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Introduction
DUI (Driving Under the Influence) (opens new page)
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| Court Appearances |
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| Discovery/Copy Orders/Results |
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In-Custody Inmate Information
Court-Appointed Counsel
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| Payment Information |
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| Introduction |
General procedures and circumstances can vary. If you have a specific question, please call the criminal department to see if there are alternatives to what you can do.
- Felonies (661) 868-5393 select telephone option 4
- Misdemeanors (661) 868-7207
- Traffic (661) 868-2382
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The Criminal Division processes all felony and misdemeanor criminal complaints including, but not limited to, the following vehicular violations:
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The Traffic Division handles:
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- minor traffic offenses
- minor dog offenses
- minor fish and game license offenses
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| Court Appearances |
| Appearing in Court |
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If you have a public offense case, you either:
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- signed a promise to appear (a ticket or agreement to appear on your "own recognizance," called an "O.R.")
- posted bail, or
- received an appearance notification letter from a public prosecutor.
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You must report to the court on or before the appearance date and time on the notice or bail receipt.
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To confirm your hearing date and time, either:
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- For criminal misdemeanor cases in the Metropolitan area, the calendar is posted on the bulletin board on the first floor of 1215 Truxtun.
- For criminal felony cases in the Metropolitan area, the calendar is posted on the bulletin board on the first floor of 1415 Truxtun.
- For cases outside of the Metropolitan area, check your paperwork to identify in which branch the hearing will be held, then report to the court on or before the appearance date/time on the notice or bail receipt.
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If your name is on a calendar, go directly to the courtroom. The Court calendars are called at 8:30 a.m.
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If you cannot find your name on a calendar, report to the Criminal Division office. Provide any paperwork (ticket, bail, receipt, O.R. agreement, or appearance letter) given to you about your case. Also be prepared to provide:
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- your true name
- the name you used when arrested (if different)
- your birth date
- your driver's license number
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so the counter person can provide you with quality service.
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| Failure to Appear |
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If you do not appear in court when required, the court can order any or all of the following actions:
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- Order bail posted to insure your appearance forfeited.
- Order a warrant for your arrest.
- Order the Department of Motor Vehicles to suspend your driver's license.
- Add a new violation (Failure to Appear - FTA) to your case. The punishment for
this violation can be a jail term of up to six months in jail and/or $1,000 fine.
Pursuant to section 1214.1 of the Penal Code, in addition to any other penalty, the
court may impose an additional $300 Civil assessment against any defendant who
fails to appear in court for any proceeding on a minor offense.
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| Warrant Information |
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For warrant information, phone (661) 868-7207 for misdemeanor and (661) 868-5393 for felony from 8am - 5pm, Monday through Friday.
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Your warrant remains active until:
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- a police agency arrests you
- you appear in court, or
- you post bail
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If you post bail for a future court date and fail to appear the court may order your bail forfeited and issue a new warrant for your arrest.
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| Discovery/Copy Orders/Results |
| Discovery - Copy Orders |
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Copies of documents for misdemeanor cases may be obtained by completing a copy request
form at the Criminal counter at 1215 Truxtun. Copies of documents for felony cases may be
obtained in the same way at 1415 Truxtun.
There is a fee for photocopies (see Fee Schedule).
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| Blood Alcohol Results |
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Blood alcohol results are usually included in the police report. However, if blood alcohol results were not available at the time of filing the case with the court, the defendant will be advised of his/her test results at his/her arraignment.
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| In-Custody Inmate Information |
To obtain information on a defendant held in custody, you may:
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Use the Online Inmate Search, provided by the Kern County Sheriff's Department. Disclaimer
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Call for information:
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(661) 868-7207 (misdemeanors)
(661) 868-5393 (felonies)
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Hours: |
Monday through Friday, 8am - 5pm |
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You must have a court case number or booking number in order to obtain information from the Courts by phone.
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| Court-Appointed Counsel |
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If, at the time of your arraignment, the court determines you are indigent, the court will appoint an attorney to represent you. However, if you wish to retain your own attorney you may do so.
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If you are provided legal assistance through the public defender or other court-appointed counsel, the court may make a determination of your ability to pay all or part of the costs. If the court finds you can pay, it will make an order for you to pay the costs. Such an order has the same force and effect as a civil judgment and is subject to enforcement against your property in the same manner as any other money judgment. The court can order additional hearings on your ability to pay the cost of court-appointed counsel after your case is concluded.
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| Payment Information |
| Fees |
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| Fine Payment Options |
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Fines are due on or before the date set by the court. Failure to pay your fine on time will result in a warrant for your arrest. You may request a financial reevaluation or modification of payments by appearing at the Revenue Recovery Division. No extensions will be granted by telephone. For further information you may call (661) 868-3064 from 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.
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Additional Information:
- Make checks and/or money orders payable to Kern County Superior Court. To insure your payment is credited to your case, always write your case number on your check and/or money order.
- Acceptable credit cards are:
- Visa
- Discover Card
- American Express
There is a service fee assessed in addition to the fine when you use a credit card to pay your fine.
- Revenue Recovery mailing address
- Superior Court of California, Metropolitan Division, Justice Building
- 1215 Truxtun Avenue
- Bakersfield, CA 93301
- Attn: Revenue Recovery
- Revenue Recovery office location and hours (for in-person payments)
- Outside Payment window
Superior Court of California, Metropolitan Division, Justice Building
1215 Truxtun Avenue (left of the entry doors on the south side of the building)
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
- Inside the building
Superior Court of California, Metropolitan Division, Justice Building
1215 Truxtun Avenue, 1st Floor (left after metal detectors)
Bakersfield, CA 93301
Hours: Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
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| Bail Refunds |
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Refunds on cash bail are processed automatically upon court order. It takes approximately 4-6 weeks from the date of the court order to receive your refund. The Kern County Auditor's office mails the refund check. For further information phone (661) 868-2552 from 8am - 4pm, Monday through Friday.
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| Superior Court of California, County of Kern court employees are prohibited from giving legal advice per section 24004 and 68082 of the Government Code. In addition, court employees may not give advice as to which legal forms to use or how to complete the forms.
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