Judicial Biography

Born:

July 24, 1954, London

Year admitted to bar:

1979

Year appointed/elected:

2014, by Gov. Deval Patrick

Bench Service:

Boston Municipal Court, 1996-2014; former Dorchester District Court chief

Background

Education:

University of Virginia School of Law, 1979
University of South Carolina, 1975

Professional

Legal Employment History:

Assistant district attorney, Suffolk County (1979-1996)(federal trial team leader, 1992-1996; chief trial attorney in the Domestic Violence Unit, 1992; Major Offenders Bureau, 1984-1992; Jury of Six, Boston Municipal Court, 1982; District Court Department, 1980-1982; Screening Unit, 1980; Appellate Division, 1979-1980).

Reported Decisions

Evaluations from Lawyers

4 = Excellent 3 = Good 2 = Fair 1 = Poor

	rating	averages for judges of this court	averages of all judges
Manages court time in a way that minimizes waiting around:	4.0	2.7	3.0
Is receptive to requests for continuances:	3.5	2.8	2.9
Is receptive to lawyers’ requests for jury instructions and voir dire questions:	4.0	3.1	3.1
Presents easy-to-follow and legally sound instructions to jury:	4.0	3.2	3.2
Gives lawyers an opportunity to be heard prior to making legal findings and rulings:	4.0	2.9	3.1
Explains decisions in a manner that is clear to litigants and jurors:	4.0	3.1	3.0
Addresses the following with respect
a) litigants and witnesses:	4.0	3.1	3.2
b) lawyers:	4.0	2.9	3.0
c) court staff:	4.0	3.2	3.5
Attentiveness:	4.0	3.5	3.2
Timeliness of orders, judgments and decisions:	4.0	3.5	3.2
Demonstrates knowledge of substantive law and rules of evidence:	4.0	2.9	3.0
Quality of written decisions:	4.0	3.3	2.9
Shows willingness to ignore
a) irrelevant considerations:	4.0	3.1	2.9
c) identity of lawyers or parties:	4.0	3.1	3.0
d) public pressure or outside interests:	4.0	3.2	3.2
Has ability to maintain control of courtroom:	4.0	3.5	3.4
Starts session on schedule and on time:	4.0	3.4	3.2
Shows an appropriate degree of preparedness:	4.0	3.2	3.1
Average Overall Rating:	4.0	3.1	3.1

	% Yes Answer	averages for judges of this court	averages of all judges
Regularly keeps sessions past 4 p.m.:	0	41	26
Allows lawyers to lobby their cases in chambers:	50	26	47
Is rigid follower of court-mandated time standards:	50	29	45
Behaves differently when cameras are in the courtroom:	0	0	24

Comments

1) Have a list of mitigating factors ready because Judge Miller will take them into consideration while accepting a plea or at sentencing.

2) She listens well, is patient, and pleasant.

3) She is making observations, so pay close attention, especially to her facial expressions!!

4) Respectful, highly knowledgable of the law and is able to grasp the facts quicker than anyone else, has been in the trenches, but most of all, fair, a joy to be in front of.

Judicial Profiles

Miller, Rosalind Henson