On October 11, 1979, Hudspeth was nominated by President
Jimmy Carter to a seat on the
United States District Court for the Western District of Texas vacated by Judge
Adrian Anthony Spears. Hudspeth was confirmed by the
United States Senate on November 26, 1979, and received his commission on November 27, 1979. He served as Chief Judge from 1992 to 1999. He assumed
senior status on June 30, 2001. He retired from active service on January 31, 2016. ==Death==