On Friday, November 14, 2025, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Christina Peterson, a former Douglas County probate judge, is now facing a misdemeanor charge of willful obstruction of law enforcement officers following an incident outside a Buckhead nightclub in June 2024. This development comes after Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis dropped the initial charges of battery and felony obstruction.
Peterson’s legal troubles began when she was arrested outside the Red Martini Restaurant and Lounge. She was accused of striking an Atlanta police officer and refusing to provide identification. Peterson, who was removed from her position as probate judge in June 2024 due to ethics violations, has maintained her innocence, claiming the arrest was a “setup” and that she was attempting to assist a woman being assaulted.
According to the accusation sheet filed in court, the misdemeanor charge stems from Peterson’s alleged interference with Officer Kenneth Wadsworth while he was restraining an individual involved in a physical altercation.
Peterson stated that she is prepared to address the new charge, proclaiming, “Justice is for all, including a former judge.” She had previously filed a speedy trial request, urging the district attorney to either proceed with the prosecution or dismiss the charges, citing a delay of over a year without an indictment.
In a September 10 court filing, Peterson indicated that she had completed a drug and alcohol evaluation, community service, and therapy at the request of the district attorney’s office, with the understanding that the case would be dismissed before indictment. She also asserted that numerous eyewitnesses and video footage corroborate her innocence.
Officer Wadsworth’s arrest warrants stated that Peterson struck him with a closed fist while he was investigating an assault between two other individuals. The incident was reportedly captured on his body-worn camera, and Atlanta police released some of the footage after Peterson’s release from jail on a $5,000 bond.
Following her arrest, Peterson’s initial lawyer, Marvin Arrington Jr., stated that she was at the nightclub for a birthday party and that eyewitnesses saw her trying to help a woman being attacked. Alexandria Love, the woman Peterson allegedly tried to help, confirmed that Peterson was the only one who intervened and that she did not intentionally hit the police officer.
Peterson was elected unopposed in 2020 and faced immediate complaints of misconduct. The Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission recommended her removal from office in early 2024, and the Georgia Supreme Court agreed, ousting her several months later. Her arrest did not factor into her removal.
Valerie Vie is the current Douglas County probate judge, having defeated Peterson in the May 2024 Democratic primary.
Source: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
