TALLAHASSEE (Florida Record) — Suspended Lady Lake attorney William Jason Scheil has been disbarred following a July 25 Florida Supreme Court order over allegations involving drug possession, according to a recent announcement by The Florida Bar.
"Scheil engaged in felony criminal conduct involving drug possession," the state bar said in its Aug. 29 announcement of the discipline and the Supreme Court's order.
Scheil also failed to to appear for scheduled case management conferences, respond to the bar's discovery requests, and appear for the scheduled sanction hearing in the disciplinary proceedings against him, according to the state bar's announcement."
Scheil was already suspended, which meant his disbarment was effective immediately, according to the state bar's announcement.
Florida court orders are not final until time to file a rehearing motion expires. Filing such a motion does not alter the effective date of Scheil's disbarment.
Attorneys disbarred in Florida generally cannot reapply for admission for five years and must pass an extensive process that includes a rigorous background check and retaking the bar exam.
Scheil was admitted to the bar in Florida on April 25, 2011, according to his profile at the state bar website.
In January, Scheil pleaded no contest in Fifth Judicial Circuit Court to third degree felony possession of heroin and misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia, according to the notice of determination or judgment of guilt filed with the state Supreme Court.
The Fifth Circuit sentenced Scheil to seven days in prison, time already served, and 24 months' probation, in additio to ordering him ot pay incarceration and court costs, according to the notice.
In December 2018, Scheil was suspended for a year following a Supreme Court order after he admitted in sworn statements to using illegal drugs, including heroin. The court also ordered Scheil to pay almost $2,098 in costs.
Scheil's admission came during testimony in a friend's case in October 2016. Scheil admitted under oath "to using illegal drugs, including heroin, approximately two years ago with co-workers at a labor job," the consent judgment reached between Scheil and the state bar said.
The consent judgment also included Scheil's conditional guilty plea.
Scheil also testified that he had not used illegal drugs since he completed a rehabilitation program in 2016, according to the consent judgment.