Former Judge Resigns After Obstruction of Justice Charge

Hannah Dugan, a former judge in Milwaukee, has stepped down following her indictment for obstructing justice. She was found guilty of distracting ICE agents while facilitating the escape of an undocumented immigrant, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who was facing domestic violence charges. While a federal jury sentenced her to 15 to 21 months in prison, Judge Lynn Adelman chose not to impose a prison term, which has raised eyebrows.

Dugan’s actions indeed cast a shadow over the judicial system, suggesting that at times, some individuals might seem to evade the consequences of their actions.

Eduardo Flores-Ruiz was previously deported but returned illegally, reportedly causing disturbances in Milwaukee. He was due to appear in Dugan’s courtroom for three domestic violence charges on April 18, 2025. Knowing this, ICE agents arrived at the courthouse to detain him. Dugan, however, allegedly abused her authority and created a chaotic scene, all in the name of her political beliefs.

When notified of the pending arrest, Dugan confronted ICE agents and claimed that an administrative warrant lacked sufficient grounds for the arrest, a questionable assertion. She instructed courthouse staff to leave, despite lacking the jurisdiction to issue such orders. Ultimately, she redirected the agents away, seemingly to hide her intent.

Once the agents departed, Dugan removed Flores-Ruiz’s case from public records, set up a status conference, and informed his attorney that he could attend through Zoom. She then personally guided Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out through a restricted side door, allowing him an easy escape.

Law enforcement soon realized what had transpired and coordinated efforts, involving FBI agents, that led to Flores-Ruiz’s eventual arrest, under treacherous conditions in the rain. Concerns were raised about potential danger to agents working in such conditions, especially given Dugan’s blatant disregard for their safety while attempting to protect an accused domestic abuser.

Throughout this ordeal, Dugan could have taken responsibility for her misconduct. Instead, she resorted to claiming judicial immunity, which drew support from several former judges. This defense, though, has historically not protected judges from criminal prosecution. The Supreme Court has made it clear that judges can face charges just like anyone else.

The evidence presented at trial was compelling, leading to a felony conviction. The judge handling her case was set to consider various factors such as specific deterrence and public safety while determining the length of Dugan’s sentence. While she had one argument in her favor—her lack of a criminal past—the gravity of her actions tipped the scales heavily against her.

Dugan’s behavior endangered federal employees trying to enforce the law and wasted resources on frivolous defenses. Although she no longer holds a judicial position, her actions went largely unpunished, highlighting a need for accountability among those in power.

Finally, in a surprising move, Judge Adelman released Dugan on a minor bond. This has been particularly alarming, especially when many who faced nonviolent charges related to the January 6th events have faced much harsher treatment. Dugan herself acknowledged during the trial that she knew her actions were illegal yet still proceeded them, resulting only in what some view as a lenient slap on the wrist from her judicial peers.