Judge Cleveland graduated from the University of North Alabama in 1984 where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science.  She went on to earn a Juris Doctor Degree from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law in 1990. Judge Cleveland was born and raised in Hartselle, Alabama and attended elementary and high school in the Hartselle public school system.

Judge Sybil Cleveland was appointed Municipal Court Judge for the City of Huntsville in 1999 by the Huntsville City Council.   She is currently serving her fourth four-year term.   Prior to her appointment to the bench, she served as an attorney in the general practice of law in Birmingham, Alabama and as a Municipal Prosecutor for the cities of Birmingham and Ensley.  She was hired in 1992 by the Madison County District Attorney to serve as an Assistant District Attorney in the Child Support Legal Division.  She was promoted to Deputy District Attorney and supervised the legal and support staff of the Child Support Division until her appointment to the bench.