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"Judge, County Criminal Court No. 12: John Spjut John Spjut - Republican Party: **1/2 Cassandra Y. Holleman - Democratic Party: ** UNCONSTITUTIONAL:  Why we refuse to endorse incumbents in the misdemeanor courts - except one ENDORSEMENTS: The Houston Chronicle editorial board recommends...  ALSO: Why do the candidate endorsements have star ratings? Consider this race a family affair. Republican candidate John Spjut's wife is Judge Diane Bull, who currently presides over County Criminal Court No. 11 and runs one of the county's SOBER courts. His brother Dan Spjut is judge in County Criminal Court No. 10. Voters should send Brother John, 61, to replace the outgoing judge for this bench, Robin Brown. His legal experience isn't a perfect match. Spjut, 61, 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. That law enforcement background will help Spjut make that transition from civil law to criminal law. \"I can look at a police report and see the holes in it,\" he told us The University of Houston Law Center graduate believes that treatment programs are more effective than jail for people with addiction problems, and he'd like to help start a county narcotics court to work with offenders. \"Treatment, supervision, education, is the best way to help people gain control of their lives, which will increase public safety,\" he said. He demurred when asked whether he favored the appeal of Judge Lee Rosenthal's ruling on the bond system. \"I would want to sit down with all the judges and ask why this can't be worked out.\" Spjut's opponent, Cassandra Y. Hollemon, told us over the phone that she has more than two decades of experience in criminal law. The State Bar website doesn't say she practices 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. She doesn't seem to be taking this race seriously."
<https://www.houstonchronicle.com/opinion/recommendations/article/Criminal-Court-John-Spjut-Cassandra-Hollemon-13312866.php>