Ten Mile Court Stays Open as Mendocino Courts Adjust to Judge Shortage and Shifting Workloads

Photo by Sasun Bughdaryan on Unsplash

Coastal residents have been anxious about the future of the Ten Mile Courthouse in Fort Bragg since longtime Judge Clayton Brennan retired on October 31. Rumors of closure circulated quickly, fueled in part by memories of a push more than a decade ago to consolidate services inland. But according to court leadership, the courthouse is staying open.

“There is no plan to close the Ten Mile courthouse—none,” Court Executive Officer Kim Turner said this week, reaffirming what the court announced in a November 13 press release. Turner said she understands the community’s concerns, especially given Brennan’s long service on the coast, but emphasized that the court has no intention of shuttering the branch or reducing its presence.

The retirement, however, comes during a challenging transition. Mendocino County’s bench is authorized for eight judges, yet the new courthouse under construction in Ukiah was designed with only seven courtrooms. Turner said that fact alone should reassure coastal communities: there is literally nowhere inland to relocate an eighth judge, making the closure of Fort Bragg’s courthouse unrealistic. But with Brennan’s seat now vacant—and two earlier vacancies only recently filled—the court is temporarily shifting some duties to keep cases flowing.

This reshuffling is part of a broader statewide strain. As of June 1, 2025, California had 80 vacant Superior Court judgeships, creating pressure on many counties—especially rural ones—to stretch limited judicial resources.

California is authorized for 1,781 Superior Court judgeships statewide, meaning even a modest vacancy rate leaves dozens of courtrooms without a judge.

The Fort Bragg clerk’s office remains fully open Monday through Friday, accepting filings in all case types, from criminal to civil to family law, and providing self-help services, public records access, and fine payments. Judge Patrick Pekin, who lives in Mendocino, continues to preside over the core matters long handled on the coast, including criminal cases and restraining orders, Monday through Wednesday each week.

The larger shifts involve where certain hearings are held. Complex unlimited civil cases, probate, and most family law matters are being reassigned to Ukiah judges with specialized training in those areas. Turner said new judges need time to gain subject-matter expertise before taking on complicated civil cases. “We can’t just throw them in the deep end of the pool…that would be a terrible disservice to the litigants…to have a judge that really does not understand…a complicated unlimited civil case.,” she said. Those cases, she added, often involve multiple parties, large monetary claims, and nuanced legal issues that benefit from a judge with a civil background.

For many on the coast, the practical concern is distance. The drive from Fort Bragg to Ukiah is roughly 55 miles each way, a winding two-lane highway that becomes more challenging in winter. Public transportation between the two cities is limited, and a round trip can easily take two to three hours. Turner said the court is acutely aware of those realities and has made remote access central to its plan.

Most civil, family, and probate hearings now take place remotely, and litigants can appear from home using a computer, smartphone, or any internet connection they have available. Turner said many people prefer it, especially for brief status conferences or case management hearings that used to require a full day’s travel for just a few minutes before a judge.

Recognizing that not everyone on the coast has reliable broadband or feels comfortable with Zoom, the court has set up a dedicated Zoom Room inside the Ten Mile Courthouse. “If someone doesn’t have stable internet, or doesn’t have a computer, or only has a smartphone, they can come to the courthouse and participate in a Ukiah hearing via Zoom,” Turner explained. After nearly six years of statewide practice, she said, remote proceedings are now smooth and routine. Only in the rare instance that a civil, probate, or family case goes to a full trial might a coastal resident choose to appear in person in Ukiah, though remote participation would still be available.

Judge Pekin’s current schedule—Fort Bragg Monday through Wednesday, Ukiah on Thursdays and Fridays—will continue through the end of the year. With the December swearing-in of newly appointed Judge Charlotte Scott, Turner expects the court to reevaluate workloads and establish a more permanent plan. She emphasized that the court will use this transition period to review filing numbers and ensure an equitable distribution of cases among the judges.

The strain Mendocino is experiencing is not unique. Statewide, many judges retired early during the COVID-19 pandemic—a trend echoed in healthcare, education, and other professions. Judicial retirements spiked from 2020 through 2023, contributing to the vacancy numbers the state is still working to fill. Governor Newsom has continued appointing new judges to reduce the backlog—including a 2025 round of appointments across multiple counties—but vacancies remain substantial.

Despite the temporary reshuffling, Presiding Judge Keith Faulder said the commitment to coastal residents remains firm. “We appreciate the public’s understanding as we all work to maintain essential judicial services during this period of transition,” he said.

For now, the Ten Mile Court remains open and staffed, continuing to serve the Mendocino Coast as the bench adjusts to recent changes.