Harris County's three juvenile courts help determine the futures of thousands of children every year, and voters should go with candidates who understand both the law and their duties to these kids.

313th Juvenile District Court:Glenn Devlin

This is a difficult endorsement to make. Democratic challenger Tracy D. Good declined to meet with the editorial board. On the other side, Republican incumbent Judge Glenn Devlin has a mixed record of questionable appointments but is also an aggressive proponent of the children who come before his court.

When he was first elected in 2010, Devlin replaced Judge Pat Shelton, who left under a cloud of criticism for directing court appointments to attorneys who contributed to his election campaign. Devlin, who graduated from the South Texas College of Law, was supposed to serve as a healthy break, but court observers in 2011 were surprised to find Sheldon back in that court as a substitute judge. Since then, Shelton has become less of a presence and Devlin has stepped up as an engaged judge who works with law students and churches to help guide children out of trouble and teach parents how to do their part. In a court where judges can easily succumb to empathy fatigue, Devlin has the heart and enthusiasm to keep up.

314th Juvenile District Court:Natalia Oakes

Democratic candidate Natalia Oakes has dedicated her career to helping children, and voters should put that passion to use on the bench. Oakes, a graduate of the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University, has practiced in Harris County family courts for 14 years. Before becoming a lawyer, Oakes worked as a teacher, giving her a solid background for communicating with children and their parents in distress. She told the Chronicle editorial board that she is running for judge to "have the power to introduce new and innovative programs" to the juvenile courts. She would like to see more emphasis on tracking offenders to determine the effectiveness of different rehabilitation programs. Her goals are laudable and her background promising, but her opponent is the tipping point.

Republican incumbent Judge John F. Phillips has served in the 314th since 2002. Despite recognized capabilities, Phillips has earned a reputation for cronyism and heavy handedness. He has been noted for assigning former law partners and campaign contributors as court-appointed attorneys. Phillips also has been criticized for abusing his discretion in separating an abandoned 12-year-old rape victim from her child. We wanted to hear Phillips' side, but he refused to meet with the editorial board.

Despite her lack of judicial experience, we think the 314th needs a change and that Natalia Oakes will be a capable new judge.