Former Georgia Judge Christina Peterson Files $50 Million Lawsuit After Viral Arrest

Lawsuit Overview

• ⚖️ Former Georgia Probate Judge Christina J. Peterson is suing the City of Atlanta and Officer Keith Wadsworth for $50 million, alleging false arrest, excessive force, and unlawful detention.
• 🚨 The lawsuit stems from her arrest outside the Red Martini nightclub on June 21st, 2024, captured on body camera footage.

Peterson's Narrative and Claims

• 💥 Peterson claims she intervened to stop a man assaulting a woman, momentarily grasping the assailant's shirt without threat or violence.
• 🤕 She alleges Officer Wadsworth then violently slammed her head-first to the ground, applied compressive force to her neck and back, and handcuffed her without provocation or investigation.
• 🗣️ Peterson asserts she did not resist, obstruct, or strike the officer, and that Wadsworth lacked probable cause or reasonable suspicion to arrest her.
• 🚗 She further claims she was unlawfully detained in a police vehicle for four to five hours without probable cause or a prompt judicial determination.

Legal Causes of Action

• 🇺🇸 The lawsuit includes federal claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for false arrest, excessive force, unlawful detention, and malicious prosecution.
• 🏛️ State law claims include false arrest, false imprisonment, battery, and assault under Georgia law.
• 📈 A "stigma plus" due process claim is also filed against the City of Atlanta for allegedly disseminating false and misleading arrest narratives and footage.
• 🏢 A Monell claim against the city alleges liability due to a failure to supervise, discipline, or take corrective action regarding Officer Wadsworth, despite prior notice of alleged misconduct.

Officer and City Defense Arguments

• 🛡️ Officer Wadsworth is expected to argue he followed proper protocols, had probable cause, and that his actions were not excessive, potentially seeking qualified immunity.
• 🏢 The City of Atlanta may argue they had no notice of prior issues with Wadsworth, that his actions were not indicative of city policy, or that they followed proper procedures regarding the release of footage.

Case Context and Personal Circumstances

• 📉 Peterson was previously removed from her judgeship by the Georgia Supreme Court in 2024 due to a pattern of misconduct and disregard for the law.
• ⚖️ Despite her removal as a judge, she remains a licensed attorney in good standing.
• 📸 Peterson is representing herself in the lawsuit, posting on social media about "taking back what was stolen" and seeking "redemption" and "justice."
• 🚫 The initial charges of simple battery and felony obstruction against Peterson were reportedly dismissed for want of prosecution.