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Zina Pickens Cruse

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Zina Pickens Cruse (born May 2, 1963) is an American jurist serving as the 20th Judicial Circuit judge in St. Clair County, Illinois, the first African-American woman to serve in the circuit.

Education and career

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Cruse graduated from Northeast Missouri State in 1985[1] with her Bachelors of Science in Business Administration.[2] She then attended law school at Florida State University College of Law and graduated with her Juris Doctor in 1993.[2]

Cruse started a law firm focused on: Family/ Domestic, Criminal, Real Estate, Not-for-Profit organizations and Bankruptcy.[3] Cruse was appointed as an Associate Judge to the 20th Judicial Circuit in 2009 and was elected as a Circuit Judge in 2012.[3]

On January 31, 1998, in Edwardsville, Illinois, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Upsilon Phi Omega chapter was chartered and Cruse was a chartering general member.[4]

Family

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Cruse has a daughter with Mark Cruse, Marissa Cruse.[5] The family resides in Belleville, Illinois.[6][7]

References

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  1. ^ "Zina Renea Cruse". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2021-03-15.
  2. ^ a b "Zina Pickens Cruse Profile | Belleville, IL Lawyer | Martindale.com". www.martindale.com. Retrieved 2021-03-30.
  3. ^ a b "Honorable Zina Cruse | Circuit Judge in the 20th Judicial Circuit". St. Clair County, IL Democrats. Retrieved 2021-03-15.
  4. ^ "Upsilon Phi Omega, Charter Members". ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INC.®. Retrieved 2021-03-15.
  5. ^ Williams-Jackson, Gina (ed.). Up The Hill 2019. Jack and Jill of America. pp. 41, 43. Retrieved 2021-04-15.
  6. ^ "Cruse, Zina". St. Clair County Bar Association. Retrieved 2021-03-15.
  7. ^ Maher, Ann. "Cruse describes new bail reform law aimed at helping poor people, amidst criticism from Justice for Kane and radio host's racial slurs". Madison - St. Clair Record. Retrieved 2021-03-09.