O’Hare International Airport Money Cash Seizure Lawyers

O’Hare International Airport Money Cash Seizure Lawyers

Having your cash seized at O’Hare International Airport can be a scary and frustrating experience. As one of the busiest airports in the world, O’Hare sees thousands of travelers pass through its terminals every single day. Many of those travelers carry cash for their trips, whether it’s to use on vacation or for business purposes. Unfortunately, carrying large amounts of cash also increases your chances of having it seized by federal agents.

If you’ve had cash taken from you at O’Hare, you probably have a lot of questions. Why was my money taken? What are my rights? How do I get it back? This article provides an overview of cash seizures at O’Hare Airport, your legal protections, and how an experienced lawyer can help you navigate the process of recovering your seized assets.

Overview of Cash Seizures at O’Hare

Several different federal agencies conduct cash seizures at airports, including:

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
• Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)
• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

These agencies seize cash and other monetary instruments when they have suspicion that the money is tied to illegal activity, such as drug trafficking, money laundering, or terrorism financing. However, you don’t need to be charged with a crime for your cash to be taken.

Under federal civil asset forfeiture laws, the government can seize and keep your property merely by showing probable cause of its connection to criminal activity. You are not presumed innocent, and the burden is on you to prove your innocence and recover your assets.

According to Department of Homeland Security data, O’Hare Airport ranked #6 nationwide for cash seizures by CBP officers in FY 2020, with over $10 million seized. And those are just the reported numbers – the real totals are likely much higher.

Notifying Travelers and Seeking Forfeiture

If federal agents seize your cash at O’Hare, they must give you a receipt and a “Notice of Seizure.” This document lists the statutory basis for forfeiture and informs you of your right to contest it. You have a few options:

Christine Twomey

2024-03-21

Just had my Divorce case settled 2 months ago after having a horrible experience with another firm. I couldn’t be happier with Claire Banks and Elizabeth Garvey with their outstanding professionalism in doing so with Spodek Law Group. Any time I needed questions answered they were always prompt in doing so with all my uncertainties after 30 yrs of marriage.I feel from the bottom of my heart you will NOT be disappointed with either one. Thanks a million.

Brendan huisman

2024-03-18

Alex Zhik contacted me almost immediately when I reached out to Spodek for a consultation and was able to effectively communicate the path forward/consequences of my legal issue. I immediately agreed to hire Alex for his services and did not regret my choice. He was able to cover my case in court (with 1 day notice) and not only was he able to push my case down, he carefully negotiated a dismissal of the charge altogether. I highly recommend Spodek, and more specifically, Alex Zhik for all of your legal issues. Thanks guys!

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 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙌🏼❤️

Keisha Parris

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.

Taïko Beauty

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!

Anthony Williams

2024-03-12

Hey, how you guys doing? Good afternoon my name is Anthony Williams I just want to give a great shout out to the team of. Spodek law group. It is such a honor to use them and to use their assistance through this whole case from start to finish. They did everything that they said they was gonna do and if it ever comes down to it, if I ever have to use them again, hands-down they will be the first law office at the top of my list, thank you guys so much. It was a pleasure having you guys by my side so if you guys ever need them, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give them a call.

Loveth Okpedo

2024-03-12

Very professional, very transparent, over all a great experience

Bee L

2024-02-28

Amazing experience with Spodek! Very professional lawyers who take your case seriously. They treated me with respect, were always available, and answered any and all questions. They were able to help me very successfully and removed a huge stress. Highly recommend.

divesh patel

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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Google rating score: 4.9 of 5, based on 736 reviews

1. File a claim stating your interest in the property within 30 days of receiving notice.
2. Petition CBP for expedited release of the property while contesting forfeiture.
3. Let the deadline pass, forfeiting your right to contest.

If you timely file a claim, CBP has 90 days to review and make a decision. They may offer settlement, seek forfeiture in U.S. District Court, or return the seized property.

Protections for International Travelers

For travelers on international flights, there are some additional protections if CBP seizes your cash:

• You cannot be charged with a reporting violation if you truthfully report your currency to CBP when asked.
• CBP must return your seized cash within 30 days unless they have evidence it’s tied to illegal activity.

However, CBP officers don’t always follow proper procedures. They may falsely allege you failed to report, coerce a “voluntary” abandonment, or improperly refer for criminal investigation without evidence.

Getting Help from an O’Hare Cash Seizure Lawyer

Recovering seized cash is difficult without experienced legal help. A lawyer can protect your rights in several key ways:

• Review the seizure notice and determine if CBP followed proper procedures.
• Gather evidence and documentation showing the lawful source of your cash.
• Negotiate with CBP for return of all or part of the seized amount.
• File a claim and petition for expedited release of the cash.
• Represent you in federal court if CBP seeks forfeiture.

It’s important to act quickly when contesting a cash seizure, as you could permanently lose your right to the money if you miss the filing deadline. An attorney knows the complex civil forfeiture process and applicable laws inside and out.

O’Hare Airport Cash Seizure Defense Lawyers

If you need legal help recovering cash seized from you at O’Hare International Airport, contact the following law firms for a free case review:

• Edward Johnson Law – Chicago firm focusing on DEA, FBI, and CBP forfeitures at O’Hare. Call 708-606-4386.
• Brian Silber Law – Federal civil forfeiture defense attorneys with 17+ years experience. Call 866-933-2592.
• Great Lakes Customs Law – Chicago customs lawyer helping fight CBP cash seizures. Call 773-920-1840.

Don’t let federal agents take your hard-earned cash without a fight. The experienced asset forfeiture defense attorneys at these firms know how to beat seizure cases and get your money back. They will aggressively protect your rights and hold CBP accountable for following the law.