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Atlanta judge removed from office after arrest at Atlanta nightclub

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The Georgia Supreme Court ordered Douglas County Probate Judge Christina Peterson removed from her judicial position, effective Tuesday, Fox News reported.

The Supreme Court’s decision follows a recommendation from the Judicial Qualifications Commission, which found Peterson guilty of “systemic incompetence,” among other ethics violations, according to Fox News. The investigation into Peterson’s conduct revealed several instances of misconduct, including one in which she allegedly improperly imprisoned a naturalized Thai U.S. citizen who attempted to correct her father’s name on her marriage certificate.

Peterson allegedly accused the woman of attempting to defraud the court and initially sentenced her to prison. However, the sentence was later reduced to a $500 fine and two days in jail, which the woman paid and served. The Judicial Qualifications Commission later concluded that the woman was genuinely trying to correct an innocent mistake, the outlet said.

Peterson’s reputation was further damaged by his alleged false testimony about the affair, which the Supreme Court identified as indicative of “conscious wrongdoing.” The incident was just one of 30 charges against her, including 12 counts deemed serious enough to warrant disciplinary action, Fox News reported. (RELATED: Yavapai County state judge resigns after ‘extreme’ drunk driving arrest, accepts plea deal)

In addition to these legal missteps, Peterson was arrested Thursday following an incident outside Red Martini Restaurant and Lounge in Atlanta, where she allegedly pushed a police officer twice during a confrontation. Despite claims by his attorney, Marvin Arrington Jr., that Peterson was defending another woman from an attack, the altercation contributed to the court’s decision, Fox News said.

As a result of the Supreme Court’s decision, Peterson will not be able to hold any judicial office in Georgia for the next seven years, according to Fox News.

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