I truly don't understand why people hate to go to jury duty. I thoroughly enjoy my time there and usually hope I get picked. I've been going for years and have noticed throughout the years they have done many things to help alleviate the "hurry up and wait" mentality that it use to have. The guy that's in the waiting area when you first get there is so friendly and informative. He's always super nice and willing to answer any questions you may have. Also, the ladies in the back are always smiling and friendly which is nice for those of us that don't mind being there. The addition of the shuttle for the jurors to and from the courthouse is the best idea they've ever come up with because that train is a pain in the you know what when trying to get back from a break on time. It also makes it avoidable to walk under the overpass where the homeless population love to hang out. Actually it seems like they may have cleaned that overpass up because I looked and didn't see any out there this time around. I love the many options available for food during your breaks. That is my favorite aspect of serving. There are so many new and exciting places to eat just on 18th and 19th streets alone. If you choose to venture farther there are even more! Just remember that it is your civil duty to serve and take it a day at a time while there and you will be just fine. read more

Just returned from jury duty. It was an excellent experience, very well organized. Everyone involved were professional yet personable and clearly explained what would happen. They also were very accommodating for people with questions or issues. read more

Kern County Clerks office in Bakersfield Ca. Fran is one of the people who handles trial transcripts. This woman went about and beyond assisting me today. If anybody is needing assistance with old or new transcripts, this is the person to ask for. I received excellent service from Fran and Isabel. It's good to know there's still good people in the world. read more

I've been to the Kern County Superior Court building several times over the years because of jury duty. It sure could use a makeover. It feels quite dreary inside the building especially at the bottom floor. Seems like I always spend jury duty down there. At least the staff who work here are polite. Even the officers at the Security checkpoint are cool. To those in charge, give the Kern County Superior Court building a makeover because it needs some updating. Put our tax dollars to good use. read more

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The landlord tenant dispute department was so very helpful when I had questions and did not know exactly what the procedure was in filling out the court forms. I especially want to mention Caitlin without her I would have been lost. She's the best if you need help with court forms. read more

I don't know if the court reads this or not. but this review is for how they handle things, regardless if you are happy to be there or not. I have not been to the actual court yet, but they respond to email quickly and efficiently. No need to go to court just to ask a question. we are in 2021 courts should use email and I suggest to LA court to learn something from Kern county. they answer phone calls and they respond to email, population in an area is not an excuse not to respond to customers yes customers, whether you are a criminal , a cop or a guy that just got a ticket or even a lawyer you are a customer here . I appreciate how responsive they are and I hope the court continues to operate this way. read more

Remember to get here early so that you get the best parking spot possible, you get all of your questions answered, you check in on time, and you get a good seat in the waiting room that you're comfortable with, preferably next to an outlet to keep your phone or laptop charged. There are no pictures or videos allowed in this room or in the court rooms FYI. DO NOT forget to get a time card and clock in and out everyday as proof to your employer that you were here, it's located against the wall next to the clerks in this building. Bring your summons with you so that it makes for a faster check in at the kiosk. Now for me personally.... I really hate being here, but unfortunately you are summoned. I would much rather be at work honestly. I could at least get some kind of overtime or premium pay when I'm working, but here my job only pays regular pay when being here; so being here is actually a negative for me. So far I have been picked twice and then they let me go, so I haven't actually served as a juror, hopefully they DO NOT pick me again today. Fingers toes and everything else crossed! read more

As a customer of the court.. How could you want to give any stars?!? But.. the employees of the court along with soooo many case files being tossed at them on the daily. I feel they are respectful and treat everyone with respect and kindness. They are just doing there job. I have no complaints. I just need to stop coming here.. lol read more

Yep it was that time a year again. This years service was about the same as last although, as you walk into the door your are treated by happy want to make your experience good type person at the door. This is a little more automated with self check-in as you walk into the door. The have totally remodeled the rooms with new seats that have multiple charging ports under the seats and the only area that has a table is located in the quit room. There is a new rule this year that was a huge pain last year. You can take you charging cords into the court house. Before you had to either take them back to your car or put them in one of the few free lockers they have. read more

I've been selected for jury duty the past 4 years and finally my number to report was up. I've been fortunate enough to run into people that I know each time that I've showed up, which makes the wait a lot more endurable. The waiting room pretty much like a doctors office, sans the Watchtower and People magazines. They have a few vending machines, but not a huge selection to choose from. I'm always running late, so I didn't have time for breakfast or coffee, so I was struggling. After you go through a Hunger Games-like experience of being selected, you go to the courthouse and get screened by the prosecution and the defense. Apparently I'm not jury material, because I'm always getting dismissed. read more

What's there to say it's jury services come on !! But vending machines are always a Plus two TV and that's about it staff is of course nice but they work here read more

I had to serve jury duty here during a pandemic. It was my first time doing it so I had no idea what to expect. The entirety of the experience was good, just a lot of waiting, but I don't blame that on this court in particular. It is fairly easy to get lost here. The WiFi was good. Vending overcharged me 10 cents on a drink- so use cash if you can. Social distancing was expected out of everyone and masks were required. read more

Good place but the blonde lady in her 50 has a bad attitude in small claims department To bad she doesn't have a name tag. read more

Kern County Superior Court - Courthouses Near Me - Bakersfield, California

I teach Government, so I am not one to just complain about citizen participation. I WANT to do jury duty. However, it seems the County goes out of its way to make it a miserable experience. 1. Juror parking is a crazy distance from the jury room. There are closer lots, often less than half full, but jurors cannot park there. Also, they announced that if you parked with even a tire on the line of your parking spot, you will be ticketed. In fact, the announcement, made vociferously several times, made it sound like it was almost criminal to expect to park nearby at all. You HAVE to do your duty, but they really make it hard right from the arrival. 2. For security reasons, the court will not allow charging cables in the courthouse. That's understandable. But if you might be sitting here all day, your battery is going to die. How about multiple charging stations in the assembly room, with cables loaned to users so we don't have to try to be sneaky to stay connected? 3. The line at the beginning of the day is ridiculous. Hundreds of people reporting, and only two or three techs to check us in. Takes 30 minutes or more. How about ten or twelve check in places, or even self-check in? 4. There are plenty of TVs, but as others have noted, all soap operas. There must be a way to offer some diversity... Or do they have a contract with Ch 17? 5. They have an option on your summons to receive a text the night before you are supposed to appear. GREAT IDEA. Why not, then, use that same system to allow people to be texted if their badge number is called for an actual trial? Technology could end the dreaded sitting all day waiting...and waiting...and waiting. And those without texting could still come down & sit. 6. I do like the availability of lockers. The quiet room is nice; no tv, no talking, just a nice place to read. The vending machines are adequate. It's good that you can eat or drink in the assembly room. They do a nice job of catching people who are dressed inappropriately. The clerks are pleasant. FREE WiFi...very nice. I would like to see the county step up and really show that it values citizen participation in the Justice system. Make it more convenient, and make jurors feel valued. It wouldn't take much to make a huge difference. It's 8:43am and I'm already down to 78%. Better stop. read more

I always get confused with these buildings, the parking sucks regardless you always have a walk, make sure you dump out your pockets, purse cause you will have to take it back. Then find the court room or window u need to be at, ask questions be nice they will help read more

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I get called every year but don't mind. They do a nice job, are professional, and you get a free commemoritive pen for serving on a jury I like free pens read more

If you have to have jury duty your first impression will be good. The man at the counter is warm and friendly and there are plenty of vending machines and tables and chairs so you can work or plug in your ipad. There is also a outside seating area and refrigerators to put your lunch in. It would be much better if you didn't sit all day from 7:30am and not have one single person called or sent to a courtroom until until 3:55pm. The lunch hour is long long (2 hours) with the added bonus of trying to get across the railroad tract without the train stopping for twenty minutes at a time. This happens apparently all day. I got stuck there twice so I spent forty minutes unable to get to my car. Be sure to park in the jury duty parking so you don't get a ticket after two hours. read more

It is jury duty, there is not much to say. I will say the Jury selection room has PLENTY of comfortable seating and they even have flat screen tvs in most rooms to provide some form of entertainment while you most likely sit and wait all day long. May I highly suggest bringing your own forms of entertainment. In many cases you will be sitting in the one room for the entire day and a good book or games will be vital to your survival. As a note, charging cables are not allowed in the courts so don't bother bringing this, just charge at lunch time. They do have lockers, but if you get put on a trial, the room could be locked by the time you get out and then you're forced to go back the next day to retrieve your items. read more

Kern County must have a secret playbook they use entitled "How to make Jury Duty a miserable experience for all involved". Before you even get to the courthouse, you may have to play a weeklong game of will she won't she as you are told to call back the next day, and the next, and the next. Look, figure out who you need on Monday, or Tuesday by the latest. Why string us along like puppets all the way to the end of the week? Is it fun? My favorite was a text notice that said I'd be informed at noon if I had to be there at 1 on Thursday. Are you kidding me??? Had that one been a call in I would have happily broken the law on the spot. You're not going to disrespect me like that. Once you do finally have to drag yourself to this place, be prepared to park a mile away. Don't you dare have a wheel touching the line. They suggest that the penalty for that may include a good flogging. Then there is the line down the street in the morning to process us like cattle. I could go on, but there is a good reason that otherwise nice people throw their Kern County Jury Duty notices in the trash read more

Parking is my primary complaint. The rest of it is what you'd expect. But the parking situation is pretty much awful. As other reviewers have noted, the inability to take charging cords into the courtroom is a big drag. Shoelaces could be used for the same nefarious purposes I suppose. Scarves. I mean...come on. Where'd that random security rule come from? The people who work at Jury Services are really nice. It's hard to get someone to answer the phone, but in person, they are very friendly. I wish they would update the Jury Services room and take out that stupid theater seating. I've had much worse experiences at Doctor's offices and the like. So considering the circumstances, it's not awful. Just excruciatingly boring for the most part. read more

First time attending , the staff is amazing! The friendliest people ever! Comfortable seats , Big screem Tv's , we were let out 2 hours early ! read more

Jury Duty would be a little better if parking wasn't such a pain in the ass. The politicians are always trying to figure out ways to spend money, I have one for them- spend some money for a small parking area or garage on the right side of the railroad tracks, and have it designated ONLY for the jury duty people. Once you get in it is OK, I have been every year for 15 or more years. The government workers are courteous and professional. But I have never been picked either the defense or prosecution always have dismissed me, so far. It is boring, but it is nice to have two hour lunches, try that in the business world, would not work at my job. I did learn early on at the security checkpoint that the little multi tool "keys" on your keyring are considered prohibited weapons. I think mine had a tiny blade on it. But it is good that they are looking that closely. read more

This is the worst establishment in Bakersfield. Terrible service, rude employees, and an unnecessarily long time to get things done. The most unproductive place I've ever been to. read more

Well I could have made it in on time if the designated parking lot is not behind a busy railroad track. And when you park, make sure you DO NOT touch the white line cause they will fine you for double parking! There's a check-in line but it goes fast eventhough there are only two counters open. Plenty of seats and there's tv but make sure you bring something to pass your time. They have vending machines for drinks and snacks but it would be beneficial if they are not "out of order". Lunch break is 2 hour which is good. They have a quiet room if you prefer that and they have a patio also if you want to go out get some air. So just three stars because of the awkward parking area and for the non working vending machines. read more

It's jury duty...be glad you only have to serve once a year - at least jury services is equipped with tv and free wifi.

We was told if you get called more often than most it could be because your drivers license & voter registration do not match !! I'm changing it adap! Sitting here all day isn't too bad but I need a blanket & pillow n a charger n sum snacks tho read more

It's not that bad. You should definitely bring something to do. People were were not super noisy. The coffee from the vending machine was surprisingly decent and the chairs were reasonably comfortable. The guard who let us in was very funny. It's a good idea to come early so you don't have to wait in line to turn in your form. read more