The Supreme Court of Georgia has ordered the removal of Judge Christina Peterson, who was arrested last week at a Buckhead nightclub. Peterson has been charged with multiple violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct (CJC), including a pattern of judicial misconduct while in office. The Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) found that Peterson violated multiple rules in the CJC and that two of those violations warrant her removal from the bench.
Peterson faces two charges — simple battery against a police officer and felony willful obstruction of law enforcement by use of threats of violence, according to Fulton County Jail records. Atlanta police confirmed Peterson's arrest at the Red Martini Restaurant and Lounge off Peachtree Road after a 911 call. Peterson's attorney, Marvin Arrington Jr., who is also a Fulton County commissioner, said Peterson stepped in to help a woman who was being "viciously attacked" by a man while at the restaurant.
Peterson, 38, was sworn in as probate judge in December 2020 after winning a contested Democratic primary that year and running unopposed in the November general election. She lost the Democratic primary last month in her bid for reelection. The Judicial Qualifications Commission filed formal charges against her, alleging violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct less than a year into her four-year term. The agency amended the charges in February 2022 and again in July 2022, bringing the total to 50 counts of alleged misconduct.
The hearing panel issued a report in March, finding clear and convincing evidence to support 28 of the counts and that discipline was authorized for 20. It concluded that Peterson should be removed from office. Lester Tate, a lawyer for Peterson in the ethics matter, said that procedurally, they were pleased that they were able to provide her with a vigorous defense in court, getting numerous counts dismissed and fighting off two motions for interim suspension, even though today we lost the ultimate battle."
The Supreme Court said the most troubling allegation against Peterson had to do with her treatment of a woman who appeared before her while trying to correct an error on her marriage certificate. Peterson held the woman in criminal contempt and imposed the maximum jail term of 20 days and a fine "without explanation or justification." The high court concluded that her "multiple violations" of judicial rules, some of which reflected a "flagrant disregard for the law, court rules, and judicial conduct rules," as well as a "pattern of violations," some of them "extremely concerning," made removal from the bench appropriate.
Out of Atlanta Georgia. Douglas County Judge Christina Peterson attacks an officer breaking up a physical altercation she's involved in. Judges like her decide Georgia elections. This happened 3 days ago. pic.twitter.com/7AhLtntPlf
— Paul (@WomanDefiner) June 23, 2024
Peterson faces two charges — simple battery against a police officer and felony willful obstruction of law enforcement by use of threats of violence, according to Fulton County Jail records. Atlanta police confirmed Peterson's arrest at the Red Martini Restaurant and Lounge off Peachtree Road after a 911 call. Peterson's attorney, Marvin Arrington Jr., who is also a Fulton County commissioner, said Peterson stepped in to help a woman who was being "viciously attacked" by a man while at the restaurant.
Peterson, 38, was sworn in as probate judge in December 2020 after winning a contested Democratic primary that year and running unopposed in the November general election. She lost the Democratic primary last month in her bid for reelection. The Judicial Qualifications Commission filed formal charges against her, alleging violations of the Code of Judicial Conduct less than a year into her four-year term. The agency amended the charges in February 2022 and again in July 2022, bringing the total to 50 counts of alleged misconduct.
The hearing panel issued a report in March, finding clear and convincing evidence to support 28 of the counts and that discipline was authorized for 20. It concluded that Peterson should be removed from office. Lester Tate, a lawyer for Peterson in the ethics matter, said that procedurally, they were pleased that they were able to provide her with a vigorous defense in court, getting numerous counts dismissed and fighting off two motions for interim suspension, even though today we lost the ultimate battle."
The Supreme Court said the most troubling allegation against Peterson had to do with her treatment of a woman who appeared before her while trying to correct an error on her marriage certificate. Peterson held the woman in criminal contempt and imposed the maximum jail term of 20 days and a fine "without explanation or justification." The high court concluded that her "multiple violations" of judicial rules, some of which reflected a "flagrant disregard for the law, court rules, and judicial conduct rules," as well as a "pattern of violations," some of them "extremely concerning," made removal from the bench appropriate.
