Before voters can cast their ballots in November, the political parties have to decide on their candidates. In the contested races for criminal district judge, we encourage voters to look for experienced litigators who can maintain order and dignity in a busy courtroom.

Education, wisdom and compassion are key to a quality candidate. These courts handle a vast range of cases, from petty crimes to murder trials, and the people wearing the black robes have to ensure that everyone receives justice. The challenges facing judges are compounded by an ongoing mental health crisis, drug war debates and overcrowded facilities. The damage inflicted by Hurricane Harvey on the Harris County Criminal Justice Center forced our criminal district courts to operate temporarily across several different buildings, further complicating an already difficult job.

Early voting runs from Tuesday, Feb. 20 until Friday, March 2. Election Day is Tuesday, March 6. More information can be found at HarrisVotes.com or by calling 713-755-6965.

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Democratic races

District Judge, 185th Judicial District: Jason Luong

Voters can't go wrong in this primary race for an open seat but our nod goes to the more experienced candidate, Jason Luong, a practicing attorney for 18 years. Luong left a civil law practice to become a prosecutor and in 2014 unsuccessfully ran for a county criminal court-at-law seat. He now works as a defense attorney. Luong's resume checks all the prestige boxes: graduated cum laude from Rice University, law degree from the University of Texas, a clerkship with a federal district judge and an internship with the Texas Supreme Court. He likes to tout the fact that he prosecuted a member of Aryan Brotherhood under Texas's hate crime statute, but Luong, 43, also recognizes that the reality of our criminal courts means that, as he told the editorial board, "administration of justice is often about logistics." Anyone who has seen the lines for the elevator at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center knows how true that is.

His opponent, Brennen Dunn, is a compelling candidate in his own right, and we'll be disappointed if we don't see his name on the ballot again.

Dunn hasn't been afraid to take risky positions in defense of liberty, such his involvement in efforts to end a civil injunction "safety zone" at the Southlawn apartments. He also has a charisma that would make him a prime candidate to run for a seat outside the judiciary, say for City Council. Dunn told us he is in the race because as a defense attorney, he can help one person at a time, while as a judge, he believes he can help hundreds. Notwithstanding Dunn's impressive motivation, Luong's well-rounded background, attitude of public spiritedness and his thoughtfulness about the problems facing the judiciary earn our endorsement.

Republican races

District Judge, 185th Judicial District: Stacey W. Bond

After Democrats swept Harris County in 2016 we encouraged Gov. Greg Abbott to appoint qualified Republican judges who had lost their seats to any benches that might open up - and specifically recommended Stacey Bond. Now we ask voters to do the same and vote for Bond as the Republican candidate in this race.

This election cycle, Bond is seeking to return to the criminal bench on the occasion of long-time Judge Susan Brown's retirement. Bond, who is board certified in criminal law, has garnered significant experience not only from her term on the bench but also from working as a prosecutor and defense attorney during her 24-years of practice.

Bond, who will be 50 by the time voters cast their ballots, worked as a prosecutor in the district attorney's office for nearly seven years specializing in serious felony cases. More recently, she joined and ultimately became a partner in a white collar boutique firm. In the course of her well-rounded career, she has tried more than 100 jury trials to verdict as lead counsel.

As a judge, the University of Houston Law Center grad made headlines when she tossed out a case against a local physician pursued by a prosecutor who had forced a mistrial because she was going to lose. It was the right call that earned Bond the respect of the defense bar and legal observers, even if the prosecutors weren't too happy.

Less praiseworthy is the fact that Bond was also the presiding judge in the infamous case where the rape victim publicly identified only as Jenny - but named as Jane Doe in the legal action - was imprisoned to secure her testimony against her attacker. What happened to Jenny was inexcusable. Bond plausibly claims she was not made aware that her witness was in jail.

Bond is running against Maritza Antu, a former prosecutor who is now working for the reintegration court that focuses on rehabilitating people with substance abuse issues, mental health issues or a combination of both. Antu shows a real passion for restorative justice, as does her opponent. During her time as judge, Bond presided over one of Harris County's specialized drug courts, dealing with addiction. While Antu is a compelling candidate and her bilingual skills are an asset, her experience doesn't hold up against Bond's.

Primary voters should give Bond, a stellar jurist, an opportunity to return to the bench and the capable Antu should run again.

District Judge, 263rd Judicial District: Charles Johnson

In this coin-toss race for an open seat, our endorsement goes to Charles Johnson, 48, who has been a criminal defense attorney for 18 years.

While his career has been on the defense side, Johnson, a staunch conservative, has the soul of a prosecutor. Johnson's website is littered with policy positions that would be more fitting for a legislative candidate. He's convinced that bail reforms are going in the wrong direction (we disagree), although he says that he doesn't want bail to be used as a "tool of oppression."

Nevertheless, Johnson has the gravitas of an outstanding judge and promises to leave any biases behind at the door and simply apply the law. The former NFL player - he was drafted by the Denver Broncos in 1992 - bemoaned the fact that too many practitioners treat the judicial system like a football game when they are playing with people's lives. Johnson graduated from the University of Houston Law Center.

His opponent, Justin Keiter, has considerable talents and experience as well. Keiter was a Harris County assistant district attorney for 11 years before suffering under District Attorney Kim Ogg's purge of prosecutors. He now runs his own defense practice.

Both men strike us as the stand-up type of lawyers who diligently seek to administer justice. But in the final analysis, Johnson's deliberate and even-keeled demeanor sways us to his camp.