Callaway County prosecutor appointed to circuit judge seat
FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ)
Callaway County Prosecutor Benjamin Miller got the phone call he hoped for.
At 9:30 a.m. Friday, he was told he was appointed by Gov. Mike Parson to become a circuit judge for the 13th Judicial District, covering Callaway and Boone counties. Parson’s office also made the announcement in a press release along with several appointments, including Christopher Limbaugh, of Jefferson City, to become a circuit judge in the 19th Circuit, which covers Cole County.
The governor’s release described the new role as a “newly-created position in the circuit.”
Miller – who was elected to the prosecutor position in November 2022 -- said he is grateful for the appointment and that community members may have helped in the appointment.
“It is an honor when the governor calls and says we think you’re the person for this. It’s an absolute honor and I would not be a position I was in, if it wasn’t for the community making phone calls and writing letters to the governor’s office,” he said.
Miller has to be sworn in to the new position within 30 days, but he plans on staying on as prosecutor until his replacement is picked. Parson has the ability to make the appointment, but Miller said Parson will likely take input from 13th District Presiding Judge Brouck Jacobs. Miller said he would like to help out the next prosecutor and to ensure a successful transition.
Miller believes his life experience makes him a good fit for his new role.
“I think that my background uniquely suits me for a judicial position. I grew up as a child in a home with child abuse, with a parent who abused me, physically. I grew up in a home with substance abuse. I was starting to go down that path as a kid,” he said. “I was a high school dropout and eventually got a GED. Due to the people in my life, I was able to pull myself out of that circumstance. It’s important for people on the bench to have that perspective. To be able to show grace and mercy because they’ve seen it, while also being able to say ‘that’s enough.’ I think that life experience uniquely suits me for this role.”
Miller holds a bachelor of arts in history from Palm Beach Atlantic University and a law degree from Regent University, the release says. He gave thanks to the community for its support and said he hopes to serve both Callaway and Boone counties well.
“Thank you to the people here in Callaway County who have been supportive of my time here as prosecutor and push here for judge. I will do the best I can for those in Boone County the same way I have in Callaway on the bench,” he said.
Derek Hux -- 13th Circuit Deputy Court Administrator -- wrote in an email that the state budget funds an additional circuit judge in the 13th and 19th circuit courts. The 13th Circuit will have a new division: Division 13, Hux wrote. Circuit Judges in the 13th Circuit Court can hear cases in Boone and Callaway counties for Division 1, 2, 3, 4 and 13, according to Hux.
"As County Prosecutor he (Miller) has a long history of having cases before the other Circuit Judges, and we are all confident he will do great in this new role," Hux wrote.
