Christopher Allen Buckley, 46, was charged following an investigation by Michigan City Police stemming from an incident on August 15, 2026, in the 200 block of Heisman Harbor.
According to the probable cause affidavit, police observed Buckley at approximately 9:05 p.m. operating a 2024 Lincoln Navigator. The reason documented by police was “Driving and parking in an area that he was not supposed to be in.”
According to the affidavit, police documented an odor of alcoholic beverage and described Buckley’s speech as “slurred, thick, slow.” Police also documented his eyes as “glossy, watery, bloodshot.”
The affidavit further documents that Buckley staggered from the vehicle, and that his balance was unsteady.
According to court documents, Buckley was advised of Indiana’s Implied Consent Law, and a sample of whole blood was taken at approximately 12:05 a.m.
The affidavit states police were told by Northwest Health-LaPorte that the chemical test showed an alcohol concentration equivalent to .221 grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood.
Charges filed August 17, 2026:
• Operating a Vehicle with an Alcohol Concentration Equivalent to .15 or More — Class A Misdemeanor
• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated Endangering a Person — Class A Misdemeanor
• Operating a Vehicle While Intoxicated — Class C Misdemeanor
UPDATE–
Porter County Judge Suspends Judicial Campaign Following OWI Arrest
Porter Superior Court 4 Judge Christopher Buckley announced Monday that he is temporarily suspending his campaign for judicial office following his arrest Saturday in Michigan City for operating while intoxicated.
“On the evening of August 15, 2026 I made a series of poor decisions that ultimately led to an arrest by the Michigan City Police Department for Operating While Intoxicated,” Buckley said in a written statement.
Buckley said he fully cooperated with law enforcement and was treated like any other person accused of an offense. He thanked the officers who investigated the case for what he described as their professional and courteous conduct.
Buckley said he entered a plea agreement with the State of Indiana in open court Monday, accepted full legal responsibility for his actions and received what he described as an appropriate sentence.
“I was treated fairly and with the same dignity and respect due any citizen in a court of law and was not given any special treatment whatsoever,” Buckley said. “I certainly appreciate this and I would not have accepted any special treatment had it been offered.”
Buckley said court officers should be held to a higher standard of conduct than ordinary citizens.
“I was/am a full-time judicial officer, and I feel strongly that officers of the court should be held to a higher standard of conduct than an ordinary citizen—much higher than the standard of conduct I displayed this past Saturday night,” Buckley said.
Buckley said he also accepted moral and professional responsibility for his actions and self-reported the incident to the Indiana Judicial Qualifications Commission on Monday morning.
“I self-reported this conduct to the Indiana Judicial Qualifications Commission as early as I possibly could this morning, availing myself to professional sanctions as the Commission deems appropriate,” Buckley said.
Buckley also disclosed that he has struggled with alcohol since serving in the Marine Corps more than 20 years ago. He said the incident created an opportunity for him to seek help and that he has made himself available for treatment.
“I can place no blame on anyone but myself for this weekend’s actions,” Buckley said. “I am however grateful for the opportunity that this created to get help.”
Buckley concluded his statement by apologizing to his family, friends and supporters.
“I feel truly awful that their pain and embarrassment is because of my actions,” Buckley said. “Because of this, I have decided to temporarily suspend my campaign for judicial office until further notice.”
