Alcohol Licenses, business registrations and Virginia lottery permits are issued by the government and allow you to legally conduct business – and if you don’t fill out the paperwork correctly or apply for the wrong type of license, it could hold up the licensing. You also could end up having to appeal or attend a hearing to fight for your license. Because occasionally, it does happen: an application gets submitted that doesn’t get approved. They end up in court.
If there is an objection to the location of the license (as it was in the case of this client, pictured above), we can help you prepare. In this case, despite efforts of mediation with civic-league opposition, the client ended up in court facing a room filled with objectors. He won, by the way.
Generally, hearings to resolve alleged violation(s) of the Virginia ABC Act and/or VA ABC Authority’s regulations take place at the appropriate Virginia ABC’s regional office. In some circumstances (significant public interest) a local governmental facility may be utilized.
Application Hearing’s will delay license issuance and in some cases result in a restricted license or even license denial. The hearing decision is rendered in writing within 30 days of the hearing date.
How does ABC Consulting help in the courtroom?
- We help you prepare. Preparing for a hearing is far more than just showing up and giving opinions. We help you do your homework, bring facts, bring witnesses and if you wish to retain legal counsel it is highly recommended. We work with your legal counsel or you can use our recommended attorney.
- Administrative hearings are generally of two types: (1) Application—to obtain an ABC license, and (2) Disciplinary—to determine whether a licensee has violated one or more ABC laws and regulations. We can assist with either type.
- We, often, will recommend joining your local civic league to ensure that your business plan is in line with the civic league’s community plan.
- We help you understand the ABCs of an ABC Hearing (what evidence should be submitted and if you should designate a spokesperson)
- We help create a confidence in you for courtroom appearances. We remind you to speak loud and slowly (so the court reporter captures your testimony accurately).
- We’ll help you speak to the Hearing Officer (not to the audience in the hearing room). The hearing officer conducts the hearing in a fair and impartial manner, while assuring that all relevant and material information is presented in order to make a reasoned decision.
Hearings can be very intimidating and if you are not experienced in a courtroom, your relationship with ABC Consulting Alcohol Licensing Compliance Training is invaluable. We will assist you in navigating and preparing you for the hearing process. We assist in the entire process of making you and keeping you compliant with Virginia laws. We offer so many services for small businesses in Virginia – to include proper training of your employees (T.O.A.S.T.®, BREW™, and WINE™ training are available, conveniently, online). And, we’re there for you in the courtroom. ABC Consulting is here to help you grow and serve safely!
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