Zina Pickens Cruse Explained

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

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.

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.

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

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

Notes and References

1. Web site: Zina Renea Cruse. 2021-03-15. Ballotpedia. en.
2. Web site: Zina Pickens Cruse Profile Belleville, IL Lawyer Martindale.com. 2021-03-30. www.martindale.com.
3. Web site: Honorable Zina Cruse Circuit Judge in the 20th Judicial Circuit. 2021-03-15. St. Clair County, IL Democrats. en.
4. Web site: Upsilon Phi Omega, Charter Members. 2021-03-15. ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INC.®. en.
5. Book: Up The Hill 2019 . 2021-04-15 . Jack and Jill of America. en . 41, 43 . Williams-Jackson . Gina.
6. Web site: Cruse, Zina . St. Clair County Bar Association. 2021-03-15.
7. Web site: 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. 2021-03-09. Madison - St. Clair Record. en.