In an unexpected turn of events, Yavapai County Superior Court Judge Pro Tempore Kristyne Schaaf-Olson tendered her resignation following a public incident that led to her citation for misconduct. The incident occurred in the early hours of October 4, 2025, near the courthouse in Prescott, Arizona, where Schaaf-Olson presided.
Prescott police officers were called to the scene around 1:30 a.m. after receiving reports of a woman urinating at the intersection of Montezuma and Gurley Street, just steps away from Courthouse Plaza. The woman was later identified as Judge Schaaf-Olson. Police bodycam footage, which was later obtained and released by Fox News Digital, showed her adjusting her clothing and sitting on a bench as officers arrived.
According to the responding officer, the situation was described as "disgusting." During the encounter, Schaaf-Olson appeared to have difficulty spelling her name and communicating effectively with the officers. Her husband, Jason Olson, who is the parks and recreation manager for the Town of Chino Valley, arrived shortly after and attempted to intervene. He was seen on video resisting police orders and was eventually physically restrained and taken to the ground by officers.
The bodycam audio captured the escalation as additional officers were called to assist in detaining Jason Olson. He was subsequently issued citations for resisting arrest, interfering with a crime scene investigation, and obstruction of government operations. Schaaf-Olson was cited for urinating or defecating in public, a misdemeanor offense in Arizona.
In the wake of the incident, Schaaf-Olson announced her resignation from the bench, effective October 31. In a statement on October 6, she cited "current physical, medical and family circumstances" as factors in her decision. She expressed her belief that the Yavapai community deserves judges who are steadfast in their commitment, a standard she felt she could no longer meet due to recent events.
Legal proceedings for both Schaaf-Olson and her husband are ongoing, with pre-trial conferences scheduled for December 16 and November 18, respectively. The incident has sparked reactions on social media, with users expressing disbelief and criticism over the judge's actions and her attempt to mention her title during the encounter.
