Criminal Defense Lawyers

MONEY BACK FROM AN AIRPORT SEIZED

Getting Your Hard-Earned Cash Back After A Wrongful Airport Seizure

You’re rushing through the airport, ready for a much-needed vacation after months of nonstop work. As you grab your bags to head towards your gate, you’re suddenly stopped by airport security. They inform you that your carry-on luggage contains a “suspicious” amount of cash that needs to be seized under asset forfeiture laws. Shocked and confused, you watch helplessly as they confiscate thousands of dollars that took you years to save up. Now, your dream vacation is ruined and you don’t know if you’ll ever see your money again.

This terrible situation is a reality for way too many innocent travelers who have cash seized at airports each year. According to the Institute for Justice, over $68,000 is snatched from air travelers during airport seizures every single day. That’s more than $25 million per year!

The worst part? Many of these seizures are completely baseless. Carrying cash is not a crime. You don’t even have to be traveling internationally or fit a “drug trafficker” profile for this to happen. But once it does, getting your money back can be an extremely difficult and frustrating process. Well, unless you have the right help on your side, that is.

If you or someone you know has ever experienced a similar cash seizure nightmare, listen up. In this post, we’ll break down exactly how to fight back and finally get your hard-earned money returned by the airport where it was wrongly taken. Let’s get started!

Act Quickly – The Clock Is Ticking

First things first, it’s absolutely crucial that you act fast if you want to get your seized money back. Federal laws only give travelers a limited window to contest a civil asset forfeiture case. For seizures by TSA, you have just 30 days from the date it happened to file a claim. For CBP seizures, it’s slightly longer at 35 days.

But regardless of which agency took your cash, don’t waste any time wallowing or sitting on your hands. Immediately contact an experienced attorney in your state who regularly handles federal asset forfeiture defense. They can walk you through the specific processes for your situation. But in general, you’ll need to file a claim that includes a detailed demand for why your money should be returned.

This is where having a lawyer really pays off. They can ensure your claim includes all the necessary facts and legal justification to show that the seizure was unlawful. If the agency denies your claim or doesn’t respond in 90 days, an attorney can then file a civil asset forfeiture lawsuit on your behalf. But again, none of this can happen if you miss those strict filing deadlines – so call a lawyer ASAP!

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

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2024-03-18

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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 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

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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.

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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!

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2024-03-12

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2024-03-12

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2024-02-28

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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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Be Ready To Explain Your Cash

When beginning this process, you’ll inevitably need to explain to the confiscating agency where your cash came from and why you had it. After all, they clearly suspected some kind of criminal activity if they seized it! So taking the time to gather evidence that shows your money’s legitimate origins is key.

For example, if the cash was from your small business, compile records like sales reports, bank statements, and tax filings. If it was savings for a major purchase, provide documentation like your bank withdrawal slip. If it was casino winnings, get a statement from the casino itself. Even keeping travel receipts and itineraries can help demonstrate why you had cash for your trip.

The more proof you have for why your money is 100% legal, the better. Be thorough but honest. Lying will only undermine your credibility. With an experienced attorney’s help, you can put together a convincing explanation to finally get your property back for good.

Highlight Inconsistencies and Weaknesses

During this process, don’t be afraid to boldly point out any weaknesses or inconsistencies in the airport’s seizure rationale. Did they provide vague reasoning about why your cash seemed “suspicious”? Did they fail to read you your rights or follow proper procedures? Take note of any oversights like this.

Having an attorney who can recognize Fourth Amendment violations or other constitutional issues with a seizure is invaluable here. They can argue to hold the agency accountable for breaking protocol and erroneously taking your possessions. Any missteps by airport security ultimately help strengthen your case. So be sure to discuss them with your lawyer.

You should also look into whether the specific airport agency has a history of unlawful seizures, racial profiling, or other concerning practices. For example, CBP checkpoints in places like Boston have faced heavy scrutiny for disproportionately targeting minority travelers and seizing their money. Pointing out facts like these can cast doubt on the entire seizure.

Be Ready For a Legal Battle

The unfortunate reality is you may very well end up needing to escalate this to a federal lawsuit if the agency denies your claim. But don’t let that discourage you! It’s still very possible to successfully challenge an unlawful cash seizure in court and win. Having an experienced asset forfeiture attorney on your side here is more valuable than ever.

Your lawyer can file a federal complaint alleging constitutional violations and demanding compensation. They will need to argue key points like:

– You had a legitimate reason for carrying that amount of cash
– There was no probable cause for confiscating the money
– Proper procedures around seizures were not followed
– Taking the cash violated your Fourth Amendment protections against unreasonable search/seizure

Building a strong case requires in-depth knowledge of asset forfeiture laws and aviation regulations. It also means presenting credible evidence, filing the right motions, and being prepared to take it to trial if necessary. But ultimately, the court may rule that your money gets returned, along with coverage of your hefty attorney fees.

So if you receive an unfavorable decision on your claim, contact your lawyer immediately to start mapping out your litigation strategy. Don’t despair or assume it’s a lost cause. With smart legal guidance, you can still regain control of your hard-earned cash.

You Don’t Have To Tolerate Airport Agencies’ Overreach

Dealing with a wrongful cash seizure at the airport is one of the worst indignities law-abiding travelers face today. It can derail your travel plans, wreak financial havoc, and leave you feeling violated. But don’t let this happen without a fight.

By acting swiftly, building a strong case, and leveraging expert legal help, you can successfully contest the seizure. It may take some time and effort, but recovering your seized property provides invaluable peace of mind. And it sends a message to that airport’s authorities that they can’t keep trampling on travelers’ rights.

So if you or someone you know has cash that was unjustly taken at the airport, contact a reputable asset forfeiture attorney right away. With their guidance, you can finally get back the money you worked so hard to earn and rightfully own. Don’t let it disappear into the airport’s pockets for good!

My website is https://www.nyccriminalattorneys.com

My phone number is 212-300-5196