Fresno Snap Violation Lawyers
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Fresno SNAP Violation Lawyers: Protecting Your Business from Harsh Penalties
You Received a SNAP Violation Letter – Now What?
So, you accepted SNAP/EBT at your Fresno store. Everything was going smoothly, until that dreaded letter from the USDA arrived. A SNAP violation notice, alleging your store violated program rules.Don’t panic – but take this seriously. That letter is the first step towards potential fines, temporary disqualification, or even permanent termination from the SNAP program. One violation can cripple your revenue streams.But, you’re not alone. We’re the Spodek Law Group, SNAP violation defense specialists. We’ve handled hundreds of cases just like yours across the nation. With over 50 years of combined legal experience, our firm is a fearsome advocate when the USDA comes knocking.
What is a SNAP Violation?
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that provides food assistance to low-income households. Retailers like grocery stores and convenience stores can accept SNAP benefits (paid via EBT cards) for eligible food items.However, the USDA strictly regulates what qualifies as an “eligible” purchase. Sell the wrong items using SNAP funds, and you could face a violation charge. Common violations include:
- Trafficking SNAP benefits (exchanging them for cash)
- Allowing SNAP purchase of non-food items like alcohol, cigarettes, etc.
- Accepting SNAP for hot, prepared foods
- Providing cash change for SNAP purchases
Even seemingly minor errors can trigger a violation notice from the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS). Their analysts comb through EBT data, looking for patterns that suggest foul play.One red flag is enough to launch an investigation into your store‘s practices. If they find evidence of violations, that’s when the charge letter gets sent.
“But It Was an Honest Mistake!”
We get it – most SNAP violations aren’t intentional. A cashier makes a bad judgment call on what can be purchased with SNAP benefits. An outdated policy leads to improper practices.Unfortunately, the USDA doesn’t care if the violation was accidental or not. Their focus is preserving program integrity, not giving retailers the benefit of the doubt.That’s why it’s crucial to respond properly to any violation notice. Ignoring it, or giving an inadequate response, is a surefire way to get disqualified from SNAP completely.With fines potentially reaching six figures, your business could be on the line. You need a legal team that understands SNAP regulations inside and out.
The SNAP Violation Process
Okay, so you got the dreaded charge letter from the FNS. What’s next? Here’s a quick overview of how the SNAP violation process works:
- Response Period: You have just 10 days from receiving the letter to respond with a defense. Miss this window, and you’ll likely face the harshest penalties.
- Evidence Submission: Our lawyers will gather documentation, records, and witness accounts to build a comprehensive defense against the allegations. We know exactly what evidence the FNS needs to see.
- Negotiations: In many cases, we can negotiate with the FNS to reduce penalties before an administrative hearing occurs. Having a skilled legal team makes a huge difference here.
- Administrative Review: If negotiations fail, we’ll represent you at an administrative review hearing before a USDA judge. We’ll present your defense and argue against disqualification or excessive fines.
- Appeals Process: Even after a ruling, we can continue fighting through the appeals process at the federal district and appellate court levels if needed.
The key is acting quickly and letting experienced SNAP violation attorneys take the lead. Going it alone is extremely risky, as we‘ve seen many retailers make critical mistakes.
Common SNAP Violation Defenses
While every case is unique, we’ve found some violation defenses tend to be more effective than others. A few of the strongest arguments include:Lack of Proof of Intentional Violation: For certain charges like trafficking, the USDA must prove you knowingly and intentionally violated SNAP rules. Showing your actions were accidental can defeat these claims.Isolated Incident by Rogue Employee: If you can demonstrate the violation was an isolated act by a single, unsanctioned employee, you may avoid penalties for your business.Inadequate Training/Outdated Policies: Proving your employees received little to no SNAP training, or followed outdated policies, can shift liability away from your business.Insufficient Evidence: Frequently, the USDA’s evidence is circumstantial or incomplete. Poking holes in their case is a viable defense strategy.Our attorneys know all the potential angles to take. We’ll analyze your specific situation and craft a defense that directly attacks the allegations.
Why Hire a SNAP Violation Lawyer?
You might be thinking, “This is just a civil regulatory matter, I can handle it myself.” That’s what many retailers think – until they’re hit with draconian penalties.The truth is, taking on the federal government without legal representation is extremely unwise. The USDA’s lawyers and investigators are relentless. They have immense resources at their disposal.Having a SNAP violation attorney levels the playing field. We know the laws, regulations, and processes inside and out. We’ve beaten the USDA before, and we’re not intimidated.When you hire our firm, you get:
- Comprehensive case evaluation to identify all potential defenses
- Gathering and submission of evidence to build a strong case file
- Skilled negotiation to reduce or avoid penalties if possible
- Vigorous representation at administrative hearings and appeals
- Clear guidance throughout the entire process
Don’t risk your business’s future on a SNAP violation. With so much at stake, you need true legal expertise in your corner. We‘ve helped many Fresno businesses keep their SNAP approval – let us fight for you too.