CEDAR CITY — Longtime Justice Court Judge Margaret Miller has retired after working in Iron County and Cedar City courts for nearly 50 years.
Miller said her last day of work, Friday, Dec. 30, was a “pretty quiet day,” with several staffers off because of the holidays.
“I had some of my close friends and people that I have worked with just come in and stop by,” Miller told Cedar City News on Monday. “But it was kind of a boring day, actually.”
She did officiate a wedding at 4:30 p.m., she added.
Miller said the days leading up to her final day on the bench were typical, handling traffic court appearances and arraignments, both in person and via videoconference. Her final swearing-in ceremony last week was for fellow Judge Brent A. Dunlap, who was retained in the November election.
Reflecting back on the changes she’s seen over the past five decades, Miller said, “It doesn’t even seem that long. It’s crazy.”
Miller began working as a clerk in the Cedar Precinct Justice Court in May of 1973, first under Judge Gail S. Seegmiller and then under Judge Haldow Christensen. In 1978, after working for five years as a clerk, she was appointed by then-Iron County Attorney Hans Q. Chamberlain to replace another judge who had serious health issues.
“He just came over and said, ‘We are going to appoint you the judge in this court, and there you go,’” she recalled. “And I went from there.”
In her early years as a justice court judge, Miller said she needed to run for election just like any other county official. That process later gave way to the state’s current system of retention elections, she said.
Miller expressed her appreciation for the various judges, clerks, bailiffs, attorneys and prosecutors she’s worked with over the years. Her career also spanned various locations as courtroom venues were changed from time to time, she added.
“I’ve worked with some wonderful people,” she said. “We don’t always agree, certainly. But I have great respect for all of them.”
Although she didn’t cite any specific cases in particular, Miller said, “The ones that hurt my heart the most are the ones that have domestic violence and the DUIs.”
Former Iron County Sheriff’s Office employee Del Schlosser said in a Facebook post that early in his career, he’d worked as a bailiff in Miller’s courtroom.
“What started as a professional relationship soon turned to a friendship like no other,” Schlosser wrote in the post. “I know I am a better person because of her.”
“I am so touched by all the kind comments about my retirement,” Miller wrote in a comment replying to Schlosser’s post. “I am so blessed to have so many special friends and family in my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your thoughtfulness.”
Miller and her husband Jack are the parents of two sons, Gabe and Skyler, whose respective families include seven grandchildren plus a granddaughter-in-law.
Miller said she’s looking forward to spending more time with her family and friends.
“My grandkids are just growing up so fast,” she said. “I just want to be able to spend time and not worry about looking at the clock to get back to work or to do probable cause statements and search warrants.
“I have some great friends that I want to spend time with. I also just want to have free time to sit on the couch.”
According to her biography on the Utah State Courts website, Miller has served in various capacities, including mentoring new 5th District judges since 2007. She has also served as district director and assistant director for the 5th Judicial District within the Justice Court Judges Association. She has also assisted with juvenile offender programs within the 5th District and has served on the board to review court procedures.
In 2019, Miller also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the State Board of Justice Court Judges.
Outside the courtroom, Miller currently serves on the board of directors for Cedar City Housing Authority. She received the Cedar City Business and Professional Women’s honor as Women of Achievement in both 1986 and 1997 and was honored as a Woman of Achievement by the Utah Federation Business and Professional Women’s State honor as Women of Achievement in 1986.
In addition to being named Judge of the Year in 1988 and 1992, Miller’s various other honors include the Quality of Justice Award, Iron County resource person of the year and Division of Youth Corrections Region III’s outstanding volunteer.
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