Dugan attorney tapped as judge

Robert A. Miller, who dedicated most of his 22-year legal career protecting the rights of the poor, is DuPage County's newest judge.

The 47-year-old West Chicago man served as DuPage County's top public defender since August 2003. The 18th circuit judges recently named him an associate judge.

Miller is a former top Stephenson County public defender who also worked in private practice and as a Winnebago County assistant state's attorney prosecuting criminal felonies back in the early to mid-1990s.

He's defended several DuPage County high-profile murder cases, including those involving the death penalty. For example, Miller convinced a judge in 2005 to give life prison terms rather than execute two men who killed a 14-year-old Carol Stream girl. One of the defendants suffered severe childhood abuse and had an IQ bordering on mentally disabled.

Miller also is one of five lawyers fighting to save the life of Brian Dugan, who pleaded guilty to the 1983 murder of 10-year-old Jeanine Nicarico of Naperville. Miller will be officially sworn in as judge after Dugan's death penalty sentencing hearing concludes next month.

Chief Judge Stephen J. Culliton is expected to form a committee to search for Miller's replacement as public defender.