Georgia JQC recommends in report that Douglas County probate judge be removed from office 

Following a series of ethics charges reviewed by the Judicial Qualifications Commission, the panel of the state’s judicial watchdog has recommended the removal of Douglas County probate judge Christina Peterson, who is facing 30 ethics charges. Peterson, who assumed office in an uncontested election in November 2020, has been contesting these charges since they were filed by the director of the state’s judicial watchdog in July 2021. Although initially facing 50 separate charges, 20 have since been withdrawn or dismissed.

The allegations against Peterson include inappropriate social media posts, unjust incarceration and fines of a woman seeking to amend her marriage license, unauthorized access to the courthouse after hours for wedding participants, abusive behavior towards a fellow judge and county officials, obstruction of access to public records, and improper contact with litigants, among others. The panel, in a 54-page report, concluded that Peterson’s actions demonstrate a troubling pattern of ineptitude and misconduct, deeming her unfit to serve.

The fate of Peterson’s tenure on the bench now rests with the Georgia Supreme Court. Peterson’s attorney, Lester Tate, has stated their rejection of the panel’s recommendation and expressed anticipation for arguing the case before the court. Peterson, throughout the ethics case, has contended that she has faced unfair criticism as the first Black probate judge in Douglas County. While admitting to mistakes made during her first year as a judge, Peterson has expressed a commitment to improvement.

The panel’s report criticized Peterson for what it deemed as disingenuous and untruthful conduct during the investigation process, suggesting a persistent unwillingness to accept moral accountability. Given Peterson’s stance on the fairness of the ethics case against her, the panel argued that no sanction less than removal from office would suffice. The commission director, Courtney Veal, expressed readiness for the state Supreme Court’s final ruling.

Peterson and Veal have 20 days to file responses to the panel’s report, with the timeline for the court’s decision remaining uncertain. Despite the ongoing ethics proceedings, Peterson has qualified for reelection as Douglas County’s probate judge, facing a Democratic primary challenge in May.