- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Ludington Today
By the People, for the People
Michigan Federal Judge Placed on Paid Leave After Drunken Driving Arrest
Judge Thomas L. Ludington will await trial while on voluntary paid leave from the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Published on Feb. 23, 2026
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A Michigan federal judge who authorities said was nearly four times over the legal blood-alcohol content limit when he was arrested for drunken driving will go on paid leave awaiting his trial. Judge Thomas L. Ludington's voluntary paid leave comes less than a week after additional details were revealed about when a state trooper pulled him over in October, after he allegedly twice veered off the road and struck traffic signs.
Why it matters
The arrest and paid leave of a sitting federal judge raises questions about judicial accountability and the public's trust in the legal system, especially when it involves allegations of serious misconduct like drunk driving.
The details
According to reports, the 72-year-old Judge Ludington, an appointee of President George W. Bush, failed multiple field sobriety tests after being pulled over by a state trooper in October. Ludington's blood-alcohol content was allegedly nearly four times the legal limit.
- Judge Ludington was pulled over by a state trooper in October 2025 after allegedly veering off the road and striking traffic signs.
- Additional details about the incident were revealed less than a week before Ludington was placed on paid leave in February 2026.
The players
Judge Thomas L. Ludington
A 72-year-old federal judge for the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, appointed by President George W. Bush.
Michigan State Trooper
The law enforcement officer who pulled over and arrested Judge Ludington for drunken driving in October 2025.
What’s next
The judge's case will now proceed to trial, where he will face charges related to the drunken driving incident.
The takeaway
This case highlights the need for strict accountability and oversight of the judiciary, even for the most senior members of the legal system, in order to maintain public trust and the integrity of the courts.
