Lester M. Miller is a law firm in Macon Georgia specializing in criminal, divorce, motor vehicle, and workers compensation

<< News & Press

Macon Telegraph, The (GA)
2004-03-19
Section: B
Edition: HOUSTON/PEACH
Page: 5

MILLER TO CHALLENGE MACON CIRCUIT JUDGE
Sharon E. Crawford, Telegraph Staff Writer

A Macon attorney says it's time for a younger Superior Court judge on the Macon
Judicial Circuit bench.

Lester Miller, 35, announced Thursday night that he will challenge Macon Judicial
Circuit Superior Court Judge S. Phillip Brown. Brown, 62, was appointed in 1996 by
former Gov. Zell Miller.

According to court officials, this is the first time in recent history that a sitting Macon
Circuit Superior Court judge has had opposition. The Macon Judicial Circuit includes
Bibb, Peach and Crawford counties. "I see a need for change and for youth involvement,"
Miller said. "We need someone who can relate to the people."

If elected, Miller said he would support maximum sentences for violent criminals and
repeat offenders. He would also like to see faith-based programs for first-time, nonviolent
offenders.

"I know there is supposed to be a separation of church and state," Miller said. "I see
young African-American males that had we gotten to them early on, it could have made a
difference."

Georgia is one of few states where judges are elected. If a sitting judge steps down before
his or her term is over, the governor appoints a replacement.
Miller, who practices general law, is a Macon native. He said he decided to run for
Superior Court judge several years ago, but said it hasn't been a popular decision among
several of his attorney friends.

--- To contact Sharon E. Crawford, call 744-4384 or e-mail scrawford@macontel.com.