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Mesa Snap Violation Lawyers

You Need a SNAP Violation Lawyer – Here’s Why

There’s one reason you’re on this website: you received a SNAP violation letter from the USDA, and you need help – fast. Most grocery store owners have no idea what to do when hit with these charges. They think, “It was my employee, not me.” But, take a deep breath – because I’ve defended hundreds of SNAP cases, and know exactly how this plays out.Employees sell ineligible items, ring up bogus charges, even give out cash for SNAP benefits – and you’re left holding the bag. As the owner, it’s your job to properly train staff on using EBT machines, and have robust policies to prevent violations. If not, you could face suspension or permanent disqualification from SNAP.So, what do you do, if you get hit – with one of these things? You hire a SNAP violation attorney to fight for your rights and keep your business alive. I’ll explain why that’s crucial, and how our firm can make it happen.

The USDA Doesn’t Play Around

First, understand the USDA is cracking down hard on SNAP fraud and trafficking. In 2013, they got a report showing rampant violations across the country. Congress mandated they use an “ALERT” system to identify, investigate, and disqualify thousands of suspect stores.Even stores with minor violations got treated like major criminals. Just silly cashier mistakes, like letting folks buy non-food items with SNAP, could now mean:

• Temporary disqualification
• Permanent disqualification
• Massive civil fines

For small grocers who rely on SNAP/EBT sales to survive, those penalties are a death sentence. One violation, even unintentional, can bankrupt you – unless you fight back.

You Have 10 Days to Respond – Don’t Screw It Up

When that dreaded SNAP violation letter arrives, you only have 10 days to file an appeal and defend yourself. Ignore it, and the USDA will automatically disqualify your store from the whole program. No more SNAP sales, no more revenue – you‘re out of business.Even if you try responding yourself, one wrong move can sink your case. The USDA regulations are extremely nuanced. Proving you had “compliance policies” in place, for example, requires very specific documentation – which most owners lack.Without a SNAP violation lawyer who lives and breathes this stuff, you’re outmatched before you start. The USDA has massive resources to investigate and prosecute you. To survive, you need elite legal firepower on your side.

We Understand SNAP Violations Inside-Out

At Spodek Law Group, SNAP cases are our bread and butter. We‘ve represented over 300 stores nationwide against the USDA, with a long track record of success. Our attorneys know every angle, every defense, every legal loophole to exploit.We don‘t just “kinda” know this area – we are the nation‘s ONLY law firm focused primarily on SNAP violations and EBT law. No one understands these cases better than us.When you hire our SNAP violation lawyers, you get:

• Rapid response to “freeze” the USDA’s case against you
• Detailed investigation of your store’s policies and procedures
• Careful documentation to prove compliance and undermine charges
• Aggressive representation to fight for charge dismissals or reduced penalties
• Tenacious appeals attorneys to take your case as far as needed

We leave no stones unturned attacking these cases from every angle. While the USDA wants to bury you in paperwork and bureaucracy, we cut through the legalese – formulating air-tight defenses tailored to your unique situation.

We Get SNAP Violation Charges Dropped – Or You Walk

Our SNAP violation attorneys don‘t just “kinda try” to help you. We’re all-in to get these charges dropped completely, allowing you to keep operating and accepting SNAP benefits. When that’s not possible, we‘ll fight tooth and nail for the minimum penalties.But let me be crystal clear: if we don’t secure a favorable outcome for your grocery store, you don‘t pay our firm a dime. We take these cases on contingency because we’re that confident in delivering results.Every client gets our signature “white glove” service and the full brainpower of our legal team. We explore every possible avenue of attack against the USDA’s case, holding nothing back. It’s a life-or-death fight for your business – so we bring maximum firepower.

Draconian Punishments for SNAP Violations

Still think you can just “explain” things to the USDA and make this go away? Think again. Congress mandated harsh punishments for SNAP violations precisely to intimidate and threaten stores into compliance.Even if you had no idea employees were doing anything wrong, you could face:

• Temporary disqualification from SNAP for 6 months to 5 years
• Permanent disqualification from SNAP, killing your ability to sell food
• Fines from $500 to $100,000+ for repeated violations
• Potential criminal charges for “trafficking” SNAP benefits

While accidental violations do happen, the USDA doesn’t care. Their job is to punish you, period – unless you mount an aggressive legal defense to protect your rights.With fines, disqualifications, and maybe even jail time on the table, it’s impossible to overstate the stakes here. Every SNAP violation case is a battle for your grocery store’s existence and your family‘s future.

Common SNAP Violations to Watch Out For

Because the USDA is so aggressive now, even tiny missteps can generate crippling SNAP violation charges against your store. You need to be vigilant about:

• Employees letting folks buy non-food items, alcohol, or tobacco with SNAP
• Accepting SNAP from ineligible individuals not authorized to use benefits
• Processing manual EBT transactions without proper verification
• Giving cash refunds or change for SNAP purchases
• Exchanging SNAP for ineligible items like drugs or services
• Trafficking SNAP benefits for cash at less than face value

While those violations seem obvious, remember – it only takes one undertrained employee making a mistake to put your entire business at risk of shutdown. That‘s why comprehensive training and enforcement of SNAP policies is absolutely vital.

We Understand – You’re Trying to Help Your Community

For many of our clients, taking SNAP/EBT is about serving their low-income neighborhood and ensuring families can afford food. Maybe you let folks buy on credit sometimes when SNAP ran out, or took a manual transaction to avoid embarrassing someone.While your heart was in the right place, the USDA doesn‘t care. To them, any violation – even to prevent hunger – is unacceptable. They‘ll hit you with disqualifications and fines, destroying your ability to stay open and feed the community.At Spodek Law Group, we get it. We fight tooth and nail to protect well-meaning businesses who slipped up while trying to do the right thing. With our SNAP violation lawyers on your side, you’ll get a fair shake and the chance to explain your perspective.