Kern County Courts

Kern County accounts for approximately 2% of California's population of 39 million. The county has about 922,000 residents, with Bakersfield serving as the county seat and its largest city. Annually, approximately 137,000 cases are filed, and 126,000 cases are resolved in Kern County. Of the filings, approximately 107,000 are criminal matters, 15,000 are civil filings, 10,000 are family-related matters, and 1,400 are probate and mental health cases.

The Superior Court of Kern County handles a wide range of legal issues. The court has authority over all criminal and civil cases, which are categorized into divisions based on the types of cases. These divisions are:

• The Criminal Division handles both felony and misdemeanor cases.
• The Civil Division manages non-criminal matters, including contract disputes, property damage, personal injury claims, and landlord-tenant cases.
• The Juvenile Division deals with cases like child abuse, neglect, and juvenile crime.
• The Family Law Division handles issues like divorce, child support, child custody, and paternity.
• The Probate Division oversees conservatorships, trusts, estates, and guardianships.
• The Traffic Court Division typically processes violations such as red-light infractions and speeding offenses.

Kern County Superior Court operates in several locations across the county, allowing residents to access the judicial system within their local jurisdiction.

How To Access Kern County Court Records

According to the California Public Records Act (CPRA), court records, including those maintained in Kern County, are open to the public for inspection and copying. However, some court records are deemed confidential, such as those involving minors, adoptions, and mental health records. Also, sealed or expunged court records may not be publicly disclosed. Individuals seeking to obtain or search Kern County court records must provide a case number and valid identification, such as a government-issued photo ID. Below are several ways to access the county's court records:

Online

Interested members of the public may search for Kern County court records online through the Case Information Search portal. This portal enables users to look up criminal, civil, family, probate, and traffic cases by party name or case number. Alternatively, court records may be accessed through CourtCaseFinder, which provides access to records from other counties across the United States. Federal cases filed in Kern County may be accessed through the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) system.

In-Person

Requesters seeking to obtain copies or certified copies of Kern County court records may do so by submitting completed request forms to the Clerk's Office at the courthouses where the cases were heard. Certain fees apply when obtaining these records. Printed copies cost $0.75 per page, while certified copies cost $2.00 for any public record document. Court records may also be viewed at no cost through the public access terminals available within the courthouses.

Old and Archived Court Records

Older court records in Kern County, particularly those that are more than 50 years old and unavailable through courthouse indices or online databases, may be housed in state-managed archival institutions. Requesters may consult the California State Archives for pre-1900 case dockets, probate proceedings, court minutes, and territorial adjudications. To request these records, individuals may contact:

How To File a Case in Kern County

Filing cases in Kern County requires strict adherence to procedural rules, jurisdiction guidelines, and court-imposed requirements. Individuals may initiate court proceedings online using the eFile California system, in person at the Kern County Superior Court Clerk's Office, or by mail (if permitted). Before filing a case, a litigant must identify the appropriate court divisions with jurisdiction over the case. Jurisdiction usually depends on the type of case, whether civil, family, criminal, or probate. It is recommended to consult the Kern County Clerk to verify jurisdiction prior to moving forward.

Filers need to prepare the necessary documents, such as complaints or petitions, summonses, civil case cover sheets, and any supporting materials like affidavits, contracts, or exhibits. Once filed, the Clerk's Office assigns case numbers and enters the matters into the court docket. Filers are then in charge of making sure that the process is served in compliance with statutory rules, typically through personal service, certified mail, or licensed process servers. Proofs of service must be filed with the court.

Filing fees vary depending on the type of case. Litigants who cannot afford to pay may request fee waivers by submitting the Application for Waiver of Court Fees and Costs Form to the county clerk's office. The waivers may cover filing fees, service costs, and other court-related expenses. Interested persons may review the Form Information Sheet on Waiver of Superior Court Fees and Costs available on the official website.

Courts may approve fee waivers for persons who receive public assistance, whose household incomes fall below statutory limits, or who demonstrate financial hardship for designated hearings through sworn declarations. To initiate actions in Kern County, parties must prepare and submit the necessary initial documents in line with California Rules of Court and local procedural standards.

The case filing process in Kern County is summarized in the steps below:

• Identify case type and jurisdiction - First, determine whether the matters are civil, family, probate, criminal, or small claims. This helps the parties file in the correct divisions of the Kern County Superior Court.
• Prepare required documents - Draft complaints or petitions stating the facts, legal grounds, involved parties, and relief sought. Attach supporting evidence where necessary.
• Use court-approved forms - Complete all mandatory Judicial Council and local forms specific to the case types.
• Pay fees or request waivers - Eligible parties may apply for waivers, and filing fees vary.
• File and serve - Submit documents electronically, in person, or by mail (if allowed), and ensure timely service of process on opposing parties.

Legal Help and Self-Help Resources

County court systems are crucial in ensuring access to justice throughout the United States. Legal assistance and self-help resources are foundational to this access, particularly for self-represented litigants involved in civil, family, probate, or small claims matters. These resources vary by jurisdiction but commonly include self-help centers, online portals, legal aid organizations, and court-affiliated assistance programs.

In Kern County, individuals who cannot afford legal representation may access assistance through courthouse-based self-help centers, local legal aid providers, and pro bono programs offered by bar associations. Free or low-cost support is also available through online tools and court-sponsored resources that assist with common legal procedures. However, state agencies are not permitted to act as personal attorneys or provide legal advice to individuals.

Below are key organizations offering affordable or no-cost legal assistance in Kern County:

• Free Legal Representation for Low-income Persons
• Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance (GBLA) - Provides civil legal services, brief advice, and representation for low-income persons.
• California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA) - Offers free assistance to low-income residents in rural areas.
• Central California Legal Services (CCLS) - Covers civil law issues.
• Private Lawyer Referral Services
• Kern County Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service - Connects individuals with vetted attorneys for low-cost consultations.
• Free Legal Services for Low-income Landlords
• Greater Bakersfield Legal Assistance (GBLA) - Assists landlords with real estate and eviction matters.
• Free Small Claims Court Advice
• Kern County Self-Help Center - Offers guidance on small claims procedures, including form completion and filing.

Types of Courts in Kern County, California

Kern County is served by the Superior Court and federal courts, whose jurisdiction and contact information are listed below:

Superior Court of Kern County

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - The court has original jurisdiction over all criminal and civil matters, including felonies, misdemeanors, family law, probate, and juvenile cases.
• Address and Contact Information

Below are lists of Superior Court of Kern County division locations where residents may access various court services:

Kern County Superior Court - Jury Services

Kern County Superior Court - Juvenile Justice Center

Kern County Superior Court - Lamont

Kern County Superior Court - Metropolitan Division

Kern County Superior Court - Metropolitan Division Justice Building

Kern County Superior Court - Metropolitan Traffic Division

Kern County Superior Court - Mojave

Kern County Superior Court - Revenue Recovery Division

Kern County Superior Court - Ridgecrest

Federal Courts in Kern County, California

Residents of Kern County, CA, are served by the following federal courts:

United States District Court - Eastern District of California

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - This court handles criminal and civil cases arising under federal law within its geographical region, including Kern County. It oversees cases such as immigration proceedings, federal crimes, and constitutional issues.
• Address and Contact Information

United States Bankruptcy Court - Eastern District of California

• Jurisdiction/Cases Heard - This federal court handles all bankruptcy filings submitted under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code within its district, including Kern County.
• Address and Contact Information

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Kern County Courts

The following questions are commonly raised regarding how Kern County courts operate: