Circuit Court Judge to retire in the summer
On April 16, Rider leads the first meeting for a possible drop-in center in Prairie du Chien. (Steve Van Kooten/Courier Press)
By Steve Van Kooten
After almost 40 years practicing law and eight years as Crawford County’s circuit court judge, Lynn Rider will retire on July 31, 2024, with her last active day on August 2.
“I always wanted to be a judge,” Rider wrote. “I observed court when I was younger, and I always thought the attorneys seemed angry and aggressive, and the judges seemed to be sensible, well-reasoned and well-spoken. I thought that’s always what I wanted to be.”
Rider began her career in 1985 with Czajkowski & Brady, a law firm in Prairie du Chien. The firm added and subtracted partner names over the next several decades, including Rider’s, but she worked for the same firm through her entire career.
“They offered me a position while I was still a law student, so I never went anywhere else,” she said. “I knew I wanted to work in a small town rather than a big city. There’s a congeniality among lawyers, neighbors and people you don’t see in cities.”
While working in general practice, Rider handled a variety of legal cases, including family law, estate planning, and guardian ad litem, which gave her the opportunity to work in the courtroom, perform research and meet face-to-face with clients.
From 1987 to 1988, Rider acted as Crawford County’s district attorney, the prosecuting representative for the county government in criminal cases.
“The district attorney’s office position when I ran as a new lawyer was simply a need for a lawyer to serve in that position,” she said. “I thought it would give me good trial experience.”
After she left the DA office, Rider continued to work as a lawyer until she was elected to the circuit court in 2016. She was re-elected in 2022.
“Working as a district attorney helped me somewhat in preparation to be a judge, but that was so many years ago. You often do see a natural progression from people who are in the district attorney’s office becoming judges. That really wasn’t the case for me.”
After Rider steps away from the courtroom, she will continue to serve the Prairie du Chien community. One problem she wants to address is the area’s battle with substance abuse, methamphetamine in particular.
“There’s an exponentially growing problem with substance abuse in the court system,” said Rider. “Unbelievable growth in substance use issues and resources spent in court systems. The reality is, if you send [offenders] to prison, it is a substantial expense for tax payers with a very poor prognosis upon their release.”
With the minimal services available in the court system for offenders with substance abuse problems and a high rate of recidivism among offenders, Rider said there is still a need for additional services in the community.
“Although I am pleased with the work that has been done to provide a treatment approach to criminal offenders who deal with addiction, I believe more work needs to be done through local churches and organizations to provide more support for people,” Rider wrote.
Rider has worked with several community organizations over the years, including St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, and most recently has spearheaded efforts to establish a community drop-in center in the city.
“I feel strongly we need to take a different approach to substance use offenders… There is a need for a place for people to go and socialize without alcohol.”
The governor’s office announced Rider’s impending retirement on May 8 and will accept applications until Monday, June 3. The judge’s term will last until July 31, 2025.
