Commissioner Jennifer Fultz

  • Education: B.A. in Applied Mathematics (UCLA); J.D. (Santa Clara University School of Law).
  • Bar Admission: California, 2003.
  • Appointment: Selected June 2024 by Tulare County Superior Court (Court Judges) as Commissioner.
  • Court Assignment: Department 14 – presides over Small Claims, Traffic and Criminal Infraction cases (North County: Visalia/Exeter/Dinuba).
  • Term: Serves as a subordinate judicial officer at the court’s discretion (no fixed term).
  • Political Affiliation: None publicly indicated (judicial role is nonpartisan).

Education and Legal Background

Jennifer Fultz earned her bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and later graduated from Santa Clara University School of Law. She was admitted to the California State Bar in December 2003. Early in her career she moved to Tulare County and joined the District Attorney’s Office. Over approximately two decades (2004–2024) she served as a Deputy District Attorney in Tulare County, rising to the position of Senior Deputy District Attorney. In that role she prosecuted a wide range of criminal cases, including serious felony matters, and handled appellate briefs on behalf of the People. Her prosecutorial career gave her extensive trial and legal experience prior to her judicial appointment.

Appointment and Judicial Service

In June 2024, Commissioner Fultz was appointed as a court commissioner for the Tulare County Superior Court. She was selected by the court (following a competitive recruitment and interview process) to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the previous commissioner. Commissioners in California are subordinate judicial officers appointed by the court’s judges; they are not elected and have no fixed term, serving at the court’s discretion. As a newly appointed commissioner, Fultz took the bench in mid-2024. Court officials noted that her many years of experience as a prosecutor and public servant would prepare her well for her duties on the bench.

Courtroom Assignments

Commissioner Fultz is assigned to Department 14 of the Tulare County Superior Court. In that department she presides over Small Claims cases as well as traffic and criminal infraction hearings for the North County jurisdictions (Visalia, Exeter, Dinuba). Her weekly calendar includes small claims trials, motions and bench warrant hearings in the morning and afternoon, as well as traffic and infraction arraignments and trials in the afternoon. In practice, she handles cases brought by local police and sheriff’s departments (including city and county law enforcement agencies) in Visalia, Woodlake, Farmersville, Dinuba and Exeter. These assignments allow her to adjudicate minor civil disputes and traffic violations, providing relief to senior judges.

Notable Cases and Rulings

As of her appointment, Commissioner Fultz has not authored any published judicial opinions. Commissioners who hear small claims and traffic cases do not normally issue reported decisions, so there are no high-profile rulings to date. While serving as a Deputy District Attorney, Fultz participated in significant criminal prosecutions and appeals (for example, contributing to briefs in serious felony cases), but those were on behalf of the prosecution rather than as a judge. In her current role she routinely resolves small claims lawsuits and traffic violation cases, which typically do not generate precedent-setting opinions.

Judicial Philosophy

Commissioner Fultz has not publicly stated a formal judicial philosophy. Given her professional background as a prosecutor, observers expect she will approach cases with a strong respect for law and order and a pragmatic view of courtroom procedure. Former prosecutors on the bench often emphasize careful application of statutory rules and attention to public safety concerns. Her courtroom experience suggests she will value procedural fairness and legal precision, especially in criminal infractions and disputes where victims or local agencies are involved. In her new role she will apply California law to each case impartially and will likely draw on her deep knowledge of court rules and criminal justice gained in the District Attorney’s Office.

Professional Reputation and Ethics

Jennifer Fultz is regarded as an experienced and professional attorney. Colleagues in the Tulare County legal community know her as a seasoned prosecutor who brought dedication and integrity to her work. The court’s leadership praised her transition to the bench and cited her two decades of public service. In public records, Fultz holds an active license in good standing with the State Bar of California, with no disciplinary history on record. There have been no ethics complaints or sanction findings involving her name, indicating a clean professional record. Her move to the judiciary was supported by both the court and the District Attorney’s Office, and no controversies have been reported.

Community Involvement

Outside of her legal career, Commissioner Fultz has been active in the local community, particularly in support of the arts. She served as President of the Board of Directors for the Sequoia Symphony Orchestra, a nonprofit organization in Visalia that brings classical music performances to the region. In that capacity she worked on fundraising, community outreach, and organizational leadership for the symphony. This involvement reflects her commitment to cultural programs in Tulare County. Additionally, Fultz is known to have participated in educational and civic events over the years (for example, mentoring young lawyers or supporting local schools), although specific details have not been widely publicized. She resides in Tulare County with her family, further rooting her ties to the community she now serves as a judicial officer.