Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah C. Dugan was taken into custody on Friday, with federal authorities alleging that she attempted to interfere with President Trump’s immigration policy by evading arrests within her courtroom.
Dugan, 65, reportedly presided over her court concerning a volatile battery case earlier this month after postponing the immigration and customs enforcement (ICE) arrest of Mexican immigrant Eduardo Flores Luis, 30; Flores is currently held in ICE custody.
“Judge Dugan deeply regrets the situation and contests her arrest, asserting it was not conducted in the interest of public safety,” said Craig Mustantouno, Dugan’s attorney, during a hearing on Friday.
She has since been released and is set to be arraigned on May 15th.
Here’s what you should know about judges.
Who is Hannah Dugan?
Dugan, 65, hails from Milwaukee and was first appointed to the bench in 2016. She ran unopposed for reelection in 2022, with her current term lasting until 2028. The Wisconsin Circuit Court elections are nonpartisan.
Previously, she served as the executive director of a nonprofit Catholic charity in southeastern Wisconsin from 2006 to 2009, worked as an assistant professor at Marquette University, and practiced law for over a decade with the Milwaukee Legal Aid Association. Her online biography indicates.
She received an award from the Milwaukee Bar Association in 2012 for her pro bono efforts. She is a former president of several legal organizations.
In a 2016 interview, Dugan expressed her dedication to the challenges of law, aiming to uphold the promise of equal justice and inspire hope in people.
“The rule of law and precedents are meant to create order and security, providing consistency and predictability,” she stated. “However, laws too have the capacity to transform lives and adapt to changing times and circumstances.”
She also acknowledged how politicization can affect certain cases.
“A judge’s role requires careful handling to ensure that cases are processed legally and not influenced by political pressures,” she remarked.
What transpired?
Conflicting accounts emerged regarding the events when the ICE agents entered Dugan’s courtroom on April 18th.
Court documents reveal that when officials presented their warrant, Dugan requested additional details and indicated the necessity of consulting the Supreme Court before proceeding with Flores Luis’s arrest.
The FBI’s affidavit mentions that the judge exhibited visible anger, labeling the scenario as “absurd,” and stepped off the bench into another room. “At that moment, Lewis was seated in the courtroom gallery,” it noted.
Witnesses alleged that court staff informed Dugan that Flores Luis and his attorney should exit through a side door upon request for a chief judge.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported prior to Dugan’s arrest that she did not conceal Flores-Ruiz.
“In truth, according to insiders, as ICE officials departed to consult with the Supreme Court justice located on the same floor, Dugan guided the pair toward the courtroom side door and moved toward the public area, along a private corridor on the sixth floor,” reported the Sentinel.
Local talk radio host Dan O’Donnell was the first to disclose that the FBI was looking into Dugan, alleging that the judge “allowed the defendant to hide in the Judge’s Chambers (generally restricted to judges and court staff).”
This prompted a statement from Republican Rep. Bob Donovan, who expressed his concerns.
“In my experience with Milwaukee politics and safety matters, I have yet to witness such irresponsible behavior from a judge,” Donovan commented. “This borders on obstruction of justice, and we hope the FBI will pursue a thorough investigation and ensure full prosecution if warranted.”
“Our legal system is not merely a suggestion. It must be adhered to upheld for a functioning society,” he further stated. “If Judge Dugan is intent on supporting and enabling a criminal, she should be held accountable for violating her sworn oath to uphold the law.”
Donovan responded to news of Dugan’s arrest in a post on x on Friday.
“While I’m sure she now regrets her actions, the blame lies solely with her for the alleged reckless actions that have caused this predicament,” he wrote.
