When we last caught up with Judge Thomas L. Ludington of the Eastern District of Michigan, his drunken-driving escapade had ended with a no contest plea and probation, but he still had a judicial misconduct complaint hanging over his head. That matter has now been resolved, and the judge will remain off the bench for another year, on paid leave.
As reported by Bloomberg Law, Ludington has agreed to undergo treatment for alcohol use disorder and submit to regular testing while on leave through September 1, 2027. He’ll continue to collect his nearly $250,000 annual salary during his treatment. If he resumes hearing cases, he must first take senior status and show through alcohol testing that he’s capable of returning to the bench. He’ll also undergo regular and random alcohol testing.
Readers may recall the details that made this case so difficult to forget: After an October 2025 crash, Ludington registered a 0.27 blood-alcohol level and answered a request to recite the alphabet with “A, B, C, D, F, U.” His arrest did not become public until months later. The judge stepped away from the bench in February, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge in April, and was sentenced to probation in May.
Ludington offered the following statement through his attorney:
“I’m pleased to have resolved this matter, which is a stark reminder that even a federal judge can make an embarrassing mistake, one that warrants the fair resolution contained in the order. I look forward to resuming my judicial responsibilities and to the opportunity to apply the lessons I have learned from this painful experience.”
Sixth Circuit Chief Judge Jeffrey Sutton wrote in his order that Ludington’s arrest “had a serious adverse effect on the judiciary’s reputation and the public’s confidence in his ability to carry out his responsibilities,” but credited the judge for taking steps toward sobriety. Ludington says he has been sober since February.
Gabe Roth of Fix the Court, who filed the misconduct complaint, called the outcome fair but said it took too long to reach. Given how long the arrest stayed out of public view, that timing remains a fair question, even as the misconduct case comes to a close.
Drunken-Driving US Judge Agrees to Counseling for Misconduct (3) [Bloomberg Law]
Earlier: Ethics Questions Persist After Federal Judge Sentenced To Probation In DUI Case
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.
The post Judge With Infamous ‘A, B, C, D, F, U’ Sobriety Test Gets Another Year Off The Bench appeared first on Above the Law.
When we last caught up with Judge Thomas L. Ludington of the Eastern District of Michigan, his drunken-driving escapade had ended with a no contest plea and probation, but he still had a judicial misconduct complaint hanging over his head. That matter has now been resolved, and the judge will remain off the bench for another year, on paid leave.
As reported by Bloomberg Law, Ludington has agreed to undergo treatment for alcohol use disorder and submit to regular testing while on leave through September 1, 2027. He’ll continue to collect his nearly $250,000 annual salary during his treatment. If he resumes hearing cases, he must first take senior status and show through alcohol testing that he’s capable of returning to the bench. He’ll also undergo regular and random alcohol testing.
Readers may recall the details that made this case so difficult to forget: After an October 2025 crash, Ludington registered a 0.27 blood-alcohol level and answered a request to His arrest did not become public until months later. The judge stepped away from the bench in February, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge in April, and was sentenced to probation in May.
Ludington offered the following statement through his attorney:
“I’m pleased to have resolved this matter, which is a stark reminder that even a federal judge can make an embarrassing mistake, one that warrants the fair resolution contained in the order. I look forward to resuming my judicial responsibilities and to the opportunity to apply the lessons I have learned from this painful experience.”
Sixth Circuit Chief Judge Jeffrey Sutton wrote in his order that Ludington’s arrest “had a serious adverse effect on the judiciary’s reputation and the public’s confidence in his ability to carry out his responsibilities,” but credited the judge for taking steps toward sobriety. Ludington says he has been sober since February.
Gabe Roth of Fix the Court, who filed the misconduct complaint, called the outcome fair but said it took too long to reach. Given how long the arrest stayed out of public view, that timing remains a fair question, even as the misconduct case comes to a close.
Drunken-Driving US Judge Agrees to Counseling for Misconduct (3) [Bloomberg Law]
Earlier: Ethics Questions Persist After Federal Judge Sentenced To Probation In DUI Case
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.
