HomeThe LatestGeorgia Judge Arrested After Altercation

Georgia Judge Arrested After Altercation

The Atlanta police have released bodycam footage of the arrest of Douglas County Probate Judge Christina Peterson following an altercation outside a nightclub. The incident occurred early Thursday morning, with the footage capturing Peterson, identified as 38 years old, engaging in a confrontation with an officer.

At around 3:18 a.m., an Atlanta police officer working an approved extra job at the Red Martini Restaurant and Lounge heard a commotion and went to investigate. He discovered security personnel escorting a woman out of the venue. While the officer attempted to de-escalate the situation, Peterson reportedly rushed towards the scene, screaming at the security guard and the officer.

The bodycam footage shows Peterson pushing the officer in the chest while yelling, “Let her f—ing go.” According to police, she continued to interfere, swiping the officer’s hands away as he tried to assist the woman being escorted out. After a second alleged push to the chest, Peterson was placed into custody.

Throughout the footage, Peterson is seen resisting cooperation, cursing at the officers, and repeatedly demanding not to be touched. Even while handcuffed in the back of a police car, she continued to express her agitation.

Upon learning Peterson’s identity, the officer obtained arrest warrants for simple battery against a police officer and obstruction of law enforcement. Peterson was subsequently taken to Fulton County Jail for processing without further incident.

Represented by lawyer and Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr., Peterson held a press conference on Friday to address the incident. Arrington claimed that Peterson was defending a woman, Alexandria Love, who was being attacked by an unknown man outside the lounge. Love, also present at the press conference, described the attack and praised Peterson for her intervention. “He viciously attacked me,” Love stated, “punched me in my face and Judge Peterson was the only one to help me.”

Arrington urged the lounge to release its surveillance footage, asserting that eyewitness accounts and available video evidence should exonerate Peterson. He argued that Peterson’s arrest was unwarranted and called for a review of the situation based on the footage.

Peterson, who became a judge in 2020, has previously faced scrutiny. In April, a Judicial Qualifications Commission panel found her guilty of “systemic incompetence” and recommended her removal from office. The panel’s investigation revealed that Peterson had repeatedly failed to fulfill her duties, disregarded courthouse protocols, mistreated courthouse personnel, and posted inappropriate content on social media. Her future as a judge now rests with the Georgia Supreme Court, which will decide on the panel’s recommendation at an unspecified date.

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