Clark County, NV — November 1, 2025
A Judge with Dirt Under Her Boots:
When Judge Crystal L. Eller steps into Department 19 of the Eighth Judicial District Court in Clark County, she brings with her not just years of legal experience, but also the grit, humility, and work ethic of a woman who earned everything she has.
“I’ve lived the struggle,” she once said. “I know what it’s like to start with nothing and work your way to something.”
That lived experience defines her approach to justice — and her life beyond the bench.
From Air Base to Ambition:
Born in 1966 in Amarillo, Texas, Crystal Eller — born at a U.S. Air Force Base hospital — grew up the daughter of a U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant and a mother who balanced books and sold real estate. Neither parent graduated from high school, so they couldn’t show her the ropes for college. However, what they did teach her was discipline, integrity, and a relentless belief in earning what you have. “My dad used to say, ‘If you can’t afford to pay for it, you don’t need it,’” she recalled in a Vegas Legal Magazine interview — a phrase that became her moral compass.
To pay for college, she waitressed full-time while studying criminology at Florida State University, graduating with her Bachelor of Science degree debt-free. A scholarship and a loan from her mom took her to John Marshall Law School in Chicago, where she graduated cum laude in 1993.
She moved to Las Vegas soon after, determined to make her mark in the courtroom.
Building a Law Practice and a Reputation:
Before donning the black robe, Eller practiced both criminal defense and civil litigation for more than two decades. Her résumé reads like a tour of Nevada’s justice system — representing defendants, victims, homeowners, and business owners alike.
During the housing crisis, she was appointed by the Nevada Supreme Court as a mediator in the state’s Foreclosure Mediation Program, helping desperate families negotiate with banks to save their homes. It was difficult work, but it shaped her understanding of fairness and second chances.
Elected to Serve:
In 2020, voters chose Eller to lead Department 19 of the Clark County District Court. She was sworn in on January 4, 2021, pledging to run her courtroom with efficiency and empathy.
Her docket is as diverse as Clark County itself — felony criminal cases, high-stakes civil disputes, and specialized medical malpractice cases.
The Cowgirl Spirit:
Outside the courtroom, Judge Eller is not your typical jurist. She’s a rancher, horsewoman, and mother who believes in getting her hands dirty — literally.
At her Clark County property, named Maverick Ranch, Eller spends her off-hours working with horses and helping others reconnect with nature.
She often describes herself as a “cowgirl at heart.” To her, the Cowgirl Spirit means courage, fairness, and finishing what you start — values she says guide her both in boots and in robes.
Faith & Family: The Core of Her Compass:
Eller’s success, she says, wouldn’t exist without God and her family.
At her 2021 investiture ceremony, she thanked God for His many blessings in her life, and her children and stepson for “challenging me to be a better person.” One of her daughters delivered a heartfelt speech, telling her, “Mom, I’ve never been more proud of you than I am right now.”
Her family includes two grown children — one, Courtney, who became an Assistant State’s Attorney in Chicago, and another, Scarlett, who works as a Digital Production Manager at a tax firm in New York City — as well as a stepson, Jay, who is currently attending CSN, holds a private pilot’s license, and still calls Las Vegas home.
“When I come home from court, I leave the judge behind,” she said. “At home, I’m just the one taking care of the horses, chickens, and dogs.”
Service Beyond the Bench:
Judge Eller’s public service doesn’t stop at her courtroom door. She has volunteered with Hope for Prisoners, a nonprofit that helps former inmates reenter society, and donates to charities both locally and abroad — as well as to her church — helping families and communities in need.
Legacy in Progress:
Judge Crystal Eller’s term runs through December 2026, with re-election in November 2026. Whether on the bench or on the ranch, she sees both as parts of one mission: to serve and to maintain balance.
“The courtroom isn’t about power,” she says. “It’s about fairness. It’s about giving people their day — and making sure that day means something.”
And when the gavel drops and the courtroom empties, you might find her back at Maverick Ranch, hair tucked under a wide-brimmed hat, feeding the horses at sunset — a reminder that even judges need room to breathe.
Interview:
Here is an interview with Crystal Eller and Veterans In Politics International:
Crystal Eller, Clark County District Court Judge, Department 19, on the Veterans In Politics Talk Show
🎥 Watch the interview on YouTube
