About Judge Costeck:
Judge Costeck entered his legal career in 1998. He has been practicing and representing people in Island County since 2005. After his judicial appointment he relocated to Island County. Judge Costeck moved from Stanwood-Camano area to Whidbey Island in 2018 with his wife and stepson. It quickly became apparent to him that Island life was for him. As once spoken to him by an Island County resident, he has come to realize that the longer you experience Island life, the less you want to get off the island. He currently resides on Island with his family. The family was blessed with a young daughter in 2021 around the time his stepson went off to the University of Washington. Judge Costeck and his family are also active members of the St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in the Woods in Freeland WA.
His judicial philosophy is simple. District Court is a community court. It deals with quality of life issues. Under most circumstances, it is the average citizen that comes to District or Municipal Court for protection orders, infractions or other civil matters. Whether it is a civil dispute with a contractor, HOA, Landlord, neighbor or vice versa, it is most likely to begin in District Court. The types of criminal matters in District Court are the kind most likely to impact the average resident or family. The volume of cases in District Court is three times that of Superior Court. As such, it touches the most lives.
Judges must always recognize the impact of quality-of-life crimes on the community and be vigilant. Vigilant in avoiding what happens in larger cities when either law enforcement, prosecutors or any other actor within the system fails to acknowledge the impact of these quality-of-life crimes on the average citizen and the broader community.
The court must use all the tools at their disposal to assist in reducing recidivism. Whether it is tailoring conditions during court proceedings, using active probation monitoring or therapeutic alternatives, the court must never stop exploring options to change individual lives for the better and protect the community. This starts by taking rehabilitation seriously through treatment, proper monitoring and individual accountability. Also, a judge must never lose sight of the impartial, equal and fair application of the law, while still tailoring conditions and consequences to each unique circumstance, towards either encouraging change or deterring conduct. However, the one thing that must remain an absolute is the neutral application of the rule of law and the respect for each individual that comes before the court. Even within a high volume court environment, Judge Costeck holds true to listening and understanding the individual mile a person has walked leading them to his court, and using this information to tailor a genuine and personable response. The ultimate goal is a positive impact on the individual and providing a safer environment for the community.
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Judge Costeck's Commitment to Civic Engagement:
Speaking at the US Navy Safety Day: District Court is a community court. District Court is often the first place members of the community come in contact with the the civil or criminal process. Similarly, it can be the first step in an attorney's legal career. This fits in with Judge Costeck's passion for instruction and teaching. Whether explaining the law or a decision to litigants or assisting young attorneys, he sees it as an opportunity to provide an understanding to a decision, the law, or role of the judicial branch of government. Judge Costeck also takes this belief into the community. In the past couple of years he has given presentation for Whidbey Island 4H clubs, political and non political associations, and our U.S. Navy. He has reached out to the Board of Education in Oak Harbor, Coupeville, Camano, and Langley and offered judicial access for classroom engagement in the court or classroom. He currently serves as a coach for the Oak Harbor High School Mock trail team. It the Judges commitment to bring a better understanding of the role the 'rule of law' and judicial branch of government plays within our constitutional democracy. It is Judge Costeck's earnest desire that people support and share the importance they have in preserving our society and safety.
Judge Costeck's Legal Experience:
Swearing In Ceremony 2024: Judge Costeck was sworn in as the Presiding Judge of Island County's District Court in 2024. However, he first was appointed to the bench in Island County District and Municipal Court in 2018. During this time he has adjudicated over all manner of civil and criminal matters handled by the District Court. Prior to becoming a judicial officer Judge Costeck had an expansive legal career. He started his career in 1998 as a Deputy Prosecutor Attorney, prosecuting everything from minor crimes to serious violent crimes. In 2005 he opened a private practice. In private practice Judge Costeck handled everything from complex civil cases, family law to criminal defense. This diverse legal career and background broadened his legal experience and assisted in developing a balanced perspective on the bench. Judge Costeck also pursued his passion for teaching and instruction. During his career he has taught criminal and constitutional law as an adjunct profession at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, Indian Policy and Law at Lummi College. He has also instructed and lectured at law enforcement training programs and for students at Skagit and Whatcom Colleges.
Pictures from the Swearing in Ceremony
Pictures are not an endorsement of a Candidacy