Departments Changes

for Judge T. Mark Smith and Judge Bernard C. Barmann Jr.

Effective October 28, 2026:

motions for mental health diversion must be filed in compliance with Standing Order 26CSO00007

Private Attorney Expedited Entry

Private Attorneys may use their California State Bar card and a government-issued photo ID for expedited courthouse entry.  Read more

SCAM ALERT:

Scam texts claiming to be from the Court have been reported. These messages include links to fake payment websites and are fraudulent. The Court does not send texts requesting payment. You can report scams and suspicious communications to the Federal Trade Commission. 

News Release

Reminder: Assembly Bill 199: Criminal Fees

September 27, 2022

Assembly Bill (AB) 199 made changes to the imposition of civil assessments, effective July 1, 2022, by amending Penal Code section 1214.1. The amendment decreased the maximum civil assessment from $300 to $100, as appropriate. AB 199 also vacated any civil assessments imposed before that date, and made any amounts owed prior to July 1, 2022 uncollectable.

In compliance with AB 199, Kern County Superior Court is in the process of vacating all outstanding civil assessment balances imposed prior to July 1, 2022.