L. Scott Miller

Member
smiller@sturgillturner.com
859.255.8581 | 865.205.9380

Scott Miller helps police departments and police officers by defending them against claims of excessive use of force, malicious prosecution, unlawful search and seizure, and other federal civil rights actions. He also provides expert review of police policies and makes recommendations for best practices. Scott has 24 years of law enforcement experience, which means he understands first-hand the issues and stress that police officers face on the job. He works hard to minimize the disruption that litigation can have on a police officer’s ability to effectively enforce the law and protect the community.

Scott’s career with the Kentucky State Police began as a trooper and expanded to include legal work as he earned his law degree while maintaining full-time employment as an officer. He oversaw litigation and represented the Kentucky State Police and troopers in a variety of matters including civil rights cases and employment law cases. Scott reached the rank of Lt. Colonel and held several roles for the Kentucky State Police. Prior to joining the Kentucky State Police in 1998, Scott was a Sheriff’s Deputy in Tennessee for five years.

Scott currently provides representation to the Kentucky State Police Troopers, and is panel counsel for the Kentucky Association of Counties, the Kentucky League of Cities, the Fraternal Order of Police, and the Southern States Police Benevolent Association. He represents police officers across Kentucky in both state and federal courts as well as representing them during investigations of critical incidents in which officers are involved.

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Areas of Practice

Featured

Government & Municipal Law

Police Law

Special Investigations

Representative Legal Experience

Oversaw litigation and represented the Kentucky State Police in legal cases including, but not limited to, employment law cases, civil rights litigation, assault and battery, and automobile accident defense.

Advised the Kentucky State Police Commissioner on policy and legal issues.

Kentucky Supreme Court cases:

Gaither v. Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, 447 S.W.3d 628 (Ky 2014).

Martin v. O’Daniel, 507 S.W.3d 1, 11-12 (Ky. 2016).

Argued cases before the Kentucky Court of Appeals.

Oral argument before 6th Circuit Court of Appeals: Campbell v. Stamper, 244 Fed. Appx. 629 (6th Cir. 2007) – Not published

Published cases: Fall v. Commonwealth, 245 S.W.3d 812, (Ky. Ct. App. 2008)

Defense verdict: O’Daniel v. Martin, Motley, and Sapp 07-CI-Defense verdict: O’Daniel v. Martin, Motley, and Sapp 07-CI-0820 (4-day jury trial)

Representative Law Enforcement Experience

International Association of Chiefs of Police, Legal Officers Section

Kentucky Chiefs of Police Association

Kentucky State Police Professional Association

Kentucky Law Enforcement Council – Professional Development Committee (2014-2016)

Appalachian High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (AHIDTA) Executive Board (2014-2015)

Expert review for Connecticut State Police Trooper

Kentucky Law Enforcement Council Member – Professional Standards Committee

Presented on legal issues with confidential informants to the Kentucky Narcotics Officers Association Conference, KSP Intelligence Analyst Training, KSP Drug Enforcement Training

Presented on supervision and leadership at the Kentucky Chiefs of Police Meeting and the KSP Legacy Leadership Course

Presenter KSP Sergeant’s Academy – Pursuit Driving and Motivating Employees

Presenter at the Commonwealth Attorneys Association Winter Conference - Garrity Rights (2016)

International Association of Chiefs of Police Conference (IACP) - Legal Officers Section Committee meeting

Member of Appalachian HIDTA Executive Board

Bureau of Justice Assistance - Task Force Commander Leadership and Management (Safeguarding Privacy, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties in Task Force Operation, Executive Leadership)

United States Attorney Federal Civil Rights Training

Orientation for New Police Chiefs, DOCJT

Traumas for Law Enforcement Training, Concerns of Police Survivors

Situational Leadership Training

Graduate of the Kentucky State Police Sergeant’s Leadership Academy

Seminars

Police Reform: What You Need to Know, presentation for the National Business Institute (July 2020)

Trends in Law Enforcement Litigation, Kentucky Narcotic Officers’ Conference (September 2019)

Why Employers Get Sued: How You Can Stop It, CLE presentation for the National Business Institute (June 2019)

Section 1983 Claims and Government Liability, CLE presentation for the National Business Institute “Municipal Law From Start to Finish” (March 2019)

Ethics, CLE presentation for the National Business Institute “Municipal Law From Start to Finish” (March 2019)

Section 1983 Defense and Police Liability, CLE presentation for the National Business Institute “Advanced Legal Issues Affecting Local Government and Municipalities: The Ultimate Guide” (November 2018)

Precautions in the Use of Confidential Informants, National Alliance of State Drug Enforcement Agents (NASDEA) Spring Conference (2018)

A Current Look at Prosecutorial Immunity, Kentucky Commonwealth Attorney’s Association Winter Conference (2018)

A Current Look at Governmental Immunity, NBI Local Government Compliance Seminar (2017)

Advanced Legal Issues Affecting Local Governments and Municipalities: An Ultimate Guide, National Business Institute CLE (December 2016)

Presented numerous legal, HR, and other training seminars for the Kentucky State Police and other law enforcement organizations.