Trouble Brewing Again for Clark County Judge
Las Vegas Judge Erika Ballou is facing serious trouble for the second time in her short career on the bench. The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline recently filed six new ethics charges against her, claiming she deliberately ignored orders from the state’s highest court and showed favoritism to a criminal defendant.
This latest development comes while Judge Ballou is still dealing with fallout from previous ethics violations.
The judicial watchdog group filed these new charges on April 24, painting a picture of a judge who believes she’s above the law she’s sworn to uphold. According to official documents, Judge Ballou not only disregarded Nevada Supreme Court directives but also failed to cooperate with investigators looking into her conduct.
What Happened?
Back in 2017, a woman named Mia Christman went to prison for serious crimes she committed when she was 18. Four years later, in 2021, Judge Ballou decided to erase Christman’s conviction and let her out of prison.
Prosecutors didn’t like this decision. They took the case to Nevada’s Supreme Court. The high court gave Judge Ballou orders in 2022 and again in 2023. According to the complaint, she ignored both orders.
“This conduct demonstrated her total disregard for binding higher court authority,” the complaint states.
A Pattern of Problems
This isn’t Judge Ballou’s first ethics problem. Last year, she admitted to breaking several judicial rules. One incident involved posting a photo of herself in a hot tub with public defenders. She also made controversial comments about police.
The Las Vegas Police Protective Association called for Judge Ballou’s resignation in July 2022 following statements she made in court, telling a black defendant:
“As a black woman, I don’t want to be around where cops are because I don’t know if I am going to walk away alive or not,”
Union President Steve Grammas said her comments showed “obvious bias against police officers.”
Before becoming a judge, Ballou was known for her activism. In 2016, while working as a public defender, Ballou caused controversy by wearing a Black Lives Matter pin on her blouse in court.
When District Judge Douglas Herndon asked her to remove the pin, Ballou refused, saying:
“This is an issue about criminal justice. I believe a courtroom is the proper place to make issues about criminal justice. This is not political speech.”
The controversy erupted shortly after the Las Vegas Police Protective Association sent a letter to the Chief District Judge expressing concern about public defenders wearing Black Lives Matter pins in court. The police union’s executive director, Steve Grammas, referred to the pins as “propaganda.”
Why Conservatives Should Care
For conservatives who believe in limited but effective government, having judges who follow the law is crucial. When judges ignore higher court orders, they’re essentially making up their own rules.
The judicial branch should interpret laws, not create them. When judges show bias or ignore proper procedures, it undermines our entire justice system.
Some critics say judges should have flexibility to make decisions based on individual circumstances. However, conservatives generally believe judges must follow established law and precedent rather than ruling based on personal preferences.
What Might Happen Next
Judge Ballou previously was ordered to attend ethics classes after her earlier misconduct. These new charges could lead to more serious consequences, possibly including removal from the bench.
Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson has already filed a petition asking to have Ballou removed from all criminal cases his office prosecutes. He called her behavior “egregious” and noted that one possible outcome could be “her removal from judicial office.”
Judge Ballou was a public defender for over 15 years before becoming a judge in 2021. Her current term is set to end in 2027, but these ethics charges could change that timeline.
When judges violate ethics rules or ignore higher courts, it affects everyone who wants fair and consistent justice. By paying attention to these issues, conservative voters can help ensure judges follow the law rather than making it up as they go.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
