Judge Jason Taylor

  • Education: Juris Doctor, San Joaquin College of Law (Clovis).
  • Bar Admission: California State Bar, 2013.
  • Courtroom Assignment: Tulare County Superior Court – Department 13 (Visalia, Northern Division, Family Law).
  • Political Affiliation: No Party Preference.
  • Appointment: Appointed by Governor Newsom in February 2025 (sworn in March 10, 2025).

Background

Jason Taylor is a Central Valley native with a background in law enforcement and the military. After his service, he pursued legal education and earned his J.D. from San Joaquin College of Law in Clovis. He was admitted to the California Bar in 2013. Early in his legal career, Taylor served as a Deputy Public Defender in Tulare County (2014), handling criminal cases for indigent clients. He is known to be a family man and a military veteran, and he has lived and worked in the Tulare/Kings County region of California.

Legal Career

After leaving the public defender’s office, Taylor established a solo law practice in Visalia in 2014, concentrating on criminal defense and family law. He remained active in public service roles, including working on the Tulare County Public Defender’s conflict panel as a contract attorney (2018–2025) and on the Kings County Public Defender’s office roster (2019–2022). Over a decade of legal practice in the Central Valley earned him a reputation in family law and criminal defense circles. In private practice he also handled estate planning and other civil matters for local clients.

Judicial Experience

In February 2025, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Jason Taylor to the Tulare County Superior Court, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Walter L. Gorlick. Taylor took the bench on March 10, 2025. He is assigned to Department 13 in the Visalia division (Northern jurisdiction), where he hears family law cases. This assignment covers family law filings with petitioners’ last names beginning with G, H, L, M, N, and O. Judge Taylor’s courtroom duties include managing family law calendars, hearings, and trials within that docket.

Notable Rulings

Since taking the bench, Judge Taylor has presided over a mix of family law and juvenile matters. In July 2025, he drew local attention for a decision in a juvenile case. Taylor reduced the seven-year youth sentencing of a 16-year-old convicted of murder, finding that the minor had shown sufficient rehabilitation progress under California Welfare & Institutions Code 875(b)(1). He cut the juvenile term by two months, scheduling a follow-up hearing to further review the youth’s progress. This ruling was notable for applying the statute to shorten a violent crime sentence based on rehabilitation, a decision that drew public commentary from the district attorney’s office.

Community Involvement

Judge Taylor is active in the local legal community. He regularly participates in Tulare County Bar Association events and educational programs. For example, he has spoken at high school “Law & Justice” career academy sessions to explain the path to becoming a judge. His background as a veteran and former law enforcement officer has led him to mentor young people considering public service careers. He also continues involvement in veterans and community outreach through court-sponsored programs (such as veterans’ court events) in Tulare County. Through these roles, Judge Taylor contributes to outreach and leadership in the Central Valley legal community.