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Howard Schumacher

9Howard Schumacher serves as “of counsel” for Meltzer & Bell, P.A., using his more than 25 years of experience to aid clients facing a range of traffic violations across South Florida. His career and education both attest to his dedication and hard work, as well as his thorough knowledge of Florida’s criminal justice systems.

Education

  • University of Miami, Bachelor of Science (Double Major) in Geology/English, 1985
  • Creighton University School of Law, Juris Doctorate

Memberships and Professional Affiliations

  • Florida Bar Association
  • Broward County Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • American Bar Association

Personal Experience

  • Present, Meltzer and Bell, P.A., Of Counsel
  • 1990-Present, Law Offices of Howard J. Schumacher, P.A.
  • 1988-1990, Law Offices of Allen S. Kaufman, P.A.
  • 1986-1988, Schrempp, Gross & Salerno, P.C.

Teaching Advisory Positions/Certifications

  • Teen Court Judge Emeritus Broward County, Florida 2002-present

Merit Recognition

  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review Rated
    (Pre-eminent rating by Independent Company responsible for evaluation of lawyers attaining the highest level of legal ability and ethics) after evaluation by their peers
  • Who’s Who of South Florida Lawyers

Bar and Court Admissions

  • Supreme Court of the State of Florida
  • United States District Court – Southern District of Florida
  • United States District Court – Middle District of Florida
  • United States District Court- District of Colorado
  • United States Court of Appeals – 11th Circuit Court of Appeals
  • United States Supreme Court

Cross-Examination Exemplars

Official Court transcripts available upon request demonstrating cross examination skills against Government’s cooperating witnesses, Federal and State Law Enforcement, expert witnesses.

Litigation Exemplars

Pre-trial motions, including motions to suppress evidence/ statements that have previously been granted and their corresponding orders excluding evidence are available upon request.

Personal

  • Born October 31, 1962 in Omaha, Nebraska.
  • Married 24 Years, 3 Children.

Notable Cases

  • United States v. Evintz Brillant, Federal Court (Southern District of Florida) – Head of Haitian National Police Drug Task Force—Indicted on Conspiracy to Import Cocaine (Acquittal)
  • United States v. Tyrone Cross, Federal Court (Southern District of Florida) – Indicted as one of a “crew” of organized armed bank robbers victimizing multiple bank branch locations in Florida (Acquittal)
  • United States v. Wilfredo Vazquez, Federal Court for the Southern District of Florida – Ex – U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement Officer indicted for sexual assault on detainee
  • United States v. Belkis Camara-Marquez, Federal Court for the Southern District of Florida – Former Cuban Physician acquitted of Bribery in Furtherance of Medicare Fraud (Acquittal)
  • United States of America v. Glendell Edison, Federal Court (Middle District of Florida) – Collier County Sheriff Sergeant indicted for racketeering, extortion, trafficking and money laundering
  • United States v. Torres, Federal Court (Southern District of Florida) – Murder for Hire arising from Cocaine Conspiracy (Acquittal)
  • United States v. Ionni Kaluris, Federal Court (Southern District of Florida) – conspiracy to Import Cocaine by running a Yacht Basin for the production of motor yachts used to smuggle 1000 + kg of cocaine (Acquittal)
  • United States v. David Ogg, Federal Court (Southern District of Florida) – Indicted on Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Cocaine (Acquittal)
  • State v. Clayton Lawrence, Broward County, Florida Circuit Court – Armed Home invasion case with two cooperating co-defendants/witnesses (Acquittal)
  • State v. Donald Schleig, Okaloosa County, Florida Circuit Court – Air Force E5 Officer charged with Aggravated Sexual Assault on an Incapacitated Person (Acquittal)
  • State v. Errol Windhom, Leon County, Florida Circuit Court – Principal of Second Chance Middle School charged with Lewd assault on a student (Acquittal)
  • State v. Douglas Sayan, Broward County, Florida Circuit Court- Obtained Governor’s Pardon releasing Defendant convicted of 1st Degree Murder following 13 years imprisonment, after being falsely accused and convicted
  • United States v. Jorge Aleman, Federal Court, 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, Obtained reversal on appeal for a life sentence given to alien smuggler where death of a passenger resulted – case remanded for re-sentencing (10 year sentence)
  • United States v. Wolfgang Von Schlieffen, Federal Court Southern District of Florida – Overturned conviction of Defendant and recouped approximately $300,000.00 of legal fees under Hyde Amendment for False Prosecution
Howard Schumacher
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Thousands of Big Wins in Florida

Felony Possession Of Controlled Substance and DUI (Second Offense w/in 5)
The Defendant was charged with Felony Possession of Controlled Substance, punishable by 5 years in prison, and Driving Under the Influence, a second DUI offense within five years of a prior DUI conviction which carries a mandatory jail sentence and a five-year driver’s license revocation. The Defendant’s vehicle was stopped by Officer Malave of the Sunrise Police Department for repeatedly stopping and starting his vehicle near an intersection and for violating a flashing yellow light by stopping and remaining stationary at the intersection. Officer Malave approached the vehicle and made contact with the Defendant. Upon making contact with the Defendant, the Officer noticed that the defendant had the strong odor of an alcoholic beverage, bloodshot and watery eyes, slurred speech ; and the Defendant was incapable of formulating complete sentences. The Defendant would nod off in mid-sentence and was completely incoherent at times. After making those observations, Officer Malave, a female called for the assistance of two male officer’s due to the Defendant’s condition and physical size. The male officers loudly ordered the Defendant out of the car on multiple occasions, but the Defendant would not comply. The Officers attempted to forcibly remove the Defendant from the vehicle, but the Defendant resisted those efforts by bracing, pulling and stiffening his body so that the officers could not move him. The Defendant was slammed to the ground, which the officers took as a refusal to perform roadside exercises and then incorrectly read the Defendant implied consent, which only applies to breath tests. Officers noticed that there ere three cans of beer in the vehicle as well. The Defendant was arrested for DUI and was NOT taken to the Breath Testing Facility and DUI Room, but only the Broward County Main Jail. The Defendant was never asked to submit to a breath test. After the Defendant’s arrest, Officers discovered 27 pills located in a tackle box in the Defendant’s vehicle which ultimately were revealed to be anabolic steroids. Partner, Lawrence Meltzer of Meltzer & Bell prepared for trial. During preparation, the firm filed several Motions in Limine (Motions to Exclude Evidence) that asked the court to exclude any reference to roadside exercises or the Defendant’s alleged refusal top perform them as the Defendant was not offered the roadside exercises and, thus, never refused them. Additionally, the court was asked to exclude any mention of a refusal to submit to a breath test or failure to give on as, again, one was never offered. Finally, the court was asked to prohibit the State from discussing the anabolic steroids as such pills, although a controlled substance, are not those of an impairing or intoxicating nature. After receiving the Motion, the state conceded and was compelled to drop all DUI related charges. Meltzer & Bell was also able to have all felony drug charges dropped as well.
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Result:  Not Guilty
Driving Under the Influence
The Defendant was charged with Driving Under the Influence. Officers of the Davie Police Department were alerted by a concerned citizen that our client was leaving The Billiard Club, a pool bar, in an extremely intoxicated state and about to drive. The Officer approached the vehicle as the car was in reverse, ordered the Defendant to stop the vehicle and conducted a wellness check and noticed the Defendant had bloodshot eyes, the odor of an alcoholic beverage, and extremely slurred speech. Based on those observations, the officer asked the Defendant to perform roadside sobriety exercises, to which the defendant refused. The Defendant was placed under arrest for DUI and was asked to submit to a breath test, but, again refused. Lawrence Meltzer of Meltzer and Bell began to prepare for trial and researched case law in an effort to suppress or throw out the stop of the Defendant’s vehicle and all evidence that followed the stop as being unconstitutional and based upon a lack of reasonable suspicion as the Defendant had done nothing to justify her vehicle being stopped. The firm and Mr. Meltzer researched a similar factual scenario in State v. Sliviak in which the stop was suppressed based upon a lack of reasonable suspicion of criminal activity in an almost identical situation. This case law was presented to the State prior to trial. Upon receiving it, the State agreed and dropped the DUI charge.
Read More
Result:  Charges Dropped
REFUSAL TO SUBMIT TO TESTING
The Defendant was observed by Officer Troy Murdock of the Coral Springs Police Department traveling 55 in a 40mph and weaving uncontrollably to the extent traffic began to slow in order to evade her. The officer activated his emergency lights in order to stop the Defendant, however, she did not until she was forced to because of a traffic backup at the intersection of Riverside Drive and Coral Springs Drive. Upon making contact with the Defendant, the officer noticed the defendant to have an extremely strong odor of an alcoholic beverage; that she could not handle or identify her vehicle documentation and that her speech was extremely slurred and that she was disoriented to the point where she was nodding off in front of the officer. When asked if she knew how fast she was moving the defendant responded by saying “I was doing 99.9”. The Defendant was asked to exit the vehicle and could not place the car in park. Upon exiting the vehicle, the Defendant almost fell into oncoming traffic and had to be saved by the officer. The Defendant could not maintain her balance and was disheveled in her appearance. The defendant refused to perform roadside exercises and later refused a breath test. The defendant had previously been arrested for DUI and previously had her licensed suspended for refusing a breath test and admitted to “having some vodkas”. Meltzer & Bell, once again, proceeded to trial. At trial, our attorneys were able to demonstrate that the officer was not truthful in his testimony through the use of photographs and google satellite photos, and based upon the testimony of the client.
Read More
Result:  DUI Dismissed
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I was arrested with a DUI and as soon as I could starting doing research for an attorney. I saw the reviews on Meltzer & Bell and decided to call them. It was a Saturday at 1pm and within minutes of leaving a message I received a call from Matt Shafran. Then by 3pm I was sitting in front of him in the WPB office. Just spending the worst 12 hours of my life, Matt was a life saver. He explained the process and what I needed to do in order to keep my license while he worked on my case. He was always available by cell or email. In less than a month, he was able to get all my charges dropped and didn’t even spend time court.

Thank you, Matt!!! I truly appreciate all of your help and support in clearing my name!!!

E.P.
06 Sep 2023

This past year I bought myself a new toy. It’s the third bike I’ve owned, so ‘Im familiar with the tickets that come with it. So far Steven Bell, Esq. has had my reckless driving reduced to a $50 fine and driving school-no points and a complete dismissal of criminal charges. Had my driving without a license dropped-no points. And a 30 over speeding ticket to a fine and driving school-no points. I’d have to say this law-firm handles their own. If your looking for a stress free way of handling your tickets call Meltzer and Bell PA, “The Traffic Stop”.

L.J.
19 Aug 2023

Meltzer and Bell, P.A., “The Traffic Stop,” really went above and beyond in their representation of me in Osceola County on my speeding ticket. They may possibly be THE BEST traffic lawyers I’ve ever encountered. Be sure to send your friends and family to the Meltzer and Bell, P.A., “The Traffic Stop,” for their traffic ticket and DUI needs. I can’t believe that they got the result that they did. Quite simply, they are the most professional firm that I have ever dealt with, and their level of expertise and communication is unparalleled.

I sincerely thank you for everything.

J.N.
27 Jul 2023

I just had to commend you on the outstanding job you did on behalf of your client in court yesterday. If my clients were ever to ask me if I know of a good DUI defense attorney, I know to whom I can refer them!

A.A.
14 Jun 2023

I just wanted to thank you for taking care of my ticket for me. I am thrilled with the outcome and I will definitely refer you to all my family and friends! Thank you so much!

C.W.
05 May 2023
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