Judge Charles R. Brehmer

Education & Background: Earned both his bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Valparaiso University (Indiana). Son of Lutheran missionaries, he spent part of his childhood in Nigeria, an experience that inspired his early interest in justice.
Judicial Appointment: Elected as a Judge of the Kern County Superior Court in November 2008, assuming office in January 2009. Filled a vacancy created by Judge Clarence Westra’s retirement. Has served on the bench since 2009 (over 16 years of judicial service), with his current term set to expire in January 2027.
Prior Legal Experience: Nearly 26 years in legal practice before joining the bench. Worked at Borton, Petrini & Conron (1993–1995), co-founded Biel & Brehmer (1995–2000), and operated a solo law practice (2000–2008) focusing on civil litigation and mediation. Also trained in alternative dispute resolution at Pepperdine University’s program and served as a private mediator prior to his judgeship.
Court Assignments: Has handled a wide range of case assignments. Currently assigned to a felony criminal calendar in the Metropolitan Division of Kern County Superior Court. Previously served in court leadership as Assistant Presiding Judge (2016–2017) and Presiding Judge (2018–2019), overseeing court administration for a four-year term.
Notable Rulings: Presided over numerous high-profile cases. Oversaw the 2020 murder trial of former school principal Leslie Chance, denying motions for a new trial and sentencing her to 50 years to life in prison for her husband’s killing. In 2023, he presided over the trial of Trezell and Jacqueline West (the California City missing boys case), where a jury convicted the adoptive parents on multiple counts including second-degree murder. Earlier, he heard the Brittney Collins case (mother convicted for failing to prevent her child’s death), which was later overturned by the California Supreme Court in 2025 for insufficient evidence of implied malice.
Community & Leadership: Regarded for his even-tempered judicial demeanor and fairness – attorneys note that Judge Brehmer has “earned credibility with his rulings”. Active in court-community outreach and internal committees; as Presiding Judge, he appointed key court executives and implemented policy changes. He received a public admonishment in 2012 for campaign finance reporting violations related to his 2008 election (with no intent to conceal found), and he has since maintained a record of ethical conduct. Outside the courtroom, he is involved in mentoring young lawyers and remains engaged with community issues, drawing on his multicultural upbringing and mediation background.

Educational and Career Background

Education: Charles “Chip” Brehmer received his higher education at Valparaiso University in Indiana, earning both a bachelor’s degree and a Juris Doctor from Valparaiso University School of Law. He began practicing law in California in the early 1980s. Brehmer’s early interest in the law was deeply influenced by his upbringing as the son of Lutheran missionaries in Nigeria, where he first observed social inequities and “thought some things were unfair” from a young age.

Legal Career: Before joining the bench, Brehmer amassed over two decades of experience in the legal field. In the early 1990s he joined the firm Borton, Petrini & Conron in Bakersfield (1993–1995), then co-founded the law partnership of Biel & Brehmer (1995–2000). From 2000 until 2008, he ran his own solo practice, handling civil litigation matters and developing a specialty in mediation. During this period, he completed mediation training at Pepperdine University’s Strauss Institute for Dispute Resolution, subsequently applying those skills both as a neutral mediator and in advocating for clients in litigation. Brehmer’s practical experience spanned areas of civil law and alternative dispute resolution, preparing him for a diverse docket as a judge.

Judicial Appointment and Responsibilities

Path to the Bench: Brehmer was elected as a Superior Court judge in Kern County in the November 4, 2008 general election. He won a nonpartisan race to fill the vacancy left by retiring Judge Clarence Westra. Brehmer assumed office in January 2009, beginning his first six-year term. He has since been re-elected to subsequent terms without opposition, and his current term extends through January 4, 2027. Upon taking the bench, Judge Brehmer initially handled a general calendar including criminal cases and civil matters, bringing his mediation-informed approach to courtroom proceedings.

Court Assignments: Over the years, Judge Brehmer has presided in various divisions of the Superior Court. He is currently assigned to the felony trial calendar at the Metropolitan Division in Bakersfield, handling serious criminal cases. His prior assignments have included misdemeanor and preliminary hearing calendars as well as civil case assignments, reflecting the court’s rotation of judges through different departments. In addition to his trial court duties, Brehmer served in leadership roles – notably as the court’s Assistant Presiding Judge in 2016–2017, and subsequently the Presiding Judge of Kern County Superior Court for 2018–2019. In these capacities he oversaw court administration, helped implement policy, and guided the court through budget and staffing challenges. Colleagues unanimously selected him for these roles, underscoring their confidence in his leadership. After completing his term as Presiding Judge, he returned to handling a full caseload, primarily in criminal court.

Rulings and Judicial Philosophy

Judicial Approach: On the bench, Judge Brehmer is known for his calm demeanor and thorough consideration of legal arguments. He credits his time as a mediator with honing his ability to listen to all sides and seek fair resolutions. Attorneys who practice in his courtroom describe him as fair and prepared, noting that he has “earned credibility with his rulings” over the years. Brehmer tends to follow the letter of the law while remaining mindful of the human impact of his decisions – an outlook shaped by witnessing hardships during his youth abroad. He has stated that his goal is to ensure everyone is heard in his courtroom and that justice is administered without bias.

Patterns in Decisions: In criminal cases, Brehmer has a reputation for even-handedness. He carefully evaluates whether charges are supported by evidence, as seen in a 2025 ruling where he initially upheld a mother’s second-degree murder charge for failing to protect her child – a conviction later overturned on appeal for lack of proof of the required intent. This outcome, in People v. Collins, prompted the California Supreme Court to clarify the law on “failure to protect” liability, demonstrating Brehmer’s willingness to apply existing law to novel situations while higher courts refine the legal standards. In civil matters, his background in mediation often leads him to encourage settlements and pragmatic solutions when appropriate, though he will decisively rule on the merits if parties cannot agree. Overall, his rulings reflect a balance of firmness in upholding the law and compassion in understanding individual circumstances.

Notable Cases and Decisions

Leslie Chance Murder Trial (2020): One of the most high-profile cases Judge Brehmer has presided over was the trial of Leslie Chance, a former elementary school principal accused of murdering her husband. After a lengthy retrial, a jury found Chance guilty of first-degree murder. Judge Brehmer denied defense motions for a new trial – including claims of juror misconduct – and proceeded to sentencing. In October 2020, he sentenced Leslie Chance to 50 years to life in prison (25 years to life for the murder plus an additional 25-to-life firearm enhancement). During sentencing, Brehmer remarked that “no one has won, but justice has been served,” emphasizing the tragic nature of the case even in the wake of a just verdict. This case drew widespread local media attention, and his handling was noted for its diligence and sensitivity to the victim’s family.

California City Missing Boys Case (2023): In another headline-making case, Judge Brehmer presided over the trial of Trezell and Jacqueline West, the adoptive parents of two young boys (Orrin and Orson West) who were reported missing in California City. The highly-publicized trial involved complex circumstantial evidence since the boys’ bodies were never found. In May 2023, the jury delivered a historic verdict, convicting both parents on five out of seven counts, including second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and child cruelty. Judge Brehmer announced the verdict to a packed courtroom and later imposed sentences for each defendant. The outcome brought a measure of justice in a case that had gripped the community for over two years. Brehmer maintained a strict gag order during the proceedings to ensure fairness, and after the verdict he scheduled sentencing (ultimately, each parent received a prison term of 15 years to life plus additional years for other charges). His management of the emotionally charged trial was praised for keeping the focus on the evidence and the law.

People v. Brittney Collins (2019 trial, overturned 2025): In a notable appellate reversal, a case heard by Judge Brehmer became the vehicle for the California Supreme Court to refine the standard for parental liability in child abuse homicides. In 2019, Brehmer oversaw the trial of Brittney Collins, a mother charged with second-degree murder after her infant son was fatally abused by the child’s father. Collins was convicted under a theory that she willfully failed to protect the baby from harm. Brehmer, as the trial judge, found the evidence sufficient and entered the conviction, which the Court of Appeal upheld. However, in January 2025 the California Supreme Court unanimously reversed Collins’s murder conviction, ruling that the evidence did not prove she had the required knowledge and intent to be guilty of implied malice murder. The high court’s decision in People v. Collins clarified that a parent’s passive failure to act must reach a very high threshold of awareness of imminent danger to constitute murder. While the reversal meant Collins was to be resentenced on lesser charges, it also illustrated the evolving legal standards. Judge Brehmer’s initial ruling was made in line with then-existing interpretations, and the Supreme Court’s clarification highlighted an area of law that was previously unsettled. This case is often cited in discussions of a judge’s decisions being subject to appellate review and the development of legal precedent.

Other Cases: Judge Brehmer has handled numerous other significant matters, from complex fraud and homicide trials to high-stakes civil disputes. For instance, he ruled in 2025 that a mother, Maya Hernandez, accused in a hot-car infant death would indeed face trial on first-degree murder and related charges, rejecting a defense motion to dismiss the murder count prior to trial. His decision underscored that sufficient evidence of extreme negligence could warrant a murder charge, leaving the ultimate question to a jury. Throughout his tenure, Brehmer’s courtroom has seen cases that garner public interest, and he has navigated each with a focus on legal rigor and procedural fairness.

Reputation, Ethics, and Community Involvement

Professional Reputation: Within the legal community, Judge Brehmer is widely respected for his integrity and judicial temperament. Colleagues and attorneys frequently cite his approachable nature and preparedness in court, noting that he reads filings thoroughly and engages counsel with pertinent questions. The Daily Journal profiled him in 2018 with the telling headline “Channeling Humanity,” reflecting how he strives to combine legal strictness with human empathy in his rulings. Lawyers who appear before him have remarked that even when they lose a motion or case, they feel that their arguments were fairly heard. His experience living abroad and his work as a mediator contribute to a reputation for cultural sensitivity and patience on the bench.

Ethics and Oversight: Early in his judicial career, Judge Brehmer faced scrutiny for issues arising from his 2008 campaign. In 2012, the California Commission on Judicial Performance issued a public admonishment after an investigation found that his campaign committee had accepted several cash contributions over the legal limit and filed certain financial reports late. The commission noted multiple violations of the Political Reform Act but also acknowledged there was no evidence of intent to conceal information, attributing the problems in part to an inexperienced campaign treasurer. Judge Brehmer cooperated with the investigation, amended his filings, and accepted responsibility for the compliance failures. Since that admonishment, he has had no disciplinary issues and is considered to be in good ethical standing. The incident served as a lesson in the importance of diligent campaign oversight, and by all accounts he remains careful and compliant in all judicial duties.

Community Engagement: Outside of his formal duties, Judge Brehmer participates in efforts to improve the justice system and foster community relations. During his tenure as Presiding Judge, he was involved in outreach initiatives such as court tours for students and educational programs explaining the court’s role in public safety. He has been active in local legal mentorship programs, offering guidance to new attorneys and law students. Colleagues have also noted his support for problem-solving courts (like drug treatment and mental health court) which seek to address root causes of crime. Fluent in the language of empathy from his missionary family background, Brehmer often emphasizes understanding the people behind each case. While he keeps a low public profile, his contributions through leadership in the courthouse and quiet mentorship in the community have made a positive impact. As a long-serving judge in Kern County, Charles Brehmer is recognized not only for his command of the law but also for his dedication to fair and humane justice.