When we last checked in with Judge Thomas L. Ludington (E.D. Michigan), the federal jurist had entered a no contest plea to a misdemeanor drunk driving charge after having been accused of driving “super drunk” in an October incident that brought about a judicial misconduct complaint. Back in February, he opted to take a voluntary leave of absence from the bench while his case moved forward. Now, we have another update: earlier this week, Ludington was sentenced to six months of probation and ordered to pay $1,175 in fees and costs.
As noted by Reuters, Ludington’s attorney, Jonathan B. Steffy of Harris Law, said in a written statement that “Judge Ludington apologized again in court today, to the Judge and to the community for the concern this issue has caused,” that the judge was thankful no one was injured, and that with this case now behind him, the judge “commits to continuing his career of service: focusing on his work and his family.”
Fix the Court, the nonpartisan group that filed the misconduct complaint against the judge, doesn’t think that Ludington should have it so easy. Here’s a statement released by Gabe Roth, the organization’s executive director:
“I fail to understand how Ludington believes he can simply waltz back into his chambers and resume his job as if no drunk-driving incident happened, which is what his attorney’s statement suggests he’s planning to do.
“That Ludington apparently hid his arrest from his colleagues for months does not speak well of his character. Had he come clean immediately after the incident and begun to take remedial steps, like entering rehab or AA, I’d feel much more confident that he could return to performing his duties. The crime was bad, but so, too, was the coverup, and neither should be swept under the rug.”
Although the criminal case against Judge Ludington is now closed, Fix the Court’s ethics complaint against him remains open.
Michigan federal judge sentenced to probation for drunken driving [Reuters]
Earlier: Judge Accused Of Driving ‘Super Drunk’ Takes No Contest Plea
Federal Judge Accused Of Driving ‘Super Drunk’ Crashes Into Judicial Misconduct Complaint
Federal Judge Accused Of Driving ‘Super Drunk’ Takes ‘Voluntary’ Leave From The Bench
‘A, B, C, D, F, U’: Field Sobriety Test For Federal Judge Who Allegedly ‘Urinated Himself’ Goes Remarkably Off Script
Federal Judge Arrested, Accused Of Driving While ‘Super Drunk’
Staci Zaretsky is the managing editor of Above the Law, where she’s worked since 2011. She’d love to hear from you, so please feel free to email her with any tips, questions, comments, or critiques. You can follow her on Bluesky, X/Twitter, and Threads, or connect with her on LinkedIn.
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