The Florida Bar v. Howard Michael Scheinberg

Summary

The Court approved the referee’s findings that Scheinberg violated the rule prohibiting conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, but rejected the recommended one-year suspension. It held that Scheinberg’s extensive undisclosed personal communications with the presiding judge in a capital case created an appearance of impropriety and contributed to the case being retried, warranting a two-year suspension. The Court also upheld the referee’s aggravating and mitigating-factor findings and assessed costs against Scheinberg.