By Dan Evans Daily Journal Staff Writer An Appellate court has junked enforcement actions by the state liquor-control department, ruling that its proceedings violate licensee’s due-process rights. The court faulted the department for allowing its staff attorney’s, when they seek liquor-license suspensions or revocations, to present secret reports to the agency’s chief counsel, who ultimately […]

By Ralph B. Saltsman with Stephen Warren Solomon And Stephen A. Jamieson All is not lost. There is still the Appeals Board. The following scenario is repeated every so frequently throughout California: Some time ago the ABC conducted an investigation at your licensed premises and found alleged violations. The Department filed an Accusation in order […]

By Ralph Barat Saltsman in conjunction with Stephen Warren Solomon and Stephen Allen Jamieson At some point several months ago, there was an incident at your licensed premises. Maybe a citation was issued. Maybe ABC investigators conducted an undercover investigation that you never knew about. Now you’ve received a letter from the ABC telling you […]

By Ralph B. Saltsman with Stephen Warren Solomon and Stephen Jamieson Avid Beverage News fans who read Legal Ease every month already know that Administrative Law Judges who regularly hear cases brought by the ABC against licensees are employees of the ABC. But that’s only the beginning of the story. It does get worse; read […]