YOU MAY HAVE SEEN TODD SPODEK ON THE NETFLIX SHOW INVENTING ANNA
When you’re facing a federal issue, you need an attorney whose going to be available 24/7 to help you get the results and outcome you need. The value of working with the Spodek Law Group is that we treat each and every client like a member of our family.
Los Angeles Customs Offenses Lawyers
Understanding Customs Offenses in the US
In the US, there is a federal division that helps protect the borders of the country. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents are tasked with preventing illegal goods and people from crossing the border. Not all illegal goods are dangerous. Some are banned because of trade relationships with their countries of origin. Similarly, not all people who enter the country illegally are dangerous. But customs officials are trained to treat these offenses as serious even if they pose no real threat to the public.
Importance of Legal Representation
If you are accused of a customs offense, it’s important to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. The United States has strict regulations regarding the cargo that can be transported. If you do not adhere to these regulations when transporting materials, you might be charged with a customs violation. Even if the federal government just thinks you might have violated customs, you can be charged.
Complexity of Customs Regulations
This is especially nerve-wracking because customs regulations are complicated. They govern every aspect of the materials you can import and export in the US, but they’re so complex that many people spend their entire law careers on them. It’s easy for a misunderstanding to spiral out of control because you simply didn’t fill out the right form or check the right box.
Types of Charges
There are several different types of charges that might be brought against you. Some of the crimes you might be accused of include:
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.
Not declaring your assets as you leave or enter the US
Bringing banned species, plants, and endangered wildlife into the country
Importing items that are banned in the US, including drugs, weapons, and other contraband
Moving pharmacy drugs in or out of the country without a legal prescription or formal declaration
Importing items without filling out the proper paperwork for a visa
Importing or exporting stolen items, especially planes and cars
Falsely making claims to be paid for your exports
Destroying important evidence of the goods you have had imported
Prosecution and Consequences
Since customs regulations are federal laws, they apply everywhere in the US. They will be prosecuted by federal law enforcement, so it’s important to have a lawyer who is familiar with federal court proceedings. These laws apply no matter whether you or the affected materials enter the country through boat, plane, vehicle, or other method of transportation.
Sometimes customs violations will result in civil penalties instead of criminal ones. In these cases, you can expect to need to pay a fine. There may also be some consequences for your business or company.
Different Violations Explained
Different parts of the government influence the customs laws in the country. For example, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates the import and export of pharmaceutical drugs. The legislation regarding customs related to pharmaceuticals is put together by them. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has banned or restricted certain items that have a negative environmental impact.
Common Areas of Problems
False declarations are one of the most common areas in which there are problems with customs. After you have gone on a business trip or flown internationally, you will need to go through customs to get back into the US. Similarly, if you’ve never been in the US, you have to go through customs when you visit.
Part of this process is declaring the value of the items you’ve brought with you. You must also accurately describe the items. Any gifts that you buy or other items that you pick up must be declared, and they must be compliant with federal import regulations.
If you lie about the value of your items, leave items out on purpose, or lie about what your items are, you might be charged with making a false declaration. Entering the country with more than 10,000 dollars in currency without declaring it can also lead to charges.
Export and Import Violations
Export violations are another common type of criminal charge. There are restrictions in place when you export different goods. With some goods, you need to have a legal license to export them. Other goods might have export restrictions based on where you can ship them to or what they can be used for when the other person receives them. You can’t ship anything to Iran right now, and you can’t export weapons to terrorists.
Import violations are the next most common type of criminal charge. Like your personal items, anything you import into the country must be declared. You need to fill out the appropriate paperwork with accurate information. You’ll also need to pay taxes on your shipments. If you intentionally lie about the nature of your items or their value to try to avoid paying taxes, you can be charged with a crime. In addition, you might be charged with crimes for importing items that are banned in the US.
