Kern County (Ridgecrest)
Career Highlights: Elected to the Kern County Superior Court, 2012, retired December 31, 2024; appointed commissioner by Kern County Superior Court judges, 2009; sole practitioner, Ridgecrest, 1985-2009; attorney, Office of Naval Research, China Lake, 1976-85
Law School: Thomas Jefferson School of Law (formerly Western State University College of Law, San Diego), 1976
Career Highlights: Elected to the Kern County Superior Court, 2012, retired December 31, 2024; appointed commissioner by Kern County Superior Court judges, 2009; sole practitioner, Ridgecrest, 1985-2009; attorney, Office of Naval Research, China Lake, 1976-85
Law School: Thomas Jefferson School of Law (formerly Western State University College of Law, San Diego), 1976
When Judge Kenneth G. Pritchard visits the grocery store in Ridgecrest in northeastern Kern County, he is such a well-known figure that he is often confronted by community members -- who thank him for doing such a great job.
"It was sometimes very odd," he said, "because I'd have a nice, sweet old lady come up and hug me because I sent her son to prison, and he needed that ... or just thank me for the way I handled their matter ... (continued)
