Arizona Superior Court Judge Resigns After Public Urination Incident Near Courthouse

Yavapai County Superior Court Judge Pro Tempore Kristyne Schaaf-Olson resigned effective October 31 following an incident where she was cited for allegedly urinating in public near the courthouse where she served. The incident occurred late at night in downtown Prescott, and police bodycam footage shows Schaaf-Olson adjusting her clothing and sitting on a bench as officers approached, with one officer describing the scene as "disgusting". During the encounter, Schaaf-Olson appeared impaired and struggled to spell her name, leading to concerns about her condition. Her husband, Jason Olson, who is the parks and recreation manager for the Town of Chino Valley, intervened and resisted police commands, resulting in his citation for resisting arrest and obstruction. Schaaf-Olson cited "current physical, medical, and family circumstances" as reasons for her resignation, and the Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct is reviewing the matter. The incident has sparked discussions on professional conduct and accountability for public officials.