Judge Gloria J. Cannon

Education: Earned a B.A. from the University of California, Berkeley, and a J.D. from California Western School of Law in San Diego.
Year of Judicial Appointment: 2017.
Appointing Governor: Appointed to the Kern County Superior Court by Governor Jerry Brown.
Legal Experience (Pre-Bench): Served as a Deputy Public Defender in the Kern County Public Defender’s Office from 2002 until her judicial appointment in 2017.
Years of Judicial Service: 2017–present (eight years of service on the bench as of 2025).
Election/Retention: Ran unopposed in the March 2020 primary and was re-elected to a full term without opposition; current term expires in January 2027.
Court Division/Specialization: Initially assigned to family law cases (handling divorce, custody, and adoption matters); later reassigned to the criminal division, currently overseeing preliminary hearings in felony cases in the Metropolitan Division.
Leadership & Community Roles: Broke barriers as the first African-American female judge in Kern County; active in community outreach and mentorship; honored by local organizations (NAACP and Black Chamber of Commerce) for her pioneering service.

Education and Early Legal Career

Gloria J. Cannon received her undergraduate education at the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. She went on to obtain her Juris Doctor from the California Western School of Law in San Diego. During her time as a student, Cannon gained early exposure to the legal system by volunteering at a family violence law center in Oakland. This experience gave her insight into the challenges of family law and initially steered her interests toward other areas of practice.

After completing law school, Cannon embarked on her legal career in Kern County. In 2002, she joined the Kern County Public Defender’s Office as a Deputy Public Defender. For the next 15 years, she dedicated herself to defending indigent clients in criminal cases. Cannon’s work as a public defender involved representing individuals in a broad range of matters, from misdemeanors to serious felonies, and it allowed her to hone her trial skills and deepen her commitment to public service through the law.

Judicial Appointment and Service

In May 2017, Gloria Cannon was appointed to the Superior Court of California, County of Kern. Governor Jerry Brown selected her to fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Larry A. Errea. Cannon’s appointment was historic, making her the first African-American woman to serve as a judge in Kern County. At the time she joined the bench, she was one of only a small number of female judges in the county, bringing both diversity and a wealth of criminal defense experience to the court.

Since taking the bench in 2017, Judge Cannon has amassed several years of judicial experience. She began her tenure in the family law division, where she presided over cases involving divorce, child custody disputes, child support, and adoptions. After serving in family court, she later transitioned to the criminal division of the Superior Court. As of recent years, Judge Cannon is assigned to the Metropolitan Division in Bakersfield, where she handles preliminary hearings in felony cases. Through these roles, she has demonstrated versatility, managing both sensitive family matters and complex criminal proceedings.

Cannon’s service on the bench has also included the routine electoral process for California judges. She stood for election in 2020 and was retained by voters without opposition (no challenger filed to run against her). Winning the 2020 judicial election by default, she secured a full six-year term. Her current term will run through January 2027, reflecting continued confidence in her performance and providing stability in her judicial career.

Notable Cases and Legal Commentary

During her time as a judge, Gloria Cannon has overseen a number of significant and high-profile cases in Kern County. In 2025, she presided over a widely watched homicide case stemming from the fatal stabbing of a Bakersfield man, Lawrence Leyva. In that case, the 19-year-old defendant, Bradley Perez, entered a no-contest plea to voluntary manslaughter, which led to the dismissal of a murder charge. Judge Cannon sentenced Perez to six years in state prison, noting the defendant’s lack of any prior criminal record as a factor in the sentencing decision. The resolution of the case drew public attention and some controversy, as members of the victim’s family expressed frustration that a plea deal was accepted instead of proceeding to a jury trial.

Another notable matter in Judge Cannon’s courtroom has been the ongoing criminal proceedings involving former Kern County Supervisor Zack Scrivner. Scrivner was charged in 2024 with multiple felony counts, including allegations of child abuse and firearms offenses. The case has received considerable media coverage due to Scrivner’s prominence in the community. Throughout 2024 and 2025, Judge Cannon has managed a series of complex pretrial motions in this case — including a defense request for a mental health diversion program that could potentially keep the defendant out of jail. By handling such a sensitive and high-stakes case, Cannon has demonstrated her ability to navigate challenging legal issues under public scrutiny. In both high-profile and routine cases, she is known to carefully weigh the circumstances and evidence, ensuring that her rulings are grounded in the law and facts presented.

Judicial Philosophy and Reputation

Judge Cannon is widely regarded as a fair and compassionate jurist. Colleagues and observers note that she brings a balanced perspective to the bench, informed in part by her many years of defense work. She has been praised in the community and the media for her commitment to fairness and the equitable application of the law. Cannon approaches each case with an emphasis on integrity and impartiality, striving to ensure that all parties are heard and that justice is administered without prejudice. Her courtroom demeanor is often described as calm, respectful, and attentive to the details of each case.

Cannon herself has spoken about viewing the role of judge as fundamentally one of public service. She has stated that being a judge is about serving the community, and despite the historic nature of her appointment, she considers her duties no different from those of any other judge on the bench. This humble and service-oriented philosophy underpins her work. She also encourages aspiring lawyers and judges to remain resilient in the face of challenges. Having dreamed of becoming a judge from a young age, she often shares the message that obstacles encountered on the way to one’s goals should not deter perseverance — believing that overcoming hardships ultimately makes the achievement more rewarding. This outlook on persistence and dedication has contributed to her respected reputation both in the courthouse and in the broader community.

Community Engagement and Professional Leadership

Beyond her official duties, Judge Gloria Cannon has been an active participant in community outreach and professional development activities. Shortly after her appointment, in July 2017, the local NAACP chapter honored her as the first African-American female judge in Kern County — a recognition of the barrier she broke and the inspiration she provides to others. In 2018, she was also awarded the “Business Pioneer Award” by the Kern County Black Chamber of Commerce, highlighting the significance of her accomplishments and leadership within the community. These honors reflect the esteem in which she is held as a trailblazer and role model in Kern’s legal sphere.

Judge Cannon regularly engages with the public and the legal community through speaking engagements and mentorship programs. She has served as a panelist for educational forums such as California State University Bakersfield’s Pre-Law Society events, where she shares insights about her journey from attorney to judge and encourages young people interested in legal careers. She has also taken part in local “Women in Leadership” conferences, underlining her commitment to empowering women and minorities in professional fields. Through these activities, Cannon demonstrates a dedication to giving back to the community. Whether she is volunteering her time to judge high school mock trials, addressing college students, or participating in civic organizations, she consistently uses her platform to inspire others and to advocate for inclusion and excellence in the justice system. Her involvement in both community and professional circles cements her status as not only a respected judge but also a civic leader in Kern County.

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