Laura M. Riquelme at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Washington · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Laura M. Riquelme
Judge · Skagit County - Superior Court
Biography
Professional career
- Department 2 judge on the Skagit County Superior Court in Washington, appointed by Governor Jay Inslee on June 26, 2017, to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Michael E. Rickert
- Before her judicial appointment, Riquelme held the role of senior deputy public defender for the Skagit County Public Defender’s Office (2016–2017) and briefly as a judge in the same court (March–November 2016).
- She also worked as a deputy prosecuting attorney for the Skagit County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
Education
- Bachelor’s degree, University of Massachusetts J.D., Syracuse University College of Law
Additional information
- Appointment: June 26, 2017, by Gov.
- In her retention campaign, Riquelme cited Judge Susan Cook as her most admired judge and identified addressing mental health and chemical dependency crises with limited court resources as her top judicial concern.
- She has been active in community and legal organizations, including the Skagit County Bar Association, Skagit Women in Business, and the Skagit Immigrant Rights Council.
- Early life: Raised in a rural community in Western New York; later lived in Boston, Chile, and traveled extensively in South America.
- Married to a Chilean mountain guide; speaks fluent Spanish.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Recording and broadcasting
Statewide
Washington GR 16 allows video recording, audio recording, and still photography by the news media in courtrooms only after the judge has expressly granted permission.
Video and audio recording and still photography by the news media are allowed in the courtroom during and between sessions, provided (1) that permission shall have first been expressly granted by the judgeWashington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media ↗
Statewide
If a Washington judge limits courtroom photography or recording, GR 16 requires particularized findings on the record and treats open access as presumed.
Open access is presumed; limitations on access must be supported by reasons found by the judge to be sufficiently compelling to outweigh that presumptionWashington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media
Skagit County - Superior Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster ↗Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media
Statewide source · PDF · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Washington GR 16, Courtroom Photography and Recording by the News Media ↗