First things first, let's get on the same page about what the USDA might be accusing you of here. The most common SNAP violations include:23

• Trafficking benefits (buying or fraudulently accepting SNAP funds)
• Allowing SNAP purchases for non-food items like alcohol, tobacco, etc.
• Providing inaccurate information on your SNAP retailer application
• Redeeming more SNAP funds than your actual eligible food sales
• Letting ineligible people use SNAP benefits at your store

Any of those sound familiar? Or maybe you're completely blindsided because an employee made a mistake you didn't know about. Either way, the bottom line is - the USDA takes these violations extremely seriously, and they're coming for you hard.4 That's why you need to respond forcefully and strategically, right from the start.

Your 10-Day Window to Respond

Here's the first crucial fact you need to understand: you only have 10 days from the violation notice to submit your official response.34 Miss that deadline, and the USDA can automatically rule against you - potentially shutting down your SNAP payments immediately.So within that 10-day window, you need to craft and send a rock-solid legal response that lays out your defense, your evidence, your side of the story. And let me be blunt - trying to put that together yourself is a recipe for disaster. You need an experienced SNAP violation lawyer to:

• Analyze all the USDA's allegations and evidence against you
• Gather all documentation, records, and proof to counter their claims
• Craft a meticulous, airtight legal response that protects your rights
• Advise you on your odds of winning at this stage vs. fighting it out

This 10-day response isn't just some formality, it's arguably the most important step. Getting it wrong can sabotage your whole case before it even starts.4 That's why our very first priority is ensuring you meet that deadline with the strongest possible defense, laying the groundwork to win.

How We Defend SNAP Violation Cases

But of course, that initial response is just the beginning. The USDA will review your defense, and then you'll face a couple more phases where you'll need to fight tenaciously:

1. The Administrative Review4 At this stage, the USDA will either accept your defense, or double down with a revised violation notice. Our lawyers will analyze their position, formulate a new strategy if needed, and submit another appeal within those 10 days.
2. The Federal Court Battle4 If we still haven't convinced the USDA, we can take it to federal court. Here, the burden is on us to prove definitively that the USDA's violation claims are false or unjustified. We'll make our case through testimony, evidence submissions, examination of witnesses, and aggressive litigation.

Look, taking on the federal government is never easy. But we've been waging these SNAP violation fights for decades, and we know how to shift the leverage in your favor at every stage.1 More importantly, we never take a half-hearted approach or back down in the face of intimidation. When you're our client, you can be 100% certain we're giving you our full resources and tenacity.

Why Clients Trust the Spodek Law Group

There's one reason you're on this website: you're looking for an elite criminal defense law firm that will treat your case with the highest level of dedication and skill.1 That's exactly what you'll get from Spodek Law Group. We're not a factory firm that puts cases on a conveyor belt. We're a specialized boutique team that customizes our approach for each and every client.When you hire us, we'll dive deep into every facet of your situation - analyzing records, interviewing witnesses, pouring through evidence.1 We'll work tirelessly to undermine the USDA's case while shoring up an aggressive defense strategy. And of course, we'll leverage all our expertise in SNAP regulations, case law, and federal litigation procedures.But we'll also go beyond just the legal work. Facing these kinds of charges can be incredibly stressful and demoralizing. That's why we make it a top priority to provide emotional support every step of the way.1 We'll keep you informed, answer every question, and give you the strength to persevere. We've got your back, 100%.It's simple. Every single client deserves honesty and white glove service.1 When you're accused of a crime that could destroy your business and livelihood, you need attorneys who will fight for you with everything they've got. That's exactly what you'll get from Spodek Law Group.

Getting Started Is Easy

Dealing with a SNAP violation notice is stressful, but taking action is simple. Just pick up the phone and call us for a free, confidential consultation. We'll listen to your story, explain your rights and options, and lay out a clear game plan for attack.From there, we'll start working immediately on your official response, gathering evidence, building your defense. You can finally breathe a sigh of relief knowing you've got battle-tested lawyers in your corner.The bottom line? Don't panic, don't try to navigate this alone, and definitely don't take the USDA's violations lying down. With Spodek Law Group, you've got a fearless team ready to fight tooth and nail to protect your store and your future.1 All you have to do is make that first call.

Snap Violation Lawyers: Your First Line of Defense

Okay, now that we've set the stage, let's dive deeper into how our SNAP violation lawyers will wage this battle strategically on your behalf. Because when it comes to the government threatening your business and livelihood, you can't afford to leave anything to chance.

Understanding the USDA's Violation Process

First, it's crucial to understand the broader process the USDA follows when they suspect SNAP fraud or violations by a retailer. This allows us to anticipate their actions and develop a counterattack:

1. They launch an investigation into your store's SNAP transactions and records
2. If they uncover evidence of violations, they send you that dreaded charge letter
3. You have 10 days to respond with a defense, or they can immediately sanction you
4. If your defense doesn't convince them, they move to administrative review
5. After their review, you get one more chance to appeal before federal court
6. In federal court, they have to prove the violations and justify harsh penalties

As you can see, the process is designed to quickly build a case against you - unless we interrupt it at every phase with aggressive legal pushback.4 That's exactly what we'll do, undermining their arguments from day one.

Crafting an Airtight Initial Response

Which brings us to your first, and arguably most important task - that 10-day response window after receiving the charge letter. Miss this, and you're pretty much dead in the water.4 So how do we ensure we get it right?Our proven strategy involves:

• Carefully analyzing every shred of evidence and accusation they provide
• Pushing for all records, camera footage, witness statements, and documentation
• Constructing a meticulous written defense poking holes in their claims
• Including all proof of your compliance, training procedures, and more
• Forcefully arguing to dismiss any charges lacking sufficient evidence

We know all the tactics the USDA will try, from misconstruing innocent mistakes to making examples out of small retailers.2 Our job is to stay one step ahead, counter every allegation, and demonstrate your commitment to following all SNAP regulations.

Mounting a Relentless Multi-Front Defense

But of course, that response is just Phase 1. If the USDA pushes ahead to administrative review, we'll double down with a new appeal strategy.4 We might:

• Highlight contradictions or lack of proof in their violation claims
• Argue their penalties are excessive or unwarranted for the alleged conduct
• Cite similar cases where violations were dismissed or reduced
• Emphasize your store's importance to the local community and SNAP recipients

And if they still don't back down? Then we're taking this fight to federal court, with all the legal firepower that entails.4 Motions, evidence submissions, witness testimony, examination of their employees - we'll leave no stones unturned in dismantling their case piece by piece.The key is applying relentless pressure at every stage, on every front. We'll hit them with legal arguments, factual defenses, procedural challenges - whatever it takes to protect your SNAP approval.