Criminal Defense Lawyers

Long Beach Snap Violation Lawyers

Long Beach SNAP Violation Lawyers: Protecting Your Grocery Store

So, you got hit with a SNAP violation notice – and it feels like the world is crashing down, right? Well, take a deep breath, because you’re not alone. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been cracking down hard on grocery stores in recent years, and even minor infractions can lead to stiff penalties. But, don’t panic just yet. With the right legal team in your corner, you can fight back against these charges and protect your business.That’s where the SNAP violation lawyers at Spodek Law Group come in. There‘s one reason you’re on this website: you‘re looking for an elite criminal defense law firm that specializes in SNAP violations. Well, you’ve come to the right place.

The Spodek Difference: White Glove Service

At Spodek Law Group, we’re focused on providing the highest level of customer service and case results for our clients. You see, most law firms implement a cookie-cutter strategy in order to fight your case and save their own time. They don‘t look carefully at your situation – they simply want to move on to the next client. But not us. We leave no stone unturned. We do everything possible to win. Everything we do is focused on getting you results.We understand the difficulties and challenges of going through a SNAP violation case. If you‘re accused of trafficking benefits or any other infraction, schedule a consultation with our criminal attorneys today. It’s time to fight back.

The Spodek Approach: Hands-On and Relentless

Sometimes prosecutors will only be fair if you respond with force to them. 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 leg work to be familiar with every single intimate detail. Our firm has excellent work ethics, and we constantly hold firm meetings in order 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 have a solution for you, irrespective of the situation you find yourself in. Many clients are often embarrassed by their situation, and don’t speak openly about their alleged issue. We encourage open dialogue, and recommend full transparency – so we can give you the best possible legal advice.

The Spodek Promise: Honesty and Results

It’s simple. Every single client deserves honesty and white glove service. Every single client should know what he, or she, potentially faces – and what we’re going to do in order to get them the best possible outcome. We don‘t sugarcoat anything, and we make sure to explain the situation to our clients in a way they can understand.The Spodek Law Group handles cases nationwide. We have offices in NYC and Los Angeles. Our reputation is well received by other attorneys and members of the media alike. We’ve been featured on major news outlets, ranging from New York Post, Newsweek, Fox 5 New York, South China Morning Post, Insider.com, to other major news outlets.So, what do you do, if you get hit with one of these things?

Understanding SNAP Violations: The Basics

Now that you know why Spodek Law Group is the right firm to handle your SNAP violation case, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of what these violations actually entail.SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as food stamps), is a federal program that provides food assistance to low-income households. Retailers like grocery stores and convenience marts can apply to become authorized SNAP retailers, allowing them to accept SNAP benefits (delivered via an EBT card) as payment.However, with this privilege comes a strict set of rules and regulations that retailers must follow. Violating these rules can result in serious penalties, including fines, temporary disqualification from SNAP, or even permanent debarment.Some common examples of SNAP violations include:

• Trafficking benefits (exchanging SNAP benefits for cash)
• Allowing the purchase of ineligible items (alcohol, cigarettes, etc.) with SNAP benefits
• Giving cash change for SNAP purchases

The USDA takes these violations extremely seriously, as they undermine the integrity of the SNAP program and deprive truly needy families of vital food assistance.

The ALERT System: How the USDA Catches Violators

But how does the USDA actually detect potential violations in the first place? Enter the ALERT system.ALERT, which stands for Anti-Fraud Locator EBT Retailer Transaction, is a sophisticated data-mining system that analyzes millions of EBT transactions every month. It looks for patterns and anomalies that could indicate fraudulent or abusive activity, such as:

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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• Excessive manual card entries (which could signal card theft)
• Unusual spikes in transaction volume or dollar amounts
• Repetitive transactions in the same dollar amounts (“same-cent” transactions)

If ALERT flags a retailer as potentially violating SNAP rules, that’s when the real trouble starts. The USDA will likely launch an investigation, which could involve undercover sting operations, audits, or demands for detailed transaction records.And if the USDA believes it has sufficient evidence of a violation, that‘s when you’ll receive that dreaded charge letter in the mail.

The Three Phases of a SNAP Case

From that point on, a SNAP violation case generally proceeds through three distinct phases:

Phase 1: Responding to the Charging Letter

When you receive that charge letter from the USDA, you‘ll have just 10 days to submit a written response explaining your side of the story. This is a crucial opportunity to present evidence, offer explanations for any suspicious transaction patterns, and make your case for why you should not be penalized.Fail to respond within that 10-day window, and the USDA will likely move forward with issuing penalties based solely on their evidence. That’s why it‘s absolutely critical to have an experienced SNAP violation attorney crafting a strong, comprehensive response on your behalf.

Phase 2: The Administrative Review

If the USDA still believes you violated SNAP rules after reviewing your response, they’ll initiate an administrative review process. This could involve an in-person hearing before an Administrative Review Officer, where both sides can present evidence and testimony.Having a knowledgeable lawyer representing you in this phase is key. They‘ll know how to effectively cross-examine witnesses, poke holes in the government‘s case, and make compelling arguments in your favor.

Phase 3: The Federal Court Appeal

If you’re unsatisfied with the outcome of the administrative review, your final recourse is to file an appeal in federal court. This is often your last chance to avoid harsh penalties, so you’ll want a legal team with extensive federal litigation experience.The Spodek Law Group has gone toe-to-toe with the USDA in federal courts across the country, securing favorable rulings and settlements for our grocery store clients. We know the system inside and out.

The Consequences: Why You Need a Lawyer

Okay, but what exactly are you risking if you’re found guilty of a SNAP violation? The short answer: a lot. The penalties can be absolutely devastating for any grocery business, including: