BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — The Kern County Superior Court announced it is making changes to operations next month, including the addition of video conferencing and telephone appearances.

Presiding Judge Judith K. Dulcich and Court Executive Officer Tamarah Harber-Pickens announced the new operations will begin May 4. They said the court will now have the ability to conduct Felony Arraignments via video for Defendants who are in the custody of the Kern County Sheriff’s Department and the ability to do some felony preliminary hearings via remote video conferencing.

Video remote conferencing of many court hearings will also be available on a limited basis in the Shafter and Delano Courts, and the Juvenile, Probate and Family Law Courts.

Some Civil cases may be eligible to conduct video settlements on a “per request” basis. Telephone appearances by attorneys are available in all courts for many types of cases.

During this period of reduced services, many court hearings were rescheduled to later dates. If you are unsure as to the new date for your court appearance, please contact the appropriate Court Division. Case information is also available through the website.