August 24, 2024
Dismissal Of Charges Delayed After Hearing For Former Judge Christina Peterson Postponed
The former judge awaits a new hearing after her attorney, who appeared to be at the Democratic National Convention this week, is a no-show.
An Aug. 22 hearing in Georgia was delayed for former Douglas County judge Christina Peterson, who awaits to have her criminal charges dismissed from a June incident where she allegedly punched an Atlanta officer during a confrontation outside of a Buckhead nightclub.
The postponed hearing comes after Peterson’s attorney, Fulton County Commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr., told BLACK ENTERPRISE via email that neither he nor his client received any notice of Thursday’s court date. According to Atlanta News First, Arrington filed a leave of absence three weeks before the hearing. However, the prosecutor for the case told the judge she wasn’t aware of the notice until late Wednesday.
According to recent posts on his Instagram page, Arrington attended the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this week. In one post, he appears wearing a DNC badge.
As previously mentioned by BE, Arrington Jr. is expecting a complete exoneration for the ex-judge who was arrested on June 20 and hit with several counts of misconduct after she allegedly struck an officer in the head, what Peterson’s attorney described as actions of a “good Samaritan” who was only trying to protect an assault victim. Although video footage revealed the judge was breaking up a fight between a man and woman, the incident at Peachtree Road Red Martini Restaurant and Lounge left Peterson with charges that included simple battery against a police officer and obstruction of law enforcement.
Peterson, who officers said appeared to be “under the influence” the night of the altercation, waived her first appearance on June 20, which was scheduled in front of the Fulton County Magistrate Court.
The Georgia Supreme Court removed Peterson from the bench due to a pattern of judicial misconduct and replaced her with attorney Valerie Vie. The Judicial Qualifications Commission also decided to have Vie serve the remainder of her position until January 2025, and Peterson was barred from holding any Georgia judicial office for seven years.
Atlanta News First reported that a new date for Peterson’s hearing has not been set.
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