Rich Melnick has served the public for approximately 29 years as a judge and a prosecutor. He is currently the presiding judge for the Substance Abuse Court. He is a member of the District and Municipal Court Judges’ Association (DMCJA) and serves as chair of the DMCJA Education and Rules Committees and is Assistant Dean of Washington's Judicial College. Judge Melnick taught at Clark College and has lectured statewide on ethics, search and seizure, trial advocacy, evidence, and constitutional law.
Judge Melnick did his undergraduate work at Northwestern University and received a B.A. with double majors in history and political science. He received his law degree from the Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College where he was selected as a member of the Cornelius Honor Society.
Judge Melnick remains active in community activities. He coaches youth soccer, serves as a Director of T.O.D.A.Y. Foundation, is on the Criminal Justice Advisory Board of the Clark County Skills Center, coaches the Fort Vancouver High School Mock Trial team, and prepares holiday meals for the elderly and needy. Judge Melnick received the Washington State Bar Association’s Local Hero Award.
