Anthony E. Peters
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Anthony E. Peters was a magistrate judge of Catoosa County, Georgia.[1]
Criminal charges
After an altercation with Chief Magistrate Judge Donald Ray Caldwell in June, Peters was charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct. Though Peters attempted to appeal, on the grounds that only the state's Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC) could suspend a judge from office, Judge William T. Boyett refused the claim. Peters reported for jail on August 11, 2010 and was freed after posting $1,000 bail.[2]
Commission recommendation
In May 2011, the JQC recommended that Peters be removed from office and barred from ever again seeking a judicial post in the state. From there, Peters has thirty days to appeal the recommendation to the Georgia Supreme Court. He and his lawyer contend that they will appeal the recommendation. [3]
Supreme Court ruling
In early September 2011, the Georgia Supreme Court decided that Peters must step down from the bench and never again seek judicial office in the state.
The magistrate was accused of strange behavior, including: Shaving his head and eyebrows; pointing a gun at his head in court; admitting to smoking marijuana at least once a week from March 2010 to May 2010; kicking down two doors at a local house; and berating his boss on a local TV show, calling him "spineless."[4]
Peters has been on administrative leave since June 2010, which he argued is enough punishment for his transgressions. In response, the Supreme Court said, "Judge Peters has failed to explain exactly how being paid his full salary while staying at home somehow constitutes appropriate discipline."[5]
External links
- Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Defense says magistrate smoked pot to get off narcotics," April 14, 2011
- Times Free Press, "Catoosa judge denies abusing authority," April 15, 2011
- Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Pot-puffing magistrate makes bid to keep job," April 15, 2011
Footnotes
- ↑ Georgia Courts, "Magistrate Court Directory," accessed May 14, 2015
- ↑ Chattanooga Times Free Press, "Magistrate judge turns himself in," August 12, 2010
- ↑ "'TimesFreePress.com, "Harsh verdict for Catoosa judge," May 13, 2011
- ↑ Sioux City Journal, "Ga. high court ousts pot-smoking judge from bench," September 6, 2011
- ↑ ABA Journal, "Ga. Magistrate Is Ousted for Smoking Pot, Pulling Gun, Disparaging Boss, Kicking In Doors," September 6, 2011
Federal courts:
Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Middle District of Georgia, Northern District of Georgia, Southern District of Georgia • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Middle District of Georgia, Northern District of Georgia, Southern District of Georgia
State courts:
Georgia Supreme Court • Georgia Court of Appeals • Georgia Superior Courts • Georgia State Courts • Georgia Business Court • Georgia Tax Court • Georgia Juvenile Courts • Georgia Probate Courts • Georgia Magistrate Courts • Georgia Municipal Courts
State resources:
Courts in Georgia • Georgia judicial elections • Judicial selection in Georgia
