GA Judge Removed From Bench In Ethics Case

Story by Amanda Lumpkin

GEORGIA — After recent accusations of misconduct and hitting an Atlanta police officer, Douglas County Probate Court Judge Christina Peterson has been removed from the bench.

The Judicial Qualifications Commission ruled Peterson, 38, has violated multiple Code of Judicial Conduct policies since taking office, per an 82-page Georgia Supreme Court decision obtained by Patch.

The Supreme Court said those violations warrant Peterson's removal from her judicial role.

"We agree that removal is warranted here. ... the Hearing Panel found that the (JQC) Director proved by clear and convincing evidence 28 of 30 counts alleging that Judge Peterson violated the CJC, and that discipline is authorized under the Georgia Constitution for 20 of those 28 counts. With respect to all 20 of those counts, we conclude that the Hearing Panel’s findings are not clearly erroneous," the Supreme Court said in its decision.

"And we agree with, and affirm, the Hearing Panel’s conclusion that Judge Peterson’s misconduct warrants discipline with respect to 12 of them, because the Director met her burden of showing that Judge Peterson’s conduct constituted willful misconduct in office or conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice which brings the judicial office into disrepute."

Peterson most recently was accused of hitting an Atlanta officer responding Thursday to a Peachtree Road nightclub in Buckhead.

Upon arrival, police said the officer saw security escorting a woman out of the venue.

Peterson then "rushed toward the commotion and immediately starting screaming at the security guard and officer. Ms. Peterson then forcibly pushed the officer in the chest and kept swiping his hands away as he attempted to assist the female being escorted out," police said.

Police accused Peterson of shoving the officer once more before being placed into custody. Police said she continuously refused to identify herself.

Peterson previously took to Instagram to say she was helping a woman who was being attacked by men at the club when police arrested her.

Atlanta Police body cam footage released Friday shows Peterson's arrest, and video footage released Sunday by Peterson shows what appears to be a dispute outside the club.

"Take me where you need to take me immediately, expeditiously," Peterson is heard saying in the footage. " ... I will get a fingerprint, and they can find out who I am."

Fulton County Jail records showed Peterson was charged on suspicion of simple battery against police officer/police dog/corrections or detention officer and willful obstruction of law enforcement officers by use of threats or violence.

She was granted a $1,000 bond on the former charge and a $4,000 bond on the latter charge, jail records showed.

"I know I’m not big enough to stop a big man, but I know I was strong enough in my faith to do something. Thank you for the outpouring of love and support. #probatejudge #redmartiniatl #justiceforchristina #justiceforall #protectwomen. People asked me why didn’t I just mind my business? After all, I have a position to protect. For me, a life is worth more. Would you help a stranger being attacked," Peterson wrote Sunday on Instagram.

Peterson was first charged by the JQC in September 2021, ultimately alleging 50 counts of misconduct against the now former judge, the Supreme Court said.

The high court added 20 of those counts were dismissed prior to and during a September 2023 hearing.

The JQC has made at least two past motions since September 2021 to have Peterson suspended, motions the Supreme Court said were denied.

The qualifications commission filed a third motion for interim suspension Friday, a day after Peterson's Buckhead arrest; however, the Supreme Court said Peterson's removal from office makes the motion moot.

Peterson was admitted in 2013 to the State Bar of Georgia and qualified on March 5, 2020 to run for Douglas County probate judge, the Supreme Court said. She won her election that year and was sworn in on Dec. 29, 2020 for a four-year term.

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GA Judge Removed From Bench In Ethics Case