If you're on our website, it's because you're facing serious federal charges – and need the best possible federal criminal lawyer to protect your freedom, your family, and your future. At Spodek Law Group, we understand exactly what you're going through. Federal charges are terrifying, they come backed by unlimited resources, seasoned prosecutors who expect to win almost every time, and sentencing guidelines written to punish as harshly as possible. When the FBI, DEA, or even the IRS or ATF show up at your door, everything changes instantly. That’s why we don’t take a case lightly. Our mission has always been one thing—to give you the strongest defense possible in a court system where the odds are stacked against you from day one.

The Spodek Law Group is recognized nationally as one of the top firms for serious federal defense. We’re not a volume shop, and we’ll never treat you like a number on a docket sheet. Our loyalty is only to you. We've got a rock star team of attorneys with over 50 years of combined experience fighting federal prosecutions in New York and all across the country. And unlike state-only lawyers who may dabble in a federal matter here and there, we know Title 18 U.S.C. (federal criminal code), how mandatory minimum statutes under 21 U.S.C. § 841 impact drug cases, how fraud charges under 18 U.S.C. § 1343 (wire fraud) are prosecuted, and what it takes to fight a conspiracy charge under 18 U.S.C. § 371. That is real federal experience.

Federal vs. State Charges: Why Federal Cases Matter More

Look, I’ll be direct. State criminal cases matter, of course they do. But federal court is another world. Federal prosecutors—Assistant U.S. Attorneys—work with agencies like the FBI, DEA, IRS, ATF, and Homeland Security on long investigations. They don’t just file a case overnight. They take months, sometimes years, building evidence. State prosecutors might have thousands of routine cases a year. Federal prosecutors file far fewer because when they do, they expect to win. In fact, the conviction rate in federal court is consistently above 90%. That’s the reality. If you're facing charges in SDNY (500 Pearl Street), EDNY (Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn), or NDNY (Albany, Syracuse) you are stepping into a ring where the government almost always wins.

Federal judges are also very different. They aren’t moved by excuses, they are focused on the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure and the United States Sentencing Guidelines. These guidelines can be almost mechanical—offense levels, criminal history points, mandatory enhancements. Certain drug and gun cases have mandatory minimum sentences of 5, 10, even 20 years. And once those apply, unless your lawyer finds a way out, the judge has no choice. If your lawyer doesn’t understand how judges at SDNY or EDNY interpret those guidelines—you’re gambling with your life.

Recent Federal Enforcement Trends in New York (2024–2025)

I’ll be straight with you. It’s not enough to just know the bare language of the law. You have to study how the law is actually being enforced right now. In 2024 and 2025, federal prosecutors in New York have become far more aggressive in certain areas. There’s been a huge push on large-scale narcotics conspiracies, complex fraud schemes involving cryptocurrency and fintech, and high-profile public corruption. The OLMS and DOJ brought union corruption indictments in Buffalo, the Eastern District unsealed banking fraud cases in Brooklyn, and SDNY has been chasing headline-grabbing securities fraud tied to Wall Street firms. The FBI, HSI, and DEA announced multiple joint-task force seizures—massive quantities of fentanyl coming through New York ports. What does that mean for you? It means the net is getting wider, and more average citizens are being swept into giant federal dragnet operations.

We also track the U.S. Sentencing Commission and Supreme Court updates in real time. In 2024, the Commission issued changes to the way judges can consider mitigating circumstances—small changes but they can shave years off a prison sentence. We don’t just walk into court and argue—we come in prepared knowing the newest caselaw and statutory changes, and knowing exactly what impact they will have on your potential sentencing exposure.

Common Federal Crimes Prosecuted in New York

New York federal courts are ground zero for some of the highest-profile cases in the country. The government wants these cases to make big headlines. We’ve handled virtually every type of federal charge:

• White Collar / Financial Crimes: Wire fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1343, mail fraud charges, securities fraud under 15 U.S.C. § 78j(b), embezzlement, Ponzi schemes, tax evasion under 26 U.S.C. § 7201. SDNY prosecutors live for these Wall Street-type indictments because they get the press coverage.
• Narcotics & RICO Conspiracies: Cases under 21 U.S.C. § 846 (conspiracy), RICO indictments under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1961-1968, with presumptions of detention and mandatory minimums. These are handled by DEA, FBI, and ATF jointly.
• Public Corruption / Bribery: Charges under 18 U.S.C. § 666, honest services fraud, campaign finance violations, or bribery. Politicians, union leaders, nonprofit executives all get rolled up in these cases.
• Cybercrime / Crypto Offenses: Fraud involving exchanges, wire fraud through online platforms, money laundering under 18 U.S.C. § 1956. This is EDNY’s new favorite area. Cryptocurrency = federal attention.

Understanding the Federal Court Process in New York

Most people honestly have no real clue how a federal case runs—and prosecutors use that to their advantage. Here’s the reality:

• Investigation: They start with long investigations. FBI or IRS subpoenas, grand jury testimony, even wiretaps. You may not even know you’re a target until it’s too late.
• Grand Jury Indictment: Federal cases almost always start with a sealed grand jury indictment. Once filed, things move very, very fast.
• Arraignment: Takes place in federal court in Manhattan (SDNY), Brooklyn (EDNY), Albany (NDNY), or Buffalo (WDNY). Bail decisions here are much tougher than in state court.
• Detention Hearings: Certain crimes presume detention. Federal law under the Bail Reform Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3142, makes release far more difficult than people expect.
• Discovery/Motions: Discovery rights are limited compared to state court. Strategic pretrial motions are often the only way to narrow evidence.
• Trial/Plea: With conviction rates above 90%, plea negotiations are critical. But when necessary we go to trial—we’ve done it before and won when everyone counted us out.
• Sentencing: Sentencing is brutally formulaic. Guidelines enhancements, criminal history, leadership roles—it can get overwhelming. But with skillful arguments for departures or variances, we can change outcomes drastically.

FAQ: How much does a federal lawyer cost? There is no easy answer. These cases demand experts, research, strategic motions, and often numerous hearings. The cost reflects the seriousness—if the charge carries 20+ years in prison, then you have to see legal fees as an investment in survival. If you’re focused only on finding the cheapest option—you’re missing the real stakes.

Why Experience in New York Federal Courts Matters

Here’s what really happens—federal cases in New York are handled by some of the most powerful U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the country. SDNY is world famous. EDNY handles massive organized crime and financial crimes. WDNY and NDNY see corruption and narcotics cases. Prosecutors there are intelligent, aggressive, and relentless. Judges are precise, strict, and often unforgiving. If your lawyer doesn’t know their tendencies—what arguments get traction with Judge Kaplan, or what Judge Matsumoto is less likely to tolerate—then you’re taking the the biggest gamble with your life you could ever imagine.

We’ve been in these courts for decades—over and over again. We’ve represented clients across SDNY, EDNY, NDNY, and WDNY. We handled Anna Delvey (Anna Sorokin)—a case that Netflix turned into a global phenomenon. That was federal-level defense under the glare of the media. And we did it without fear. We know how to handle prosecutions that are in the spotlight and routine cases no one hears about. We've handled cases that… look, the point is we win when other lawyers already think it’s lost.

Client Concerns: What People Ask Before Hiring a Federal Criminal Lawyer

“Should I get a lawyer for a federal case?” Absolutely. Federal court is not something you try to walk into unrepresented. The conviction rate speaks for itself. And in some cases, hiring us before indictment can literally prevent charges being filed. That’s not buzz talk—it’s reality we see every year. Delay is often deadly. Every hour counts.

“How much does a criminal lawyer cost in New York?” It depends—on complexity, charges, amount of investigation required. Federal defense isn’t cookie cutter. Some cases are resolved with one motion, some take years. But when the possible outcome is 20 years in prison, or life, cost should be weighed against everything that matters to you: freedom, career, family, your entire future.

“What is the most prestigious law firm in NY?” Honestly—that’s the wrong question. Prestige does not beat a federal indictment. Experience does. Boutique defense firms like ours go up against massive firms every day, and we win, because we’re focused on criminal defense, not billing hours. Hire a law firm that gets it.

Protect Your Future Against Federal Power

I’ll say this plain: if federal agents are at your door, or if you even think your name came up in a grand jury, you cannot ignore it. They don’t bring federal charges unless they are convinced they can put you away for years. The penalties are devastating. Prison time, massive fines, restitution in the millions, asset forfeiture that strips you of property, the permanent destruction of your reputation and career, separation from your family. We’ve seen it all—we’ve watched defendants think it would “blow over,” and then one morning the Marshals are at their home. Don’t make that mistake.

At Spodek Law Group—we fight for you and only you. We’ll never cooperate with prosecutors for the sake of a weak plea, we’ll never tell you “just take the deal” because it’s easier for us. That’s not who we are. Sometimes the path is negotiation, sometimes the right strategy is aggressive motions, and sometimes it’s trial—whatever it takes to protect you. We’ve done it before. Cases everyone else thought couldn’t be won—we found a way. And we’ll do the same for you.

If you, or someone you love, even hears a whisper of an investigation—your time to act is now. Waiting only gives the government more leverage. With offices in Manhattan and experience across every federal district court in New York, we represent people nationwide when they’re in the fight of their life. Because your freedom, your reputation, your future is too important to roll the dice on. You’re not alone in this. We’re ready to stand by your side—right now.