Judge Bradley King
- Current Role: Appointed Judge of the Kern County Superior Court (October 5, 2023); term ends 2029.
- Education: Juris Doctor (J.D.), Loyola Law School – Los Angeles. (Undergraduate institution not publicly listed.)
- Prior Career: Deputy District Attorney, Kern County (2015–2023); Deputy District Attorney, Orange County (2012–2015); Law Clerk, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office (2012).
- Appointment: Appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to a newly created judgeship (no predecessor) as of Oct. 2023.
- Courtroom Assignment: Department 12 – Misdemeanor Criminal Calendar (Kern Superior Court).
- Party Affiliation: Registered as a Democrat (per official appointment announcement).
Education
Bradley King earned his Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. Public records and news coverage do not disclose his undergraduate institution or degree. His appointment announcement and media reports emphasize the Loyola Law credential as his formal legal education.
Legal and Professional Employment History
Judge King’s legal career has been in public prosecution. After law school he clerked in 2012 at the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. He then joined the Orange County District Attorney’s Office as a Deputy District Attorney, serving from 2012 through 2015. In 2015 he became a Deputy District Attorney with the Kern County District Attorney’s Office, where he continued until his judicial appointment in 2023. In these roles he handled a range of criminal cases (felonies and misdemeanors) on behalf of the state, though specific case assignments are not detailed in public reports.
Appointment History
On October 5, 2023, Governor Gavin Newsom announced King’s appointment to the Kern County Superior Court. Newsom’s press release and local news reports note King’s prosecutorial background in Orange and Kern counties and his Loyola Law degree. This appointment filled a newly authorized judgeship in Kern County (created July 1, 2022), rather than replacing an incumbent judge. As required by California law, the initial term for Judge King runs through 2029, after which he must stand for election/retention if he remains on the bench.
Courtroom Assignment and Case Types
According to the Kern County Superior Court’s official roster, Judge King was assigned to Department 12, which handles the misdemeanor criminal calendar. In practice this means he presides over misdemeanor criminal cases (for example petty theft, DUI, minor assaults, and other infractions) and related preliminary hearings. Department 12 is dedicated to misdemeanor matters, while other departments cover felony trials, civil cases, or specialized calendars. As a misdemeanor calendar judge, King oversees arraignments, trials, and sentencing for lower-level criminal offenses under his docket.
Notable Cases and Rulings
Judge King took the bench in late 2023, and as of this writing there are no publicly reported high-profile cases or published opinions attributed to him. No specific rulings or controversial decisions have appeared in news outlets. Media coverage to date has focused on the facts of his appointment rather than any particular case. It appears that he is still early in his judicial tenure, with most of his work involving routine misdemeanor matters and standard courtroom proceedings.
Reputation, Temperament, and Professional Conduct
Public information portrays King as a straightforward career prosecutor-turned-judge. News reports and official statements emphasize his experience and qualifications, without editorial commentary. There are no media accounts of judicial misconduct, bias, or temperament issues related to Judge King. His courtroom demeanor has not been publicly scrutinized. In the absence of any negative reports, it is reasonable to infer that he maintains a professional reputation. He was described by the governor’s office as a seasoned prosecutor, and there are no records of any criticism or disciplinary complaints against him in available sources.
Community Engagement and Public Service
Details about Judge King’s involvement in community or volunteer activities are sparse in public records. He has been mentioned in community event contexts (for example, participating in local nonprofit functions and advisory panels), suggesting he has engaged with Kern County civic organizations. However, official biographies and news releases do not highlight specific community or public service roles. There is no evidence of active leadership positions on boards or committees beyond his judicial duties. It can be noted that fellow local officials and organizations have acknowledged him at public events, indicating at least informal community engagement, but no formal civic titles were found in the sources.
Disciplinary History
No disciplinary history is reported for Judge King. Searches of state bar and court records reveal no sanctions, complaints, or ethics violations associated with him. His license to practice law appears current and in good standing. The absence of any public disciplinary records suggests that his professional conduct has been free of sanctions during his legal career.