Navraj Rai Sworn In As First Sikh Judge Pro Tem In Kern County

BAKERSFIELD, CA — Navraj Rai, a 32-year-old attorney, has been sworn in as the first Sikh judge pro tempore in Kern County history.

A judge pro tem is a private attorney appointed by the court to preside over specific cases, a role intended to alleviate heavy court calendars and accelerate case resolutions. Rai is one of 23 attorneys currently serving in the county’s temporary judges program and is expected to begin his tenure in traffic court.

During the swearing-in ceremony last week, Rai noted that the presence of a crowded courtroom helped him realize the magnitude of the occasion. He stated that his primary focus will be on maintaining public trust and ensuring that the community retains faith in the judicial system.

Kern County continues to face significant staffing pressures. While the court currently has 39 judges and eight commissioners, a 2022 assessment by the Judicial Council indicated the county requires 11 additional judges to meet its workload demands.

Rai is the son of immigrant parents from India. Born in Los Angeles, he graduated from Stockdale High School. He later attended the University of California, Davis, and earned his law degree from the University of the Pacific in 2018.

His interest in law was sparked in the sixth grade when his parents lost their business. After being asked to decipher foreclosure notices for his family at a young age, Rai decided he wanted to prevent others from facing similar hardships.

Rai said the appointment sends a broader message. “I think that this sends a message to not just Sikhs in the community, not just to Punjabis in the community, but I think, to every person in Kern County, that this is the place to grow, and this is the place to thrive, and that nothing is impossible.” (IANS)