On Friday, May 16, 2025, FOX5 reported that a Clark County judge has been reassigned from all criminal cases following accusations of inappropriate conduct.
Judge Erika Ballou, presiding over Department 24 in the Eighth Judicial District Court, will no longer handle criminal cases, which will now be transferred to Judge Maria Gall in Department 9. Instead, Judge Ballou will take on civil cases reassigned from other departments, as outlined in an administrative order by the court.
The reassignment follows a motion filed by Las Vegas public defender Anna Stone, who accused Judge Ballou of bias. Stone requested that Judge Ballou be removed from cases involving her after an incident in which the judge allegedly made inappropriate remarks.
According to Stone’s filing, Judge Ballou accused her of having a sexual relationship with a client while addressing her in court. The remarks were reportedly made in the presence of the District Attorney, another public defender, and court staff. Stone’s motion highlighted concerns about the judge’s conduct, stating that no lawyer should face such accusations while advocating for their client.
“No lawyer should have to advocate in fear that if the judge dislikes their advocacy the judge will retaliate by sexually harassing them and their client,” the lawyer’s filing said.
This incident is not the first time Judge Ballou has faced scrutiny. A separate filing by the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline noted that she was previously accused of failing to comply with a Supreme Court order related to a criminal case under her oversight.
The Clark County District Attorney’s Office was contacted for comment regarding the reassignment and its potential impact on the timeline of ongoing cases now transferred to Department 9. No response was provided at the time of the report.
Source: FOX5
