Court documents state Lubbock County Constable Carelton Peterson has been issued a higher charge following a drinking while intoxicated arrest on May 6.

A new warrant revealed Peterson’s blood alcohol level was more than 1.5 percent when he crashed his pickup truck in the 5400 block of 50th Street. The District Attorney’s office then filed a motion on Wednesday to increase his charges to a Class A misdemeanor, which could lead to up to one year in jail. 

Related Link: Lubbock Co. Constable said he ‘messed up real bad’ when he was arrested

Despite these charges, Peterson has remained in this position and unwilling to take a leave of absence or step down, according to the recommendation the Lubbock County Republican Party. 

After several debated discussions, Chairman Steve Evans said the GOP executive committee has voted in favor of a petition for personal removal from the constable position.

“This comes to a point where the Constable has become a liability to every taxpayer,” Evans said. “Should he do something while on duty, and he’s never off duty, that is an offense that he can be sued for , the county taxpayer has to absorb that cost. He’s no longer in the public trust and he’s become a liability to all of us. So I think it’s in the entire county’s best interest to take this action.”

The party released this statement about their decision: 

“The Lubbock County Republican Party met tonight in its quarterly Executive Committee meeting. After extensive discussion the Committee voted unanimously to authorize County Chairman Steve Evans to take all necessary steps to initiate removal proceedings in district court for Lubbock County Precinct 4 Constable C.J. Peterson.

Constable Peterson, who ran for office as a Republican, was arrested earlier this month on charges of Driving While Intoxicated and has remained in his position in spite of requests that he resign. The authorization to take action was given pending results of Peterson’s blood test.

Chairman Evans noted that the discussion between the members expressed concern for Peterson’s physical and emotional well-being and a prayer was offered for Peterson after the vote. Peterson was informed of the possibility of a discussion and was given an opportunity to appear. Peterson did not attend the meeting.

Chapter 87 of the Texas Local Government Code allows any county resident to initiate removal proceedings for some county officers in district court for  incompetency, official misconduct, or intoxication on or off duty caused by drinking an alcoholic beverage.”

“It is a very difficult decision and it was difficult for my executive committee to debate and discuss, and I just continually want to reiterate that we stopped several times to pray,” Evans said. “We prayed for him right after our vote, at the end of our meeting. We’re very concerned for his well-being. But we just can’t overlook the fact that he’s not fit to serve this office anymore.”

Once the petition is written, it will be submitted to the Lubbock County Court system for a district judge to decide if the action will move forward.