Raleigh SNAP Violation Lawyers: Protecting Your Livelihood
You’re a hardworking business owner, but you‘ve just received a dreaded SNAP violation letter from the USDA. Your heart sinks, your palms get sweaty, and a million thoughts race through your mind. “What did I do wrong? How will this impact my business? Can I fight this?” But, take a deep breath. We‘re here to walk you through the process and help you understand what’s happening – and what your next steps should be.
The Harsh Reality of SNAP Violations
Let’s start with the basics. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), provides food assistance to millions of low-income Americans. However, the program has strict rules and regulations that must be followed. A SNAP violation occurs when an individual or business fails to comply with these rules.Common SNAP violations include:
Trafficking SNAP benefits (selling them for cash)
Lying on a SNAP application
Allowing SNAP recipients to purchase ineligible items
Continuing to accept SNAP benefits after being disqualified from the program
These violations are taken seriously by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees the SNAP program. Penalties can range from temporary disqualification to hefty fines and even criminal charges.Facing a SNAP violation charge can be daunting, especially for small business owners who rely on SNAP transactions for a significant portion of their revenue. That‘s why it’s crucial to have an experienced SNAP violation lawyer on your side.
Our Approach
At Spodek Law Group, our attorneys have a deep understanding of the SNAP program and the laws surrounding it. We know how to navigate the complex legal system, and we‘ll fight tirelessly to protect your rights.So, what do you do, if you get hit – with one of these things? The first step is simple: don’t panic, and give us a call. We’re here to help, 24/7.When you hire us, we’ll start by thoroughly reviewing your case. We’ll analyze the charges against you and gather all the necessary evidence to build a strong defense.Our attorneys will respond to the charge letter in writing, and we’ll work with you to develop a comprehensive strategy. We‘ll highlight any regulations you’ve followed and any training you’ve provided to your employees.If your case goes to a hearing, we’ll be by your side every step of the way. We’ll present evidence, cross-examine witnesses, and make sure your side of the story is heard.At Spodek Law Group, we’re not just lawyers, we’re advocates for our clients. We understand the stress and uncertainty that comes with facing a SNAP violation charge, and we’re here to guide you through it.Our attorneys have a proven track record of success in handling SNAP violation cases. We’ve helped countless clients avoid disqualification and minimize fines through our aggressive and strategic approach.But it‘s not just about winning cases, it’s about providing exceptional service and building lasting relationships with our clients. We’re available 24/7 to answer your questions and address your concerns.
If you’ve received a SNAP violation charge, time is of the essence. You only have 10 days to respond to the charge letter, so it‘s crucial to act quickly.Contact Spodek Law Group today for a free consultation. We’ll review your case and provide you with a clear understanding of your options and the potential consequences you’re facing.Remember, you don’t have to face this alone. With Spodek Law Group on your side, you’ll have a team of experienced attorneys fighting for your rights and your livelihood.
Proving Fraud
Okay, so you’ve received that dreaded SNAP violation letter from the USDA. Your heart sinks, your palms get sweaty, and a million thoughts race through your mind. “What did I do wrong? How will this impact my business? Can I fight this?”But, take a deep breath. We’re here to walk you through the process and help you understand what’s happening – and what your next steps should be.For a SNAP violation charge to result in a disqualification or civil money penalty, the USDA must prove that your store committed fraud. This can be a challenging task, as the USDA often relies on circumstantial evidence and statistical analysis to build their case.
Trafficking Charges
One of the most serious SNAP violations is trafficking, which involves the exchange of SNAP benefits for cash, drugs, or weapons. The USDA typically builds trafficking cases using one of two types of evidence:
Transaction Patterns/Categories: The USDA analyzes your store’s EBT transaction data to identify patterns or categories that they believe indicate trafficking. These categories may include:
Multiple transactions from the same household within a short time period
Transactions in repeated dollar amounts (e.g., $10, $20, $50)
A large number of manually entered transactions (suggesting the EBT card was not present)
Undercover Investigations: The USDA may send undercover agents to your store to attempt to exchange SNAP benefits for cash or other ineligible items.
While these patterns and undercover operations can be circumstantial, the USDA often treats them as definitive proof of trafficking.
Our Defense Strategy
At Spodek Law Group, we understand the nuances of SNAP regulations and the USDA’s investigative tactics. We know how to challenge the USDA’s evidence and build a strong defense on your behalf.Our approach involves a thorough analysis of your store‘s operations, policies, and training procedures. We’ll work with you to identify legitimate reasons for the transaction patterns cited by the USDA, such as:
High customer volume during peak hours
Frequent repeat customers in your neighborhood
Pricing structures that result in common transaction amounts
We’ll also review your employee training materials and compliance policies to demonstrate your commitment to following SNAP regulations.If the USDA’s case relies on an undercover investigation, we’ll scrutinize the agents‘ actions and challenge any entrapment or other improper tactics.Throughout the process, we’ll be by your side, advocating for your rights and ensuring that the USDA follows proper procedures.
If you are looking for a lawyer that listens, is aggressive where needed, and holds his word above all else, Todd is the best pick. I had hired multiple attorneys prior to hiring the Spodek Group for a white collar case. The first thing that stood out to me was the cost, as anyone going through the process and dealing with the system, money was tight at that time - especially after hiring and firing multiple lawyers. The cost was not as high as others which was definitely a plus. Todd's intake process was also unlike other attorneys. He took the time to actually listen. He cared. He was trying to put himself in my shoes while I was explaining the situation to him and he really took the time to understand the whole situation. Other lawyers will give you 15 mins and send you a retainer agreement. Not Todd, I think he spent almost two hours with me as I was explaining everything.Not only was he great during the onboarding process, he was supportive and very informative through the entire plea process and eventually sentencing. After hiring him, I asked if I should hire a prison consultant, he told me to save my money as he would do everything they would. He was right and held up to his word. Later on I would hear from others that went with the prison consultants that they were a waste of money - I am glad I listened to Todd!When it came time for sentencing, two days prior to sentencing, the prosecutor tried increasing my proposed prison time by almost double - apparently a normal move. Todd and his team worked with me non-stop through the weekend prior to sentencing to ensure that I was not given additional prison time. Again, he took the time to listen and came up with a strategy to explain the case with great detail.Unfortunately, I did plead guilty as that was my best option. Todd and his whole team wrote up nearly 300 pages of a summary of what happened and why I should not be given prison time. If I breakdown the amount I spent with Todd versus the amount of work that I saw being done, I am shocked I was not charged four times as much. The other benefit was, a lot of criminal defense lawyers were just a single attorney with a paralegal or two. Todd had a team of people that I dealt with (5-7 people that I interacted with), but he was ALWAYS accessible. It would never take him more than an hour to reply unless he was in court.I was sentenced to prison and I was emotionally distraught. Todd and his team did whatever they could even after sentencing to make sure I was alright. He personally stayed in touch with my family to ensure I was doing alright and offered support to them. Most lawyers would consider the job complete at sentencing, not Todd.After prison, Todd still spent time with me to make sure I was on the right track and avoiding any potential risks in the future. He has also been giving advice on how to navigate probation etc and has not been looking at the clock for billing.Although I wish I had never been arrested in the first place, I am glad I had Todd and his team in my corner. Without them I likely would have had to spend a lot more time in prison than I did.Thank you, Todd, and the entire Spodek Law team, for helping turn what was a nightmare into a manageable situation!
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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.
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!
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