Clark County Judge Erika Ballou Resigns, Barred Permanently From Nevada Bench

On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline said that suspended Clark County District Judge Erika Ballou agreed to resign from her position and is permanently barred from holding judicial office in the state. This decision comes as a resolution to judicial conduct complaints pending before the commission.

According to documents, Ballou’s actions violated Rule 1.1 of the Revised Nevada Code of Judicial Conduct. The specific violations include Rule 1.2, which requires judges to act with integrity and impartiality to maintain public confidence; Rules 2.3(A) and (B), which mandate that judges perform their duties without bias or prejudice; and Rule 2.8(B), which requires judges to be patient and courteous. Additionally, she violated Rule 2.11, which requires a judge to disqualify herself in any proceeding where her impartiality could be questioned.

The commission’s investigation highlighted two specific cases. In State v. Deon Jones, Ballou presided over the sentencing hearing on September 11, 2023, where she made harsh personal remarks to the defendant. The Nevada Supreme Court reviewed Ballou’s statements and concluded that they went beyond impartiality, revealing her personal animosity toward Jones and indicating that she improperly put herself in the shoes of the victim and counsel. The court found that Ballou alluded to observations outside the legal record, suggesting bias that made fair judgment impossible.

The second case, State v. Cross, involved a March 17, 2025 hearing regarding a motion to quash an arrest warrant. During the hearing, Ballou was impolite to the defense attorney and implied that the attorney had failed to subpoena a necessary witness, reprimanding the attorney with the statement, “That’s why you’re an attorney. That’s why you get the big bucks.” Furthermore, after the hearing, Ballou allegedly discussed the defense attorney’s courtroom demeanor with a Deputy District Attorney, stating her belief that the defense attorney was “fu*king” her client and suggesting that a sexual relationship with the defendant explained the attorney’s knowledge of the case.

Ballou has admitted to the allegations detailed in the commission’s report and has waived her right to contest them in a formal hearing. The commission has accepted her waiver, and the order for her resignation and permanent bar from judicial office is effective immediately.

In addition to resigning, Ballou has agreed not to seek or accept any judicial office in Nevada in the future. The commission has agreed not to pursue separate action against Ballou for practicing law while serving as a judge. Ballou has also waived her right to appeal the order to the Nevada Supreme Court.