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.
SNAP Violation Charge Letters
SNAP: Ensuring Access to Nutrition for Americans in Need
SNAP is a program that was set up by the federal government in order to make sure that people in the United States have access to the calories they need to survive. This is one of the most widely used of all such programs. Government officials have created this program with the intention of serving the public in a direct way. The program is intended for one thing and one thing only: to make sure that recipients can purchase food. Recipients must follow certain regulations once they get access to the program. That means that each recipient needs to know what is allowable under the terms of the program and what is not.
Participants have an ally in this process. All retailers who agree to accept this form of payment from people must also agree to the terms required under law. They agree to accept payment in return for goods that are paid for by the federal government. That means that all retailers need to know how to navigate this highly complicated system. Retailers must make sure that any food stamps they accept are only used for the allowed products under the terms of the program. Close attention to detail is imperative when operating under this program. If there are violations, the retailer can expect a response from the federal government quickly.
The Violation Charge Letter
Retailers who make the decision to accept SNAP payments should keep in mind they will be monitored over time. Officials at the federal government want to make sure that all funds are used as intended. That means that the retailer must abide by the terms of use. For example, it means that each retailer has to agree to train their employees in how to work with the program. They must provide all of their employees with access to training materials designed to help them figure out what is allowable under the program and what is not. For instance, the store’s employees must be aware that food stamps cannot be exchanged for cash. They are also not allowed to be used in order to pay for items such as alcohol and tobacco. The retailer also must agree to make sure all payments are not applied to items like plastic forks that do not fall in the category of applicable items.
If the government suspects the retailer is not abiding by the requirements, they may issue what is known as a SNAP violation charge letter. This letter is not just a formality. It is a serious, complicated legal document. The letter will detail exactly what kind of violations the government believes the store owner has allowed in their store. There are typically allegations such as trafficking or allowing the recipient to get cash in return for handing over their food stamps to the store owner. A store owner may also be charged with other kinds of violations.
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.
Sometimes a store owner is charged with allowing recipients who are not authorized to use the food stamps to use them. They can also be charged with selling tobacco or alcohol to underaged minors. Violations range from the relative minor to the very serious. For example, if the store owner has accidentally allowed someone to buy paper plates or hot food that is not allowed, that is considered a minor violation. A minor violation may mean the store is unable to accept food stamps for a few weeks. On the other hand, a store owner may be charged with a much more serious violation such as selling firearms in return for food stamps. This charge can result in having the store owner’s access to food stamps revoked permanently. The store owner may also be facing heavy fines for allowing the violation to happen in the first place.
The federal government has agents who are charged with investigating potential violations of SNAP laws. They may appear in your shop as ordinary participants in the program. However, they are there to find out if you are violation of laws governing food stamp use. An undercover agent can spot all sorts of violations. Any such violations will be listed in the charge letter. Keep in mind the charge letter is a serious document. The first part of the list is a cover letter that states you are under formal investigation by the authorities either for misusing food stamps personally or allowing violations to take place on the grounds of your store. It is an indication that you are under investigation. All charges will be listed in great detail.
Responding to Charges
Any kind of SNAP violation comes with penalties. These penalties may include fines as well as temporary disqualification from accepting any form of SNAP payments. A retailer may not be allowed to accept payments for a month or more. The more serious violations mean the retailer cannot agree to accept payments for years. This can be a serious disadvantage for many reasons. For example, many people rely on this form of help to provide up to half or more of their weekly food budget. If you can’t accept the payments, the recipient will head to another place that can do so.
Fighting charges of this kind should be done quickly. A retail store owner has only ten days to respond to the terms listed in the letter. The letter is an indication that officials in the federal government intend to research your participation in the program and throw you out of it. That is why you’re going to need someone at your side who gets it. You’ll need someone who knows how to respond to such charges and make them go away. Good legal counsel is essential.
