In a shocking incident that has drawn widespread attention, an Arizona judge was caught on police bodycam footage allegedly urinating in public outside a courthouse while appearing disoriented and intoxicated. Judge Christine Shaff Olsen, who had recently been appointed as a temporary judge at the Yavapai County Superior Court, was found behind a bush in Prescott shortly after 1:30 a.m. on October 4, 2023. The video, which has since gone viral, shows her struggling to communicate with officers while insisting she was simply waiting for an Uber.
The encounter began when police responded to reports of a woman urinating near the intersection of Montezuma and Gurley Streets. Bodycam footage reveals an officer confronting Shaff Olsen, who appears confused and slurs her words as she attempts to spell her own name. “What are you doing? Why? What are we doing for Uber?” the officer can be heard asking, to which she replies, “I’m waiting for an Uber. This is disgusting.”
The situation escalated further when her husband, Jason Olsen, arrived on the scene and attempted to intervene. Officers ordered him to stay back as they conducted their investigation, but he refused, claiming, “That’s not her.” This led to Jason being detained for resisting arrest and interfering with law enforcement. The chaotic exchange culminated in a physical struggle, during which Jason was thrown to the ground by police.
Both Shaff Olsen and her husband were ultimately cited for their actions—she received a misdemeanor citation for urinating in public, while he faced charges for resisting arrest and interfering with an investigation. The incident has raised significant questions about the conduct of a sitting judge, even prompting discussions about the integrity of the judiciary.
Following the fallout from the incident, Shaff Olsen tendered her resignation just days later, citing personal and medical circumstances that made it difficult for her to fulfill her responsibilities. In her resignation letter, she expressed a commitment to maintaining the integrity of the judiciary and acknowledged that current events in her life would hinder her ability to serve effectively.
Presiding Judge John Napper of Yavapai County expressed respect for her decision to resign and appreciated her service to the community. The vacancy left by her resignation will be filled by an appointment from the chief justice of the Arizona Supreme Court, pending approval from the Yavapai County Board of Supervisors.
Shaff Olsen’s attorney has since issued a statement, suggesting that her medical conditions contributed to the incident and noting that these issues predated her appointment as a judge. The situation remains under scrutiny, with both Shaff Olsen and her husband scheduled to appear in court in the coming months.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding public conduct, accountability, and the expectations placed upon judicial figures. As the legal community and the public process this extraordinary event, it raises critical discussions about the responsibilities of those who serve in roles of authority.
