Judge Scott A. Miller is a New York State trial court judge who presides over felony jury trials and Family Court cases involving custody, child neglect, and abuse. He was elected in 2019 to a countywide ten-year term after serving seven years as Ithaca City Court Judge.
In 2019, Judge Miller established the region’s first mental health court, broadening access to treatment-based alternatives within the justice system. His decisions reflect a wide-ranging and influential jurisprudence in areas such as search and seizure, self-defense, and child protection.
Beyond the courtroom, Judge Miller taught trial advocacy for eight years at Cornell Law School and has served as a Cornell House Fellow since 2016, mentoring undergraduate students and strengthening the university–community connection. Before joining the judiciary, he built his career as a criminal defense litigator.
Originally from Rhode Island, Judge Miller has lived in Ithaca since beginning his studies at Cornell, a choice inspired by his lifelong admiration for the late Professor Carl Sagan. He lives in Ithaca with his wife, a pastry chef, and their 13-year-old son, both of whom often join him at Flora Rose House dinners.