The Georgia Supreme Court ordered the removal of Douglas County Probate Judge Christina Peterson from judicial office effective Tuesday, Fox News reported.
The Supreme Court's decision came on the recommendation of the Judicial Qualifications Commission, which found Peterson guilty of “institutional incompetence” among other ethics violations. according to He told Fox News that an investigation into Peterson's conduct uncovered multiple instances of misconduct, including the alleged wrongful imprisonment of a naturalized U.S. citizen from Thailand who was seeking to correct the father's name on his marriage license.
Judge arrested at Atlanta nightclub fired for 'judicial misconduct' https://t.co/jCr1o8QgeE
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Peterson reportedly accused the woman of trying to mislead the court and initially sentenced her to prison. However, the sentence was later reduced to a $500 fine and two days in jail, which she paid and served. The Judicial Qualifications Commission later determined that the woman was genuinely trying to right an innocent wrong, the outlet reported.
Peterson's reputation was further damaged by her alleged false testimony about the incident, which the Supreme Court found to be evidence of “willful misconduct.” The incident was just one of 30 counts brought against her, 12 of which were deemed serious enough to warrant disciplinary action, Fox News reported. (RELATED: Yavapai County state judge resigns, accepts plea deal after 'extreme' DUI arrest)
Adding to this miscarriage of justice, Peterson was arrested Thursday following an incident outside the Red Martini Restaurant and Lounge in Atlanta, where he allegedly got into a confrontation with police and pushed them twice. Peterson's attorney, Marvin Arrington Jr., claims Peterson was trying to protect another woman from an attack, but the altercation influenced the court's sentence, Fox News reported.
As a result of the Supreme Court's decision, Peterson will be ineligible to hold any judicial office in Georgia for the next seven years, according to Fox News.
