Judge Bryan K. Stainfield

  • Education: B.A. from University of California, San Diego; J.D. (1986) from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.
  • Appointment: Appointed to the Kern County Superior Court in March 2009 by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (R).
  • Pre-Judicial Career: Kern County Deputy District Attorney (1987–1990, 2000–2009); Deputy City Attorney for Oakland (1997–2000); private practice in Bakersfield (1986–87) and San Francisco (1990–92).
  • Judicial Role: Serving as a Kern County Superior Court judge since 2009; currently supervising judge for felony/misdemeanor cases in the South (Lamont) division.
  • Elections: Retained by voters in subsequent judicial elections (current term runs through January 2029).
  • Assignments: Initially assigned to Eastern Kern courts (Mojave and Ridgecrest, handling family law); later reassigned to South (Lamont/Bakersfield) branch for criminal calendars.
  • Notable Cases: Has presided over routine family and criminal matters; in 2023 oversaw a high-profile sexual misconduct case involving a local teacher, where he denied a motion to dismiss multiple charges and held the case for trial.
  • Reputation: No public records of ethics violations or discipline; regarded as an experienced trial judge with a background in criminal law.

Education and Early Career

Bryan K. Stainfield earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, San Diego, and received his law degree from the McGeorge School of Law (University of the Pacific) in 1986. Early in his career he practiced law in Bakersfield and San Francisco. He began as an associate at a Bakersfield law firm in 1986–87, then served as a deputy district attorney in Kern County from 1987 to 1990. In the early 1990s he worked as a litigation associate in San Francisco (1990–92). By the mid-1990s he returned to public service in Northern California, serving as a deputy city attorney in Oakland (1997–2000). He then rejoined the Kern County District Attorney’s Office as a deputy DA (2000–2009), where he prosecuted a range of criminal cases before his judicial appointment.

Judicial Appointment and Elections

In March 2009, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Stainfield to the Kern County Superior Court. He filled a vacancy on the East Kern bench and took the oath of office later that year. Since his appointment, he has stood for retention in the required judicial elections. Voters have retained him for full terms, including most recently in 2022, giving him a term that runs through January 2029. Throughout his tenure on the bench, Judge Stainfield has maintained the status of an incumbent judge running in non-partisan retention votes (often running unopposed in primary elections).

Superior Court Tenure and Assignments

Judge Stainfield has served on various Kern County bench assignments. Early in his judgeship (around 2009–2011), he was assigned to the Eastern Kern courts, splitting time between the Mojave and Ridgecrest branches, primarily handling family law cases in those outlying communities. Over time he was moved to the South (Bakersfield area) division. He currently sits at the Lamont courthouse and serves as the supervising judge for felony and misdemeanor criminal trials in the South Division. In this capacity he oversees major criminal calendars and assists with administration of the branch’s trial court. In previous years he has also heard misdemeanor and traffic arraignments and juvenile matters in various Kern courthouses as needed. His assignment history reflects the court’s rotation of judges to cover both urban and rural branches within Kern County.

Notable Cases and Decisions

Most of Judge Stainfield’s cases involve routine family law matters or criminal cases typical for Kern County courts. His background as a prosecutor means he often handles criminal trials and plea hearings. One newsworthy example came in 2023, when he presided over a preliminary hearing in a widely followed criminal case involving an Arvin high school teacher charged with sexual misconduct. At that hearing he denied the defense’s motion to dismiss several counts, finding sufficient evidence to hold all charges for trial. More generally, he has issued decisions on both civil and criminal matters; however, none of his rulings have gained statewide prominence. (He has not authored published appellate opinions as a trial judge.)

Professional Reputation and Conduct

Judge Stainfield is viewed by colleagues and attorneys as a diligent and even-handed jurist with extensive trial experience. His long service in prosecution and local government contributes to his reputation in criminal law. There is no public record of any judicial misconduct or ethics violations involving Judge Stainfield. He has participated in judicial training and has written on topics such as trends in trial practice, but he has not faced any known formal discipline. In local bar surveys and community commentary (where published), he is generally described as thorough and professional. His ethics record appears clean, and he continues to serve on the bench without any noted controversies.