Christina Peterson : “Former Douglas County Judge Faces Court Appearance for Buckhead Nightclub Arrest”

ATLANTA – Former Douglas County Judge Christina Peterson is scheduled to appear before a judge on Friday morning for a hearing related to her recent arrest at a Buckhead nightclub.

Peterson was taken into custody on June 20 following an incident at the Red Martini Restaurant and Lounge on Peachtree Road in Buckhead. According to an Atlanta Police report obtained by FOX 5, an officer working at the venue spotted a disturbance outside and attempted to escort a woman from the premises.

While trying to de-escalate the situation, the officer was approached by another woman, later identified as Peterson, who began yelling at the security guard and the officer. Police allege that Peterson then physically pushed the officer in the chest. Despite attempts to intervene, Peterson continued to disrupt the situation by swiping at the officer’s hands.

Details of Arrest

Following a second push to the chest, Peterson was placed under arrest. However, she reportedly refused to provide her identification, causing delays in the processing. Subsequent investigation confirmed her identity.

On the Fourth of July, the Atlanta Police Department released several hours of footage related to Peterson’s arrest. In the video, Peterson can be seen emotionally expressing her frustration while in the back of the squad car, demanding to be booked in.

In the footage, Peterson claims harassment and refers to the situation as “poli-tricks.”

Charges and Court Appearance

Peterson is currently facing charges of simple battery and felony obstruction. She is set to appear before a magistrate court judge for a pre-indictment hearing at 9 a.m.

Support for Peterson

Following her arrest, Peterson, along with her lawyer and witnesses, held a press conference asserting her innocence. Witnesses claimed that Peterson had intervened to protect a woman named Alexandria Love from an attack by an unidentified man.

Supporters of Peterson maintain her innocence, with eyewitnesses stating that she acted heroically in defense of Love. They emphasize that Peterson did nothing wrong and was merely trying to help a person in distress.

Legal Consequences

On June 25, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled for Peterson’s immediate removal from office, barring her from holding any judicial position in Georgia for the next seven years. This decision came after a series of misconduct allegations and an investigation by the Judicial Qualifications Commission.

The court found Peterson guilty of “systemic incompetence” due to a range of violations, including ignoring courthouse rules, mistreating courthouse staff, inappropriate social media use, and failure to fulfill her duties as a judge.

Despite her recent loss in re-election, Peterson’s legal troubles continue to mount as she navigates the fallout from her actions at the Buckhead nightclub.