The Atlanta Police Department has released video footage from the arrest of Douglas County Probate Judge Christina Peterson.
Peterson is the same judge who, in April, was admonished by the Judicial Qualifications Commission panel for ‘systemic incompetence,’ saying Peterson ignored courthouse rules, was abusive to courthouse personnel, failed to do her job, and made inappropriate posts on social media platforms. The panel recommended that she be removed from office, though that matter is still pending.
This week, however, Peterson was arrested in the early hours of June 20 following an incident at an Atlanta nightclub. During the incident, Peterson allegedly punched police officer more than once as the officer tried to de-escalate another incident on scene. She was subsequently charged with Simple Battery Against a Police Officer and Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officer.
Her attorney has since said she was trying to help another woman who was being attacked.
Video footage from the patrol car shows Peterson refusing to identify herself to the officer.
From APD with the release of body camera footage:
On June 20th, 2024, at approximately 3:18 a.m., an Atlanta Police officer working an approved extra job at 3179 Peachtree Rd. NE, overheard a commotion nearby and went to investigate. During this time, he noticed security at the location escorting a female out of the venue.
While assisting security and attempting to de-escalate the situation, an unidentified female, later identified as 38-year-old Christina Peterson rushed toward the commotion and immediately started screaming at the security guard and the 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.
Ms. Peterson pushed the officer in the chest again and that is when she was subsequently placed into custody. The arresting officer attempted several times to obtain the female suspect’s identifying information for processing purposes, however, she refused to cooperate. This caused a delay in the officer transporting her to jail. Upon further investigation, officers were able to later confirm her identity.
The officer was able to provide a Fulton County judge with probable cause, and secured arrest warrants for Ms. Peterson for Simple Battery Against a Police Officer and Obstruction of Law Enforcement Officer. Ms. Peterson was transported to the Fulton County Jail for processing and taken into their custody without incident.
Lawyer and Fulton County commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr. is representing Peterson.
