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AIRPORT MONEY SEIZURE LAWYERS
Cash Seizures at U.S. Airports: Know Your Rights
You are allowed to travel internationally with money, but when the amount exceeds $10,000 – you have to report to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. If you fail to report it, it’s possible the government authorities can take away that money from you. Each year, the U.S. Government seizes millions of dollars from people arriving or leaving airports across the USA. If your cash is seized by the law enforcement agency at the airport, one of our cash seizure and asset forfeiture attorneys can help you.
Understand Cash Seizure Laws and Process
International travelers coming to the USA, and from the USA, are often unaware and do not understand the cash seizure laws. Cash seizures for not reporting cash to the USA is VERY common. Many international travelers have more than $10,000 on a flight. The law governing the confiscation falls under the 31 U.S.S. 5316(a)(1) which says that carrying more than $10,000 into the USA without properly reporting it to the CBP officers is a violation. When your cash is seized after a violation, the agent must give you a Custody Receipt (Form 6051s).
The law which governs the seizure of cash is known as the Bank Secrecy Act. The DEA, TSA, or CBP, can seize cash by simply calling it “suspicious.” They have a lot of latitude. When your cash is seized after a violation, the agent is required to give you a receipt. If you are not given one, you must act fast. Some CBP agents have been known to pocket cash with no receipt.
These laws provide an easy way for the government to discover and take away money which comes from unlawful sources, or is used for illegitimate things. The government assumes that the reason for bringing large sums of cash into, or out of the USA, is for drugs, narcotics dealings, tax fraud, money laundering, or some other ILLEGITIMATE AND ILLEGAL purpose. It is because of this, that cash seizures by the DEA are done. The DEA agents monitor travelers who display questionable behavior, consistent with cash or drugs being carried. They assume that these trends are consistent with what smugglers do. The problem is, many innocent people get caught by this.
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!
I am immensely grateful to the entire team at Spodek Law Group for their unwavering dedication and exceptional expertise throughout my case. From our initial consultation to the final resolution, their professionalism and tireless advocacy made all the difference. Their strategic approach and attention to detail instilled confidence in me every step of the way.Thanks to their hard work and commitment, we achieved a truly favorable outcome that exceeded my expectations. Not only did they navigate the complexities of my case with precision, but they also provided invaluable support and guidance during what was undoubtedly a challenging time. I cannot recommend Spodek Law Group highly enough, especially attorneys Todd Spodek and Claire Banks; they are beacons of excellence in the legal profession.YSP.
Todd, Ralph and Alex are amazing. Helped my husband get from a double digit number with multiple charges to a single digit, by the time I blink he will be out. They very professional and help with all your needs. They dealt with my anxiety and worry very well and they understand that your family member needs to get home as soon as possible.
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!
I recently had Spodek Law Group represent me for a legal matter in NYC and I am thoroughly impressed with their services.Alex Zhik secured the best possible outcome for my case.It was a seamless journey from the initial consultation to the resolution of my legal matter. From the moment I spoke to Todd about my case, his enthusiasm to help was evident, setting a positive tone for the entire experience. The efficiency and professionalism displayed by the team is commendable.A particularly noteworthy aspect of their service is their user-friendly portal to upload your documents/evidence. This not only simplified the process, but showcases their commitment to streamline the client experience.Lastly, in an industry where legal fees can often be a concern, I found their pricing to be very reasonable, making needing legal assistance feel accessible and stress-free.I am grateful for their support and wouldn't hesitate to turn to them again in the future.
Legal Requirements for Carrying Cash
It is legal to carry cash aboard an airplane while traveling – but it is a serious violation if you fail to disclose the cash that is being carried out, or in, of the country. The CBP specifically looks for things like jewelry, bearer bonds, money, cash, etc, anything which has intrinsic value and is over $10,000. The government isn’t required to file any lawsuit in order to prove it has the right to retain money. A person who wants money back has to prove the government had no reasonable cause to seize it. This is the law of civil forfeiture, which extends to federal and state cases. Civil forfeitures have been the focus of many articles, detailing abuse by the government and other federal agencies. The laws of forfeiture can even be tied to seizures at airports.
