Judge Christina Peterson from Georgia was arrested for pushing a police officer twice outside of a nightclub in Atlanta and refusing to identify herself. The incident occurred when she interfered with a police officer trying to de-escalate a situation involving a security guard escorting another woman out of the establishment. Bodycam footage captured Peterson yelling obscenities at the guard and officer before pushing the officer in the chest and swiping at his hands, leading to her arrest. The officer handcuffed her as onlookers gathered around, and she refused to provide her identification, claiming it was unnecessary.
Following her arrest, Peterson’s legal team held a press conference claiming that she was trying to defend a woman who was being physically attacked by another individual outside of the nightclub. The woman identified as Alexandria Love stated that Peterson was the only one who came to her aid when she was assaulted by the man. Peterson’s lawyer argued that she was acting as a good Samaritan and believed she would be exonerated once all the footage of the incident was released. Love recounted being attacked by the man after he accused her of cutting him in a food truck line.
Peterson, a Democrat who took office in 2020, was previously found guilty of “systemic incompetence” by a judicial panel in April before this incident took place. The police report indicated that Peterson was allegedly under the influence during her interaction with the officer outside the nightclub. She is facing charges of simple battery against a police officer and obstruction of a law enforcement officer. Despite the charges, her legal team remains confident that she will be cleared of any wrongdoing and emphasized that she was only trying to protect another individual who was being attacked.
The body camera footage showed Peterson’s confrontation with the officer as he attempted to arrest her. She continued to argue and refused to provide her name, stating that it was unnecessary for the situation. The officer persisted in requesting her identification, leading to a heated exchange between the two. At one point, Peterson suggested that the officer Google her information to identify her, but he insisted on receiving her name directly. The footage captured Peterson’s demeanor throughout the arrest process, including her complaints about being escorted by the officer and her reaction upon learning the charges against her.
Despite her lawyer’s claims that she was acting in defense of another individual during the incident, Peterson’s actions led to her arrest and charges of battery against a police officer. The footage depicted the chaotic scene outside the nightclub as Peterson clashed with the officer before ultimately being taken into custody. The situation escalated as onlookers gathered around the altercation, and Peterson’s refusal to cooperate with the officer further complicated the situation. As the legal process unfolds, her legal team maintains that she was acting out of concern for the well-being of another individual and believes that she will be vindicated of any wrongdoing once all the evidence is reviewed.
