CSUB professor selected to help pick federal magistrate

New magistrate will serve at Bakersfield federal courthouse

By California State University, Bakersfield

February 10^th, 2022

A California State University, Bakersfield professor will be serving her community in a new way this spring.

Dr. Jeanine Kraybill, associate professor of political science and director of CSUB’s Pre-Law program, has been accepted by the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California to serve on a panel with other community members to select a new magistrate for the federal courthouse in Bakersfield.

Whoever is selected will take over the position being vacated by the Honorable Jennifer Thurston, who was appointed by President Joe Biden and confirmed last year to serve as a judge for the court’s Fresno division.

Judge Thurston, a CSUB alumna, has served 12 years as a magistrate in the Eastern District’s courthouse in Bakersfield. A magistrate is a judicial officer appointed to a district court who assists with caseloads at the trial level.

“I feel really excited to serve my community this way and to help look through candidates so we can get someone who’s fair and cares about the legal system and the community in a similar way that Judge Thurston has,” Dr. Kraybill said. “This is a small way I can be part of a greater mission to perpetuate good democratic principles in our legal system.”

Dr. Kraybill shared that in the past, she has been part of evaluations for judicial officers and written letters of support for judges but has never participated in a panel like this. She hopes the experience will give her better insight into the federal court system.

“I’m eager to learn more so I can give back to our Pre-Law students,” Dr. Kraybill said. “It will benefit our students in terms of me being able to share my experience and it might inspire some of them to pursue the route of being a magistrate.”

Dr. Kraybill expects the panel to convene within the next couple of weeks after the application period ends on Feb. 14 and that a decision will be made by the end of May. During the review process, the panel will be supervised by a federal judge.

“I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues on the panel. I’m sure we’re going to get great quality candidates,” she said. “All of us will be working toward the common goal of filling the position with the best candidate possible, someone who will not only serve our community but will also be great role models.”