Does a Subpoena Mean You Are in Trouble?

You might feel the government circling you when you receive a subpoena, they try to bully you because prosecutors want to score political points. A subpoena compels your presence or production of records under Rule 17 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and ignoring it can trigger contempt under 28 U.S.C. § 1826. Todd Spodek and our team at Spodek Law Group know how federal litigation overwhelms regular people, Todd’s a second-generation lawyer who’s faced down judges who steamroll unrepresented folks. We leverage a digital client portal so you can track motions, check deadlines, and keep calm, also Todd’s media background, including that 2022 Netflix series about Anna Delvey, shows how we defend aggressively.

What a Subpoena Means for You

A subpoena is not an automatic indictment, but the government wants you to believe you're guilty so you cave in. Prosecutors chase convictions under United States v. Nixon, 418 U.S. 683 (1974), which confirmed how subpoenas can pry into almost anything. Our team at Spodek Law Group sees these power plays in both state and federal courts, Todd Spodek files motions under E.D.N.Y. Local Rule 12 as soon as possible. I keep phone lines open so you reach Todd day or night, we do that because we know you panic about deadlines. We follow a white glove approach to preserve your sanity, and our digital portal ensures you see every filing with zero delay.

Why Ignoring a Subpoena Can Backfire

Ignoring a subpoena invites contempt proceedings under U.S. v. R. Enterprises, Inc., 498 U.S. 292 (1991), and the penalty for contempt can include fines or jail time. Prosecutors exploit noncompliance to argue you have something to hide, they feed that narrative to the judge. Todd Spodek stands ready to block that overreach by filing a motion to quash under Fed. R. Crim. P. 17(c)(2) if the subpoena demands irrelevant or privileged info. We push back with legal precedent and highlight your rights, so the judge sees you're not a pushover. Spodek Law Group is nationwide with offices in NYC and Los Angeles, and we appear in federal courts across the country. We also offer a robust evidentiary review process that Todd spearheads, so your defense doesn't crack under the government's pressure.

Roleplaying Different Defense Strategies

Some clients get subpoenas as mere witnesses, but the government tries to trap them in contradictory testimony. A possible strategy is: Todd Spodek demands advanced disclosure of the subject matter, under 18 U.S.C. § 6002, to see if immunity applies. Another scenario: you might be the actual target, so we request a protective order to stop broad fishing expeditions. We can also advise you to produce only partial documents if certain items are privileged, but we confirm that approach won't backfire. The firm’s “white glove” standard ensures we handle these nuances personally, Todd calls you day or night if there's a twist, so you never feel lost.

Procedural Steps and Deadlines

Federal subpoenas often come with a return date that forces you to comply or object fast. We typically file initial objections within 14 days under Rule 45 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (similar logic applies in criminal cases with adjusted deadlines), so the court sees we don't roll over. Todd Spodek monitors these deadlines by using our digital portal, you or your authorized family can log in and see updates. When the government tries to rush a hearing, we push for continuances if needed, to protect your rights. Our firm takes every legal angle seriously, we fight for evidence suppression if the government overreaches.

Building Your Defense With Real Precedents

We rely on cases like Gelbard v. United States, 407 U.S. 514 (1972), which limited subpoenas that infringe on protected communications. Todd Spodek cites these precedents to show how prosecutors ignore the truth for personal gain, so we expose their political motives. We move to suppress illegally obtained evidence when the government crosses the line, or we challenge the scope of the subpoena if they demand everything under the sun. We orchestrate depositions or affidavits to reveal flaws in the government's case, we call out sloppy investigations. You also see Todd's commitment to you in how he invests time personally, he doesn't delegate everything to an assistant.

Your Next Steps

Your biggest step is not to shrug off that subpoena, it's to call us now because every day of delay helps the government build momentum. Our entire Spodek Law Group tailors defenses to your subpoena, Todd has fought subpoenas in high-profile matters, including coverage on Fox 5 New York. We start by clarifying what the government wants, then we weigh motions to quash, protective orders, or immediate negotiations. If you decide to speak to investigators, Todd’s presence ensures your story isn’t distorted. We keep you connected through our digital portal, you see the entire file in real time, and that transparency offsets your fear.