Criminal Defense Lawyers

Kansas City Snap Violation Lawyers

You’ve Been Accused of SNAP Violations – Now What?

There’s one reason you’re on this website, you’re looking for an elite criminal defense law firm – to fight alleged SNAP violations against your grocery store. Most law firms implement a cookie cutter strategy, they don’t look carefully at your situation – they simply want to move on to the next case. But, at Spodek Law Group, we leave no stone unturned.We do everything possible to win. Everything we do is focused on getting you results. We understand the difficult challenges of going through a SNAP violation case. If you‘re accused of violating SNAP regulations, schedule a consultation with our attorneys today.

The High Stakes of SNAP Violations

Let’s be clear, SNAP violations are no joke. The government doesn‘t mess around when it comes to fraud involving the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. So, what could happen if you’re found guilty of SNAP violations? The penalties are severe:

• Temporary disqualification from SNAP for a set period
• Permanent disqualification, meaning you can never accept SNAP benefits again
• Massive fines of up to $100,000 per violation
• Potential criminal charges that could lead to jail time

Any of those punishments could be absolutely devastating for a small grocery business. Losing the ability to accept SNAP benefits is a huge financial blow. And those six-figure fines, they’re no slap on the wrist – they could bankrupt you.The bottom line? If you‘ve received a SNAP violation letter from the USDA, you need to take it extremely seriously. Trying to handle this yourself is a recipe for disaster.

The Spodek Law Group Difference

Sometimes prosecutors will only be fair if you respond with force. Without an attorney advising you, you might accidentally plead guilty – when you could’ve won the case. The only way to truly know is to hire a private criminal defense attorney.At Spodek Law Group, we pride ourselves on taking a hands-on approach. It means researching the exact situation surrounding your case, and putting in the legwork to be familiar with every single intimate detail.Our firm has excellent work ethics, and we constantly hold meetings to discuss and address all of our cases. In the event of an emergency, we have a full team of lawyers available to help you.Regardless of how tough your situation is, we are here to help you. Our criminal defense lawyers work hard to find a solution, irrespective of the circumstances. Many clients are embarrassed by their situation, and don’t speak openly about their alleged issue. But, we encourage open dialogue and full transparency – so we can give you the best possible legal advice.The Spodek Law Group handles cases nationwide. We have offices in NYC and Los Angeles.

Understanding SNAP Violations

So, what exactly constitutes a SNAP violation? There are several ways grocery stores can run afoul of SNAP regulations:Trafficking SNAP Benefits
This is considered the most egregious violation. It involves buying SNAP benefits for cash from recipients, essentially converting them into money. An example would be paying $50 cash for $100 in SNAP benefits loaded onto an EBT card.Allowing Purchase of Ineligible Items
SNAP benefits can only be used for eligible food items. Letting recipients buy things like alcohol, cigarettes, paper goods, or household supplies with their EBT card is a violation.Exchanging SNAP for Cash/Services
Giving cash refunds or credits in exchange for SNAP benefits is not allowed. Nor can you trade SNAP for services like rent payments or car repairs.Miscounting Inventory/Sales
The USDA compares your SNAP redemptions to your food inventory and overall sales. If your SNAP numbers seem way out of line, they may accuse you of fraud.Employee Fraud
You are responsible for any SNAP violations committed by employees. Poor training and lack of oversight can enable workers to traffic benefits or allow illegal purchases.Even simple mistakes in how you process SNAP transactions could potentially be considered a violation. The rules are extremely strict, with no wiggle room.

Common SNAP Violation Accusations

When the USDA sends a SNAP violation charge letter, it typically includes several specific allegations, such as:Multiple Transactions in a Short Time
They may claim you allowed the same SNAP household to make an unusually high number of purchases within a compressed timeframe.Large Transactions
Any SNAP redemptions the USDA deems “excessively large” based on your store’s characteristics could be flagged as a violation.Depleted Household Benefits
If households seem to be draining the bulk of their monthly SNAP allowance solely at your store, that raises red flags.Manual Transactions
Entering SNAP card numbers manually instead of swiping the physical card is considered suspicious activity.Repeated Dollar Values
A pattern of many transactions ending in the same dollar amount, like $20.00 over and over, may indicate fraud according to the USDA.The allegations often stem from data analysis that detects seemingly irregular patterns in your SNAP transaction records. But, there may be perfectly legitimate explanations for the patterns – explanations the USDA failed to consider.

Building a Powerful Defense Strategy

So, what do you do if you get hit with one of these SNAP violation charge letters? First and foremost, don’t try to go it alone. The USDA’s own statistics show you have about a 10% chance of winning your case without legal representation. Those aren’t odds you want to gamble your business on.Instead, bring in the heavy hitters at Spodek Law Group. We know how to dismantle the USDA’s violation claims piece-by-piece. Our battle-tested strategies include:Gathering Evidence
We collect all documentation related to your business operations, inventory, sales records, and customer base. This evidence can contextualize those “suspicious” transaction patterns.Locating Witnesses
If employees or customers can testify to the legitimate nature of your SNAP practices, we’ll find them and get their statements on the record.Conducting Investigations
Our team digs deep, uncovering any prosecutorial missteps, inconsistencies in the evidence, or failures to follow proper procedures.Preparing Responses
We craft airtight responses to every allegation, using legal precedent and your evidence to dismantle the USDA’s claims piece-by-piece.Negotiating Resolutions
If some lesser violation did occur, we can negotiate to have charges reduced and penalties minimized to keep you in business.Litigating Zealously
And if it comes to it, we fight tooth and nail in court to protect your rights and clear your name through litigation.The key is developing a multi-layered, aggressive defense strategy customized to the specific circumstances of your case. Cookie-cutter approaches don’t cut it against these formidable SNAP violation charges.

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.

Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

Guerline Menard

2024-03-18

Thanks again Spodek law firm, particularly Esq Claire Banks who stood right there with us up to the finish line. Attached photos taken right outside of the court building and the smile on our faces represented victory, a breath of fresh air and satisfaction. We are very happy that this is over and we can move on with our lives. Thanks Spodek law 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

2024-03-15

Believe every single review here about Alex Z!! From our initial consultation, it was evident that Alex possessed a profound understanding of criminal law and a fierce dedication to his clients rights. Throughout the entirety of my case, Alex exhibited unparalleled professionalism and unwavering commitment. What sets Alex apart is not only his legal expertise but also his genuine compassion for his clients. He took the time to thoroughly explain my case, alleviating any concerns I had along the way. His exact words were “I’m not worried about it”. His unwavering support and guidance were invaluable throughout the entire process. I am immensely grateful for Alex's exceptional legal representation and wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone in need of a skilled criminal defense attorney. Alex Z is not just a lawyer; he is a beacon of hope for those navigating the complexities of the legal system. If you find yourself in need of a dedicated and competent legal advocate, look no further than Alex Z.

Taïko Beauty

2024-03-15

I don’t know where to start, I can write a novel about this firm, but one thing I will say is that having my best interest was their main priority since the beginning of my case which was back in Winter 2019. Miss Claire Banks, one of the best Attorneys in the firm represented me very well and was very professional, respectful, and truthful. Not once did she leave me in the dark, in fact she presented all options and routes that could possibly be considered for my case and she reinsured me that no matter what I decided to do, her and the team will have my back and that’s exactly what happened. Not only will I be liberated from this case, also, I will enjoy my freedom and continue to be a mother to my first born son and will have no restrictions with accomplishing my goals in life. Now that’s what I call victory!! I thank the Lord, My mother, Claire, and the Spodek team for standing by me and fighting with me. Words can’t describe how grateful I am to have the opportunity to work with this team. I’m very satisfied, very pleased with their performance, their hard work, and their diligence. Thank you team!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

Loveth Okpedo

2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

Bee L

2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

2024-02-24

I can't recommend Alex Zhik and Spodek Law Firm highly enough for their exceptional legal representation and personal mentorship. From the moment I engaged their services in October 2022, Alex took the time to understand my case thoroughly and provided guidance every step of the way. Alex's dedication to my case went above and beyond my expectations. His expertise, attention to detail, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcome were evident throughout the entire process. He took the time to mentor me, ensuring I understood the legal complexities involved to make informed decisions. Alex is the kind of guy you would want to have a beer with and has made a meaningful impact on me. I also want to acknowledge Todd Spodek, the leader of the firm, who played a crucial role in my case. His leadership and support bolstered the efforts of Alex, and his involvement highlighted the firm's commitment to excellence. Thanks to Alex Zhik and Todd Spodek, I achieved the outcome I desired, and I am incredibly grateful for their professionalism, expertise, and genuine care. If you're in need of legal representation, look no further than this outstanding team.

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Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 736 reviews

Why Businesses Trust Spodek Law

Still not convinced the Spodek Law Group is the right firm to handle your SNAP case? Here are a few reasons why grocery stores nationwide put their trust in us:Unmatched SNAP Expertise
Our attorneys have decades of combined experience tackling SNAP violation cases. We quite literally wrote the book on defending against these charges.Proven Track Record
We’ve secured victories for hundreds of clients, with successful outcomes ranging from outright dismissals to minimized penalties that allowed businesses to keep operating.Comprehensive Service
We don’t just defend against charges, we help implement compliance programs to prevent future violations and protect your SNAP approval.Tireless Advocacy
Our attorneys leave no stone unturned in pursuit of the best possible result for you. We fight tirelessly every step of the way.Nationwide Representation
With offices across the country, we can take on SNAP cases against grocery stores anywhere in the United States.Respected Reputation
From prosecutors to judges, the Spodek Law Group is renowned for our professional, ethical, and effective legal counsel.When your entire business is at risk from crippling SNAP violation penalties, you need to go with a firm you can trust without reservation. We’ve earned that trust through our uncompromising commitment to client service.