Atlanta Judge Arrested for Assaulting Officer Outside Nightclub

Douglas County Probate Judge Christina Peterson was arrested outside a nightclub in Atlanta after she allegedly struck a police officer. Bodycam footage released by Atlanta police shows Peterson pushing the officer in the chest and yelling at him.

Atlanta police have released bodycam footage showing the arrest of Douglas County Probate Judge Christina Peterson after she allegedly struck an officer outside a nightclub on Thursday.

The Atlanta police officer was working an approved extra job at the Red Martini Restaurant and Lounge when he heard a commotion around 3:18 a.m. and went to investigate, the department said.

Atlanta Judge Arrested for Assaulting Officer Outside Nightclub

The officer found security escorting a woman out of the venue and tried to de-escalate the situation when a woman, later identified as 38-year-old Peterson, "rushed toward the commotion and immediately started screaming at the security guard and the officer," according to police.

The Democrat judge is seen on the officer’s body camera pushing the officer in the chest and yelling, "Let her f---ing go."

Atlanta Judge Arrested for Assaulting Officer Outside Nightclub

Police said Peterson "kept swiping his hands away as he attempted to assist the female being escorted out" and allegedly pushed the officer in the chest a second time before being placed into custody.

Peterson allegedly refused to cooperate with the officer as he tried to learn her identity.

Atlanta Judge Arrested for Assaulting Officer Outside Nightclub

Once police learned her identity, the officer secured arrest warrants for simple battery against a police officer and obstruction of law enforcement officer.

Peterson was then taken to the Fulton County Jail for processing and taken into their custody without incident.

Atlanta Judge Arrested for Assaulting Officer Outside Nightclub

Peterson is being represented by lawyer and Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr., who held a press conference alongside Peterson on Friday about the incident.

Arrington said Peterson was helping defend a woman who was being attacked by an unknown man outside the lounge when the incident with the officer occurred.

Atlanta Judge Arrested for Assaulting Officer Outside Nightclub

Peterson has made headlines in the past after becoming a judge in 2020.

A Judicial Qualifications Commission panel found Peterson guilty of "systemic incompetence" in April and recommended that she be removed from office, FOX5 Atlanta reported.

Peterson’s fate as a judge rests with the Georgia Supreme Court, which will weigh in on the panel’s recommendation at an unspecified date.

The Atlanta Police Department released the following statement about the incident:

"The Atlanta Police Department is committed to ensuring the safety of our officers and the public. We will not tolerate any violence against our officers or interference with their duties."