MARGARET HUDDLESTONPleads guilty

Warren County Family Court Judge Margaret Huddleston pleaded guilty this morning to a charge of driving under the influence stemming from her arrest Saturday.

As a condition of her plea, Huddleston, 59, has already paid a total of $775 in fines and court costs and will have her driver’s license suspended for 90 days, had a 30-day jail sentence suspended and probated for one year and has been ordered to attend an alcohol/substance abuse education treatment program as well as a victim impact/impaired driving panel conducted by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, according to court records.

Huddleston, who was arrested six days ago in front of her home on charges of driving under the influence and reckless driving, had a blood alcohol content of 0.174 at the time of her arrest, according to a Bowling Green Police Department report.

The legal limit in Kentucky is 0.08.

The reckless driving charge was dismissed as part of the plea agreement signed by Huddleston and her attorney, Robert Young.

Huddleston had been scheduled to be arraigned on the charges this morning.

Phone calls to her home and office were not immediately returned today, but Huddleston issued a letter to the Daily News this morning.

“I recognize the severity of the incident. I take full responsibility for my actions and apologize for my mistake last Friday night,” she wrote. “I have received an outpouring of kind messages and prayers. I appreciate all of the support as I continue to address this matter and pray that I will soon restore the public’s trust in me.”

Special Judge E.P. Barlow Ropp, a retired Barren County District Judge, heard the case after Warren District Judge John Brown recused himself Wednesday.

Warren County Attorney Amy Milliken also recused herself from the case and Christian County Attorney Mike Foster was appointed as a special prosecutor.

Under the conditions of the plea, Huddleston may apply for a hardship driver’s license after the first 30 days of her suspension.