Blog
What Are the Stages & Steps of Criminal Case During & After Arrest
Contents
- 1 What Are the Stages & Steps of Criminal Case During & After Arrest
- 2 Initial Moments After Arrest
- 3 Arraignment and Bail Decisions
- 4 Plea Negotiations and Indictment
- 5 Pretrial Motions and Evidence Challenges
- 6 Trial and Jury Selection
- 7 Cross-Examination and Trial Strategy
- 8 Sentencing or Dismissal and Post-Conviction Steps
- 9 Appeals and Post-Conviction Relief
- 10 Contact Us for Aggressive Defense
What Are the Stages & Steps of Criminal Case During & After Arrest
You get arrested under N.Y. Criminal Procedure Law § 140.10, and the government starts pressing charges, which can feel terrifying. Officers says you have to comply, but they never mention how your entire life can crumble if you let them walk all over you. Todd Spodek, who run the Spodek Law Group, sees overreaching prosecutions every day, and I see how quickly they try to bury you in evidence. He developed a white glove approach that merges old-school trial methods with a digital client portal, so you remain informed at every step. A criminal case typically start with booking, then arraignment, then bail hearings if the situation calls for it, but each of those steps can be manipulated by the state. We have a nationwide practice with offices in NYC and Los Angeles, so we see a variety of local rules, and that helps us adapt fast when the feds come for you. Look, the bigger problem is that the government tries to keep you ignorant about your Constitutional rights, so you need a plan. He has been featured in major media for big cases like the Netflix Anna Delvey story, which shows how crucial it is to have a lawyer who won’t let prosecutors walk all over you.
Initial Moments After Arrest
You must know your rights because law enforcement rarely volunteers that you can remain silent, see Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966). They often try to confuse you into making statements that fill their case with convenient admissions, so you must keep quiet until your lawyer arrives. Under the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure 5, you get brought before a judge quickly, but the government sometimes delays to fish for more evidence. Todd Spodek aggressively demands compliance with these procedural rules, and our digital portal will notify you the moment we file any motion to push them to follow the law. Look, the government won’t hesitate to violate your rights if they sense you’re unrepresented, so you need immediate counsel. Our firm invests time checking if the arresting officers violated any guidelines that can lead to dismissals or suppressed evidence, so we look at chain-of-custody and probable cause details. I seen how quick the state tries to overshadow your voice when you stand alone, so Todd’s second-generation legacy in fighting back has become a critical edge for defendants. He appear on Fox 5 New York and other outlets to describe how we hold cops accountable, and that approach can sabotage a prosecutor’s entire case.
Arraignment and Bail Decisions
Arraignment is the hearing where charges are formally read, see N.Y. Criminal Procedure Law § 170.10, and this is when the government tries to keep you locked up through high bail. They want you to feel trapped behind bars because that makes it easier for them to force a plea. Todd Spodek fights for bail reductions by showing that you’re not a flight risk and that you can abide by court orders. He always warn that the prosecutor might smear your character, so we gather all relevant evidence to counter sensational claims. We do that by obtaining witness statements, verifying employment histories, and highlighting strong community ties, which shows the court that you deserve release. Our white glove approach includes round-the-clock communication, so once bail is set, we keep you updated about payment logistics and possible appeals if bail is denied. I see the government twist facts to justify higher bail amounts, so we push back using documented proof that neutralizes their allegations. We’ve use this approach in multiple jurisdictions, including federal courts under 18 U.S.C. § 3142, because we won’t let them treat you like a second-class citizen before trial.
Plea Negotiations and Indictment
A grand jury might convene to review the evidence, which is mandated by certain felonies in states like New York pursuant to N.Y. Criminal Procedure Law § 190.50. The prosecutor try to scare you with the possibility of a tough sentence, so they push a plea deal that rarely benefits you. We examine their evidence to see if it include improper prior-crimes details, which is restricted under People v. Molineux, 168 N.Y. 264 (1901). Todd Spodek won’t let them slip prejudicial evidence through the back door, because that trick can poison your entire defense. We also use the Federal Rule of Evidence to file motions in limine if the government tries to introduce irrelevant or inflammatory testimony. His second-generation legacy means he’s watched old-school tactics from his father, and we blend that experience with modern technology to outmaneuver the prosecution. I saw them attempt to bluff clients into worse pleas by threatening new charges, so we stand firm at the negotiation table. Our digital portal gives you real-time updates on any indictment status, and Todd’s media exposure reminds the prosecutor that we won’t back down.
Pretrial Motions and Evidence Challenges
Defense attorneys often file motions to suppress evidence acquired illegally under the Fourth Amendment, and we rely on case law like Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1 (1968) to challenge improper stops. Todd Spodek personally reviews bodycam footages, chain-of-custody logs, and police reports to pinpoint each violation that can cripple the prosecution’s argument. We fight these motions under the same urgency the government tries to bury you with, because they know suppressed evidence means a weaker case. He also taps into our national network of counsel when issues arise in other jurisdictions, so we can cross-check local rules quickly. Spodek Law Group maintain consistent communication on the digital portal, and we attach each relevant document for you to see. We push to get an evidentiary hearing under N.Y. Criminal Procedure Law § 710.60 so we can question officers under oath. I watch prosecutors scramble when they realize Todd won’t accept half-truths or missing documentation, which is how we force them to play fair. He always says that pretrial motions are a major weapon, because the government hates losing key evidence right before trial.
Trial and Jury Selection
If the case goes to trial, we start with Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 24 to address jury selection, and we fight discriminatory exclusions under Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79 (1986). Todd Spodek always look for unconscious biases that the prosecutor might exploit, because a fair jury is critical to your chance of victory. We question potential jurors about their backgrounds, but we also watch how the government tries to slip in partial individuals. He once exposed a prosecutor’s pattern of striking every juror who had prior contact with law enforcement, which we used to challenge the entire panel. Our digital portal keeps you updated on each development, and we encourage you to share any concerns about the process so we can adapt in real time. Jury selection can be a battleground where the government shapes the outcome before the first witness is even sworn. I saw them attempt to seat a juror with a open bias against defendants, so Todd hammered that person until they were removed. We won’t let the state rig the jury, because your freedom depends on balanced minds hearing your evidence.
Cross-Examination and Trial Strategy
Your Sixth Amendment right to confront witnesses is pivotal, so we rely on Crawford v. Washington, 541 U.S. 36 (2004) to demand that any accusers face cross-examination. Todd Spodek likes to dissect witness statements line by line, forcing them to admit contradictions or lies if the government tries to hide it. We employ a method that blends old-fashioned trial instincts with new tech, including real-time transcripts that we share with you in our digital portal. He cross check each piece of evidence with public records, and we object whenever the government steps beyond legal boundaries. Spodek Law Group see big value in visuals, so we might show the jury a timeline or exhibit that highlights the holes in the prosecution’s story. I remember a case where the government refused to turn over certain phone records, so Todd pushed for discovery sanctions until they caved. He also beliefs in letting you see everything we do, because we want you to feel empowered, not helpless, at your own trial. This route can turn a losing case into a not-guilty verdict, because we give the jury a reason to doubt every shady claim.
Sentencing or Dismissal and Post-Conviction Steps
Sometimes the government loses and tries to pretend they never overreached, so we push for dismissal or an acquittal to finalize your freedom. If a jury convicts on any count, we enter sentencing under 18 U.S.C. § 3553, and Todd Spodek present mitigating factors to reduce the penalty. He focus on your personal history, community support, and rehabilitation options, so the judge sees you as more than a case file. We also examine possible appeals if there’s a legal error, using N.Y. Court of Appeals procedures or federal appellate rules, because we never settle for unfair verdicts. Anna Delvey’s case on Netflix showed Todd’s tenacity in high-profile matters, but we bring that same energy to every client, big or small. Our white glove approach continues after sentencing, where we track probation requirements or restitution issues on our digital portal. I watch the government demand harsh fines, but we argue for alternatives that won’t bankrupt your future. We remain a nationwide practice with offices in NYC and L.A., and that presence means we can keep challenging the system no matter where they try to come for you.
Appeals and Post-Conviction Relief
You might lose at trial or plead guilty, but the fight isn’t always over, because post-conviction relief can reopen your case under certain circumstances. We use state statutes like N.Y. Criminal Procedure Law § 440.10 to challenge convictions tainted by newly discovered evidence or constitutional violations. Todd Spodek direct our team in investigating every possible angle, and we consult forensic experts or new witnesses if we see a path to vacate the verdict. Our digital portal store all the critical documents, so you can see each motion we file in real-time, making you an active partner in your own defense. He also rely on appellate precedents to argue that your sentence was too severe, or that the court misapplied the law, which can lead to resentencing. I watch prosecutors fight to keep convictions intact, but we never back down because the government always tries to protect their wins, even if they’re unjust. He uses media attention when helpful, reminding the public that the state can ruin lives if left unchecked. We can’t guarantee results, but we can promise to do everything possible to correct or overturn a wrongful conviction.
Contact Us for Aggressive Defense
We can’t stand how the government steamrolls regular people, so we stand strong to protect your rights and your future at every stage. Todd Spodek frequently appear in top media outlets for a reason—he won’t let prosecutors run amok with your liberty. We keep our door open nationwide, and our offices in NYC and Los Angeles handle federal and state cases from coast to coast. Call us or visit our site to schedule a consultation, and see how our white glove approach can put you back in control. We incorporate modern technology, old-school trial skills, second-generation experience, and unstoppable determination, so you never feel alone against the state. I disclaim that this article is not formal legal advice, but we hope it help you see what’s at stake and how we can help. We dedicate ourselves to fairness, transparency in fees, and aggressive representation, no matter how overzealous the prosecution acts. Contact us now and let’s fight back.