[3][4] In October 2002, governor Gray Davis appointed Kronstadt to the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

[5] He replaced Judge Juelann Cathey,[5] who had retired earlier that year following major heart surgery.

[6][4] While a superior court judge, Kronstadt presided over the case to determine rightful ownership of the Bahia Emerald, an 840-pound gemstone that has previously been valued at $372 million.

[8] On November 17, 2010, President Barack Obama nominated Kronstadt to a judgeship on the United States District Court for the Central District of California[2] to a seat vacated by Judge Florence-Marie Cooper, who died on January 15, 2010.

[4] Kronstadt is married to California 2nd District Court of Appeal Justice Helen Bendix.