Civil law versus criminal law experience—and which is more important for Kaufman County's 422nd District Court—has become a campaign issue in the Republican runoff race.

Republican election on textured American flag. Photo: danielfela/Shutterstock

Shelton Gibbs IV and Chad Johnson are the two candidates in the race. No one is running on the Democratic side in November, which means that the runoff victor will win the bench.

Johnson, partner in Husch Blackwell in Dallas, argued that he stands out because he has civil experience, which is needed on a court where half of the cases are civil matters. He's also volunteered with family violence cases for a public defender's office.

Johnson wrote, "My experience includes varied and extensive subject matters from securities fraud to fights over an inheritance and everything in between. The wide-ranging nature of my practice requires me to quickly learn new areas of the law."

But Gibbs, assistant district attorney in Kaufman County, claimed that his experience prosecuting criminal cases for 13 years will better prepare him to handle the court's criminal docket.

"Whoever wins this election will inherit capital murders, aggravated sexual assaults of children, and other serious and complicated criminal cases. I am the only candidate in this race qualified on day one to preside over these types of matters," wrote Gibbs.

Texas Lawyer is publishing Q&As with judicial candidates in runoff elections. Early voting is June 29 to July 10, and election day is July 14.

Here are the Q&As for Gibbs and Johnson.

Read more: Texas Voters: Meet the Candidates Running for Judge in July Primary Runoffs

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Shelton Gibbs IV

What is a brief biography of work experience, educational qualifications and career honors that you want voters to know about?

Shelton Gibbs IV Shelton Gibbs IV. Courtesy photo

I am a graduate of Abilene Christian University and the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University. For the last 13 years, I have been an assistant district attorney in Kaufman County. I currently serve as the chief felony prosecutor in the 86th District Court.

Why do you want this position?

I want to be judge of the 422nd District Court because it is an excellent opportunity to use my God-given talent and experience to serve my community in a professional capacity.

How are you different or better suited for the bench than your opponent in the election?

The 422nd District Court is a general jurisdiction court in which the docket is over 60% criminal cases. Criminal cases make up over 80% of the jury trials in this court. I have been prosecuting criminal cases exclusively for the last 13 years and have handled almost every type of criminal offense in the penal code. My opponent has no experience in criminal law and is a commercial civil litigator in Dallas. The types of cases in which he is experienced make up only a small fraction of the caseload in the 422nd District Court. Whoever wins this election will inherit capital murders, aggravated sexual assaults of children, and other serious and complicated criminal cases. I am the only candidate in this race qualified on day one to preside over these types of matters.

How would you go about managing this court's docket efficiently and effectively?

I would implement scheduling orders in all cases to make sure that matters on the docket do not linger outside the guidelines set forth by the Office of Court Administration without good reason.

Where can voters go for more information about you?

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Chad Johnson

What is a brief biography of work experience, educational qualifications and career honors that you want voters to know about?

Chad Johnson Chad Johnson, Husch Blackwell in Dallas. Courtesy photo

I graduated from Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law with honors in 1999. I have been a trial attorney practicing civil litigation with the same firm for more than 20 years. Prior to attending law school I worked with kids in the juvenile justice system. I am currently a deacon and Trustee at First Baptist Church of Forney and serve as a trustee on the Forney Independent School District Board.

Why do you want this position?

A judge has the ability to make a difference in a unique way as each decision has a direct and personal impact on the lives of those before the court. In addition, to make sure that our system of laws is upheld and that the values our county holds dear are protected.

How are you different or better suited for the bench than your opponent?

With the decision not to seek reelection by the current judge of the 422nd, Kaufman County is losing its only judge with significant civil trial experience. Both candidates will be tough in criminal cases, but Kaufman County needs a judge with civil trial experience.

Kaufman County has four courts of general jurisdiction, handling both civil and criminal cases. Three of our four judges have almost exclusively criminal experience. My opponent has only criminal experience.

More than 50% of the cases filed in the 422nd District Court are civil matters. In fact, most residents of Kaufman County who appear in court will not appear for a criminal case but for the car accidents, business disputes, personal injuries, and other civil matters that affect so many. An out-of-control or frivolous civil lawsuit can have a devastating financial impact on a family or a small, locally owned business. Having a judge with civil experience is crucial for our courts and our citizens.

I have been a trial attorney for more than 20 years handling lawsuits for individuals and businesses, plaintiffs and defendants. My experience includes varied and extensive subject matters from securities fraud to fights over an inheritance and everything in between. The wide-ranging nature of my practice requires me to quickly learn new areas of the law. As a young attorney I also provided free legal services to the public defender's office in the family violence courts of Dallas County. In addition, for three years prior to law school, I worked within the juvenile justice system establishing programs for families, at-risk youth, and juvenile offenders.

My extensive experience has prepared me to handle whatever types of cases may come before the 422nd District Court whether they are civil, criminal or family matters. As such, I am uniquely situated to fill this vacancy.

How would you go about managing this court's docket efficiently and effectively?

I believe a docket can be managed efficiently and effectively by allowing parties to submit controversies for a decision based on the paper filings, by setting time limits for hearings and trials and requiring attorneys to stick to them, by recognizing and disposing of frivolous claims, and by making decisions promptly to move cases along.

Where can voters go for more information about you?