Opinion: Embattled judge’s attempt at mercy fails to move discipline commission. [TNI]
Former Las Vegas mayor, “Real Water” president, others wrote letters supporting Michele Fiore as she fights her suspension from being a Pahrump justice of the peace. [RJ]
Former Boyd Gaming employee files lawsuit against company over data breach. [RJ]
I have a lot of respect for Ballou because she did the morally correct thing. Unfortunately, it’s not a judge’s job to be morally correct, nor is it to make policy from the bench. This is difficult to watch.
I disagree. Judge Ballou took an oath to “faithfully perform all the duties” of their office. If she felt she could not morally follow the Supreme Court’s order, resignation was available to her. Instead, she violated her oath of office, which is never morally correct.
I like activist judges, but that activism needs to live within the scope of the court’s discretion. Judges, like any elected official, should never be above the law.
I think you mean recusal, not resignation. She’s very smart and a good judge in other ways. She followed her moral compass and the law no longer allows for that in criminal sentencing. There’s nothing more there. She’s not Elizabeth Halverson.
Halverson abused her authority in that she mistreated people. Ballou didn’t mistreat people or let an innocent man fester in prison like Herndon did. She overturned an unjust sentencing. With that said, the suspension was proper.
Wait. Herndon showed no mercy? Why is he even practicing?
“As a prosecutor, Herndon and then-colleague William Kephart, also a judge today, withheld exculpatory evidence from the defense that would have proved the convicted man, Fred Steese, was not in Nevada at the time of the murder.”
To be fair, Herndon has sincerely apologized and worked to improve the remedies for wrongful convictions. I still think that what he did should have permanently disqualified him from being a judge, but I appreciate that he has admitted it was wrong.
Kephart never did. When Kephart was running for re-election, I took my kids to a parade in downtown LV. Kephart had a campaign entry in the parade, and was walking down the sides, working the crowd and shaking hands. When he got to me, I didn’t shake his hand. I didn’t really think about it, it was just instinctual. Instead of just moving on, Kephart got his feelings hurt. “You’re not going to shake my hand?” “No.” “Why not?” Before I could even think I said, “Fred Steese.” He then lost his mind and starting yelling and ranting. I surprised myself and had immediate anxiety about whether he would recognize me in court. Fortunately, the voters took care of that.
Ballou lacks humility, she lacks decorum, she is racially biased, she is of unsteady temperament, and she makes everything about herself. She is unfit for the bench.
If I had a dime for every time a male lawyer insinuated he had a big penis at inappropriate times and for his own amusement —IN COURT—I would be practicing law from a McMansion in St. Barts.
I have appeared in front of her and she quite literally did not know why we were there. This has happened twice. Never had that happen with any other judge. I have not been impressed.
Guest
Anonymous
September 29, 2025 10:26 am
It’s a bad day for girls who need reproductive care and who don’t come from safe homes.
A bit off topic, but new-er lawyer here and I’ve been trying desperately to get back into reading for fun. The exhaustion after work takes its toll and all I’ve been doing recently is mindlessly scrolling apps – which I know is doing me no good. Any advice for getting back into those sorts of hobbies?
Set aside time for this and follow it. Schedule a deep session (2 hours) on the weekend, and a handful of 30-60 minutes during the week.
Audio books are also awesome. I got back into reading in 2017 and have read/listened to over 500 books since then. I happen to like celebrity memoirs, history and nonfiction, and these books give me interesting things to gnaw on, sometimes serious sometimes not.
I know you’re not reading to become a better lawyer (or maybe you are), but an unexpected benefit has been an improvement in my writing. I can better write with memorable flourishes, but yet remain professional, because I read so much. Plus, because I am widely read, it’s easier for me to converse with other people (opposing counsel, clients) about somethign they find interesting. Sometimes, I feel like Ken Jennings younger, not-as-smart little brother.
12:16 here again. Get the Libby app from the library. Also get a library card. Both are free. Las Vegas/Clark County has a surprisingly awesome library system!
I also have an audible app. I read about 1-2 print books a month, and I try to reserve those for books that don’t have an audio version.
Also, find friends who read and read books together so you can discuss.
Seconding Kalanithi – his book is fantastic and a quick, thoughtful read. It helped a lot in my practice with older clients.
The one book that I recommend that people can’t put down if they check it out is The Chosen by Chaim Potok. It is riveting even though at first glance it just seems like a book about unlikely friends. I first read it in high school and it has stuck with me. That, and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.
Guest
Anonymous
September 29, 2025 3:54 pm
Who’s donating to judicial campaigns come January?
I absolutely LOVE that movie. Reminds me of a corporate office I worked in my career prior to deciding I wanted to be a lawyer. We even had “casual Fridays” and “all hands on deck meetings” asking if how you’re doing things is good for the company. That was during the time that movie came out – classic!
I have a lot of respect for Ballou because she did the morally correct thing. Unfortunately, it’s not a judge’s job to be morally correct, nor is it to make policy from the bench. This is difficult to watch.
The man who trafficked the woman received a much shorter prison sentence than she did. I don’t do criminal law, but that doesn’t sit right with me.
I disagree. Judge Ballou took an oath to “faithfully perform all the duties” of their office. If she felt she could not morally follow the Supreme Court’s order, resignation was available to her. Instead, she violated her oath of office, which is never morally correct.
I like activist judges, but that activism needs to live within the scope of the court’s discretion. Judges, like any elected official, should never be above the law.
I think you mean recusal, not resignation. She’s very smart and a good judge in other ways. She followed her moral compass and the law no longer allows for that in criminal sentencing. There’s nothing more there. She’s not Elizabeth Halverson.
“She’s not Elizabeth Halverson.”
Is that really the benchmark?
Halverson abused her authority in that she mistreated people. Ballou didn’t mistreat people or let an innocent man fester in prison like Herndon did. She overturned an unjust sentencing. With that said, the suspension was proper.
Wait. Herndon showed no mercy? Why is he even practicing?
“As a prosecutor, Herndon and then-colleague William Kephart, also a judge today, withheld exculpatory evidence from the defense that would have proved the convicted man, Fred Steese, was not in Nevada at the time of the murder.”
That’s pretty bad.
To be fair, Herndon has sincerely apologized and worked to improve the remedies for wrongful convictions. I still think that what he did should have permanently disqualified him from being a judge, but I appreciate that he has admitted it was wrong.
Kephart never did. When Kephart was running for re-election, I took my kids to a parade in downtown LV. Kephart had a campaign entry in the parade, and was walking down the sides, working the crowd and shaking hands. When he got to me, I didn’t shake his hand. I didn’t really think about it, it was just instinctual. Instead of just moving on, Kephart got his feelings hurt. “You’re not going to shake my hand?” “No.” “Why not?” Before I could even think I said, “Fred Steese.” He then lost his mind and starting yelling and ranting. I surprised myself and had immediate anxiety about whether he would recognize me in court. Fortunately, the voters took care of that.
Ballou lacks humility, she lacks decorum, she is racially biased, she is of unsteady temperament, and she makes everything about herself. She is unfit for the bench.
Great tits though.
(her words, not mine)
If I had a dime for every time a male lawyer insinuated he had a big penis at inappropriate times and for his own amusement —IN COURT—I would be practicing law from a McMansion in St. Barts.
In other words, she didn’t rule the way you wanted her to.
1:45 here. Actually, I tried a case before her and won. I stand by my original statement. We need better judges.
Oh, is that before or after your Nobel Prize in fiction?
I have appeared in front of her and she quite literally did not know why we were there. This has happened twice. Never had that happen with any other judge. I have not been impressed.
It’s a bad day for girls who need reproductive care and who don’t come from safe homes.
“Reproductive Care” just say murder babies.
If only life were as simple as your mind, @11:58
Op here, simplicity is strength when seeing a simply dead baby, some of us don’t need mfg intellectual chaos to feel intelligent.
That endorsement from the Real Water guy should really do the trick!
Why are Fiore letters relevant to sentencing? I thought she was pardoned?
she was, some of the letters were written for sentencing, but now they’re using them to show why should get her old job back.
Thank you
A bit off topic, but new-er lawyer here and I’ve been trying desperately to get back into reading for fun. The exhaustion after work takes its toll and all I’ve been doing recently is mindlessly scrolling apps – which I know is doing me no good. Any advice for getting back into those sorts of hobbies?
Go for walks and listen to books on audio. Helps with stress.
Walden by Henry david Thoreau helps set one’s mind at ease.
“Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.”
Yes, Walden will put you to sleep.
Set aside time for this and follow it. Schedule a deep session (2 hours) on the weekend, and a handful of 30-60 minutes during the week.
Audio books are also awesome. I got back into reading in 2017 and have read/listened to over 500 books since then. I happen to like celebrity memoirs, history and nonfiction, and these books give me interesting things to gnaw on, sometimes serious sometimes not.
I know you’re not reading to become a better lawyer (or maybe you are), but an unexpected benefit has been an improvement in my writing. I can better write with memorable flourishes, but yet remain professional, because I read so much. Plus, because I am widely read, it’s easier for me to converse with other people (opposing counsel, clients) about somethign they find interesting. Sometimes, I feel like Ken Jennings younger, not-as-smart little brother.
12:16 here again. Get the Libby app from the library. Also get a library card. Both are free. Las Vegas/Clark County has a surprisingly awesome library system!
I also have an audible app. I read about 1-2 print books a month, and I try to reserve those for books that don’t have an audio version.
Also, find friends who read and read books together so you can discuss.
I started reading my wife’s fantasy romance novels and I am hooked.
Fantasy romance has come a long way since the Fabio days. My wife can’t get enough of those books and that’s a good thing for us both.
word
“When breath becomes air” – Paul Kalanithi. If that book doesn’t get you back into reading, I am not sure what will.
Seconding Kalanithi – his book is fantastic and a quick, thoughtful read. It helped a lot in my practice with older clients.
The one book that I recommend that people can’t put down if they check it out is The Chosen by Chaim Potok. It is riveting even though at first glance it just seems like a book about unlikely friends. I first read it in high school and it has stuck with me. That, and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.
Who’s donating to judicial campaigns come January?
I never do. It makes for a convenient “I don’t donate to anyone” response.
I’ll be donating to Michelle Fiore’s Supreme Court campaign. Girl’s just a straight shooter with upper management written all over her.
I absolutely LOVE that movie. Reminds me of a corporate office I worked in my career prior to deciding I wanted to be a lawyer. We even had “casual Fridays” and “all hands on deck meetings” asking if how you’re doing things is good for the company. That was during the time that movie came out – classic!