A late-night disturbance near Prescott's Courthouse Plaza led to a judge’s resignation and her husband’s arrest after a shocking display of public intoxication.

Authorities say Yavapai County Superior Court Judge Pro Tempore Kristyne Schaaf-Olson was caught on police body camera urinating in public while heavily intoxicated, prompting a confrontation with police and resulting in her resignation two days later, as the New York Post reports.

At around 1:30 a.m. on Oct. 4, officers were dispatched to Courthouse Plaza in Prescott, Arizona, after receiving multiple reports of a woman exposing herself and relieving herself in public view. Officers arriving on the scene discovered a visibly intoxicated woman, later identified as Schaaf-Olson, 42, emerging from shrubbery with her pants down.

According to body-worn camera footage, officers were met with an uncooperative Schaaf-Olson, who appeared disoriented and had difficulty spelling her own name. An officer at the scene noted, “She’s useless. She can’t even spell her name,” as he described her condition to another cop.

One responding officer expressed frustration with the behavior, stating, “This is unacceptable” and “This is disgusting,” directly to the judge once she was identified. A separate officer was heard saying, “She has her pants completely down… she’s peeing everywhere,” in reference to what he and other bystanders witnessed.

Husband arrested after intervention attempt

During the confrontation, Schaaf-Olson’s husband, Jason Olson, attempted to intervene. Olson, who works as the parks and recreation manager for the Town of Chino Valley, repeatedly tried to physically pull his wife away from officers, ignoring numerous commands to stop interfering.

Police issued several warnings to Olson, but he refused to back away. An officer warned him, “I’m going to f—king throw you on the ground if you resist,” as the situation escalated. Olson was eventually restrained and placed in a squad car after continuing to defy police orders.

He was cited for interfering with a crime scene investigation, resisting arrest, and obstruction of government operations. Olson is due in court on Nov. 18 to face these charges.

Judge’s resignation follows internal investigation

Two days after the incident, Kristyne Schaaf-Olson submitted her resignation as a pro tempore judge in Yavapai County Superior Court. In a public statement, she cited ongoing “physical, medical, and family circumstances” contributing to her decision.

“Considering current events in my life, I believe it would be difficult to honor this commitment,” she stated, referring to her role on the bench. “The Yavapai community deserves and has judges who are steadfast in their commitment to serving Yavapai County.”

Schaaf-Olson, who was appointed in October 2023, self-reported the incident to the Arizona Commission on Judicial Conduct, which has since opened an investigation. Her official last day in the position was scheduled for a Friday following her resignation, though the exact date was not disclosed.

Upcoming decisions on replacement expected

According to court procedures, the chief justice of the Arizona Supreme Court must appoint Schaaf-Olson’s replacement. That appointee will also require approval from local county leaders before taking the bench.

Presiding Judge John Napper acknowledged the resignation and expressed respect for Schaaf-Olson's decision, though no public statement beyond that recognition has been released.

The citation issued to Schaaf-Olson was for urinating or defecating in public. No additional criminal charges have been announced as of this writing.

Lessons to learn

1. Public intoxication can carry severe consequences -- even for people in trusted positions of authority. Schaaf-Olson’s status as a judge did not shield her from legal or professional fallout after her conduct in a public space.

2. Interfering with law enforcement can lead to criminal charges, even if intended to protect a loved one. Jason Olson’s actions during the investigation resulted in multiple charges that could have been avoided had he followed the officer's instructions.

3. No one is immune to moments of poor judgment, but accountability is key. Schaaf-Olson’s decisions in the aftermath -- such as resigning and self-reporting to the judicial commission -- are important steps in taking responsibility. That said, it's important to remember that crime can happen to anyone, and society should focus on preventing harm rather than shaming individuals.

Why this story matters

This case demonstrates that even individuals in positions of legal authority are not above the law.

It also highlights the importance of police body camera footage and bystander accountability in ensuring transparency.

Furthermore, it raises concerns about decision-making under the influence, especially by those entrusted to uphold justice.