Kern County (Ridgecrest)
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)