Robert S. Tafoya spent nearly two decades on the bench as a Kern County Superior Court judge, much of it serving residents in Delano and surrounding rural communities. 

Though he retired in 2021, Tafoya said his commitment to public service did not end when he left the courthouse.

Tafoya served as a Superior Court judge for more than 18 years after being appointed by then-Gov. Gray Davis in 2002. Before that, he practiced law for 24 years and began his professional career as a high school teacher in Sacramento.

“I’ve always seen public service as a responsibility,” Tafoya said. “That didn’t stop when I retired.”

Tafoya’s path to the law began in the late 1970s, when he was encouraged by fellow educators and law students to apply to law school. 

He attended Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, where he and several classmates focused on serving low-income, Spanish-speaking communities.

After graduating, Tafoya helped form a nonprofit legal organization aimed at providing legal services to underserved populations. 

A needs assessment led him to Bakersfield in 1978, where there were few Latino attorneys at the time. He practiced law in Kern County for more than two decades before being urged by a judge to apply for a seat on the bench.

Tafoya spent the final 12 years of his judicial career assigned to Delano, a community he said he felt closely connected to.

“I liked working in a smaller community,” he said. “I knew the people. I walked downtown, ran into folks every day, and felt connected to the community I was serving.”

Tafoya said his background as a farmworker during his youth helped him relate to many of the people who appeared in his courtroom. He said he viewed every case as deserving careful attention and respect, regardless of the outcome.

Since retiring, Tafoya has remained active in civic life, writing opinion pieces on legal and constitutional issues and speaking publicly about topics related to democracy and government. 

In recent months, he spoke at the “No Kings” rally in Bakersfield, where he discussed the oath he took as both a lawyer and judge to uphold the Constitution.

“When I took that oath, it wasn’t temporary,” Tafoya said. “I still believe I have an obligation to help people understand how our system works and why it matters.”

Tafoya has written letters and columns addressing issues such as voting rights, immigration policy, and the importance of civic participation. 

He said many people he speaks with express concern about the direction of the country and the strength of democratic institutions.

“I hear a lot of anxiety,” he said. “People want to know what they can do, how they can stay informed and involved.”

Reflecting on his time on the bench, Tafoya said he is most proud of the role itself rather than any single case.

“Every day mattered,” he said. “If I helped someone make a better decision or change their direction in life, that’s meaningful.”

Tafoya said he continues to encourage young people in Kern County to consider careers in law or public service, emphasizing the importance of integrity, balance, and community involvement.

“Character matters,” he said. “Public service is about responsibility, not recognition.”