WILLIAMSON COUNTY -- When longtime judge Ron Eckiss stepped down from his position in November 2010, he left almost two years in his term.

The Illinois Supreme Court named Carolyn Bailey Smoot of Marion to the position, and she was sworn in as Williamson County's first female judge in December, 2010.

"I was appointed, but I have to run for election one time,” said Smoot. “That's for a six year term. After that, then each time a six years goes by, then you have to be voted in to either be retained or not retained."

Before her appointment to the circuit court, Smoot worked in private practice, as an assistant state's attorney, and as the Director of Paralegal Studies at SIU. Her current docket covers everything from small claims to adoptions, taxes, and marriages.

"I'm a resident circuit judge for Williamson County so this is the only county I'll be running in,” said Smoot. “But I can actually sit on the bench anywhere. Just last week, I was in Alexander County on Monday to cover a traffic docket. I'm in Jackson County two Fridays a month, and I handle the city court cases."

In the latest statistics from 2010, more than 23,000 cases were filed in Williamson County. Judge Smoot works to keep the docket moving, but says she isn't afraid to spend extra time and research on a difficult case.

"There hasn't been anything really that has come about since I've been on the bench that I didn't feel comfortable in handling,” said Smoot.

Smoot believes a good judge needs to be honest and fair with an ability to listen.

"I've had great experience,” said Smoot. “There is somewhat of a learning curve when you take the position and I'm past that. I still learn every day, and I've learned every day since the day I was born."

Two democrats are facing off in the March primary for circuit judge.

Attorneys Andrea McNeill and Mark Kochan are both Southern Illinois natives hoping to secure the Democrat nomination for Williamson County Circuit Judge.

"I've been practicing over 20 years,” said McNeill. “ I felt like you have to serve your time in the trenches, so to speak."

"I think I'm at a stage in my life where I've practiced for several years in different areas,” said Kochan. “I feel that I can be an asset to the court system."

McNeill graduated from SIU law school and opened her own civil trial practice in 1996. She also spent time working at the Jackson County State's Attorney office and served eight years as a public defender in the juvenile court system in Williamson County.

"I feel like I'm well prepared to handle any court room because those are the cases that I have been actively practicing in since 1991,” said McNeill.

Kochan graduated from SIU before attending Chicago Kent College of Law. He started as an assistant state's attorney in Williamson County and has been in private practice for more than 12 years.

"I've prosecuted individuals who mistreated our children in the juvenile court system,” said Kochan. “I've prosecuted individuals who abused their spouses, and yet on the same token, I've been on the other side and had that experience as well."

McNeill believes in listening to others for ideas on how to improve the system. She describes a good judge as someone with high ethics and who follows the law.

"I feel like litigants should participate in the procedure,” said McNeill. “They should be at court hearings. Timeliness to me is very important."

Kochan feels court management is a key issue for judges and an area he says he's ready to handle.

"It's incumbent upon the judge to move cases,” said Kochan. “In reality, the old saying of 'justice delayed is justice denied' has some truth to it."

Both have spent the past months campaigning, and believe many people understand the importance of the county judge race.

"Most of the time people can't afford to go to the appellate court,” said McNeill. “So the trial level is it."

"At the end of the day, really our society has to have faith that our judicial system is fair and impartial," said Kochan.

The primary election is on March 20th. Early voting begins February 27th.