Judge Christie Norris

Christie Canales Norris earned a Bachelor’s degree from Pomona College and a J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law. She began her legal career as an associate at Malcolm Cisneros (2010–2011) and then served as a deputy public defender in Kern County (2011–2013).
From 2013 until her appointment, Norris operated a private law practice, and she also worked as a senior staff attorney for the Kern County Superior Court (2018–2021). This diverse background gave her experience in criminal defense and family/juvenile cases.
Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Norris to the Kern County Superior Court on December 23, 2021 (effective early 2022). She stood for election in March 2024 and was reelected (running unopposed) to a full term, which runs through 2031.
Judge Norris is currently assigned to the Juvenile Court at the Juvenile Justice Center (Department J3 in Bakersfield), where she handles dependency (child welfare) cases. Her docket includes matters such as foster care, reunification services, termination of parental rights, guardianships, and adoptions.
Several important cases from her courtroom have been appealed to the California Court of Appeal. In *In re K.H.* (2022), for example, the Fifth District Court of Appeal reversed her finding that the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) did not apply, ordering a new ICWA inquiry. Other appeals (such as *In re A.J.*, *In re Giselle R.*, and *In re K.J.*) also involved ICWA compliance issues and often resulted in remands for further inquiry. These cases highlight the court’s scrutiny of dependency proceedings under ICWA.
Within the court’s leadership, Norris has advanced rapidly: she served as Assistant Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court in 2023 and then as Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court in 2024. Beginning January 1, 2026, she will assume the role of Assistant Presiding Judge of the Kern County Superior Court, assisting the Presiding Judge with overall court administration.
Judge Norris is active in community outreach related to children and families. She regularly presides over adoption finalizations (especially on National Adoption Day) and supports foster-child advocacy by swearing in new CASA volunteers and speaking at child welfare events. These activities demonstrate her commitment to the well-being of children in the community beyond her courtroom duties.
There are no known ethics investigations or disciplinary complaints against Judge Norris. She is generally regarded as a fair, diligent, and committed jurist. Colleagues and officials have praised her intelligence, strong character, and dedication to justice.

Education and Early Career

Judge Norris completed her undergraduate studies at Pomona College, and then earned her Juris Doctor at the University of Iowa College of Law. After law school she joined the firm of Malcolm Cisneros, A Law Corporation, working as an associate (2010–2011). She then returned to Kern County to become a deputy public defender (2011–2013), gaining trial experience in criminal defense. In 2013 Norris started her own practice, handling civil and family cases, and also took on a position as a senior staff attorney for the Kern County Superior Court (2018–2021). In that role she worked on court-related matters, further deepening her experience in juvenile and family law.

Judicial Appointment and Elections

On December 23, 2021, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Christie Norris to the Kern County Superior Court. This appointment filled a vacancy and she was sworn in as a judge in early 2022. In California, superior court judges face periodic retention elections; Norris stood for reelection in the March 2024 primary election. Since she had no opponent, she effectively won reelection and secured a full term on the bench, which extends through January 2031.

Current Judicial Assignment

Judge Norris is assigned to the Juvenile Court division of the Kern County Superior Court, sitting at the Juvenile Justice Center in Bakersfield (Department J3). In this capacity she handles dependency cases involving abused or neglected children. Her docket includes all phases of juvenile dependency proceedings: from initial jurisdiction hearings to placement and reunification planning, to permanency hearings (such as section 366.26 hearings for adoption or guardianship). She frequently presides over hearings in which foster children’s plans are set, parental rights are terminated or preserved, and adoption and guardianship arrangements are finalized.

Notable Appellate Cases

Several juvenile dependency cases from Judge Norris’s courtroom have been appealed, often raising important issues under the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and California child welfare law. For example, in In re K.H. (2022) the Fifth District Court of Appeal reviewed Norris’s ruling and found that ICWA may apply, remanding the case for further inquiry. Likewise, other appeals such as In re A.J., In re Giselle R., and In re K.J. centered on whether the Kern County Department of Human Services had adequately inquired into possible Native American ancestry. In each of those cases the appellate court ordered additional ICWA compliance steps. Though these decisions often focus on procedural compliance, they illustrate the types of complex dependency and child-welfare issues that come from Judge Norris’s department. (All of these cases arose from her juvenile dependency calendar.)

Court Leadership Roles

Judge Norris quickly took on leadership duties within the court’s juvenile division. In 2023 she was selected by her peers to serve as Assistant Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court, and in 2024 she served as the Presiding Judge of the Juvenile Court. In these roles she oversaw the administration of Kern’s juvenile courts and helped coordinate the work of the juvenile judges. Most recently, her colleagues voted for her to serve as Assistant Presiding Judge of the entire Kern County Superior Court beginning January 1, 2026. In that position, she will assist the county’s Presiding Judge with overall court management and policy, making her one of the top leaders of the Superior Court bench.

Community Involvement

Outside the courtroom, Judge Norris is active in community and child welfare initiatives. She regularly participates in Kern County’s National Adoption Day events, where she has presided over adoption finalizations to celebrate children finding permanent homes. She is also engaged with the local CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) program, often swearing in new CASA volunteers who will advocate for foster children. In general, Norris has shown a strong commitment to programs that support foster youth, parents, and families – attending outreach events, speaking to community groups, and working with child welfare agencies. Her involvement highlights her dedication to improving outcomes for children beyond her official duties on the bench.

Ethics Record and Reputation

Judge Norris has no history of judicial misconduct or ethics complaints. Her professional reputation is positive; court colleagues and officials have praised her intelligence, integrity, and problem-solving skills. She is seen as a hard-working, fair-minded jurist dedicated to the court’s mission of delivering justice. To date there is nothing to suggest any ethical issues in her public record, and she is generally regarded as acting with impartiality and respect for all parties who come before her.