Checking Reviews of Criminal Defense Lawyers in Queens, NYC

Finding the Right Criminal Defense Lawyer in Queens, New York

If you or a loved one have been arrested and charged with a crime in Queens, New York, having the right criminal defense lawyer can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. With so many options to choose from, how do you find the best attorney for your specific situation? One of the best ways is to check online reviews.

Online reviews on sites like Google, Yelp, and Avvo can give great insight into a lawyer’s experience, track record with similar cases, communication style, availability, and overall client satisfaction. While no lawyer wins 100% of their cases, reviews highlighting their commitment to clients, understanding of the law, and trial experience can give you confidence they will build the strongest defense for your charges.

Specific Things to Look For in Reviews

Here are some key things to look for in criminal defense lawyer reviews in Queens:

• Track Record Handling Similar Cases – Look for reviews showing experience with your specific charges like drug offenses, assault, theft, etc. Their success rate and depth of knowledge can vary greatly across different areas of criminal law.
• Communication and Availability – Many reviews focus on how well the lawyer communicates case details, strategy and next steps. Look for responsiveness and clarity which are crucial given the high stakes.
• Trial Experience – While most cases end in plea bargains, you want a lawyer capable of taking your case to trial if needed. Reviews highlighting strong courtroom performance help identify this.
• Reasonable Fees – Cost often comes up in reviews. Balance is needed between skill and affordability so look for “good value” assessments.
• Former Prosecutors – Reviews showing experience as a prosecutor can indicate very useful perspective and relationships for strong defense.
• Local Knowledge – Lawyers familiar with Queens courts, judges and processes often garner praise in reviews for effectively navigating the local landscape.

Doing Your Own Research on Candidates

While reviews provide crucial guidance, they should not be your only input. Research credentials like years in practice, education background, associations with legal groups like the New York State Bar Association or Queens County Bar Association, and other honors/awards.

Most lawyer websites also list specific practice areas, typical case results and fees so comparing this data can further narrow your options. And of course, meet with a short list of lawyers to confirm your comfort level and alignment with their approach. Thorough prep work plus insights from client reviews will lead you to a criminal lawyer with the right skills and experience for your needs.

Be Careful of Fake Reviews

In researching reviews, you also need to watch for fake reviews – both overly-positive ones posted by the lawyers themselves and extremely negative ones posted by competitors looking to unfairly tarnish reputations. Tactics like these do happen, so look for authenticity markers in the reviews:

• Details on Specific Cases – Fake positive reviews tend to be generic versus citing actual case details and outcomes.
• Mix of Ratings – Authentic review profiles generally show a mix of 5, 4 and 3 star ratings over time versus all 5 stars.
• Multiple Cases Over Time – Real clients generally post reviews after 1 case but fake posts often cite handling “multiple cases” over many years for them.
• Language and Tone – Fake negative reviews often have an overly angry tone and use similar extreme language like “incompetent”, “unethical”, etc.

While fakes exist, they are generally the minority if you look across a lawyer’s full profile. The overall pattern and themes give a clear picture of client satisfaction over many years. Leveraging reviews is well worth the effort to find the best criminal defense representation in Queens for your needs. The stakes are high so do your homework to get it right the first time.

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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Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 736 reviews

Building Your Defense Strategy in Queens

Once you have selected your lawyer, they will start building a customized defense to fight the charges, leveraging their experience with similar cases. Common initial steps include:

• Thorough Case Review – Analyzing police reports, evidence discovery and conducting independent investigation to identify weaknesses.
• Client Interview – Learning all case details and background from you to uncover additional defense opportunities not in official records.
• Identify Technicalities – Finding technical errors by police or prosecutors violating your legal rights to nullify charges.
• Challenge Evidence – Mounting motions to suppress questionable evidence or statements illegally obtained.
• Negotiate Lesser Charges – Based on case flaws, negotiate reduced charges ahead of trial since risks are high.

This lays the groundwork for plea bargain or trial strategies. From there your lawyer will explain options, associated risks, and likely outcomes so you understand tradeoffs in fighting charges versus a plea deal.

Key New York Laws Impacting Queens Cases

There are also some key New York state laws that skilled criminal lawyers use to defend Queens clients:

• Speedy Trial Act – Cases dismissed if not brought to trial fast enough – strict deadlines.
• Discovery Reform – Earlier access to prosecution evidence helps defense.
• Bail Reform – Reduced cash bail helps low income defendants pre-trial.

Leveraging these provisions and identifying technical defects create opportunities to overcome charges. It takes an experienced NYC criminal lawyer to navigate these complexities.

The Bottom Line

Checking online reviews is a smart first step in finding the best criminal defense lawyer for your case in Queens. But you need to put reviews in context – understanding typical legal processes, credentials evaluation and direct discussions with lawyer candidates tell a more complete story.

With charges looming over your head, investing time to research lawyers can pay huge dividends in the long run. The right legal guidance maximizes chances of an outcome that avoids jail time and clears your record so you can move forward with your life. So don’t wait – get started today researching lawyers online and through family/friend referrals. The sooner you start working with someone, the better