Arnold, Wanda R
Candidate for Judge, Cleveland Municipal Court Unexpired Term Ending 12/31/07
Biographical Information
Address:
1098 East 98th Street
Cleveland, Ohio 44108
Current Occupation:
Magistrate, Probate Court, Guardianship Dept., Court of Common Pleas, Cuyahoga County
Education:
Clearwater High School, Clearwater, Florida
Bachelor of Arts, History and Psychology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
Juris Doctorate, Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland, Ohio
Please answer the following questions in no more than 300 words.
1. Why are you the best candidate for office?
I have served as a public sector attorney and magistrate for over 20 years. I have been admitted to the Ohio Supreme Court, U.S. District Court, Northern District, U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit and the U.S. States Supreme Court. My past experience includes employment as General Counsel for Cleveland Municipal Schools, Associate General Counsel for the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority, Hearing Officer for the Industrial Commission for the State of Ohio and as a Magistrate for Probate Court of Cuyahoga County. My legal experience also includes trial experience handling litigation cases involving civil rights in the area of race, sex, age and religious discrimination and workers compensation cases. I have also handled administrative hearing before the Ohio Civil Rights Commission and the Industrial Commission for the State of Ohio. Presently, I am a Magistrate for Probate Court hearing guardianship cases for minors and adults and for persons who are mentally or physically disabled. Everyday, I make decisions affecting the lives of the children and adults of this community. Many families who appear in front of me are been impacted by the effects of drugs or alcohol abuse. The mentally disabled may require appropriate placement and/or medical care and treatment. These quality of life issues are handled by me in an efficient and dignified manner. Decisions are also made in a timely manner. Many of the persons appearing in Cleveland Municipal Court are the results of the use of alcohol or drug abuse. My recent experience along with my broad legal background well qualifies me to serve as a Judge for the Cleveland Municipal Court. I am also very active and committed to my community. Presently, I served as a Director for the Black Professionals Charitable Foundation (BPCF) and as Vice Chairperson of the Board of Trustees for Bethany Baptist Church. As a member of the Board of BPCF, we give annually in excess of $100,000 in scholarships to students in the Greater Cleveland Area to attend college. I have served on the local boards of Karamu House Inc. and the Glenville YMCA. I aspire to become a Judge in furtherance of my legal career and as a continuing commitment to public service.
2. If elected or re-elected, what are your top three (3) priorities and why?
If elected, my first priority would be to conduct bimonthly forum for the community to become more knowledgeable about the jurisdiction of cases and services of the Cleveland Municipal Court. The court has created dockets to handle drug and mental health cases. They are effective measures in providing alternatives to persons with special needs. Secondly, I proposed that we create a drivers' education partnership with the local high schools. There are increasing numbers of cases involving the use of alcohol and drugs. We need to be proactive and educate our youths about the potential difficulties they may face in life if they become involved in the legal system. To the best of my ability, I would make a commitment as a Judge, to hear and decide all cases in a timely manner.
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