Las Vegas chief judge abruptly resigns from leadership position

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Cynthia Cruz officially resigned from the chief judge position on Thursday. The 8 News Now Investigators obtained her letter of resignation dated Sept. 19 which provided few details about the abrupt move. "It is with careful consideration and a deep sense of responsibility that I have decided to submit my resignation as Chief Judge," Cruz wrote in the letter.

Judges overseen by Cruz held an emergency meeting to question her leadership, sources told the 8 News Now Investigators. Cruz has served as chief judge since 2022 and vice-chief Judge from 2019 to 2021, according to her biography. She was first elected to the Las Vegas Justice Court bench in 2012. "I believe it is time for me to return to the role I was initially elected to serve — sitting on the bench and directly engaging with the public, the role that has always been my deepest calling," Cruz wrote. "I look forward to assuming the civil docket, currently under the vacant Department 4, while also maintaining my coverage of the Drug Court and DUI Treatment Court." Cruz is up for re-election against Madilyn "Leavitt" Cole, a Clark County chief deputy district attorney. Cruz sat down for an interview with 8 News Now's James Schaeffer about the contentious race the day before she submitted the letter of resignation and gave no indication about a plan to resign from her position. "I think as a judicial candidate and as a judicial officer it's important to be transparent and not do anything that would be confusing or interpretive," Cruz told Schaeffer. "I think it's important for voters, especially in judicial races to look at the qualifications and the experience of the candidates." This is a developing story. To reach investigative reporter Vanessa Murphy, email .