On Monday, July 10, 2023, the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission denied Probate Judge Christina Peterson’s motion seeking from the Hearing panel a certificate of immediate review of the panel’s July 5, 2023, order rejecting Peterson’s motion to dismiss or seek judgment on the pleading or summary judgment regarding 50 allegations of judicial misconduct spanning from her time as a practicing attorney to her current tenure as a probate court judge in Douglas County.
The case is styled “In the Matter of Judge Christina Peterson,” with case no. S22Z0180.
Peterson’s motion seeking immediate review came in after the hearing panel of the Commission denied her motion to dismiss — or in the alternative, for summary judgment on — certain counts of the Second Amended Formal Charges, invoking JQC Rule 25(B)(4) which aimed to expedite the review process and potentially challenge the panel’s ruling.
Judge Peterson is facing multiple misconduct allegations, including improper social media postings, attempting to discuss a pending court matter with litigants, and engaging in abusive interactions with county personnel.
According to the court document, the panel’s denial of Peterson’s motion to dismiss is not “of such importance to the case that immediate review should be had.”
In denying Peterson’s motion, the panel further stated:
“. . . the Order results from the routine application of time-tested summary judgment law to a set of facts which demonstrated clearly to the HearingPanel that genuine issues of material fact exist in all challenged areas of the Formal Charges.”
In light of the foregoing, the Commission set the hearing to commence on September 5, 2023, to address the various questions raised in Judge Peterson’s motion. After a brief pause, the hearing will reconvene on September 14, 2023, and run through on the following day.
Judge Christina Peterson earned a law degree from the Wisconsin School of Law in 2023.
The Judge’s Courtroom is at 8700 Hospital Drive 3rd Floor, Judicial Side in Douglasville, and can be reached at 770-920-7249. Her info can be found on celebratedouglascounty.com.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
