About Judge Cheri N. Simpkins
On November 21, 2023, Governor Moore appointed Judge Cheri N. Simpkins, a
distinguished legal professional, to the Prince George's County Maryland Circuit
Court. On January 4, 2024, Judge Simpkins assumed her esteemed position. She has
had a remarkable career, displaying a strong commitment to justice and a rich
background, and has made significant contributions to the legal field. In August 2017,
former Governor Larry Hogan appointed Judge Simpkins to the District Court Bench
for Prince George’s County, Maryland. She served as a trailblazer on the District
Court bench, being the first Afro-Latina/African American to hold this position,
breaking barriers and paving the way for others.
Judge Simpkins was born and raised in New York but spent her formative years in the
vibrant city of Miami, Florida. Her values of community, diversity, and inclusivity are
greatly influenced by her multicultural heritage. Her Afro-Cuban grandmother
immigrated from Havana, Cuba, to New York, while her father was a founding
member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).
Judge Simpkins obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of
South Florida in Tampa. She later pursued her Juris Doctorate at Nova Southeastern
University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Her academic journey laid the groundwork for
a career devoted to maintaining the ideals of justice and equity.
Prior to her judicial career, Judge Simpkins worked as an Assistant State's Attorney
for 14 years in the Prince George's County State's Attorney's Office. During her tenure
in the office, she demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, serving as the Chief of
the Juvenile Division and Assistant Chief of the District Court Division. Her
commitment to protecting the vulnerable was evident in her work in the Special
Victims Unit, where she prosecuted cases involving child abuse, sex crimes, infant
homicides, child exploitation, and domestic violence.
Judge Simpkins is an active member of various bar associations and holds
memberships in prestigious organizations such as Jack and Jill of America,
Incorporated, The Links, Incorporated, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,
Incorporated. Her dedication to public service and legal excellence has earned her
recognition as one of Maryland Daily Record's Top 100 Women in 2023, and she has
also received the 2023 Steven P. Lemmey Award for the Advancement of Public
Service Responsibility from the Maryland Bar Foundation.
Beyond her judicial responsibilities, Judge Simpkins is an Adjunct Professor at both
Georgetown University Law Center and the University of Baltimore in their Legal
Studies Program. She serves on the Judicial Council Language Access Committee,
where she ensures equal justice and court access for non-English speakers and
American Sign Language (ASL) users.
Judge Simpkins is a co-host for the Schools in Court program in collaboration with
the Prince George's County Public School system. The primary objective of this
program is to educate high school students from around Prince George's County about
the consequences of poor decision-making by providing them with firsthand
experiences within the courtroom setting. Additionally, she actively participates in the
Reading and Robes program, where she interacts with elementary school students
from Prince George's County. She reads culturally diverse books to younger students
that have themes of justice, fairness, and the law. Judge Simpkins' dedication to both
programs showcases her commitment to education, community engagement, and
fostering a deeper understanding of the legal system among students of all ages.
Judge Simpkins has resided in Prince George's County for more than twenty years.
She remains committed to upholding justice, promoting education, and respecting the
values that foster inclusive and diverse communities.
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