On Thursday, October 30, 2025, HypeFresh reported that Yavapai County Superior Court Judge Pro Tempore Kristyne Schaaf-Olson resigned following an incident last month in which she was cited for public urination near Prescott’s Courthouse Plaza. The incident, which was captured on police body camera footage, has generated considerable public attention and raised questions regarding judicial conduct and accountability.

According to police reports, the incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. on October 4, when Prescott police officers responded to reports of a woman urinating in public near Courthouse Plaza. Upon arrival, officers found Schaaf-Olson exhibiting signs of intoxication, including slurred speech, poor balance, and confusion. Schaaf-Olson repeatedly told officers she was “waiting… Uber.”

Police reports indicate that Schaaf-Olson identified herself to the officers as “Judge Kristine Olson.” Officers at the scene noted that she struggled to spell her name and sign the citation issued for disorderly conduct. Bodycam footage captured one officer remarking on her condition, stating, “I have no idea. She’s useless. She can’t even spell her name.”

Jason Olson, Schaaf-Olson’s husband, was also cited at the scene. He faced charges of resisting arrest, interfering with a crime scene investigation, and obstruction of government operations. Footage shows him attempting to lead his wife away, asserting “it wasn’t her,” after officers alleged she had been “puking and urinating, exposing herself to several people.” Jason Olson, who serves as the Town of Chino Valley’s Facilities and Parks Manager, was subsequently transported to the Yavapai County Jail. As of the report, the Town has not issued a statement regarding his employment status.

Schaaf-Olson was cited under Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-2904 for public urination, classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor. This carries potential penalties of up to six months in jail, a $2,500 fine, and up to three years of probation.

An officer informed Schaaf-Olson at the scene, “This is your citation. It’s a misdemeanor for urinating or defecating in public… You’re gonna have to sign it, promising to appear in court in about a month. Your husband’s gonna be transported to the Yavapai County Jail.”

Schaaf-Olson submitted her resignation to Presiding Judge John Napper on October 6, just two days after the incident. She agreed to continue working through October 31 to ensure coverage of her cases.

In her resignation letter, Schaaf-Olson cited “physical, medical, and family circumstances” as the reason for her departure. She stated, “The Yavapai community deserves and has judges who are steadfast in their commitment to serving Yavapai County. Considering current events in my life, I believe it would be difficult to honor this commitment. I have therefore decided to resign.”

Initially, court administrators described her departure as being for “personal matters,” without mentioning the incident. However, the Yavapai County Superior Court later confirmed that Schaaf-Olson “accepted full responsibility” for her actions.

The Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct has confirmed that Schaaf-Olson self-reported the citation shortly after it occurred. The Commission issued a statement saying, “Earlier this month, Judge Schaaf-Olson self-reported to the Commission on Judicial Conduct that she received the citation for public urination and indicated that she would be resigning her judicial position.”

The Commission has initiated an investigation into the matter, which remains pending and confidential under Rule 9. Under Arizona law, potential sanctions range from a public reprimand to suspension or removal from office.

Schaaf-Olson was appointed as Judge Pro Tempore for Division A in October 2023 by Presiding Judge Napper to help manage case backlogs. Prior to her appointment, she practiced law in Prescott for over a decade, specializing in personal injury, product liability, wrongful death, and civil appeals. She co-founded Schaaf-Olson Law Firm, PLLC, and previously worked at Murphy, Schmitt, Hathaway, Wilson & Becke, P.L.L.C. Schaaf-Olson holds law licenses in Arizona, Nevada, and the Navajo Nation.

When announcing her appointment in 2023, Judge Napper lauded her as “an outstanding attorney and dedicated member of her community.”

The Yavapai County Superior Court is currently accepting applications for a new judge pro tempore through October 22, 2025. The Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court will make the appointment upon recommendation by the Presiding Judge and approval from the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors.

 

 

Source: HypeFresh