 He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1829, and commenced practice in Chestertown.He served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates in 1834, served in the Maryland State Senate from 1836 to 1844, and served as presidential elector on the Whig tickets in 1840 and 1844.Ricaud was elected as the candidate of the American Party to the Thirty-fourth and Thirty-fifth Congresses, serving from March 4, 1855, to March 3, 1859.