Time to get judgmental? Why, yes, it is, and the best part is that 11 candidates in five judges’ races in Orange County and the Ninth Judicial Circuit want you to do just that. The League of Women Voters of Orange County will host a July 10 Hot Topics session — “Courting Voters: Judicial Candidate Forum” — where voters can see the candidates and hear why they want those jobs. Doors open EARLY at the Winter Park Events Center at 10:30 a.m. for a buffet lunch, and the candidates’ forum starts EARLY at 11:30 a.m. at 1050 W. Morse Blvd. in Winter Park. The program ends at 1 p.m. Tickets are $30 for League members, $37 non- members. The moderators are Ninth Circuit Judge Leticia Marques and Ninth Circuit Judge Reginald Whitehead, who are not up for election this year. For the Orange County judgeship, Group 11, Adam McGinnis (incumbent) will face Lisa Gong Guerrero. In the Ninth Circuit races, Joy Goodyear faces LaShawnda K. Jackson in Group 5; Jeffery Ashton (incumbent) faces Chris Mack and Alicia Peyton in Group 15; Jason Willis faces Tanya Davis Wilson (incumbent) in Group 37; and Stephen Brown faces Craig McCarthy (incumbent) in Group 43. Candidates will square off in the Aug. 20 primary. If there is no majority winner, the top two finishers will face each other in the general election on Nov. 5. Terms are for six years, and Florida law requires judicial elections to be nonpartisan. According to the Florida Bar, both county and circuit judges are trial judges. County judges hear criminal misdemeanors with possible sentences of up to one year in jail and civil cases where the disputed amount if $50,000 or less. Circuit judges hear criminal felonies, domestic relations, juvenile matters, probate issues and civil cases where the amount is more than $50,000. The July 10 Hot Topics will look at the candidates and their stances on the role of judges. Among issues to be discussed: -- To what extent have you practiced criminal law? Family law? Complex civil litigation? -- Discuss your jury trial experience and discuss how it impacts your ability to be a judge. -- Does a lack of diversity with jurors affect the work of a judge? What are your views on the need for more diversity on the bench and the way the court treats members of different races? -- Who are your judicial role models, and why? -- What do you view as the biggest challenge to the courts here and what would you do if elected to help address that challenge? Hot Topics is streamed live on the League’s Facebook page Facebook and is available for viewing live on the League’s YouTube channel, League of Women Voters Orange County - YouTube Visionary sponsors: Phil and Jennifer Anderson. Bronze sponsors: Lyn and David Berelsman and Voting Voices — Michele Levy, Charley Williams, and Laurie and Richard Wack.