Magistrate Judge Anthony Peters listens during an April hearing where the state sought to remove him from bench for erratic behavior. The Tuesday Georgia Supreme Court’s unanimous opinion barred Peters from ever holding another judicial office in Georgia.The Georgia magistrate who blamed marijuana and prescription drugs for the “rough patch” in his life that made him point a gun at himself in the Catoosa County courthouse was formally removed from the office Tuesday.
But not before the former judge earned more than $70,000 during the last 14 months while he was on paid administrative leave.
In a unanimous opinion issued Tuesday, the Georgia Supreme Court ordered County Magistrate Court Judge Anthony Peters “be immediately and permanently removed from the bench and be barred from ever holding or seeking elected or appointed judicial office in Georgia.”
“There’s a saying that sometimes the wheels of justice are slow and deliberate, and this case shows you that,” said Catoosa County Attorney Chad Young. “The only entity that can remove a judge from office is the [Georgia] Supreme Court.”
Peters has been on paid administrative leave since June 16, 2010, according to the Supreme Court’s order. In that time, he has not worked but continued to draw his $5,056 monthly salary, amassing roughly $72,000 to $73,000, according to the county administration office.