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DEA Surrenders DEA Suspensions and Revocations

If you’re facing a DEA suspension or revocation, you’re probably terrified – and you should be. The DEA has virtually unlimited resources , and they’re coming after your registration. You’re facing the end of your professional medical career. You’re facing the loss of your professional livelihood. Federal conviction rates exceed 95% in drug cases. Without proper legal criminal representation, you’re likely to become part of that statistic over time.

Your DEA registration is under attack. You’ve received an Order to Show Cause, or worse – Form 104 demanding voluntary surrender. You’re researching lawyers online instead of calling one. Every hour matters in federal cases. Federal drug laws carry mandatory minimum sentences of 5 to 20 years. That’s not speculation. That’s the sentencing guideline for your charge.

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. We are one of the few law firms in the country have extensive experience with DEA registration defense. Our premier criminal defense attorneys – get it. We have over 50 years of combined experience handling these tough cases.

The DEA’s Authority to Revoke Your Registration

The Drug Enforcement Administration wields devastating power under 21 U.S.C. § 824 to suspend or revoke controlled substance registrations. In 2018, the DEA arrested 29 people and revoked 147 registrations in a single enforcement surge – ASAP. This demonstrates the agency’s aggressive approach.

You don’t understand federal sentencing guidelines. You don’t know mandatory minimums. This knowledge gap will hurt you. The federal sentencing guidelines for drug offenses are complex and unforgiving. Most people in your situation try to explain their way out. That’s how they end up convicted.

Here’s what triggers DEA action against practitioners, regardless of how careful you think you’ve been:

• Falsifying your DEA application – even minor errors
• Being convicted of ANY felony under the Controlled Substances Act
• Having your state license suspended, revoked , or denied
• Committing acts rendering your registration “inconsistent with public interest”
• Being excluded from Medicare or Medicaid programs

The DEA doesn’t need criminal convictions to revoke your registration. Administrative actions alone can end your career. Our top rated attorneys know how to fight – and win, in dangerous situations like this where your future is at risk.

Immediate Suspension Orders: When Every Second Counts

If the DEA believes there’s “imminent danger to public health or safety,” they’ll issue an Immediate Suspension Order—without warning. This enforcement tool shuts down your practice instantly. The DEA is comfortable using this tool when it thinks it serves the greater good of the public.

“Imminent danger” means the DEA believes there’s substantial likelihood of immediate threat that death, serious bodily harm,or abuse of controlled substances will occur. The prosecutors – and the DOJ – are watching. Your every prescription is evidence.

You think this is like state court. It’s not. Federal prosecutors have a 95% conviction rate. The DEA’s conviction rate stands even higher in administrative proceedings. Without experienced representation – someone who gets it – you’re facing certain defeat.

Types of DEA Registration Actions

The DEA employs multiple weapons against healthcare providers, and each requires different defense strategies. Our nationwide law firm – coast to coast – has defended against all of them:

Order to Show Cause

This is the DEA’s opening salvo. You have 30 days to respond. Most practitioners panic and make critical errors. The Order contains specific allegations and citations to laws allegedly violated. Every word matters. Every response shapes your future.

Todd Spodek – a second generation attorney who has handled thousands of tough cases – knows that immediate action is crucial. Unlike other law firms who are more focused on their relationship with prosecutors, we fight for you.

Form 104 – Voluntary Surrender

We have argued countless times against signing Form 104. Once you sign, you’re permanently restricted from having a DEA registration. There’s no going back. The DEA presents this as the “easy way out” – it’s not. It’s career suicide.

Many law firms are “mills” and take on every single client without understanding the consequences of voluntary surrender. At Spodek Law Group, we only work with clients who we can help, truly. Our white-glove service means we analyze every option before telling a client to surrender.

The Show Cause Hearing Process

If you refuse to surrender – which our premier attorneys usually recommend – the DEA must prove their case before an Administrative Law Judge. But here’s the truth: the deck is stacked against you.

The hearing process involves:

• Filing a request for hearing within 30 days – miss this deadline, and you waive your rights
• Pre-hearing conferences and discovery
• The actual hearing before an ALJ
• Post-hearing briefs and proposed findings
• The ALJ’s recommended decision
• Exceptions to the Administrator
• Final agency action

The Burden of Proof – Lower Than You Think

In criminal court, the government needs proof beyond reasonable doubt. In DEA proceedings? They only need preponderance of evidence – that’s just 51% certainty. If the ALJ thinks it’s more likely than not that you violated regulations, you lose.

Recent DEA enforcement statistics show prosecutions have declined 33.5% over five years. But don’t be fooled. When they target someone – like you – they bring overwhelming resources. They’ve been investigating for months before you even knew.

Criminal Charges That Follow DEA Actions

A DEA registration action is often just the beginning. Criminal charges frequently follow , including:

• 21 U.S.C. § 841 – Distribution of controlled substances (5-40 year mandatory minimums)
• 21 U.S.C. § 843 – Obtaining controlled substances by fraud (4 years)
• Healthcare fraud – Up to 10 years per count
• Money laundering – Up to 20 years
• Conspiracy charges – Same penalties as underlying offense

You’re facing 10-20 years. That’s not speculation. That’s the sentencing guideline for your charge. The federal drug sentencing guidelines are mandatory in many cases.

Todd Spodek has represented many high-profile clients facing federal charges. 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.

State License Consequences

Loss of your DEA registration triggers automatic review by state medical boards. In many states , surrendering or losing your DEA registration results in:

• Automatic suspension of state medical license
• Mandatory reporting to the National Practitioner Data Bank
• Investigation by state authorities
• Potential criminal charges at state level
• Civil malpractice exposure

Your future is in jeopardy. Every aspect of your professional life unravels once the DEA acts. That’s why immediate representation – by attorneys who get it – is essential.

Defense Strategies That Actually Work

At Spodek Law Group, we don’t just react – we attack. Our top rated defense strategies have saved countless careers:

Challenging the Evidence

The DEA relies heavily on data analytics and “red flags.” But algorithms don’t understand legitimate medical practice. We’ve successfully argued that high-volume prescribing alone doesn’t prove wrongdoing. Every patient is different. Every situation unique.

Recent cases show the DEA’s own training has been suspended since 2023. Their agents aren’t following their own policies. We exploit every procedural violation.

Negotiating Corrective Action Plans

Under 21 U.S.C. § 824(c), registrants can submit corrective action plans. When properly crafted – with experienced counsel – these plans can halt proceedings. But most attorneys don’t know how to structure them effectively.

Our rock star team of attorneys has negotiated hundreds of successful agreements. We know what the DEA wants to see. More importantly , we know what protects you long-term.

The Cost of Waiting

Every day you delay hiring experienced counsel costs you. The DEA is building their case. Witnesses are being interviewed. Records are being analyzed. By the time you receive a target letter, they’ve been investigating for months.

Free consultation? Of course we offer that – available 24/7. But here’s what matters: results. Our nationwide firm – coast to coast – has the resources to fight the federal government. We have over 50 years of combined experience. We get it.

Unlike other law firms who are more focused on their relationship with prosecutors, we put you first. Many attorneys send us clients because they know they can trust us with the toughest cases.

What Happens Next

If you’re facing DEA action , here’s exactly what happens:

• The DEA continues investigating – with or without your knowledge
• Criminal referrals are made to the U.S. Attorney’s Office
• State boards are notified of federal actions
• Insurance companies terminate contracts
• Hospital privileges are suspended
• Your reputation is destroyed

You need an attorney who has won federal cases. Not state cases. Federal cases. There’s a difference. Todd Spodek – a second generation attorney – understands this difference. His representation of Anna Delvey , featured on Netflix, demonstrates his ability to handle high-stakes federal matters.

Recent DEA Enforcement Trends

The landscape is changing—fast. In 2024, the DEA seized over 60 million fentanyl-laced pills. They’re under pressure to show results. Healthcare providers are easy targets.

Current enforcement priorities include:

• Telemedicine prescribing – especially post-COVID
• High-volume opioid prescribers
• Cash-only pain clinics
• Practitioners prescribing outside their specialty
• Any prescriber with patient overdoses

The telemedicine rules are changing in 2025. What was legal yesterday might be criminal tomorrow. You don’t have time to figure this out yourself.

Fighting Back: Your Rights in DEA Proceedings

You have rights – but only if you exercise them properly. Our top rated attorneys ensure you:

• Never speak to DEA agents without counsel present
• Properly invoke your Fifth Amendment rights
• Preserve all potentially exculpatory evidence
• Document every patient interaction
• Maintain proper legal representation throughout

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 Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher

This isn’t just about your DEA registration. It’s about:

• Your freedom – federal prison is real
• Your family’s financial security
• Your professional reputation
• Your ability to practice medicine ever again
• Your legacy

Federal sentencing guidelines for 21 U.S.C. § 841 violations include mandatory minimums. With prior convictions, you’re facing 15-25 years. The prosecutors don’t care about your patients. They don’t care about your years of service. They care about convictions.

At Spodek Law Group—we’re different. We’re not your average criminal defense law firm – we get it. Our premier attorneys have handled some of the toughest federal cases nationwide – coast to coast. Todd Spodek’s representation of Anna Delvey, chronicled by Netflix, shows our ability to handle complex , high-profile matters.