Former Judge Fined for Obstruction
On Wednesday, former Wisconsin judge Hannah Dugan received a $5,000 fine for obstructing the arrest of an undocumented immigrant during a court proceeding. Notably, she will not be facing any jail time.
Dugan, who is 67, was found guilty last year of a felony related to this incident, which occurred on April 18, 2025, when federal agents sought to apprehend Eduardo Flores-Ruiz. She was acquitted of a separate misdemeanor charge concerning the concealment of identity to halt an arrest. Although she could have faced a maximum of five years in prison, prosecutors had asked for a sentence of 15 to 21 months.
On the day of her sentencing, Dugan defended her actions, expressing a desire to “return to public service.” She argued her actions reflected the concerns of her community in court, stating, “My judicial actions were not carried out with malicious intent or for personal gain.”
Dugan also shared that since her arrest, she had been compelled to retire and resigned from her judicial position earlier this year. She indicated that the media portrayal of her as both an executioner and a hero was inaccurate, saying, “I am neither. I am a public servant just trying to do my job.” She hopes that the incident won’t overshadow her overall contributions.
Before sentencing, several individuals spoke in her favor. Rev. Gregory J. O’Meara described her as embodying Christian values, noting that she should not face additional punishment. Similarly, Janine Geske, a law professor, emphasized that Dugan’s life extends beyond her professional challenges, highlighting the personal and public repercussions she has endured.
The incident that led to Dugan’s charges involved ICE agents arriving at the court to apprehend Flores-Ruiz, who had illegally reentered the U.S. During this encounter, Dugan confronted the agents, arguing they lacked sufficient grounds for an arrest. Following her interventions, Flores-Ruiz managed to evade capture for a brief time before being apprehended by investigators.
Dugan’s legal team contended that her status as a judge should have exempted her from prosecution, but U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman dismissed this argument. He noted that no other judges have acted in such a manner and questioned whether any judges would be willing to follow her example. Meanwhile, prosecutors maintained that Dugan endangered the lives of law enforcement and the broader community, labeling her an activist judge.
After her encounter with immigration officials, Dugan was arrested by the FBI and subsequently saw Flores-Ruiz deported.
