Open-House Celebration Honoring Judge Rickert
Skagit County’s longest serving Superior Court Judge, Michael E. Rickert, will retire on June 30th, 2017 after serving twenty-four and half years. Judge Rickert graduated from Burlington High School in 1970 and then received his undergraduate from Washington State University. In addition, Judge Rickert enlisted in the United States Army where he served 5 years, attaining the rank of Captain. Following his service with the Army, Judge Rickert received his Juris Doctor from the University Of Puget Sound Law School in 1983.
In 1983, Judge Rickert joined the late Gilbert Mullen to form Mullen & Rickert Law in Mount Vernon and represented clients in both criminal and civil proceedings.
In 1986, Judge Rickert was elected to serve as the Skagit County Prosecutor, where he held the position from 1987-1993. During this time, he was instrumental in bringing local law enforcement together to create Skagit County’s first interagency Drug Task Force, which continues today.
In 1993, Judge Rickert was elected to serve as Skagit County Superior Court Judge, Department Two.
One of Judge Rickert’s greatest achievements is supporting the development and launch of the very first Drug Court Program in Skagit County, which began in 1997. This therapeutic court has served nearly 520 individuals and many credit this program for changing and saving their lives.
Judge Rickert has presided over numerous high profile cases in Skagit County and throughout the State of Washington. He is a highly regarded Judge and is known for his colorful “quips” from the bench oftentimes quoting movie lines or lyrics from some of his favorite songs.
An open-house celebration honoring Judge Rickert will be held on Friday, June 30th, 2017 at 2:30 PM in the Skagit County Courthouse, Courtroom Two.
Lisa Tremblay, Administrator
Skagit County Superior and Juvenile Courts
