window of opportunity in a criminal case is before charges are formally filed. In New York, felony charges must go to a grand jury within 6 days of arrest if you are in custody, or 45 days if you are out. Spodek's attorneys get in front of the DA's office during this window — presenting evidence, challenging probable cause, pushing for charge reductions — before the case ever reaches a grand jury. Once charges are filed, your negotiating power drops. This is where the real work gets done.
Former Prosecutor Insight
Several attorneys on the team used to work as ADAs in Manhattan and Brooklyn. They know how charging decisions get made behind closed doors — what triggers charge upgrades, when a supervisor needs to sign off on a plea offer, and how prosecutors evaluate whether a case is worth taking to trial. This is not something you learn from a textbook. They sat in those offices and made those calls themselves.
Bail Packages That Actually Work
New York's bail laws have changed repeatedly since 2020, and each change creates new angles. For charges where bail is still on the table, Spodek puts together packages that give judges something concrete: verified employment records, community ties documentation, third-party custodians, GPS monitoring offers. Getting you out pretrial is not just about comfort — defendants stuck in Rikers take worse plea deals because they want out. Keeping you free keeps your options open.
How It Works
Emergency Consultation
They answer the phone at 3 AM. If you or someone in your family gets arrested in any NYC borough, Spodek can have an attorney at the precinct or courthouse within hours. That first conversation covers the charges, your rights, what arraignment looks like, and whether you need immediate bail help.
Case Investigation
Before anyone sets foot in a courtroom, the defense team tears apart the complaint, arrest paperwork, body camera footage (NYPD must preserve it for 18 months), witness statements, and physical evidence. More often than you would think, this digging turns up holes in the prosecution's case that are invisible from the arrest report alone.
Pre-Arraignment Strategy
For felonies, the window between arrest and arraignment is when the most critical defense work happens. The team gets on the phone with the assigned ADA to push for charge reductions, presents evidence that changes the picture, and builds the bail argument. Sometimes charges get reduced or dropped before arraignment ever takes place.
Court Proceedings & Resolution
Whether the case goes to trial, gets resolved through plea negotiation, or gets tossed, Spodek handles every court appearance across all NYC courthouses. For trial cases, the firm brings in specialized trial attorneys and jury consultants. For plea negotiations, they use everything uncovered during the pre-trial investigation to push for the best possible terms.
What They Do
- Criminal Defense
- DUI/DWI Defense
- White Collar Crime
- Drug Offenses
- Assault & Violent Crimes
- Federal Criminal Defense
- Appeals
- Bail Hearings
- Grand Jury Defense
- Domestic Violence Defense
- Weapons Charges
- Fraud Defense
Debt Types They Take On
- Misdemeanors
- Felonies
- Federal Charges
- Violations
- White Collar
- Drug Offenses
Fee & Cost Structure
Regulatory & Trust
Review Summary
Notable Case Studies
Manhattan Felony Drug Charge Dismissed
Client picked up in Midtown Manhattan on felony drug possession — Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, 3rd degree, a Class B felony carrying 1 to 9 years. The cops searched the car. Spodek's team challenged the search as lacking probable cause under the automobile exception and filed a motion to suppress (CPL 710.20). Body camera footage told a different story than what the officers wrote in their report. Once the Manhattan DA's office saw the footage, they moved to dismiss before the suppression hearing even happened.
Brooklyn Assault Case Reduced to Violation
Client caught a Third Degree Assault charge (Penal Law 120.00) — Class A misdemeanor, up to a year in jail — after a bar fight in Brooklyn. No prior record. Spodek's team pulled surveillance footage that showed the other guy threw the first punch, put together character references and employment proof, and went straight to the Kings County DA's office during the pre-trial conference. The ADA agreed to drop it to Disorderly Conduct (Penal Law 240.20) — a non-criminal violation — with a conditional discharge.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Active caseloads across all 5 NYC boroughs means established relationships with judges, prosecutors, and court staff in every jurisdiction — not just Manhattan
- Former prosecutors on staff provide genuine insider understanding of how charging decisions and plea offers are made at the DA level, not just courtroom advocacy
- 24/7 availability for arrests means an attorney can reach you at the precinct before you make statements that damage your case — the first 24 hours are when most defendants hurt themselves
- Pre-indictment intervention focus catches cases before they harden into formal charges, when prosecutors have the most discretion to reduce or decline prosecution
- Flat fee structure for most cases means you know the total cost upfront, unlike hourly billing that creates anxiety about calling your own lawyer
Cons
- Premium pricing reflects Manhattan overhead and experienced attorney rates — expect $5,000-$25,000+ for misdemeanors, $15,000-$100,000+ for felonies depending on complexity
- High caseload across multiple boroughs means you may work with associate attorneys on routine court appearances rather than the named partners on every date
- Primarily NYC-focused: while they handle federal cases and some NJ matters, clients outside the NYC metro area would be better served by local counsel
- No public defender-style sliding scale — if you qualify for a public defender (income under 125% of federal poverty level), that may be more cost-effective for straightforward cases
User Reviews (21)
handled everything with discretion
I work in NYC nightlife and got caught up in a situation that could have been extremely embarrassing publicly. Spodek handled everything quietly. No press, no leaks, no public filings that named my employer. Charges resolved and career continued without interruption. For anyone in a public-facing industry who catches a charge, the discretion factor matters as much as the legal outcome.
grand jury voted no true bill
Was facing a grand jury on a felony charge. Most people don't know this but in NY you can testify before the grand jury. Spodek prepped me extensively, helped me present my side, and the grand jury voted "no true bill" -- meaning they declined to indict. This is RARE. Having a defense team that knows how to work the grand jury process makes all the difference.
got my felony dropped to a violation
Picked up on a felony assault charge in Midtown after an altercation outside a bar. Was looking at 1-4 years. Spodek's team pulled surveillance footage from a nearby bodega that showed the other guy swung first. Presented it to the Manhattan DA during pre-indictment phase and got the whole thing knocked down to disorderly conduct -- a violation, not even a misdemeanor. No criminal record. I cannot stress enough how different my life would be right now without these guys.
wrongful arrest -- got it all thrown out
Got arrested in Brooklyn because I "matched a description." Charged with robbery. Spodek's investigator tracked down surveillance video from 3 different cameras showing I was 8 blocks away when the robbery happened. All charges dropped immediately. They also connected me with a civil rights attorney to explore a wrongful arrest claim against the city.
bail package got me out when the DA wanted me in
Caught a bail-eligible felony. DA wanted me held at Rikers. Spodek put together a bail package -- employment stuff, community ties, my kids' school schedules, character letters, offered GPS monitoring. Judge set bail way lower than what the DA asked for. I was out within hours. Spent the next 6 months fighting the case from home instead of from a cell. That bail package changed everything.
fine
Drug possession in Manhattan. Got into drug court instead of traditional prosecution. Program is about 18 months, charges get dismissed at the end. Their team knew the drug court judges cold.
good on the federal stuff
Was under investigation for wire fraud (federal). Hadn't been charged yet. Spodek got involved at the investigation stage and worked with the AUSA's office. Investigation was eventually closed without charges. Only 4 stars because communication during the 4-month investigation was stressful -- wanted daily updates, got weekly. But the result speaks for itself.
solid representation in Queens
Had my case at 125-01 Queens Boulevard. Spodek's attorney was familiar with the courtroom procedures and the specific judge. They negotiated a plea I could live with on a case that was honestly pretty strong for the prosecution. Not every case ends in a dismissal -- sometimes the best result is damage control. They were honest about that from the start.
the 3am phone call saved everything
My son got arrested in Brooklyn at 2am on a Saturday. DWI. I called Spodek's emergency line and an actual attorney called me back within 15 minutes. Had someone at the precinct before my son was even processed. They got him released at arraignment without bail. Eventually negotiated the DWI down to DWAI. The fact that they answered at 3am on a Saturday tells you everything.
first time arrest, they walked me through everything
Never been arrested before. Never even had a parking ticket. Then I got charged with assault 3rd degree after pushing someone who was harassing my girlfriend. I was TERRIFIED. Spodek's attorney explained every step -- arraignment, discovery, motions, trial timeline -- in plain English. Ended up with an ACD and the whole thing is sealed.
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Important Legal Disclaimers
- Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in future cases. Every criminal case involves unique facts, evidence, and circumstances that affect the outcome.
- The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. You should consult with a qualified attorney regarding your specific legal situation.
- Criminal defense fees vary significantly based on the severity of charges, complexity of the case, the court jurisdiction, and whether the case goes to trial. Fee estimates provided are general ranges and may not reflect the cost of your specific case.
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