District Attorney Jon Hopkins, who along with Sheriff Rod Mitchell, tried to scapegoat and destroy Clear Lake sailing enthusiast Bismarck Dinius of Carmichael, was successfully removed by the voters in the primary election. That’s a good thing.

Now, we have two choices to replace Hopkins – Doug Rhoades and Don Anderson.

They are both nice guys, and if I were voting strictly on the basis of who’s the nicer guy, it would be a close call, but I just might vote for Don. And, if I were voting on the basis of who was a hero as a deputy sheriff 30 years ago, I would surely vote for Don.

But, as an attorney, I know these are poor reasons to decide who to vote for in the district attorney’s race.

I view this election as an opportunity to elect the best possible attorney and an experienced criminal trial lawyer as district attorney. It is important to have a bright and accomplished criminal lawyer in this position who can immediately command the respect of all the tenured attorneys in the District Attorney's Office. Doug Rhoades is the only candidate who can do so.

Doug Rhoades is an experienced criminal lawyer who will bring intelligence, good judgment and common sense to the District Attorney’s Office. I am confident that he will set the right priorities for the District Attorney's Office and will not waste taxpayer money on frivolous prosecutions. He will bring respect back to the District Attorney's Office.

Although Don is a really nice guy and was a genuine hero 30 years ago, he is not the best man for this job. We need an intelligent and well-organized attorney with extensive criminal law experience, and from my vantage point as an attorney, Doug Rhoades far surpasses his opponent in these qualifications. Incidentally, Rhoades is endorsed by the Democratic Party.

I’m voting in the district attorney's race for the better attorney with the most relevant criminal law experience. Without a doubt, that’s Doug Rhoades.

Ron Green is an attorney. He lives in Lower Lake, Calif.