Class of 1980
The Honorable Nancy A. Cisneros retired from the Fresno County Superior Court in March 2010, having served the Court as a Commissioner for 22 years. During her years on the bench, her assignments included Juvenile Dependency, Family Support, Family Law, Drug Court, Traffic, and Misdemeanors. She served in Drug Court for 8 years, where she developed her passionate interest in rehabilitative justice, especially for drug addicts receiving treatment rather than incarceration. Her impact on the many individuals who appeared before her in Drug Court was recognized by a Deodar Cedar planted in her honor in Courthouse Park.
Commissioner Cisneros received the Justice Pauline Hanson Award from Fresno County Women Lawyers and the Champion of Justice Award for a judicial officer from Central California Legal Services. In 1997, she was named the Commissioner of the Year by both the California Department of Social Services and the National Child Support Enforcement Association. She has been recognized for her work on numerous boards and commissions and remains a member of the National Association of Drug Court Professionals.
Commissioner Cisneros was valedictorian of her 1980 graduating class at San Joaquin College of Law. Her husband of 27 years, David, is employed with the City of Fresno. They share their home with two spoiled dogs and the hundreds of books amassed for her retirement reading. David gave her a Kindle for her birthday, virtually ensuring she’ll never be seen sitting still without her nose in a book.