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DEA Seizure Letter What to Do

You got a DEA seizure letter. Your cash was taken – and you’re panicking. Every hour matters in federal cases. You’re researching lawyers online instead of calling one. Federal conviction rates exceed 95%. Without proper representation, you’re likely to become part of that statistic.

If you’re on our website, it’s because you’re in legal trouble – and need the best criminal defense attorney. At Spodek Law Group – we understand that, and take this very seriously. Our goal is to provide you the best possible legal representation at all stages of your case.

You Have 30 Days – That’s It

Here’s what you don’t understand: You have exactly 30 days from the date of the letter to file a claim. Not 31 days. Not “approximately a month.” Thirty days. Most people in your situation try to explain their way out. That’s how they end up convicted.

You received a “Notice of Seizure of Property and Initiation of Administrative Forfeiture Proceedings” from the U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration. This letter– which you’re probably staring at right now– warns that failing to file a claim within the time allowed will result in your property being forfeited. Permanently.

The DEA seized your money, because they think you committed a crime. Maybe it was at an airport. Maybe during a traffic stop. They took your cash — and now they want to keep it. You think this is like state court. It’s not. Federal prosecutors have virtually unlimited resources, and they’re coming after you.

The Clock Is Ticking – ASAP

You don’t know federal sentencing guidelines. You don’t know mandatory minimums. This knowledge gap will hurt you. The prosecutors – and the DOJ – are watching every move you make. One wrong step, and your money is gone forever.

If you have received a target letter, or federal authorities have come to your doorstep alleging you broke the law, you should hire an experienced New York criminal lawyer – ASAP. You don’t really have a choice – you need an attorney.

We’re a premier, top rated federal criminal defense law firm with over 50 years of combined experience handling tough cases nationwide – coast to coast. Todd Spodek is a second-generation attorney who has represented many clients. His experience has led to him handling thousands of tough cases. His work has resulted in him being featured on major media outlets, like NY Post, Newsweek, Fox 5, Business Insider, Bloomberg, and others. In 2022, Netflix released a special TV series about one of Todd’s clients: Anna Delvey.

What Happens After You Get the Letter

When the DEA seizes your cash, they must send you a notice within 60 days. But here’s what they don’t tell you: the burden of proof shifts to you. You have to prove your money is innocent. Not them proving it’s guilty – you proving it’s innocent.

After you file your claim (if you even do it right), three things can happen:

The Three Outcomes – And Why Two Are Bad

1. The Government Initiates Judicial Forfeiture
The DEA has 90 days to file a forfeiture complaint in federal court. This means a federal lawsuit against your property. Yes, against your property – not you. It’s called “in rem” proceedings, where your money becomes the defendant.

2. They Return Your Property
This rarely happens. In 85% of civil forfeiture cases, the owner is never even charged with a crime. But they still keep the money. The DEA might determine insufficient grounds exist, for forfeiture and decide to return your seized assets. Don’t count on it.

3. Nothing Happens – Which Is Everything
Sometimes the DEA does nothing. Months pass. Years pass. Your money sits in government coffers while you wait. This delay violates your constitutional rights, but good luck getting anyone to care.

Regardless of the situation you find yourself in, know that our criminal defense attorneys can help you. Regardless of where your case is in the USA, or the situation you’re dealing with, or the stage of the case, we can help you. Regardless of how complicated your case is, or how challenging it is – we can help you get the outcome you need and want.

The Hard Truth About DEA Seizures

You carried cash. Maybe for a legitimate business deal. Maybe to buy a car. Doesn’t matter. In 85% of civil forfeiture instances, the property owner was never charged with a crime. Think about that. No charges. No trial. Just your money – gone.

The DEA doesn’t have to prove you’re guilty. You have to prove you’re innocent. It’s backwards, unfair – and completely legal. Unless you have attorneys who know how to flip the script.

Federal forfeiture laws are complex and designed to favor law enforcement. They don’t want to return your property. The DEA had to suspend their airport seizure program because of abuse. But that doesn’t help you – your money is already gone.

Why Most People Lose – And You Will Too

You’re facing 10-20 years. That’s not speculation. That’s the sentencing guideline for drug trafficking charges that often accompany these seizures. You’re not sleeping. You’re checking your bank account constantly. Your family is asking questions you can’t answer. This is your life now – unless you act.

Many law firms are ‘mills’ and take on every single client who calls. Not us. We’re selective – because winning matters. Unlike other law firms who are more focused on their relationship with prosecutors, we focus on one thing: winning your case.

Most attorneys send us clients because they know they can trust us. We are one of the few law firms in the country have a completely online digital portal. Unlike other law firms who are more focused on their relationship with prosecutors, we focus on winning – and getting the best possible outcome for you.

Defense Strategies That Actually Work

Our top rated attorneys use several defense strategies to fight DEA seizures. Each one requires expertise, timing, and knowing which federal judges will listen:

Innocent Owner Defense
If you can show you weren’t aware the property was connected to any illegal conduct, you could reclaim it as an innocent owner. This defense requires proving a negative – that you didn’t know something. It’s harder than it sounds, and most attorneys don’t know how to do it properly. We do. Our premier law firm has successfully argued this defense in federal courts coast to coast. The government hates this defense because when done right – it works.

Unreasonable Delay
If too much time lapses between the seizure and the filing of forfeiture proceedings, you can argue the delay was unreasonable and violated your Constitutional rights. The law requires the government to act within specific timeframes. When they don’t, we attack. Aggressively. Our 50 years of combined experience means we know exactly how to frame these arguments for maximum impact.

Fourth Amendment Violations
If law enforcement agents violated proper search and seizure laws when confiscating your property, those constitutional violations could nullify the forfeiture from the DEA. Recent DOJ reports show the DEA routinely violates its own policies. We exploit these violations. Every mistake they made becomes ammunition for your defense.

Excessive Fines Clause
The Eighth Amendment prohibits disproportionate forfeitures to the crime. Your federal lawyer can argue the seizure was unconstitutional on these grounds, and get your assets back. This is complex constitutional law – not something your average attorney understands. But our nationwide team of lawyers? We get it.

HeWeargued that our client’s behavior was not criminal but rather reflective of someone traveling with legitimate cash. We focus on only working with clients who we can truly help. Our rock star team of federal attorneys – gets it. We understand the fear, the confusion, the anger you’re feeling right now.

How We Fight – And Win

First, we file your claim properly. Sounds simple? It’s not. The claim must describe the seized property, state your ownership interest, and be made under oath. One mistake and your claim is void. We don’t make mistakes.

Second, we force the government’s hand. Once we file, they have 90 days to initiate judicial proceedings or return your property. We use this deadline against them. Our top rated attorneys know how to pressure the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Third, we gather evidence. While you’ve been panicking, the government’s been building their case. We need to catch up – fast. Our premier law firm has investigators, forensic accountants, and resources you don’t have.

Why Time Matters More Than You Think

Every day you wait, evidence disappears. Witnesses forget. Documents get lost. The government counts on your delay. They know most people wait too long – and lose by default.

Stop reading forums. Stop asking friends. Stop hoping this goes away. It won’t. The federal government has your money, and they plan to keep it. Unless you act – ASAP.

What You Need to Do Right Now

Call us. Free consultation. 24/7 availability. Our white-glove service means you get answers, not runaround. You get strategies, not platitudes. You get fighters – not paper pushers.

Our team of lawyers has handled complex federal cases, and we have over 50 years of combined experience handling complex crimes. We’re available 24/7 – because federal agents don’t work 9 to 5, and neither do we. Our premier law firm provides white-glove service to clients nationwide.

We have experience in all types of cases – state, and federal crimes. But federal forfeiture? That’s different. The U.S. Marshals Service manages billions in seized assets. Your case is just a number to them. To us? It’s your life.

Our criminal defense attorneys handle these cases daily. We see the fear in our clients’ eyes. We understand that, and take this very seriously. Our attorneys, know how to fight, and win. We’re available 24/7 because federal cases don’t wait. Neither should you.

Why Spodek Law Group?

Simple. We win. While other firms talk, we deliver. Our track record speaks louder than any advertisement. Major media outlets – NY Post, Newsweek, Fox 5, Business Insider, Bloomberg – they all come to us. Why? Results.

Todd Spodek is a second-generation attorney who understands what’s at stake. When Netflix needed someone to represent Anna Delvey, they didn’t call a mill. They called us. Because we get results. Todd Spodek – a prominent attorney, represented Anna Delvey, known as Anna Sorokin. That’s the level of representation you need – someone who gets it.

Todd Spodek and our rock star team have handled thousands of tough cases. From Anna Delvey to executives, from small business owners to people just like you – we get it. We win because we understand both the law and the stakes.

Regardless of the situation you find yourself in, our nationwide team can help. Coast to coast – we’re there. From New York to Los Angeles, from Long Island to nationwide coverage. Geography doesn’t limit justice – or us.

We are one of the few law firms in the country have a completely online digital portal for your case. Track everything. See every document. Know exactly where you stand – 24/7. Because transparency matters when your life’s on the line.

Your Future Is In Jeopardy

This isn’t just about money. A federal forfeiture on your record affects everything. Job applications. Security clearances. Professional licenses. Your entire future – compromised because you didn’t act fast enough.

Regardless of how complicated your case is, we can help. Multi-state seizures? We handle those. International complications? We get it. Joint task force operations? Been there, won that.

Our lawyers have over 50 years of combined experience. We’ve seen every trick, every tactic, every prosecutorial overreach. More importantly – we know how to counter them. The best possible outcome isn’t just a goal. It’s our standard.

Free consultation. No obligation. Just answers. Because you need to know what you’re facing – and we need to know if we can help. We don’t take every case. We take cases we can win.

Your money was seized. Your rights were violated. Your future hangs in the balance. But you’re not powerless – if you act now. Our nationwide, coast to coast coverage means wherever you are, we’re there. Premier representation. Top rated results. The best possible outcome.

Don’t wait. Don’t hope. Don’t let them win by default. Call Spodek Law Group. Because when the federal government takes your money – you need attorneys who take it personally. We do. We get it. And most importantly – we get results.