Judge Stephanie Childers

Education: Bachelor’s degree from California State University, Bakersfield; Juris Doctor from California Pacific School of Law (Bakersfield).
Year of Appointment: 2023 (appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom).
Prior Legal Experience: Sole practitioner in Bakersfield from 1996 to 2023, specializing in family law and frequently serving as court-appointed minors’ counsel in custody disputes.
Years of Judicial Service: 2023–present (2 years on the bench as of 2025).
Election/Retention: Won election in March 2024 unopposed; current term extends through January 2031.
Court Division: Initially assigned to misdemeanor criminal cases; currently presides over the Mental Health/CARE Court division (mental health treatment court).
Community Roles: Lifelong Kern County resident with strong community ties; leads implementation of the county’s CARE Court program and known for advocacy on behalf of children and families.

Education and Early Legal Career

Stephanie R. Childers was born and raised in Kern County, California. She earned her undergraduate degree from California State University, Bakersfield and went on to receive her Juris Doctor from the California Pacific School of Law in Bakersfield in the mid-1990s. Coming from a family of lawyers (her father, Troy Childers, was a respected attorney in Kern County), she developed a passion for the law and a deep connection to her local legal community early in life.

After law school, Childers launched her legal career in 1996 as a sole practitioner in Bakersfield. She built a practice primarily focused on family law, handling divorce, custody, and support matters. Over the next 27 years, she established herself as a dedicated family law attorney and was often appointed by the court as minors’ counsel in high-conflict custody cases – a role in which she served as the voice of children caught in difficult family disputes. Childers has noted that advocating for children was among the most rewarding aspects of her legal career.

Judicial Appointment and Service

Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Stephanie Childers to the Superior Court of Kern County in May 2023, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Craig Phillips. She was sworn into office on July 7, 2023 by Judge Brian McNamara, formally joining the Kern County bench. Upon her appointment, Judge Childers initially presided over misdemeanor criminal cases in the Bakersfield courthouse.

In the March 2024 primary election, Judge Childers was unopposed on the ballot and secured a full six-year term; her current term runs through January 2031. During her tenure so far, she has transitioned from criminal assignments to a specialized role. As of 2024, Judge Childers oversees the court’s Mental Health calendar and serves as the presiding judge for Kern County’s new CARE Court program – an innovative court initiative under California’s Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Act that connects individuals with severe mental health disorders to treatment plans through court supervision.

Notable Cases and Legal Commentary

As a newly appointed judge, Stephanie Childers has not yet had the opportunity to preside over any widely publicized or landmark cases. Much of her early judicial work involved routine misdemeanor proceedings. However, her assignment to head the county’s Mental Health/CARE Court is a significant responsibility in its own right. In this capacity, Judge Childers is at the forefront of implementing a therapeutic justice model in Kern County, focusing on collaborative solutions for mental health treatment rather than traditional adversarial litigation.

During her long career as an attorney, Childers handled numerous sensitive family law cases, gaining recognition for her commitment to children’s welfare in contentious custody battles. While those cases did not typically attract media attention, her peers in the legal community have been aware of her dedicated advocacy in family court. She has occasionally spoken about the importance of giving a voice to the most vulnerable parties in the courtroom – especially minors – reflecting a compassionate approach that she carries into her judicial service.

Judicial Philosophy and Reputation

Colleagues and mentors describe Judge Childers as a hard-working and principled jurist. Former Presiding Judge Judith Dulcich noted that Childers was one of the most diligent attorneys she knew and lauded her integrity. Likewise, Commissioner Cynthia Loo praised Childers for being “hardworking, intelligent, respectful, reliable and kind,” qualities that have translated into her role on the bench. These endorsements from seasoned members of the judiciary underscore the respect Childers has earned even early in her judicial career.

Judge Childers’s judicial philosophy centers on fairness, empathy, and attentive listening. She prides herself on ensuring that every person who appears in her courtroom feels heard and treated with respect. Childers has stated that she sought a judgeship as a way to give back to the community that raised her. She views the bench not just as a position of authority but as an opportunity to serve. Her hope is that by the time she retires, people will say that she made a positive difference in the lives of local residents and in the administration of justice in her hometown.

Community Engagement and Leadership

Deeply rooted in Kern County, Judge Childers maintains strong ties to her community. She spent her entire life in the Bakersfield area and often speaks fondly of the close-knit community environment that shaped her upbringing. With family connections extending into the Tehachapi region, she cherishes the local traditions and values of Kern County. This lifelong residency has helped her remain attuned to the issues and concerns of the people she now serves from the bench.

In her role as a judge, Childers has taken on leadership in community-focused judicial initiatives. By presiding over the CARE Court – an interdisciplinary program that works with health services and local agencies – she plays a key part in improving outcomes for individuals struggling with mental illness in the community. Throughout her career, whether as a family law advocate or now as a judge, she has been committed to public service and to protecting the interests of children and vulnerable populations. Judge Childers continues to engage with local legal associations and community events, embodying her belief in giving back and strengthening the community she proudly calls home.