The Honorable Stephen Rideout, Chief Judge of the Alexandria Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court, has been named 2004 Judge of the Year by the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association.
Judge Rideout will be recognized on June 6 at the National CASA Association’s Annual Conference Banquet in Washington, D.C.
Judge Rideout is known for taking the crucial steps to improve the lives of children in Alexandria. He has served as an active Alexandria Juvenile Court Judge since 1989. In addition to a variety of contributions to the local and national CASA programs, Judge Rideout has guided the City of Alexandria in its participation in programs such as Model Court for the Victims Act Model Court Project, Family Drug Court, a mediation program and Adoption Saturdays.
“Children come first in his courtroom and in his own life,” said Diane Charles, executive director of Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) of Northern Virginia. SCAN runs the Alexandria CASA Program.
“His positive vision for Alexandria’s children has been a motivating factor for all who work with the city’s youth.”