Douglas County Probate Judge Christina Peterson has been removed from the bench effective Tuesday after the Georgia Supreme Court ruled she should be removed from office following an investigation into separate ethics charges. The ruling comes as Peterson also faces charges of battery and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
Douglas County Probate Judge Christina Peterson's legal troubles continue to mount, culminating in her removal from office by the Georgia Supreme Court on Tuesday. This ruling follows an ongoing investigation into separate ethics charges, which found Peterson guilty of "systemic incompetence" and recommended her removal in April.
The Georgia Supreme Court's decision stems from concerns raised by the Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC), which found Peterson guilty of 12 counts of misconduct. One particularly troubling case involved Peterson's decision to jail a naturalized U.S. citizen for seeking to amend her marriage license with the name of her real father.
Judicial Misconduct Unravels: Atlanta Judge Removed from Office
Peterson ruled that the woman was trying to defraud the court and sentenced her to a maximum of 20 days in jail. The woman paid the $500 fine and was released after two days. However, the JQC found that Peterson's actions were inappropriate and that the woman was "in good faith trying to correct" an "innocent mistake."
The JQC also found that Peterson made "untruthful" testimony to the panel about the case, underscoring her "conscious wrongdoing." This was just one of 30 counts brought against Peterson, 12 of which warranted discipline.
Judicial Misconduct Unravels: Atlanta Judge Removed from Office
As a result of these findings, the Georgia Supreme Court ordered Peterson's removal from office, effective immediately. She is not eligible to be elected or appointed to any future judicial position in Georgia for seven years.
Peterson's troubles do not end there. She was also arrested early Thursday at the Red Martini Restaurant and Lounge after allegedly pushing an Atlanta police officer in the chest twice during an altercation. Peterson was uncooperative with police and refused to give her identity.
Judicial Misconduct Unravels: Atlanta Judge Removed from Office
Atlanta police released bodycam video of the incident, which shows the officer working an approved extra job at the time. Peterson's attorney, Marvin Arrington Jr., claimed she was trying to defend a woman who was being attacked and should not have been arrested.
Peterson faces charges of simple battery against a police officer and obstruction of a law enforcement officer. Her actions have cast doubt on her ability to serve as a fair and impartial judge. The Georgia Supreme Court's ruling and the pending criminal charges have effectively ended Peterson's judicial career.
