MARYSVILLE – Larry Trivett, who presided over Marysville Municipal Court for 12 years, has stepped down from the bench to focus on his private law practice and spend more time with his family.
The city seeks applicants to fill the vacancy and contract with the city to become the new judge presiding over municipal court for Marysville, Arlington and Lake Stevens.
Trivett worked 25 to 30 hours per week presiding over the court, and juggled his part-time work on the bench with a busy law practice and family commitments.
“At this point, I am finding it more and more difficult to devote the necessary time to fulfill both my judicial duties and those of my private practice,” he said. “I also wish to have additional time to devote to my family and other endeavors.”
Trivett will be missed for his professionalism and the fairness he showed to those who appeared before him in court, Mayor Dennis Kendall said.
Trivett resigned effective Dec. 1. An interim judge is presiding until the city selects a new judge.
During Trivett’s years on the bench, the court activity increased substantially, from about 2,500 cases per year when he began to 10,000 cases in 2003. In 2001, the court began handling administrative court services and providing hearings for Arlington and Lake Stevens under a contract. City officials attributed that change in part to Trivett’s leadership. Additionally, the court recently expanded its probation officer from a part-time to full-time position.
Currently, the court meets Monday and Tuesday mornings, Wednesday evenings and two Fridays a month, in addition to bail hearings six days a week.
The judge praised the court staff and other city employees.
“The city was always supportive of the court,” he said. “I always tried to serve the position with a sense of pride, and that was true from the first day I arrived to my last day in the court chamber,” the judge said.
Attorneys interested in the judge’s position should send a resume with a brief summary of their philosophy of being a municipal court judge to the city. Applications must be postmarked by Thursday. Applicants must be Washington residents and authorized to practice law here. Judicial experience is not required. The salary is negotiable, subject to the city’s budget ordinance.
The person selected would complete Trivett’s contract term, which expires Dec. 31, 2005, and then could apply to renew the contract.
Kendall will recommend a candidate to the City Council, which confirms the appointment, court administrator Nancy Roden said.
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