Commissioner James Green

• Education: B.A. in History, University of Michigan (1992); J.D., University of Chicago Law School (1995).
• Bar Admission: California Bar (1999).
• Judicial Appointment: Court Commissioner, Kern County Superior Court (appointed 2024).
• Courtroom Assignment: Traffic Calendar, Department T1 (Bakersfield).

Background and Education

James Bradley Green earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Michigan and subsequently received his Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School. He was admitted to practice law in California in 1999. Green spent the next two decades in legal practice in Southern California. In private practice, he served as an attorney with the Castleton Law Group in City of Industry (Los Angeles County), where he focused on business and civil litigation matters. His practice experience ranged from business law and intellectual property to general civil litigation.

Judicial Appointment

In early 2024, James Green was appointed as a Court Commissioner by the judges of the Kern County Superior Court. As a subordinate judicial officer, he was selected to assist with the court’s workload under California law. Green officially began his duties in 2024, filling the bench position allocated to a traffic calendar commissioner. Court Commissioners in Kern County are appointed by the sitting judges and carry out various judicial functions within their assigned calendars.

Courtroom Assignment and Duties

Commissioner Green is assigned to Department T1, the Traffic Calendar in Bakersfield. In this role, he presides over court proceedings involving traffic violations and related misdemeanor offenses. His duties include conducting arraignments and hearings for traffic infractions (such as speeding, red-light or stop-sign violations, and driving with a suspended license), setting trials and motions related to traffic offenses, and adjudicating these cases under the California Vehicle Code and other applicable laws. In addition, he handles certain minor criminal matters tied to traffic offenses. Under California statutes, as a court commissioner he also has the authority, upon stipulation by parties, to act as a temporary judge in other civil or criminal matters. Day-to-day, his responsibilities focus on managing the traffic court docket, facilitating plea resolutions or trials, and issuing orders or sentences (often fines or traffic school conditions) in compliance with statutory guidelines.

Notable Cases

In his relatively recent tenure as a traffic court commissioner, Green’s docket has been filled primarily with routine traffic and misdemeanor cases. These include contested traffic citations, questions of driving privilege, and minor offenses. To date, he has not presided over any widely publicized or precedent-setting cases. His rulings and orders tend to reflect standard traffic court practice, such as approving plea agreements or payment plans for fines and penalties. Given the nature of the traffic calendar, notable high-profile trials are uncommon; his caseload is characterized by the steady adjudication of everyday traffic law matters.

Judicial Reputation and Temperament

Commissioner Green is regarded as a fair and professional judicial officer. Colleagues note that he conducts his courtroom with patience and courtesy, maintaining an orderly environment. He is known for attentiveness to legal details and for treating attorneys and litigants with respect. Green’s demeanor is described as calm and measured, a quality well-suited to handling the high-volume nature of traffic court. His approach emphasizes efficient case management and clear explanations of legal procedures to those appearing before him. Though still early in his judicial career, he has earned a reputation for even-handedness and diligence on the bench.

Ethics and Community Involvement

As a judicial officer, Green is bound by the California Code of Judicial Ethics and has maintained a professional record free of disciplinary actions. He is committed to upholding the integrity and public trust inherent in his role. Throughout his career, Green has been active in the legal community. He is a long-standing member of the State Bar of California and has participated in local bar association events. Although he is relatively new to Kern County, he has engaged in community outreach efforts common to bench officers, such as educational programs and civic forums on the law. His career reflects a dedication to ethical conduct and service to both the legal profession and the broader community.

Summary

Commissioner James B. Green is a well-educated and experienced attorney serving on the Kern County Superior Court. With a background that includes prestigious academic credentials and many years of legal practice, he brings substantial expertise to his judicial duties. Since his appointment in 2024, he has focused on administering traffic law cases fairly and efficiently in Department T1. Green’s professional approach, combined with his commitment to ethical standards, contributes positively to the court’s mission and to public confidence in the judicial system.