Federal Judge Ludington: 1-Year Leave After Drunk Driving Conviction

September 23, 2026, 9:34 am CDT U.S. District Judge Thomas Ludington of the Eastern District of Michigan will take another year leave of absence to undergo counseling after pleading guilty to misdemeanor drunk driving charges. (Image from Shutterstock) A Michigan judge who has been on leave for seven months will spend another year on paid leave while he undergoes counseling related to a drunk driving arrest. U.S. District Judge Thomas Ludington of the Eastern District of Michigan, who is based in Bay City, Michigan, will undergo alcohol counseling and remain on paid leave for one more year, UpNorthLive and WOOD TV8 report. Ludington was arrested in October after crashing his wife’s car. In April, he pleaded no contest to a charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and was sentenced to probation . The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of ⁠Michigan said in February he was taking a leave of absence. Ludington’s official leave began Sept. 1 and follows a voluntary leave that he began in February. He will continue receiving his judicial salary throughout the additional one-year leave. Hat tip to Gabe Roth/Fix the Court. Federal judge faces trial on charges of being super drunk while driving Judge takes plea deal on drunk driving charges, plans to remain on bench