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Post Reply: Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan Resigns Following Felony Conviction for Obstructing Immigration Arrest

<blockquote><div class="quotetitle">Quote from <a class="profile-link highlight-moderator" href="https://lawguide.co.ke/understanding-law/legal-forum/profile/lawyer/">Lawyer</a> on January 5, 2026, 7:42 am</div><div id="pl-8671"  class="panel-layout" ><div id="pg-8671-0"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-8671-0-0"  class="panel-grid-cell"  data-weight="1" ><div id="panel-8671-0-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="0" data-style="{&quot;background_image_attachment&quot;:false,&quot;background_display&quot;:&quot;tile&quot;,&quot;background_image_size&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;background_image_opacity&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;border_thickness&quot;:&quot;1px&quot;}" ><div
			
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	<p dir="auto">Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan has resigned from her position after a federal jury convicted her last month of obstructing federal immigration agents during an attempt to arrest an undocumented migrant in her courtroom.</p>
<p dir="auto">Dugan, who served on the bench for nine years after being elected in 2016, submitted her resignation letter to Democratic Governor Tony Evers on January 3, 2026. In the letter, she emphasized the need for stability in her courtroom branch, stating that Milwaukee County citizens deserve a permanent judge rather than uncertainty amid ongoing legal and political battles. She described the federal proceedings against her as unprecedented and noted their potential impact on judicial independence, while affirming her intent to continue fighting the case through appeals.</p>
<p dir="auto">The conviction stemmed from an incident on April 18, 2025, when Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national facing domestic violence charges, appeared in Dugan's courtroom. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were present to arrest him on an administrative warrant for illegal re-entry into the United States following prior deportation.</p>
<p dir="auto">According to trial testimony, Dugan learned of the agents' presence outside her courtroom. She confronted them, informing them that their warrant was insufficient for an arrest and directing them to the office of Chief Judge Carl Ashley. While the agents were diverted, Dugan suggested to Flores-Ruiz and his attorney that he could attend future hearings remotely via Zoom. She then led them through a private jury door to exit the courtroom.</p>
<p dir="auto">Agents spotted Flores-Ruiz shortly after, leading to a brief foot chase outside the courthouse where he was apprehended. Flores-Ruiz later pleaded no contest to the domestic charges, received time served, and was deported to Mexico.</p>
<p dir="auto">A federal jury convicted Dugan on December 19, 2025, of felony obstruction of an official proceeding, which carries a potential sentence of up to five years in prison. She was acquitted on a misdemeanor charge of concealing a person from arrest. Dugan had been suspended from judicial duties by the Wisconsin Supreme Court pending the case and continued receiving her salary during the proceedings.</p>
<p dir="auto">Prior to her judicial role, Dugan headed the local branch of Catholic Charities, an organization involved in refugee resettlement and related services.</p>
<p dir="auto">The case drew significant attention amid President Donald Trump's administration's aggressive immigration enforcement policies, including relaxed restrictions on operations at courthouses to facilitate mass deportations. Federal prosecutors highlighted the prosecution as demonstrating accountability for public officials, regardless of position.</p>
<p dir="auto">Following the conviction, Republicans in the state legislature, who control both chambers, prepared impeachment proceedings against Dugan, citing the Wisconsin Constitution's provisions on felony convictions disqualifying officials from office. Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos welcomed the resignation, stating that Dugan did the right thing in stepping down.</p>
<p dir="auto">Some Democrats viewed the federal charges as an effort to intimidate judges and deter opposition to immigration policies. A spokesperson for Governor Evers confirmed receipt of the resignation letter and said the office would work promptly to fill the vacancy.</p>
<p dir="auto">Dugan's defense maintained throughout the trial that her actions followed courthouse protocols for reporting immigration agents to supervisors and did not intend to obstruct enforcement. Her legal team plans to appeal the conviction.</p>
<p dir="auto">The resignation avoids a potentially divisive impeachment process and allows for a swift replacement on the Milwaukee County bench.</p>
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