A state trial court / Established 1963

Superior Court of California, County of Kern

A general-jurisdiction trial court in California.

The Superior Court of California, County of Kern is a general-jurisdiction state trial court in California, where most civil and criminal cases are first heard. Its judges are chosen by gubernatorial appointment from a nominating commission, followed by retention elections, the method California uses for its judges. This page lists the judges on record for this court from our public-records source, current and former; trial-court coverage is partial.

74
Judges in history
29
Currently serving
Merit selection
Selection
12-yr
Term
Current judges
Former judges
JudgeYears
Charles R. Brehmer2009–2018
Larry Errea2009–2015
Steven M. Katz2008–2019
John S. Somers2008–2016
Judith K. Dulcich2007–2020
Cory Woodward2007–2016
William D. Palmer2006–2017
Louis P. Etcheverry2005–2013
Lee Phillip Felice2005–2006
Catherine D. Purcell2001–2008
Michael G. Bush2000–2012
L. Bryce Chase2000–2010
Frank Allen Hoover2000–2007
Colette M. Humphrey2000–2014
Gary A. Ingle2000–2010
Michael B. Lewis2000–2016
Robert E. McDaniel2000–2006
Charles P. McNutt2000–2007
Sharon Elizabeth Mettler2000–2008
Romero J. Moench2000–2007
Charles B. Pfister2000–2009
John I. Quinlen2000–2007
Harry (Skip) A. Staley2000–2009
Gary D. Witt2000–2017
Jerold L. Turner1993–2013
Stephen P. Gildner1990–2010
Robert J. Anspach1988–2011
John I. Kelly1988–2008
Richard J. Oberholzer1987–2008
Roger D. Randall1986–2003
Arthur E. Wallace1986–2009
James M. Stuart1985–2008
Walter H. Condley1983–1988
Gary T. Friedman1983–2018
Lenard M. McGillivray1983–1997
Clarence , Jr. Westra1983–2009
Henry E. Bianchi1981–1991
James G. Bowles1981–1989
Lewis E. King1981–1992
Robert T. Baca1979–1992
Gerald K. Davis1976–1992
John Michael Nairn1971–1985
Marvin E. Ferguson1966–1986
Walter , Jr. Osborn1965–1983
John D. Jelletich1963–1987

How a judge reaches this court. Judges of the Superior Court of California, County of Kern are appointed by the governor to 12-year terms and then face yes-or-no retention elections. Selection methods vary by jurisdiction and have changed over time; this page reflects the court’s current method (source: National Center for State Courts). Open any judge to see their tenure and whom they succeeded.

Source: CourtListener / Free Law Project (bulk data); selection method from the National Center for State Courts. Data last verified 2026-06-30. Verify against the primary source before relying. Not a consumer report (FCRA).