Ladies and gentlemen, gather around for a tale that’s part courtroom drama, part late-night scandal. Let’s dive into the tumultuous saga of Douglas County Probate Judge Christina Peterson, whose career took a dramatic nosedive this week.
The Georgia Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that Judge Christina Peterson, 38, must be removed from office effective immediately. This decision follows the findings of the Judicial Qualifications Commission, which accused her of “systemic incompetence.” This ruling marks the end of a series of investigations and allegations that have rocked Peterson’s tenure on the bench.
Peterson’s troubles began with a controversial case involving a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Thailand. The woman had sought to amend her marriage license to reflect the name of her biological father. Instead of accommodating this request, Peterson accused her of attempting to defraud the court and sentenced her to 20 days in jail. The sentence could be reduced to two days if the woman paid a $500 fine, which she did.
However, the Judicial Qualifications Commission found that the woman had acted in good faith, trying to correct an innocent mistake rather than committing any fraud. Peterson’s handling of the case, coupled with her “untruthful” testimony about it, was a key factor in the commission’s decision to recommend her removal. This case was one of 30 counts against her, with 12 deemed serious enough to warrant discipline.
The Georgia Supreme Court ruled that Peterson cannot hold any judicial position in the state for the next seven years. The court emphasized that her removal was necessary to maintain the judiciary’s integrity.
But the drama doesn’t end there. As Peterson was navigating these serious allegations, she found herself in more hot water. Last Thursday, she was arrested outside the Red Martini Restaurant and Lounge in Atlanta after allegedly pushing a police officer twice. The officer, who was working an approved extra job at the time, caught the incident on bodycam.
ATLANTA—Judge Christina Peterson has been removed from the bench for judicial misconduct.
Imagine a person like this being in a position to make life changing decisions.
Unreal.
Peterson will not be eligible for any future judicial positions in Georgia for seven years. pic.twitter.com/4AF4jC0tOn
— Amiri King (@AmiriKing) June 26, 2024
Peterson’s attorney, Marvin Arrington Jr., claimed during a press conference that she was trying to defend a woman being attacked by an unknown man and that her arrest was unwarranted.
This whirlwind of legal and personal troubles has brought Peterson’s judicial career to an abrupt and ignominious end.
BREAKING
Atlanta’s most notorious judge, Christina Peterson, has been removed from the bench by the Georgia Supreme Court
The Judicial Commission found her guilty of ‘systemic incompetence.’pic.twitter.com/nRPtFxNIg6
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) June 25, 2024
