Former Douglas County Probate Judge Christina Peterson files $50 million civil lawsuit against Atlanta after nightclub arrest

Federal complaint targets city and arresting officer

Former Douglas County Probate Court Judge Christina Peterson has filed a federal civil lawsuit seeking $50 million in damages from the City of Atlanta and an Atlanta police officer over her June 2024 arrest outside a Buckhead nightclub.

The lawsuit centers on a confrontation that unfolded outside Red Martini Restaurant and Lounge off Peachtree Road NE, where an Atlanta police officer working an off-duty security assignment intervened after observing a commotion involving club security and patrons. Peterson was arrested following the incident and faced multiple charges.

Claims include wrongful arrest and reputational harm

In the complaint, Peterson alleges she suffered physical injury, emotional distress, humiliation, loss of liberty, reputational harm, and professional and economic damage as a result of the arrest and subsequent actions tied to the case. The filing also asserts that materials connected to the arrest continued to circulate even after a felony charge was dropped.

News coverage and court records indicate that many of the charges stemming from the incident were dismissed in November 2024. The civil case seeks monetary damages and advances claims commonly raised in police-misconduct litigation, including allegations related to the basis for the arrest and the manner in which force was used during the encounter.

Case arises amid prior removal from the bench

The lawsuit comes after Peterson was removed from judicial office by the Supreme Court of Georgia on June 25, 2024, following findings tied to a judicial-discipline proceeding. In its opinion, the court ordered her removal and imposed a seven-year period during which she is not eligible to be elected or appointed to a judicial office in Georgia.

The removal decision was based on a record developed in the judicial-qualification process, including findings that Peterson violated multiple rules governing judicial conduct. The court’s ruling took effect the day it was issued.

What the litigation may test

The federal lawsuit is likely to focus on questions that frequently drive civil-rights cases involving arrests:

• Whether officers had probable cause for the arrest based on what they observed at the scene.
• Whether the level of force used, if any, was objectively reasonable under the circumstances.
• Whether the city bears liability through its policies, training, supervision, or other practices alleged to have contributed to the encounter.
• Whether any claims are barred by legal protections that can apply to officers and municipalities, depending on the facts and the specific causes of action pleaded.

The complaint seeks $50 million in damages, placing the case among the highest-dollar civil claims recently filed in metro Atlanta tied to an individual arrest.

Next steps

The case will proceed through early motions and scheduling in federal court, where the city and the officer are expected to respond to the allegations. Key evidence could include body-worn camera footage, incident reports, witness accounts, and court records from the underlying criminal case.

No trial date has been set.