Kern County
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Kern County Superior Court — Standing Order 26CSO00006 — In re: Traffic Convictions
The court's standing order effective July 23, 2026: in traffic trials, a Defendant found guilty has the conviction transmitted to the Department of Motor Vehicles, where it remains unless the Defendant prevails on the trial de novo; if the Defendant prevails, the Clerk of Court transmits an amendment to the Department of Motor Vehicles to remove the conviction from the Defendant's driving record.
Kern County Superior Court — Standing Order No. 2026-02 — Electronic Filing by the Kern County Probation Department in Juvenile Justice Matters
The juvenile court's Standing Order No. 2026-02, effective July 13th 2026: electronic filing by the Kern County Probation Department in Juvenile Justice matters of probation reports (readiness memoranda, disposition reports and other court-ordered reports), Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) placement requests and orders, warrants, notices under Welfare and Institutions Code sections 777 and 778, and orders such as orders for home placement, mental health counseling, blood tests and to amend the record, uploaded in Portable Document Format (PDF) to the corresponding folder of the Court's SharePoint system - no other documents filed electronically, all subject to Local Rule 1.10; digital signatures under Government Code section 16.5; access restricted to persons authorized under Welfare and Institutions Code section 827, and redaction under rule 1.201; and the Clerk's Office to notify the Probation Department if the SharePoint system becomes unavailable.
Kern County Superior Court Local Rules (effective July 1, 2026) — Chapter VIII: Probate Matters (Rules 8.10 to 8.19)
Chapter VIII, Rules 8.10 to 8.19: guardianships - the notice required by Probate Code section 1511, temporary guardians, guardianship questionnaires, investigations and investigation fees, CLETS reports, notice of a change of address within thirty (30) days, assessments, resignation and the guardian's duties (8.10 to 8.10.8); conservatorships - the citation, appointment and investigation, appointed attorneys, notice of a change of address within thirty (30) days, assessments and resignation (8.11 to 8.11.5); law and motion and discovery in probate (8.12 to 8.12.1); withdrawal of attorneys of record by motion (8.13); consolidation with the lowest number (8.14); petitions under Estate of Heggstad (8.15); trustee compensation (8.16); a copy of the trust instrument filed or the original lodged (8.17); the witness fee for a Family Court Services investigator under Government Code section 68097.2 paid before serving the subpoena (8.18); and attorney fees for the trust (8.19).
Kern County Superior Court Local Rules (effective July 1, 2026) — Chapter VIII: Probate Matters (Rules 8.1 to 8.9.2)
Chapter VIII, Rules 8.1 to 8.9.2: pleadings complying with Rules 2.100-2.119, 2.256(b) and 3.1110 of the California Rules of Court and specifying the department number and hearing date (8.1.1); court appearances required at all hearings unless the matter has been recommended for approval, and remote appearances (8.2.1 to 8.2.2); matters proper to be submitted on the pleadings (8.2.3); hearing dates obtained after the Court's review, and law and motion dates pre-cleared and reserved (8.3.1 to 8.3.1.1); examiner's notes posted on the court's website, and continuances stipulated by counsel approved by the Court and of no less than seven (7) calendar days (8.3.2 to 8.3.2.2); a Mandatory Settlement Conference in any contested probate matter estimated at more than one (1) day (8.3.3); orders - production of a will, the contents of probate orders, continuing payments and ex parte proceedings (8.4 to 8.4.4); special administration, allegations re heirs or beneficiaries, wills and codicils as exhibits, proof of wills, declinations and consents, and multiple representatives (8.5 to 8.5.6); sales of real property (8.6 to 8.6.4); inventories, accounts and petitions for distribution (8.7 to 8.7.6); fees requested as a specific sum and extraordinary fees (8.8 to 8.8.4); and bonds and supporting documents in guardianship and conservatorship accounts (8.9 to 8.9.2).
Kern County Superior Court Local Rules (effective July 1, 2026) — Chapter VII: Juvenile Court Matters (Rules 7.5 to 7.11)
Chapter VII, Sections Three to Five, Rules 7.5 to 7.11: reciprocal informal pretrial discovery in dependency cases, and a petition for formal discovery only after all informal means have been exhausted (7.5 to 7.5.2); Social Study Reports made available to all counsel and to any CASA volunteer before the hearing (7.5.3); juvenile dependency mediation - its purpose, referral, confidentiality, reports to the court, the social worker's role, complaints, noncompliance and contempt (7.6 to 7.6.8); requests for transcripts (7.7); notice of continuances to the CASA office (7.8); an additional copy of a document for each additional minor (7.9); the Welfare and Institutions Code section 709 protocol (7.10); and medical experts for hearings under Welfare and Institutions Code section 707 (7.11).
Kern County Superior Court Local Rules (effective July 1, 2026) — Chapter VII: Juvenile Court Matters (Rules 7.4)
Chapter VII, Rule 7.4: a CASA of Kern County volunteer appointed to represent the best interests of the child (7.4); a CASA an officer of the court under the supervision of the Kern County CASA Program (7.4.1); prohibited activities (7.4.2); appeal and grievance procedures (7.4.3); case referral, appointment and the criteria for referral (7.4.4 to 7.4.5); the CASA's investigation authority (7.4.6); a CASA a mandated child abuse reporter (7.4.7); regular unsupervised contact with the child (7.4.8); timely notice and the right to appear (7.4.9); confidentiality of case information (7.4.10); and written CASA reports filed and served at least five (5) calendar days before each hearing (7.4.11).
Kern County Superior Court Local Rules (effective July 1, 2026) — Chapter VII: Juvenile Court Matters (Rules 7.12 to 7.17)
Chapter VII, Section Six, Rules 7.12 to 7.17: minimum standards of competence for attorneys appearing in juvenile proceedings (7.12); certification of competency and attorneys not meeting the standards (7.13 to 7.13.2); caseloads for appointed children's counsel (7.14); training and education, and a new Certificate of Competency every three (3) years in dependency matters (7.15 to 7.15.2); the obligations of counsel for dependent children and the conflict of interest guidelines for siblings (7.15.3 to 7.15.4); training and renewal in juvenile justice matters (7.15.5 to 7.15.6); complaints about appointed attorneys - notice of the procedure, a written complaint, a copy to the attorney within 10 days and 20 days to respond, the court's action, the attorney's request for hearing, and an oral request for a new attorney (7.16 to 7.16.9); and informing the court of a dependent child's interests (7.17).
Kern County Superior Court Local Rules (effective July 1, 2026) — Chapter VII: Juvenile Court Matters (Rules 7.0 to 7.3.3)
Chapter VII, its first two sections, Rules 7.0 to 7.3.3: dependency and juvenile justice cases heard at the Juvenile Justice Center, juvenile traffic hearings excluded (Preamble); the juvenile court's jurisdiction under Welfare and Institutions Code section 304 (7.0); notice of ex parte applications to all counsel (7.0.1); no interview of the child about the allegations without permission of the child's attorney or court order (7.1.1); interviewing children who are alleged victims of child abuse (7.1.2); attendance at hearings (7.1.3); disclosure of a minor's name (7.1.4); counsel for the child and guardians ad litem (7.2 to 7.2.3); proceedings at the Juvenile Justice Center confidential and not open to the general public (7.3); and caregivers, relatives and de facto parents (7.3.1 to 7.3.3).
Kern County Superior Court Local Rules (effective July 1, 2026) — Chapter VI: Family Law Rules (Rules 6.10 to 6.22)
Chapter VI, Rules 6.10 to 6.22: the UCCJEA declaration, and mediation at Family Court Services before a hearing on a disputed issue of custody or visitation - private and confidential, no audio or visual recording device, only the parent or the parties named in the action present, and no recommendation to the court when mediation does not result in an agreement (6.10); custody investigations by Family Court Services and their confidential written reports (6.11); the Office of the Family Law Facilitator (6.12); form FL-191 with an order for child or family support (6.13); counsel for minor children - qualifications under rule 5.242, termination of appointment and the complaint procedure (6.14 to 6.14.3); collaborative law cases (6.15 to 6.15.3); a meet and confer conference before a hearing on the IV-D calendar (6.16.1); elisor signatures by the Clerk of the Court under Family Code section 1101 (6.17); temporary spousal support under the Santa Clara Guidelines (6.18); specialized filings (6.19); reports and declarations from supervised visitation providers (6.20); the family law case management plan for complex matters (6.21); and Live Scan for an investigation that includes criminal history (6.22).
Kern County Superior Court Local Rules (effective July 1, 2026) — Chapter VI: Family Law Rules (Rules 6.1 to 6.9)
Chapter VI, Rules 6.1 to 6.9: Orders to Show Cause and Motions including Requests for Orders (Preamble); new cases assigned to a specific judicial officer for all purposes, the Notice of Case Assignment served with the case initiating documents, and reassignment (6.1); a declaration from parties who retain non-attorney third parties to prepare their pleadings (6.1.1); documents complying with California Rules of Court, rule 2.100, et. seq., and specifying the division and hearing date (6.1.2); hearing dates assigned by the Court at the submission of motions (6.1.3); a Qualified Domestic Relations Order approved by the plan (6.1.4); the consequences of a failure to comply (6.2); continuances - notice at the earliest opportunity and a written notice at least three (3) court days before the hearing, a trial continuance in writing, and calendar conflicts (6.3 to 6.3.3); remote appearances via CourtCall, LLC without advance notice except for an evidentiary hearing or trial, and remote civil proceedings in child support cases in Division A limited to digital audio appearances (6.3.5); ex parte matters noticed in the Family Law Division (6.4); proof of service filed before the matter is called (6.5); juvenile case file documents treated as confidential (6.6); stipulations and judgments (6.7); an initial Status Conference in approximately 180 days, the mandatory Family Centered Case Resolution Conference, and a Mandatory Settlement Conference 30-60 days before trial (6.8 to 6.8.3); and requests for the costs of appraisers, accountants and experts on a declaration of need and projected cost (6.9).
Kern County Superior Court Local Rules (effective July 1, 2026) — Chapter V: Criminal Rules
Chapter V, Rules 5.1 to 5.3.9: misdemeanor cases presented at the Criminal Division counter of the appropriate court division (5.1.1); the informal arraignment process for attorneys, not available to self-represented litigants (5.1.2); misdemeanor arraignment calendar sessions open to the public until the session ends, a collective advisal of rights by a pre-recorded video, the Public Defender available for consultation before a plea, and probation officers not to determine, convey or negotiate plea offers (5.1.3); notice of criminal motions to all opposing counsel, co-counsel and counsel for codefendants (5.1.4); California Rules of Court, rule 8.868 for appeals from electronically recorded misdemeanor proceedings (5.1.5); pre-preliminary hearing and preliminary hearing dates assigned at the initial arraignment (5.2.1.1); resolution attempted at the pre-preliminary and the readiness conference (5.2.1.2); evidentiary and non-evidentiary motions (5.2.1.3); a motion for a bail review hearing (a Humphrey Motion) served on the Kern County Probation Department at least two days before the hearing, the clerk rejecting a motion without proof of timely service (5.2.1.4); motions to sever or consolidate, under Penal Code section 995 and to modify, and orders shortening time (5.2.1.4.1 to 5.2.1.4.5); felony calendars on the court's website (5.2.2); the Master Criminal Trial Calendar called daily (5.2.3); investigators and ancillary services (5.3.1); appointments under Evidence Code section 1017 (5.3.2); the release of evidence on a written stipulation (5.3.3); petitions for dismissal under Penal Code section 1203.4 and the related sections (5.3.4); provisional remedies under Penal Code section 186.11 (5.3.5); police reports with confidential personal information (Penal Code section 964) (5.3.6); counsel's access to previously filed probation and mental health reports (5.3.7); the countywide bail schedule (5.3.8); and trial jurors' identifying information placed into sealed envelopes after the verdict (5.3.9).
Kern County Superior Court Local Rules (effective July 1, 2026) — Chapter IX: Court Communication Protocol for Domestic Violence and Child Custody Orders
Chapter IX, Rules 9.1 to 9.6: a protocol adopted in conformity with California Rules of Court, rule 5.445 and Penal Code section 136.2 for criminal protective orders and custody and visitation orders (Heading); reasonable efforts to determine overlapping cases (9.1); the civil courts' inquiry and data base review before issuing custody or visitation orders, Family Court Services, orders issued subject to a CPO, and the transmittal of restraining orders (9.2 to 9.2.5); the criminal courts' inquiry, data base review, contact for court-ordered visitation and transmittal of CPOs (9.3 to 9.3.4); the restrained person's procedure to request modification of the CPO (9.4 to 9.4.2); a civil court order coexisting with a CPO under Penal Code Section 136.2(f)(1) and (2) (9.5); and motions to modify or terminate protective orders and their entry in CLETS (9.6).
Kern County Superior Court Local Rules (effective July 1, 2026) — Chapter IV: Traffic Rules
Chapter IV, Rules 4.1 to 4.5: the Traffic Division responsible for all infractions, traffic and non-traffic, including moving violations and parking violation appeals (4.1); a declared intention to plead not guilty before a clerk or in writing with the full bail amount, no deposit of bail for a plea at arraignment unless ordered under California Rules of Court, rule 4.105(c)(3), and arraignment and trial set on the same date no earlier than thirty (30) days or later than forty-five (45) days from the declaration (4.2); traffic law and motion under rule 4.111, motions heard ten (10) days from filing (4.3); a determination of ability to pay online through MyCitations under rule 4.335 - the fines reduced to no more than 50% of the outstanding balance on proof of listed public benefits or a net monthly income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level, a payment plan, community service or additional time, a judicial officer's determination when a clerk rejects or denies the request, and a written petition from the traffic clerk's office (4.4); and a transcript ordered as the record of oral proceedings under rule 8.916(d)(6)(B) (4.5).
Kern County Superior Court Local Rules (effective July 1, 2026) — Chapter III: Civil Rules and Civil Case Management (Rules 3.14 to 3.18)
Chapter III, Rules 3.14 to 3.18: alternative dispute resolution encouraged (3.14.1); referral to judicial arbitration at the case management conference under California Rules of Court, rules 3.800-3.830 (3.14.2); assignment to an arbitrator from the Kern County Superior Court Arbitration Panel (3.14.3); the arbitrator's responsibility and authority (3.14.4); compensation under Civil Code of Procedure section 1141.18 (3.14.5); the time limits of the Trial Court Delay Reduction Act (3.14.6); complaints about arbitrators on the court's panel - confidentiality, written complaints to the ADR Coordinator, acknowledgment and preliminary review, an investigator or complaint committee, investigations, the final decision and interim suspension (3.14.7 to 3.14.7.7); unlawful detainers - the notice terminating the tenancy attached to the complaint, a proof of service filed within twenty (20) days of the complaint, settlements and stipulations for entry of judgment, a request to set for trial within twenty-five (25) days of filing on form UD-150, the case management conference, a request for entry of default within forty-five (45) days, conversion to an ordinary civil action, trial, jury fees and court reporter's fees posted not later than five (5) days before trial, attorney fees, orders to show cause re dismissal, and motions to set aside a default (3.15 to 3.15.14); eminent domain deposits with the State Treasury (3.16); a request for a poststorage hearing under Vehicle Code section 14602.7 within 10 days of the impounding agency's notice (3.17); and an order to show cause re sanctions for a failure to comply with the rules (3.18).
Kern County Superior Court Local Rules (effective July 1, 2026) — Chapter III: Civil Rules and Civil Case Management (Rules 3.1 to 3.13)
Chapter III, Rules 3.1 to 3.13: the court's management of all civil cases from the date of filing through final disposition (Heading); the rules applying to limited and unlimited jurisdiction general civil cases (3.1); remote proceedings under Code of Civil Procedure section 367.75 (3.2.1); new cases assigned to a specific judicial officer for all purposes, the Notice of Case Assignment served with the case initiating documents, and reassignments on a change of judicial officer posted at least 30 days in advance (3.3); law and motion heard pursuant to the courtroom schedules, Metropolitan Division hearing dates pre-cleared and reserved by calling the Civil Division at (661) 610-6000, and the regional courts' telephone numbers (3.3.1); motions for a new trial or to set aside and vacate heard by the trial judge (3.3.2); no continuances of a judgment debtor examination for want of service (3.3.3); ex parte applications pre-cleared with the Clerk's Office (3.4); jury fees and mileage under Code of Civil Procedure section 215 (3.5); the attorney's fees on promissory notes and contracts - 20% of the first $5,000 with minimum fee of $150.00, 15% of the next $10,000, 10% of the next $35,000 and 5% of the amount over $50,000 (3.6); a monitoring judge assigned and a case management conference set within 180 days (3.7); basic discovery before the case management conference (3.8); statements at least five (5) days before a final case management conference and no less than fifteen (15) days before trial (3.9); trial without interruption (3.10); disposition within twelve (12) to twenty-four (24) months (3.11); collection cases - service within one hundred eighty (180) days and a case management conference not less than ninety (90) days after the first responsive pleading (3.12 to 3.12.3); and uninsured motorist cases (3.13).
Kern County Superior Court Local Rules (effective July 1, 2026) — Chapter II: Small Claims Rules
Chapter II, Rules 2.1 to 2.8: small claims complaints filed at the Civil Counter, filings accepted Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the Clerk providing the "Information for Plaintiff" form (2.1); service by certified mail performed by the Clerk of the Court, or personal service (2.2); a case with no proof of service filed at least three (3) calendar days before the scheduled court date removed from the calendar and dismissed (2.3); a single postponement of no longer than fifteen (15) days on a written request and payment of the fee at least five (5) court days before the scheduled trial (2.4); one extension of not greater than thirty (30) days for in-county claims and sixty (60) days for out-of-county claims for an unserved claim (2.5); documentary evidence with a copy for the judge and a copy for each party (2.6.1); dismissal on the plaintiff's failure to appear (2.6.2); the Notice of Entry of Judgment mailed to all parties by the Clerk (2.7.1); a motion to set aside a default judgment (2.7.2); the methods of enforcement (2.7.3); and the Small Claims Legal Advisor, (661) 610-6000 (2.8).
Kern County Superior Court Local Rules (effective July 1, 2026) — Chapter I: General Rules (Rules 1.8 to 1.11)
Chapter I, Rules 1.8 to 1.11: non-court personnel photocopying public documents within case files registered with the court (1.8); the court's additional fees - off-site retrieval of files at $20.00 per file, copies on compact discs for copies of 30 pages or more from $ 14.00 for 1-50 pages to $ 44.00 for 151-200 pages, the trust fund and warrant reissuance fees, a fee of $14.50 for every quarter hour for media platform copies, photocopies from hardcopies and search fees, postage by the number of pages, and postage for a CD at $ 4.86 (1.8.1); facsimile filing of probate and family law documents (1.9); electronic filing mandatory for all filings by parties represented by counsel in limited and unlimited civil, family law, probate, parentage, CEQA, civil writ and unlawful detainer cases, habeas corpus excepted - a request to be excused on form EFS-007 with form EFS-008, consent to electronic service on form EFS-005, documents filed between 12:00 a.m. and 11:59:59 p.m. deemed filed that business day, filing through an Electronic Filing Service Provider, text searchable PDF, documents required to be kept confidential designated "confidential" in the security field, the documents not eligible for electronic filing - sealed documents, subpoenaed documents, bonds, undertakings, civil bench warrants, original contracts and instruments, over-sized documents and exhibits, sister-state judgments, affidavits re real property of small value, original wills and codicils, appeal-related documents and electronic evidence - and applications for entry of a judgment electronically filed with the original instrument filed at the Clerk's office (1.10); and the return of exhibits absent a stipulation of the parties (1.11).
Kern County Superior Court Local Rules (effective July 1, 2026) — Chapter I: General Rules (Rules 1.12 to 1.25)
Chapter I, Rules 1.12 to 1.25: the court's commitment to Standard 10.20 of the Standards of Judicial Administration on the elimination of bias (1.12); court security videos of the Kern County Sheriff's Office (1.13); hazardous, heavy or bulky exhibits brought into the courthouse only with the permission of the judicial officer assigned to the hearing or trial (1.14); the prohibition of harassment, discrimination, retaliation and inappropriate workplace conduct (1.15); professional conduct and civility (1.16); a court escort for non-CLETS certified personnel in the areas where criminal justice information is generated or stored, and the parties to be searched by type of case (1.17); photographing, recording and broadcasting in court by the public and the media, the definitions, the limitations on coverage and the walkways (1.18); the use of cellular telephones and other communications devices (1.19); demonstrations, distributions, solicitation and other expressive activity at the courthouses (1.20); the employment conflict of interest code and its designated positions (1.21); electronic signatures under California Rules of Court, rule 2.257, and digital signatures under Government Code section 16.5 (1.22); the parties and their attorneys solely responsible for redaction under rule 1.201 (1.23); weapons screening and the restriction of weapons in courthouses (1.24); and a newspaper of general circulation to e-mail a copy of its judgment to the Superior Court Administration (1.25).
Kern County Superior Court Local Rules (effective July 1, 2026) — Chapter I: General Rules (Rules 1.1 to 1.7.7)
Chapter I, Rules 1.1 to 1.7.7: the local rules adopted pursuant to Code of Civil Procedure section 575.1, California Rules of Court, rule 10.613, and Government Code section 68070, a failure to comply subjecting counsel, a represented party or a self-represented litigant to sanctions on motion of a party or the court (1.1); remote proceedings other than an evidentiary hearing or trial, remote evidentiary hearings and trials under Code of Civil Procedure section 367.75, remote proceedings in family law matters involving the Department of Child Support Services limited to telephonic appearances in the Metropolitan Division, digital audio and video appearances through CourtCall, LLC, and the rule in effect until January 1, 2027 (1.1.1); the notification system on the court's website for an attorney who will be late (1.1.2); the selection of the Assistant Presiding Judge by vote of all judges in October of every odd year, succession to Presiding Judge for a term of two years, and removal by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the judges (1.2); the Presiding Judge's administrative duties (1.2.1); a complaint concerning a judicial officer or subordinate judicial officer in writing, not filed electronically, mailed to the Presiding Judge-Department 1, 1415 Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301, with a return address (1.2.2); judicial vacation days (1.2.3); calendar addenda posted on the court's website (1.3); prospective jurors who reside more than 75 miles from Bakersfield not summoned to the Metropolitan Divisions (1.4.1); requested jury instructions submitted on the day the jury is sworn (1.4.2); commissioners appointed Judge Pro Tempore in all matters calendared or assigned to them (1.5); court reporter availability posted in each court location, a fee waiver recipient's request for an official reporter on Judicial Council Form FW-020 at least ten calendar days before the trial or evidentiary hearing, the Kern County transcript format, and reporters' billing on appeals no later than 20 calendar days after the transcripts are completed on the mandatory Reporter's Request for Payment on Appeals (1.6); the Presiding Judge's apportionment of the court's business, its divisions and supervising judges (1.7.1 to 1.7.3); venue according to zip codes per Appendix A (1.7.4); the matters filed in the Metropolitan Division - appeals, unlimited civil cases (quiet title actions arising outside of Metropolitan Bakersfield excepted), CEQA cases, criminal complaints and informations by the division where the crime is alleged to have occurred with the felony exceptions (Penal Code section 187 and 191.5 cases, cases involving four or more defendants, and incidents in the Lerdo Pre-Trial Facility filed in the Shafter multi-divisional courthouse), child support, adoption and parentage cases, family law cases by the Venue by Zip Code table with a Family Law Case Certificate of Assignment - Venue Declaration (KRN SUP CRT FL-2427), juvenile delinquency and dependency cases, mental health and CARE Act matters, probate and guardianship cases at the Juvenile Justice Center, and traffic and minor offense cases (1.7.5); transfer of an action to a different division on motion for good cause (1.7.6); and one conformed copy of each original, returned by mail with a stamped, self-addressed envelope (1.7.7).
Kern County Superior Court — Standing Order 26CSO00003 — In re: Original Instrument Filings in Applications for Entry of Judgment
The court's standing order effective April 16, 2026 on Local Rule 1.10(n)'s requirement that the original instrument be filed with an application for entry of a judgment: consistent with Kahn v. Lasorda's Dugout, Inc. (2003) 109 Cal.App.4th 1118 (and Evidence Code § 1521 and rule 3.1806), the Court has discretion to accept a copy of the original instrument, and a copy of the instrument, contract, or written obligation may be filed electronically; proposed orders authorizing the use of a copy will not be signed - the clerk is authorized to accept a copy submitted with the request/application for entry of judgment.
Kern County Superior Court — Standing Order STO-24-0011 — Requests to Reduce or Vacate Fines and Fees for Infraction Offenses
The court's standing order of December 5, 2024 under Government Code section 68645.3(e) and California Rules of Court, rule 4.335: a new ability-to-pay determination for the same fines or penalties requested only if there has been a change in the circumstances of the petitioner/defendant after a previous determination, a clerk conducting the determination on the rule's criteria; review by a judicial officer on a written petition; and Local Rule 4.4 to be amended in the next local rules cycle.
Kern County Superior Court — Policy Regarding Normal Availability and Unavailability of Official Court Reporters (CtSup-2023-2)
The court's policy under CRC 2.956(b)(1), effective November 7, 2023: court reporters provided for Felony Criminal, Juvenile, Limited Family Law Matters Related to Termination of Parental Rights and Adoption, and Limited Probate Matters as long as court reporters are available, and for the monthly Appeals Court session held the first Friday of every month; no court reporters for Unlimited and Limited Civil, Small Claims, Misdemeanor, other Family Law Matters, Domestic Violence proceedings in the Metropolitan Division, Mentally Disordered Offenders (MDO) Act cases, Mental Health Civil Case types including Lanterman-Petris Short Act Conservatorship cases, and Traffic Court; where the Court provides no reporter and electronic recording is not authorized, a Certified Shorthand Reporter arranged as an official pro tempore reporter at the party's expense; each party's statement ten (10) days before the trial date whether it requests an official court reporter; a court provided court reporter at $300 per half day and $600 per full day, and a $30 fee for a proceeding of one hour or less (Government Code § 68086); a fee waiver litigant's written request at least ten (10) days before the trial or hearing (optional form KRN SUP CRT-CIV-0025), the proceeding continued until an official court reporter can be made available; the Transcript Reimbursement Fund; and, effective May 14, 2018, the Kern County transcript format and the electronic filing of all transcripts by all court reporters.
Kern County Superior Court — Standing Order STO-23-0008 — Permissive Electronic Filing of Charging Documents in Adult and Juvenile Criminal Cases
The court's standing order of July 2023: the electronic filing of charging documents by the Kern County District Attorney's Office - the complaint, information, indictment, petition, and supporting case documents - accepted in adult criminal cases from July 17, 2023 (Penal Code sections 690.5 and 959.1) and in juvenile cases under Welfare & Institutions Code sections 601 or 602 from July 31, 2023; no other electronic filing permitted for criminal or juvenile cases; Local Rule 1.10 applying; digital signatures under Government Code section 16.5; and the submitting party's redaction of confidential information under rule 1.201.
Kern County Superior Court — Standing Order No. 2023-02 — Release of Certified Minute Orders in Limited Circumstances
The juvenile court's Standing Order No. 2023-02: certified minute orders in dependency and juvenile justice proceedings disclosed without a request under Welfare and Institutions Code section 827 in limited circumstances - to correctional institutions to facilitate visits with incarcerated parents, to parents whose children have been returned to them, for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, a social security card, a birth certificate, behavioral health or medical records, court ordered parentage (DNA) testing, the Department of Juvenile Justice following a re-entry hearing, by the attorney of a minor or non-minor 12 years of age or older who has authorized it in writing, upon the stipulation of counsel accepted by the court, and under the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC); each disclosure accompanied by a written advisal of confidentiality and recorded by the agency or person making it.
Kern County Superior Court — Standing Order STO-23-0005 — Discontinuing the Imposition of Civil Assessments upon Failure to Appear or Failure to Pay
The court's policy, effective March 27, 2023, to discontinue the imposition of civil assessments under Penal Code section 1214.1 in each eligible case in which a defendant has failed to appear or failed to pay, the court retaining discretion to impose civil assessments.