The search is under way for a replacement for Clark County District Court Judge Rich Melnick, who moves up to the Superior Court bench today.
Melnick, 54, was appointed by Gov. Chris Gregoire to replace Superior Court Judge Robert Harris, 75, who left office last month in accordance with the state’s mandatory retirement age for judges.
This week, the Clark County Board of Commissioners will begin accepting applications for his vacated seat. They hope to have a new District Court judge named by March.
“Because of the workload of the court, we’re trying to get this done in 60 days,” said Clark County Administrator Bill Barron.
In the meantime, District Court judges will share Melnick’s former caseload.
Once the application process has begun, the Clark County Bar Association will conduct a preference poll and recommend its choice to the commissioners.
A panel including the commissioners, two retired District Court judges, the county administrator and a member of the bar association will interview finalists.
So far, neither commissioners nor the bar association have heard from any prospective candidates, they said.
Election later this year
Melnick, who has served as a District Court judge since 2004, will have to stand for election later this year to keep the new post.
Superior Court judges have jurisdiction over felony criminal cases, civil cases involving more than $75,000, divorces, family law and probate cases. District Court judges handle misdemeanor criminal cases and small-claims matters.
Superior Court judges currently earn $148,832 a year. As a District Court judge, Melnick has been making $141,710 a year.
Applications for the District Court post can be picked up at the commissioners’ office on the sixth floor of the Clark County Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver.
Laura McVicker: 360-735-4516 or laura.mcvicker@columbian.com.
