The City of Atlanta has moved to dismiss a civil rights lawsuit filed by former Douglas County Probate Judge Christina Peterson, who alleges wrongful arrest and excessive force during a 2024 incident outside a Buckhead nightclub. The city contends that law enforcement officers acted appropriately and had sufficient grounds for Peterson’s arrest.
In June 2024, Peterson was apprehended outside the Red Martini Restaurant and Lounge following an altercation. Initially charged with simple battery and felony obstruction for allegedly striking an officer, these charges were later dropped. However, Peterson still faces a misdemeanor count of willful obstruction of a law enforcement officer, to which she has pleaded not guilty. A hearing is scheduled for March.
Peterson’s lawsuit, filed in January 2026, seeks over $50 million in damages from the City of Atlanta and the involved officer. She claims she was “violently slammed to the ground” and that “compressive force” was applied to her neck and back during the arrest. Additionally, she alleges that the city disseminated misleading information about the incident, causing reputational harm.
In response, the City of Atlanta argues that the arrest was justified and that the officers involved acted within the scope of their duties. The city has requested the court to dismiss Peterson’s lawsuit, asserting that her claims lack merit.
This case is part of a broader conversation about law enforcement practices and the use of force. In a related matter, the Atlanta City Council agreed to a $3.8 million settlement with the family of Johnny Hollman, a 62-year-old church deacon who died following a confrontation with an Atlanta police officer after a minor car accident. The incident, which occurred in August 2023, led to allegations of excessive force and prompted policy changes within the police department.
As Peterson’s case progresses, it underscores the ongoing scrutiny of police conduct and the legal challenges municipalities face in addressing allegations of excessive force and wrongful arrest.