An Arizona Superior Court judge who was caught allegedly urinating in the street has resigned, and police bodycam video shows the bizarre interaction when an officer confronted her.
Yavapai County Superior Court Judge Pro Tempore Kristyne Schaaf-Olson turned in her resignation last month after being cited for the alleged act, which the approaching officer described as “disgusting.” The judge’s husband, Jason Olson, who is the parks and recreation manager for the Town of Chino Valley, was also cited for resisting arrest after intervening in the encounter with police.
“My resignation comes after careful consideration of current physical, medical, and family circumstances,” Schaaf-Olson announced in a news release days after the October 4 incident. “The Yavapai community deserves and has judges who are steadfast in their commitment to serving Yavapai County. Considering current events in my life, I believe it would be difficult to honor this commitment. I have therefore decided to resign. It has been a pleasure serving the Yavapai community.”
(Video Credit: Fox 10)
The mystery behind the resignation became clear when bodycam footage was released showing Prescott Police responding after witnesses reported a woman relieving herself at what is “known to many as Whiskey Row at Montezuma and Gurley Street, on the same block as the Courthouse Plaza where Schaaf-Olson works,” Fox 10 reported.
“What are you doing?” the officer asked as he approached Schaaf-Olson, who appeared to be pulling up her pants before sitting on a bench. “This is disgusting.”
When her husband approached, the officer asked who he was before instructing, “OK. Can you hang out over by the cab for me?”
When her husband attempted to get her to walk away, the officer informed him that he was conducting an investigation and to step back. When Jason Olson asked why his wife was being investigated, the officer replied, “Because I just saw her puking and urinating, exposing herself to several people.”
“No, that wasn’t her,” the husband said.
“Police said Olson did not listen to instructions to back away. As he was being detained, officers said he resisted arrest by tensing up his right arm before being taken to the ground,” Fox 10 reported.
Schaaf-Olson, who was appointed judge for Yavapai County Superior Court in 2023, could be heard in the video identifying herself, saying, “That’s fine. I want to let you know, my name is Judge Kristyne Olson.”
(Video Credit: Fox 10)
“Alright, this is your citation. It’s a misdemeanor for urinating or defecating in public, okay?” the officer tells her in the video. “So, you’re gonna have to sign it, promising to appear in court in about a month, all right? Your husband’s gonna be transported to the Yavapai County Jail. He’ll be booked in there.”
“The Superior Court is aware of the allegations against Judge Kristyne Schaaf-Olson,” read a statement from Yavapai County Superior Court. “This information was brought to the court’s attention on October 4. Judge Schaaf-Olson accepted full responsibility and formally submitted her resignation on Monday, October 6. To ensure coverage of her calendar, Judge Schaaf-Olson agreed her last day on the bench would be October 31.”
“Earlier this month, Judge Schaaf-Olson self-reported to the Commission on Judicial Conduct that she received the citation for public urination and indicated that she would be resigning her judicial position,” the Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct said in a statement last month. “The Commission opened an investigation based on the self-report, and the matter remains pending and confidential under Commission Rule 9.”
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
- Police Superintendent dragged for remarks on enforcement of immigration law in New Orleans - December 1, 2025
- According to rebranded MSNBC, Afghan nationals fearful that Trump will kick them out after DC shooting - December 1, 2025
- Dem senator predicts GOP will cross the aisle to block Trump Venezuela action - December 1, 2025
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.