Jean Rietschel

King County Superior Court

Position 37

Current Occupation/Employer: Seattle Municipal Court Judge

Education: University of Washington Law School

Legal/Judicial Experience: Appointed by former Mayor Norm Rice, Judge Jean Rietschel has adjudicated over 1,000 cases in her 12 years on Seattle’s Municipal Court. She has served as Presiding Judge and on its Executive Committee. She chaired the Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee, Trial Court Coordinating Committee, King County Regional Law and Justice Committee, and Regional Relicensing Summit. She is a Board member of Seattle Counseling Service.

Significant Career Experience: Judge Rietschel was formerly a Public Defender, handling felonies, misdemeanors, juveniles, dependencies, appeals, and civil commitments. In her earlier private practice, she handled criminal and family law.

Candidate Statement: From WTO cases to domestic violence, from criminal infractions to land use disputes, Judge Jean has been a judge and leader on Seattle Municipal Court bench.

Judge Jean Rietschel is endorsed by The Seattle Times, Post-Intelligencer, and Stranger. The Post-Intelligencer said, “Rietschel has a record for being fair but tough. She’s ready to step into the job and is prepared to deal with the county’s budgetary challenges.”

She is the only judge in this race rated “Outstanding” by the Municipal League. She received the top rating of local bar associations: “Exceptionally Well Qualified.” Judge Jean Rietschel has been top-rated by annual attorney evaluation polls throughout her career. She is a trusted member of the bench, often asked to speak on judicial values.

She took the lead in writing the Misdemeanor Report, saving money and reducing the number of defendants who fail to show up in court by offering smart alternatives. She established the Domestic Violence Court, holding suspects more accountable. The Alternatives to Confinement program was also her idea - promoting lower-cost rehabilitation for non-violent offenders.

The words used most often to describe her include fair, considerate of people’s time, hard-working and above politics in the adjudication of justice.

See also: Bar Group Finds Misleading [Rietschel] Campaign Materials

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