Samuel Miller
Samuel Miller graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology in 2002. He then received his J.D. from Nova Southeastern University in Broward County, Florida. During law school, Samuel Miller completed an internship with the Broward County State Attorney’s office. Following graduation, Samuel and his wife, Tiffany, moved to West Palm Beach where he took a position with the Palm Beach State Attorney’s Office.
Inspired by his family, Samuel grew up with a great love and respect for animals. Samuel's love for animals transformed into a passion for animal justice when he joined the State Attorney's Office. He requested all the animal cruelty cases, and ultimately he was designated the specialized animal cruelty prosecutor for Palm Beach County. Samuel is responsible for the filing and reviewing of all animal cruelty cases in the county. In addition to his normal caseload, he is also a felony division chief; Samuel maintains a caseload of approximately 10-15 Felony Animal Cruelty cases.
Recently Samuel has taken two high-profile felony animal cruelty cases to trial. In 2011, in his first major animal cruelty case, Samuel tried the case of Scott Kipp. The case involved a defendant who operated an unlicensed and rundown puppy mill. Twenty-three dogs suffered from deplorable living conditions and severe neglect. The animals were not properly sheltered from the oppressive heat, not properly watered, and had no food. Additionally, the kennels and surrounding areas were littered with feces, urine, and mold. All of the dogs had infections. The defendant was charged with three counts of felony cruelty to animals and twenty counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals. After a four day jury trial, the defendant was found guilty as charged on all counts and sentenced to six months in the Palm Beach County Jail.
The second high-profile case Samuel tried was the case of Andrew Schecter. The defendant was charged with one count of Felony Cruelty to Animals. The defendant had been jogging with his Jack Russell/Chihuahua mix when Holly, another Jack Russell, ran out of her yard and approached the defendant’s dog. When Holly would not stop smelling and sniffing his dog, the defendant struck Holly on the head three times with a wooden chair leg. Holly fell to the ground with visible injuries to her face and head. The defendant then struck Holly two more times as she lay unconscious in the roadway before running away from the scene with his own dog. A thorough examination of the defendant’s dog revealed no evidence that his dog had been attacked or injured. However, Holly sustained severe brain trauma due to multiple fractures in her skull. Holly suffered from seizures and other injuries that were a direct result of the defendant’s repeated blows to her head. After four months of rehabilitation, Holly’s wounds were healed and she eventually learned how to walk again. After a three day jury trial, the jury found the defendant guilty as charged. The defendant was sentenced to eight months on the Palm Beach County Jail, although the sentence was later reduced.
Prosecuting animal abusers has been the most rewarding part of Samuel's professional experience, and he plans to continue seeking justice for voiceless and defenseless animals.
