Endorsements: Criminal courts at law

Our justice system is in dire need of reform; public must send a message to incumbents.

Each election cycle we determine our judicial endorsements by interviewing the candidates, researching their backgrounds, consulting with experts and coming to a conclusion about who would best be able to run a courtroom and see that justice is done. This year, however, one piece of evidence outweighed every other consideration for the Harris County criminal courts at law: Chief U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal’s 193-page memorandum declaring the bail system in our misdemeanor courts in violation of the Constitution’s guarantee of due process and equal protection.

That is why we recommend that every incumbent judge continuing to fight the bail lawsuit be removed from his or her seat.

Our star ratings may seem off as we endorse challengers against incumbents with higher scores. But this is about something bigger than individual judges. This is about a criminal justice system in dire need of reform.

What follows are truncated endorsements. To read the full versions go to HoustonChronicle.com/opinion/endorsements. Judge, County Criminal Court No. 1: Alex Salgado Paula Goodhart - Republican Party: Alex Salgado - Democratic Party:

By all reports, Judge Paula Goodhart did an excellent job as presiding judge helping the county criminal courts come back on line after Hurricane Harvey. However, according to Judge Rosenthal’s opinion, she was largely ignorant about key facts of our bail system.

Her opponent, Alex Salgado began his legal career as an assistant district attorney in nearby Walker County and currently serves in Fort Bend County as a prosecutor in the felony narcotics division. Judge, County Criminal Court No. 2: No endorsement Bill Harmon - Republican Party: ½ Ronnisha Bowman - Democratic Party:

While we believe there needs to be sweeping change in the Harris County misdemeanor courts, we cannot endorse Ronnisha Bowman in this race. Bowman has only presided over a total of six trials.

Republican incumbent Bill Harmon does not believe in diversionary court for persons charged with DWIs. Judge, County Criminal Court No. 3: Erica Hughes Natalie C. Fleming - Republican Party: Erica Hughes - Democratic Party: Incumbent Judge Natalie C. Fleming runs the first and only Spanish-speaking SOBER court.

Her opponent, Erica Hughes serves as a judge advocate for the National Guard. Judge, County Criminal Court No. 4: Shannon Baldwin John Clinton - Republican Party: Shannon Baldwin - Democratic Party:

½

Challenger Shannon Baldwin has more than two decades of experience practicing criminal law and should be well prepared to don the black robe.

Two-term incumbent John Clintonwas among the most caring judges we’ve interviewed this election season. Judge, County Criminal Court No. 5: Xavier Alfaro Xavier Alfaro - Republican Party:

½

David M. Fleischer - Democratic Party:

Judge Margaret Harris isn’t running for reelection and voters have a choice between two well-qualified challengers for this open seat. Xavier Alfaro has more trial experience, a benefit of having served as an assistant district attorney in Harris County. David M. Fleischer pointed out at their editorial board meeting that’s not necessarily a good thing: A bench filled with ex-prosecutors has led the county to spend millions defending an unconstitutional cash bail system. Judge, County Criminal Court No. 6: Linda Garcia Linda Garcia - Republican Party: ½ Kelley Andrews - Democratic Party:

½

When two qualified candidates run for a single judgeship, we tend to endorse the person who has the most relevant experience. In this contest, that person is Linda Garcia, who has more than double the legal experience of opponent, Kelley Andrews. Garcia, 57, also has prior experience as a misdemeanor judge. Judge, County Criminal Court No. 7: Andrew A. Wright Pam Derbyshire - Republican Party:

½

Andrew A. Wright - Democratic Party:

Pam Derbyshire is an outstanding judge who has been instrumental in helping people charged with prostitution. Andrew A. Wright is a criminal defense attorney and advocates a policy shift toward addressing the root causes of crime. Judge, County Criminal Court No. 8: Franklin Bynum Dan Simons - Republican Party: ½ Franklin Bynum - Democratic Party:

½

Franklin Bynum, 36, is a socialist defense attorney calling for serious, structural reform at the courthouse.

His Republican opponent, Dan Simons, led a successful campaign to boot respected incumbent Jay Karahan from the bench on the grounds that the judge performed same-sex marriages. During the heated primary, Karahan released documents showing that Simons had been reprimanded while working as a Harris County prosecutor for doctoring evidence. Simons should not be a judge. Judge, County Criminal Court No. 9: Toria J. Finch and John Wakefield John Wakefield - Republican Party: Toria J. Finch - Democratic Party:

During the interview we heard two stellar candidates, Toria J. Finch and John Wakefield express their passion for improving the lives of those caught up in the misdemeanor criminal justice system. The candidates rose above partisan division and affirmed the often-expressed but seldom-realized principle that politics does not belong in the courtroom. Judge, County Criminal Court No. 10: Lee Harper Wilson Dan Spjut - Republican Party:

Lee Harper Wilson - Democratic Party:

½

Longtime lawyer Lee Wilson is board certified in criminal law and opposes the ongoing fight against bail reform efforts. Incumbent Judge Dan Spjut spoke with a real passion about ensuring young people don’t face lifelong consequences for misdemeanor crimes. He told us he’s glad to have a qualified opponent like Wilson. Judge, County Criminal Court No. 11: Aaron Burdette Aaron Burdette - Republican Party: Sedrick T. Walker, II - Democratic Party:

In the race to replace Judge Diane Bull, Sedrick T. Walker II is exactly the kind of judge Harris County needs. He articulated more clearly than any other candidate the problem with the entire county misdemeanor court bench.

However, our nod goes to Aaron Burdette, a former prosecutor, for his experience as chief and deputy chief of the misdemeanor division of the Harris County Attorney’s office. If a whole new slate of judges takes office, then Burdette’s extensive misdemeanor experience will be critical. Judge, County Criminal Court No. 12: John Spjut John Spjut - Republican Party: ½ Cassandra Y. Holleman - Democratic Party:

John Spjut’s legal experience isn’t a perfect match. Spjut has spent most of his 20 year career on juvenile matters in the civil district courts. Before that he was a Houston police officer for 30 years.

Spjut’s opponent, Cassandra Y. Hollemon, told us she has over two decades of experience in criminal law. Candidates show their commitment to the bench when they prepare a campaign website detailing their professional accomplishments. We were unable to locate a campaign website for Hollemon. Judge, County Criminal Court No. 13: Raul Rodriguez Jessica Padilla - Republican Party: Raul Rodriguez - Democratic Party:

Harris County voters are fortunate to have two qualified candidates vying to fill this open bench vacated by Judge Don Smyth. Raul Rodriguez has 26 years experience in criminal law and 12 years as a city of Houston municipal judge. Republican Jessica Padilla is a former prosecutor who has practiced criminal law for 17 years.

We’re urging voters to cast their ballot for Rodriguez because of his judicial experience. Judge, County Criminal Court No. 14: Mike Fields Mike Fields - Republican Party: ½ David L. Singer - Democratic Party:

½

In 2014 we endorsed David L. Singer over incumbent Judge Mike Fields. This time, however, we’re going with Fields because he’s the only Republican incumbent to withdraw from the county’s continued fight against Rosenthal’s finding on the bail system. Judge, County Criminal Court No. 15: Roger Bridgwater Roger Bridgwater - Republican Party: Tonya Jones - Democratic Party: ½ Republican Roger Bridgwater is our choice in this race because of the plethora of experience he would bring to this bench.

He has served as bureau chief in the Harris County District Attorney’s office, as a felony court judge and more recently as defense attorney.

Tonya Jones’ passion for the people in this court was compelling.