The Georgia Supreme Court has mandated the removal of a Douglas County judge recently arrested at a Buckhead nightclub.
“Douglas County Probate Court Judge Christina Peterson faces charges under the Code of Judicial Conduct (CJC), including alleged violations indicative of a pattern of judicial misconduct during her tenure,” the court stated in a ruling released Tuesday. “Following findings by the JQC Hearing Panel of multiple CJC rule breaches, Judge Peterson’s removal from the bench has been deemed necessary.”
“We agree that removal is warranted here … Accordingly, it is ordered that Judge Christina Peterson of the Douglas County Probate Court be removed from office, effective upon the date of this opinion. As a result, Judge Peterson ‘shall not be eligible to be elected or appointed to any judicial office in this state until seven years have elapsed’ from the date of this opinion.”
Peterson is facing charges of simple battery against a police officer and felony willful obstruction of law enforcement by threatening violence, as indicated in records from Fulton County Jail.
According to Atlanta police, Peterson was arrested at the Red Martini Restaurant and Lounge on Peachtree Road following a 911 call.
Following the arrest, Peterson’s attorney, Marvin Arrington Jr., who also serves as a Fulton County commissioner, stated that Peterson intervened to assist a woman, Alexandria Love, during what he described as a severe attack by a man at the restaurant.
Love confirmed, “She was the only one that helped me.”
Love stated that she was assaulted by an unfamiliar man. She also mentioned that Peterson, visibly emotional beside her during the press conference, did not intend to strike an officer while trying to intervene in the alleged assault.
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Arrington noted that Peterson was informed of the Supreme Court’s decision on Tuesday morning and is currently considering her next course of action.
He has urged for the dismissal of charges against Peterson and advocated for the man responsible for the assault to face charges. Peterson currently faces charges including simple battery against a police officer and felony obstruction of law enforcement by threatening violence, according to jail records.