Stokes, Angela R
Candidate for Judge, Cleveland Municipal Court Full Term Commencing 1/2/06
Biographical Information
Address:
38 Oak Shore Drive
Bratenahl, OH. 44108
Current Occupation:
Judge, Cleveland Municipal Court (1995 to present)
Education:
Shaker Heights High School, Diploma; University of Maryland, Bachelor of Arts (graduated with honors); Howard University School of Law, Juris Doctor
Please answer the following questions in no more than 300 words.
1. Why are you the best candidate for office?
It should be noted that I do not have an opponent. I have served as a Judge of the Cleveland Municipal Court for ten years dispensing justice with integrity, fairness, and wisdom within the guidelines of the law. I have demonstrated my leadership abilities by establishing Project HOPE (Holistic Opportunities and Preventative Education), the Cleveland Municipal Court's rehabilitative program for prostitution/solicitation offenders to help them become law abiding, productive members of the community. I have been the Chairperson of Project HOPE since 1999, the year it was co-founded by me and Judge Mary Eileen Kilbane. Some of Project HOPE's community partners are the Cleveland Clinic Foundation and Dress For Success who have professionals that volunteer their services to assist these women, along with the Court's Probation staff, Project HOPE's Advisory Board, alcohol and substance abuse agencies, mental health agencies, vocational skills referral programs, GED programs, and housing programs. Also, I take time to preside over a monthly Compliance Docket for the women of Project HOPE. Prior to being elected as a Judge, I practiced law for eleven years with a unique blend of service in both the public and private sectors. For eight years, I served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Ohio with the Federal Litigation and Employment Services Sections. I served as a Corporate Attorney for BP America, Inc. for three years in the areas of employment, benefits and labor law.
2. If elected or re-elected, what are your top three (3) priorities and why?
My top three (3) priorities are: (1) to form a partnership with local community colleges and businesses that would be willing to assist women in Project HOPE who have a high school education or a GED pursue more education and enroll in work-study programs; (2) to gather professionals who are willing to use their skills and knowledge to find the necessary resources to help in the rehabilitation of alcohol and substance abusers, the numbers of which are growing immensely; and (3) to facilitate a meeting of professionals who can determine how a short term crisis intervention domestic violence program can be established at the Cleveland House Of Corrections for convicted offenders who need immediate intervention because they pose a high risk of further violence prior to being released from custody to attend Domestic Violence programs in the community.
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