Judge Sara Bratsch

  • B.A., University of Southern California; J.D., Thomas Jefferson School of Law (1995).
  • Admitted to the California State Bar in 1997 (Bar No. 188238).
  • Appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom on June 27, 2023, to a newly created judgeship in Tulare County Superior Court.
  • Former Tulare County prosecutor (Deputy District Attorney, later Supervising Deputy DA, 1997–2007); later served as a conflict defender (2008–2009) and a private criminal defense attorney (2010–2023).
  • Previous roles include law clerk in the San Diego County DA’s Family Support Division (1996–97) and associate at Houk & Hornburg LLP (2008–2010).
  • Currently assigned to Department 12 (North County, Visalia branch) handling misdemeanor criminal cases (e.g. DUI, petty theft, assault) for Visalia/Exeter/Dinuba.
  • Registered as a Democrat at time of appointment (judicial offices are nonpartisan by law).
  • Active in the legal community (e.g. featured in law school alumni news), with a reputation for extensive criminal law experience.

Education

Sara Bratsch earned her Juris Doctor from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, graduating in 1995. Prior to law school she completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Southern California (USC), receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Bar Admission

She was admitted to practice law in California in 1997 (California State Bar #188238). Bratsch has maintained an active license since that time, focusing her career on criminal law in Tulare and surrounding counties.

Judicial Appointment

In mid-2023, Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Bratsch to the Tulare County Superior Court. The appointment was announced on June 27, 2023, filling a newly created judgeship (vacancy effective July 1, 2022). The new seat expanded the court’s capacity, and Bratsch was sworn in soon after the announcement. Her appointment was part of a broader round of judicial appointments by Governor Newsom that year. (Although California judicial elections are officially nonpartisan, Newsom’s press release noted that Bratsch was a registered Democrat at the time of appointment.)

Legal Career

Bratsch’s professional background is rooted in criminal law. After law school, she began as a law clerk in the Family Support Division of the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office (1996–97). In 1997 she joined the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office, where she served as a Deputy District Attorney (later promoted to Supervising Deputy DA) for a decade (1997–2007). During this period she prosecuted a wide range of felonies and supervised other prosecutors.

In 2008, Bratsch shifted to defense work. She served as a conflict attorney in the Tulare County Conflict Defender’s Office (handling cases when the public defender had a conflict) from 2008–2009. She also worked as an associate attorney at the law firm Houk & Hornburg LLP from 2008–2010. In 2010 she opened her own criminal defense practice in Visalia. As a solo practitioner (2010–2023), Bratsch represented clients in Tulare and Kings Counties on various criminal charges, giving her extensive courtroom experience on both sides of the bar.

Courtroom Assignment

Upon joining the bench, Judge Bratsch was assigned to Department 12 of the Tulare County Superior Court (North County branch in Visalia). In this role she handles misdemeanor criminal cases from the North County jurisdiction, which typically includes Visalia, Exeter, and Dinuba. Her courtroom docket consists of arraignments, pre-trial motions, and trials for misdemeanor offenses (such as DUI, petty theft, assault and similar charges) assigned by defendants’ last names. She conducts jury and bench trials in these matters, along with related probation revocation and minor motion hearings.

Notable Cases

Because Bratsch’s appointment is recent and her docket consists mainly of misdemeanor and juvenile cases, there are no widely publicized landmark rulings by her to date. Most of her decisions are routine criminal matters handled at the trial level. For example, an unpublished appellate opinion from 2025 (in a case styled In re N.M.) noted that she had presided over a juvenile delinquency matter involving vehicle theft and vandalism, and the appellate court ultimately affirmed her findings. Beyond such routine appeals, Bratsch has not been associated with any high-profile or controversial case outcomes in the media.

Judicial Philosophy and Reputation

Bratsch has not formally outlined a judicial philosophy in public statements. However, her lengthy career as both a prosecutor and defense lawyer suggests she brings a practical, balanced understanding of criminal law to the bench. Local attorneys note that she is well-versed in courtroom procedure and is expected to apply the law impartially. Though still establishing her record as a judge, she is generally regarded by colleagues as knowledgeable, fair-minded, and thorough in managing cases. No ethical issues or complaints have been reported against her; her reputation in the legal community is that of an experienced trial attorney transitioning into a new judicial role.

Political Affiliation

California’s superior court judges serve in a nonpartisan capacity, meaning party affiliation does not appear on the ballot. Nonetheless, public records show that Judge Bratsch was a registered Democrat when she was appointed by Gov. Newsom (a Democrat) in 2023. She campaigned for the same judicial position in the 2024 election cycle as an incumbent. Apart from the single report of her registration, there is no indication that she is active in partisan politics; her professional work has focused on the law rather than political causes.

Community Involvement

Bratsch’s public profile centers on her legal career, and little information is available about her personal community or civic activities. She has been recognized by her alma mater – Thomas Jefferson School of Law – which featured her appointment in an alumni newsletter. As a long-time Tulare County resident, she has naturally interacted with community institutions in her roles as prosecutor and attorney, but there are no public records of her serving in local charities, boards, or volunteer organizations. It is common for judges to engage in outreach (such as speaking at schools or bar events), but no specific community initiatives are documented for Judge Bratsch beyond her professional duties.