Criminal Defense Lawyers

#1. Understand how Target Letters Work

What is a target letter? Basically a target letter is an official documents sent from a United States attorney letting you know you are the target of an investigation. The letter may also ask you to come in and “proffer” or cooperate with authorities in exchange for protection. This could be in the way of an interview, providing testimony to a grand jury, or turning over certain other evidence.

In sending a target letter, prosecutors hope to scare you into taking action. Many times, the thought of doing prison time is enough to make people squeal-particularly if they believe they are also being protected in the process. The truth is that anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law, which is why you should never speak to the authorities without legal counsel present.

#2. Hire an Attorney

By the time you receive a target letter, the feds have already set their sights on you. This means that at least a partial investigation has already taken place and that an arrest may even be imminent. Others in your circle may have also received a target letter providing essentially the same instructions. If one of them proffers first, your chances of leniency just got a whole lot slimmer.

In situations like this, it can be difficult to know what you should do. On one hand, you do not want to admit guilt but on the other you do not want to let someone else throw you under the bus. An attorney can help tremendously in these situations by:

• Ensuring you do not inadvertently give up your rights. Remember that anything you tell a prosecutor is admissible in court. As such, you’ll want to have an agreement in place before you start spilling your guts.
• Seeing that you get a fair plea deal should you decide to go that route. Just because you plead guilty does not mean you have to take whatever offer is on the table. Your lawyer can better advise you when to accept a plea bargain and when to walk away.
• Forcing the government to prove its case. Maybe you are falsely accused or the feds have very thin evidence. In that instance, you could be better off taking your case to court.
• Preparing you to answer questions during a court trial or deposition. A lawyer can help you be honest and truthful without providing more information than what is required.

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.

Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

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.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

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!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

Loveth Okpedo

2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

Bee L

2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

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#3. Do not Destroy Evidence

The target letter will spell out which agency is initiating the investigation. Chances are you have probably had some contact with that agency before and therefore have a good idea what the investigation is about. You could be tempted to hide, destroy, or alter any evidence you believe might pertain to that matter. 18 USC § 1519 imposes fines and prison time of up to 20 years for anyone who willfully destroys evidence pertaining to a federal crime.

If you do possess what you feel could be evidence, you may want to hand that over to your attorney. Having your lawyer look at it will make it easier for him or her to anticipate what moves a U.S. attorney might make next.

Have you recently received a target letter? If so do not panic-you are still innocent until proven guilty. At the same time, you should also know that the federal government has nearly unlimited resources and may therefore pursue you relentlessly. An attorney with extensive experience dealing with federal or white collar crimes is the best line of defense for anyone who has gotten the dreaded target letter.