DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. — Editor's note: The above video is from a previous report.
Douglas County has a new probate judge after former judge Christina J. Peterson was removed from her position last week following multiple ethics violations.
Attorney Valerie Vie was appointed and sworn in as probate judge on Friday, June 28 and will serve the remainder of the term until Jan. 1. Vie was set to take over in the new year after winning the May primary election challenging Peterson but she was able to assume the position nearly months ahead of schedule following Peterson's abrupt removal.
Now, running unopposed in November, Vie will enter into her four-year term after completing the remainder of this term.
RELATED: Atlanta Police releases bodycam video showing arrest of Douglas County judge facing felony charge
The Georgia Supreme Court removed Peterson from the bench on June 25 after a panel identified 28 proven counts of "willful judicial misconduct" out of 30 alleged violations. One of the motions had to do with her recent arrest outside of Red Martini Restaurant and Lounge in Buckhead.
An Atlanta Police arresting officer accused Peterson of punching him, and a statement from the department accuses her of pushing the officer twice. Peterson faces battery on an officer and felony obstruction of law enforcement charges.
Warrants from the Fulton County Magistrate Court stated that Peterson allegedly "struck an officer with a closed fist," but Peterson's attorney maintains that it was a misunderstanding and she was simply trying to break up a fight between a man and woman.
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