Judge pleads guilty, swiftly takes responsibility for driving while intoxicated
Judge Christopher Buckley, 46, a superior court judge in Porter County, Indiana, recently pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated. (Photo from Facebook/Keep Buckley Judge Campaign)
An Indiana judge was arrested, charged and swiftly pleaded guilty for operating a vehicle while intoxicated Saturday night.
Judge Christopher Buckley, 46, a superior court judge in Porter County, Indiana, was arrested after an officer in Michigan City, Indiana, stopped his car and observed that Buckley’s speech was slurred, his eyes were glossy and his attitude was “standoff-ish,” according to the police report.
Buckley later registered a blood alcohol concentration of over three times the legal limit, court records showed.
Under a plea agreement reached Monday, Buckley is set to receive 180 days of probation. He initially faced three misdemeanor charges, including endangering another person. Buckley temporarily suspended his campaign for another term on the Porter County Superior Court bench.
Buckley released a statement taking full responsibility for his actions, noting that he has struggled with alcohol since serving in the Marines more than 20 years ago, and he said he self-reported the incident to the Indiana Judicial Qualifications Commission.
WGN-TV and the Times of Northwest Indiana covered the story.
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