Criminal Defense Lawyers

NYC Arraignment Lawyers

The New York City criminal justice system can be overwhelming and complicated. Prosecutors and the police have numerous opportunities to take advantage of your situation. Arraignment is the first section of the court process where the help of an experienced criminal defense lawyer is needed.

What is an arraignment?

It’s a formal process whereby an individual is charged with a misdemeanor or felony crime in court. Usually, the defendant needs to appear in court. Arraignment usually happens within 18-24 hours after one has been arrested in New York City. So, when you are being arraigned, you will likely have spent the last day in the custody of the police. During the arraignment, you can exercise your right of being represented by a lawyer from a reputable firm like Spodek Law Group.

During the arraignment, the judge informs you of the charges that have been labeled against you – a copy of the indictment or complaint has to be provided too.. At this stage, you may enter a plea of not guilty/guilty and the judge will then decide if bail should be set or not. Bail is the money that is deposited to the court for the court to provide your freedom.

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

The judge usually has two options: He or she can either release you without bail (on your recognizance) or set bail. In case the judge decides to set bail, an occurrence that often happens in violent or more serious crimes, then you will need to meet the bail requirements if you want to be released. This can be done through bail bond, cash or credit card. Once the bail is posted, you will be free until your case is resolved. However, if you violate any of your terms of release, you will no longer be free.

Waiver of arraignment

If the defense attorney waives their arraignment, it means that the defendant knows the charges and will enter the plea of not guilty. A formal arraignment procedure includes hearing the charges that have been put on the record and having the indictment read. By waiving the arraignment, all this is accomplished without taking time to go through the court or the procedures. The case is still placed on the court docket, and it proceeds through the same steps whether the defendant appears during the formal arraignment or not.

A defendant and his attorney are generally allowed to waive the arraignment case if:

• A defendant is charged with misdemeanor or indictment information;

• A defendant rejects appearance and affirms that he has received a copy of the information or indictment and his or her plea is not guilty. This is accomplished through a written waiver that is signed by the defense and defendant counsel; and

• The court decides to accept the waiver.

Bail

In case the judge does not set bail, this is known as ROR (released on recognizance). When you are ROR’d, you are merely released on a verbal promise that you will show up at the court on the date the judge sets. If your judge sets bail then you will be held in custody until the case is over or there are changes to the bail.

Get a lawyer for your court appearance

It’s always advisable to get a lawyer who can stand with you during the entire arraignment process. The judge usually makes a decision which will have a lasting implication in the case. It makes sense to get yourself an attorney who can speak on your behalf during an arraignment. Moreover, a lot of things are learned about the charges informally, while you are being arraigned.

Defendants charged with crimes can be called upon to make some legal decisions that can result in devastating consequences in case a wrong decision is made. Due to this, it becomes even more essential to have help in making an informed decision. An experienced attorney is capable of speaking with the arresting officer and the court staff and gather reliable information about your charges.

Get a qualified attorney from Spodek Law Group

Our lawyers know that the earlier they start working on your case, the more they will be able to protect you. Often, police can get damaging statements from a defendant earlier before the arraignment. By getting an attorney from us early enough, he or she will make it hard or impossible for the police to question you. Sometimes the decision-making process regarding accepting or declining a plea bargain which is provided to you needs to be guided by a lawyer. He or she will offer expert advice regarding the consequences you will face from either of the outcomes –pleading guilty and accepting a deal or proceeding to trial after pleading not guilty. Consider contacting us to get the best criminal lawyer for your arraignment.