Kern County Restraining Order Defense Attorney (Bakersfield and Branch Courts)

Quick answer: If you have been served with a restraining order request in Kern County, your case is in the Kern County Superior Court. In Bakersfield, family law matters, including domestic violence restraining orders, are handled at the Metro Justice Building, 1215 Truxtun Avenue. Civil harassment petitions are filed through the civil division of the Metropolitan location. Kern County also handles family law matters at outlying branches in Delano, Lamont, Mojave, Ridgecrest, and Shafter, so your hearing may be in one of those courthouses instead. The hearing is usually set within about three weeks of the request. Any temporary order applies from the moment you are served, including the requirement to surrender firearms and ammunition within 24 hours. You have the right to file a written response, present evidence and witnesses, and cross-examine the petitioner. Power Trial Lawyers defends respondents in restraining order cases throughout Kern County.

Kern County Restraining Orders at a Glance

Based on Kern County Superior Court public information current as of November 2026. Courthouse assignments vary by case type and location. Always confirm the courthouse, department, date, and time printed on your own hearing notice.

Kern County Superior Court Locations Respondents Should Know

Kern County is the third-largest county in California by land area, and the court operates multiple locations. Which courthouse hears your case depends on the type of order and where the case was filed.

Kern County assigns many family law cases among these locations by ZIP code. If the petitioner filed in an outlying branch, expect your hearing there, sometimes a long drive from Bakersfield. Kern County Superior Court also offers remote hearing options for some proceedings. Check the court’s remote hearing information and your notice before assuming you must appear in person.

Domestic Violence Restraining Orders in Kern County

Domestic violence restraining orders are family law cases. In Bakersfield they are handled through the Metro Justice Building at 1215 Truxtun Avenue, and in the outlying branches through each branch’s family law calendar. A domestic violence petition can include requests for temporary custody and visitation, child and spousal support, property control, and an order requiring you to move out. All of those can be in effect before you are ever heard.

The Family Law Facilitator in Bakersfield, on the first floor of 1215 Truxtun Avenue, provides one-on-one help to people without attorneys. It is generally open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to noon. The facilitator can help with forms but does not represent either side.

Kern County Family Court Services provides custody mediation and related services. If the petition includes custody requests, you may be referred before the hearing, and what you say there can shape the recommendation the judge receives. See how a DVRO affects custody.

Civil Harassment Restraining Orders in Kern County

Civil harassment petitions are filed through Kern County Superior Court’s civil division at the Metropolitan location in Bakersfield. Petitions filed in the Bakersfield courthouse include local form KERN-0029, Civil Harassment Law Enforcement Information. Kern’s published guidance notes that the petitioner’s filing fee is waived if the judge grants a temporary restraining order, and that the petitioner’s proof of service (CH-200) should be filed no later than five days before the hearing. Civil units are generally open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to noon.

For respondents, the key points are:

• You must be personally served before the hearing. Under Code of Civil Procedure § 527.6, service generally must be completed at least five days before the hearing unless the court shortens time.
• Your response is form CH-120. There is no fee to file a response to a petition alleging violence, a credible threat of violence, or stalking.
• The petitioner must prove harassment by clear and convincing evidence. That is a higher standard than in domestic violence cases.
• If you prevail, the court may award you attorney fees and costs (Code Civ. Proc. § 527.6(s)). See recovering attorney fees.

Civil harassment cases in Kern County commonly arise between neighbors, including disputes over rural property, livestock, access roads, and water, as well as between former friends, extended family members, coworkers who are not in a dating relationship, and people in online disputes.

The Kern County Restraining Order Timeline for Respondents

1. The petitioner files in the family law or civil division, in Bakersfield or a branch court.
2. A judicial officer reviews the request for temporary orders, usually based only on the petitioner’s declaration.
3. A hearing is set, generally within 21 days, or 25 days for good cause.
4. You are personally served by the sheriff or a non-party adult. Temporary orders apply once you are served or otherwise learn of them.
5. You relinquish firearms and ammunition within 24 hours, and file the receipt within 48 hours.
6. You file and serve your written response and evidence.
7. The hearing: testimony, evidence, cross-examination, and a ruling.
8. After the hearing: an order may last up to five years (three years for workplace violence orders), and may later be modified, terminated, renewed, or appealed.

What a Temporary Order Requires You to Do Now

A Kern County temporary restraining order may require you to stay away from the petitioner, their home, vehicle, workplace, and children’s schools; have no contact, including through others or online; move out of a shared home; follow temporary custody orders; and give up firearms and ammunition. Follow every term exactly, even if the allegations are false. Violating a restraining order is a crime under Penal Code § 273.6, and an arrest during the case can undermine your defense.

Firearm Surrender in Kern County

Under Family Code § 6389 and Code of Civil Procedure § 527.9, you generally must surrender firearms and ammunition to local law enforcement, or sell or store them with a licensed dealer, within 24 hours of service. You must then file the receipt with the court within 48 hours. Kern County Superior Court publishes local firearm relinquishment procedures, and local agencies include the Kern County Sheriff’s Office and municipal police departments such as Bakersfield, Delano, Ridgecrest, Tehachapi, and California City. Call the agency before bringing in any firearm. Many Kern County residents own firearms for ranching, hunting, and work, so firearm compliance is often the most urgent issue in a Kern case. See our firearm surrender guide.

How to Respond to a Kern County Restraining Order

Use the response form for your case type: DV-120, CH-120, EA-120, WV-120, or GV-120. A strong response includes:

• A clear position on each requested order. You can agree to some terms and contest others.
• A declaration addressing each allegation specifically, with dates and exhibits.
• Witness declarations from people with personal knowledge.
• Exhibits, including complete text threads, call logs, photos, video, location data, receipts, and work records.
• Proof of service by a non-party adult.

File the response with the courthouse handling your case and serve the petitioner as early as possible before the hearing. The Kern County Law Library at 1415 Truxtun Avenue, Room 301, and the court’s Self-Help Center are available to self-represented parties. For a full walkthrough, see how to respond to a restraining order in California.

Distance, Scheduling, and Continuances in Kern County

Kern County’s size creates practical challenges. A respondent who lives in Bakersfield may have a hearing in Ridgecrest or Mojave. A respondent in Los Angeles County may be served with a petition filed in a Kern branch court. Before the hearing, consider:

• Remote appearance. Check whether the court allows you or your witnesses to appear remotely, and what notice is required.
• The respondent’s one continuance. You are generally entitled to one continuance as a matter of course to prepare a response (Fam. Code § 245; Code Civ. Proc. § 527.6(o)). The temporary order is usually extended. See continuances.
• Witness travel. Witnesses may need subpoenas, and their travel time should be planned well in advance.

If There Is a Related Criminal Case

Domestic violence restraining orders in Kern County often accompany an arrest by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office or a city police department, with charging decisions by the Kern County District Attorney. Your restraining order declaration and testimony are under oath and can be used in a criminal case. A coordinated strategy may involve deciding whether to testify, whether to seek a continuance, and how to present evidence without creating new problems. Power Trial Lawyers handles both restraining order defense and criminal defense.

What Happens at a Kern County Restraining Order Hearing

The hearing is a contested evidentiary proceeding. The petitioner bears the burden of proof:

• Domestic violence: reasonable proof of past abuse, applied as a preponderance of the evidence. “Abuse” includes conduct that disturbs the peace of the other party, which can include coercive control (Fam. Code § 6320).
• Civil harassment: clear and convincing evidence of unlawful violence, a credible threat of violence, or a knowing and willful course of conduct that seriously alarms, annoys, or harasses, serves no legitimate purpose, and would cause a reasonable person substantial emotional distress, plus a likelihood of future harassment.
• Elder abuse: evidence of abuse of a person 65 or older, or of a dependent adult.
• Workplace violence: clear and convincing evidence of unlawful violence, a credible threat of violence, or harassment directed at an employee. The petition is brought by an employer or a collective bargaining representative.

Respondents can testify, call witnesses, introduce exhibits, and cross-examine the petitioner. The judge can deny the petition, grant it, grant narrower orders, or continue the hearing. Learn more about the permanent restraining order hearing.

Defenses Commonly Raised in Kern County Cases

• The events did not happen as described, shown through records, location data, work schedules, and witnesses.
• The conduct does not meet the legal definition of abuse or harassment.
• Legitimate purpose or protected activity, particularly in neighbor, property, and online disputes.
• No likelihood of future harassment in civil harassment cases.
• Self-defense or mutual conflict. Mutual domestic violence orders require that both parties file and that the court make specific findings (Fam. Code § 6305).
• Ulterior motive, such as leverage in custody, divorce, property, or employment disputes.
• Procedural defects, such as improper service, insufficient notice, or the wrong statute.

See how to fight a restraining order and evidence to fight a restraining order.

Kern County-Specific Consequences to Consider

A restraining order after hearing is entered into the statewide CLETS database. In Kern County, some consequences carry particular weight:

• Military and defense work. Respondents connected to Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in Ridgecrest, Edwards Air Force Base in eastern Kern, or defense contractors may face security clearance reviews and access restrictions.
• Agriculture, oil, and energy. Field and site jobs, ranch work, and positions requiring firearms, commercial licenses, or background checks may be affected.
• Firearms. A multi-year prohibition affects hunting, ranching, and work, and qualifying domestic violence orders can trigger federal prohibition under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(8).
• Custody. A domestic violence finding creates a rebuttable presumption against custody (Fam. Code § 3044).
• Immigration. Findings and violations can carry immigration consequences. Non-citizens should get advice before agreeing to any order.
• Housing. Move-out orders and possible effects on rental screening.

See long-term consequences of a restraining order and employment consequences.

After the Order: Modification, Renewal, and Appeal

A Kern County restraining order can be modified or terminated on a proper showing. It can also be renewed if the protected party asks within the three months before it expires. Domestic violence renewals can be for five years or permanently. See opposing a renewal.

Appeals from Kern County Superior Court restraining order rulings go to the California Court of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District, in Fresno. Deadlines are short, generally 60 days after service of notice of entry of the order, and no more than 180 days after entry. Learn about restraining order appeals.

Kern County Respondent Checklist

• Confirm the courthouse on your notice: Bakersfield (Metro Justice Building) or a branch (Delano, Lamont, Mojave, Ridgecrest, Shafter).
• Calendar the hearing date and time. Plan travel, or check remote appearance options and any notice deadline.
• Read the temporary order, and follow every term starting now.
• Call the Kern County Sheriff’s Office or your city police department about firearm surrender, and relinquish within 24 hours.
• File the firearm receipt with the court within 48 hours, and keep a stamped copy.
• Identify any related criminal case, family law case, or Family Court Services referral.
• Gather complete message threads, call logs, photos, video, and location data.
• List witnesses, confirm their availability, and subpoena those who will not come voluntarily.
• Complete the response form (DV-120, CH-120, EA-120, WV-120, or GV-120) and your declaration.
• Have a non-party adult serve the response, and file the proof of service.
• Bring three copies of labeled exhibits to the hearing.
• Decide, with counsel, whether to use your one continuance.

Communities We Serve in Kern County

We represent respondents throughout Kern County, including Bakersfield, Oildale, Delano, McFarland, Wasco, Shafter, Arvin, Lamont, Taft, Tehachapi, Ridgecrest, Inyokern, California City, Mojave, Rosamond, Boron, Lake Isabella and the Kern River Valley, Frazier Park, and unincorporated areas of the county.

Why Kern County Respondents Choose Power Trial Lawyers

• Respondent-focused defense. We defend people who have been served with restraining orders.
• Restraining order and criminal defense together, for cases with a related arrest or investigation.
• Appellate capability, so the hearing record is built with review in mind.
• Experience with branch courts and long-distance cases, including petitions filed in outlying Kern courthouses against respondents who live elsewhere.
• Clear written fee agreements. See what restraining order defense costs.

Power Trial Lawyers is led by attorney Matthew Barhoma, who has practiced since 2017 with a focus on defense. The firm also defends restraining order cases in Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Bernardino County, San Diego County, and Ventura County.

Frequently Asked Questions About Kern County Restraining Orders

Where is my Kern County restraining order hearing?

Your hearing notice lists the courthouse and department. Domestic violence cases may be heard at the Metro Justice Building in Bakersfield (1215 Truxtun Ave.) or at a branch in Delano, Lamont, Mojave, Ridgecrest, or Shafter. Civil harassment cases are filed through the civil division in Bakersfield.

How soon is the hearing after I’m served?

Hearings are generally set within 21 days of the request, or 25 days for good cause. You are generally entitled to one continuance to prepare a response.

Can I appear remotely in Kern County?

Kern County Superior Court offers remote hearings for some proceedings. Check your notice and the court’s remote hearing information, and request remote appearance in advance where required.

Where do I turn in my guns in Kern County?

To local law enforcement, such as the Kern County Sheriff’s Office or your city police department, or by sale to or storage with a licensed dealer, within 24 hours. Call ahead for instructions, and file the receipt with the court within 48 hours.

Is there a fee to respond?

There is no fee to respond to a domestic violence restraining order, and none to respond to civil harassment petitions alleging violence, threats, or stalking.

What is form KERN-0029?

It is Kern County’s local Civil Harassment Law Enforcement Information form, included with civil harassment petitions filed in the Bakersfield courthouse. It is a petitioner’s form.

Can I contact the petitioner to resolve things?

Not if a temporary order prohibits contact. Contact can be a crime under Penal Code § 273.6 and can be used against you.

How long does a Kern County restraining order last?

Temporary orders last until the hearing. Orders after hearing can last up to five years (three years for workplace violence orders) and can be renewed.

Where are appeals from Kern County heard?

At the California Court of Appeal, Fifth Appellate District, in Fresno.

I live outside Kern County. Can I still fight a Kern County restraining order?

Yes. The case is heard where it was filed. You can respond, appear (in person or remotely if permitted), and be represented by counsel.

Speak With a Kern County Restraining Order Defense Attorney

If you have been served with a restraining order in Kern County, the hearing date on your papers is the deadline that matters most. Early preparation gives you time to respond, gather evidence, and plan for travel or remote appearance. Contact Power Trial Lawyers to discuss your case.

This page provides general information about restraining order procedures in Kern County and California. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Court procedures and assignments change. Confirm details with the court and with counsel. Reviewed by Matthew Barhoma, Esq., Power Trial Lawyers. Last updated November 2026.