Judge Melnick has committed his career to serving the citizens of Clark County.
Judge Melnick did his undergraduate work at Northwestern University and received a B.A. degree 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 joined the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in 1981 and worked there for 23 years. During that time he prosecuted thousands of felony and misdemeanor cases and appeared before the Supreme Court and Court of Appeals hundreds of times. As a Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney he headed the Appellate Bureau, the Drug Unit and the District Court Unit. He was named Deputy Prosecutor of the Year. Judge Melnick taught at Clark College and lectured statewide on the following topics: ethics, search and seizure, trial advocacy, evidence, and constitutional law. He is currently the Presiding Judge for the Substance Abuse Court.
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.
