Milwaukee Judge Resigns Amidst Controversial Immigration Case
In a dramatic turn of events, Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan has submitted her resignation after being found guilty of assisting a man in evading immigration authorities. The decision to step down takes effect immediately, as communicated in a resignation letter sent to Governor Tony Evers, which she described as a move made with a “heavy heart.”
Dugan, who has presided over numerous cases during her tenure, emphasized her commitment to justice and respect for all individuals in her courtroom. “Behind the bench, I have presided over thousands and thousands of cases — with a commitment to treat all persons with dignity and respect, to act justly, deliberatively, and consistently, and to maintain a courtroom with the decorum and safety the public deserves,” she stated in her letter.
The resignation follows her arrest on April 25, after federal prosecutors filed charges against her related to an incident on April 18. On that day, Dugan reportedly guided a man through a side exit of her courtroom and indicated that his hearing would be rescheduled via Zoom, just as federal agents arrived to arrest him for being in the country illegally. The man was originally due to appear for a misdemeanor domestic battery charge hearing.
After a four-day trial, a jury at the federal courthouse in Milwaukee found Dugan guilty of a felony charge for hindering a proceeding but acquitted her of a misdemeanor charge of hiding an individual to prevent arrest. The following day, Wisconsin’s top legislative Republicans threatened impeachment unless she resigned immediately, citing constitutional provisions against holding office with a felony conviction.
Retired University of Wisconsin Law Professor Howard Schweber commented on the situation, noting that while it was clear Dugan could not continue as a judge after her conviction, the need for immediate resignation was less certain as her case remains open. Dugan’s attorney, Steve Biskupic, signaled that the legal battle is far from concluded and that they plan to seek a new trial.
In her resignation letter, Dugan expressed her intention to continue fighting the charges, asserting that the legal proceedings threaten judicial independence. “I am the subject of unprecedented federal legal proceedings, which are far from concluded but which present immense and complex challenges that threaten the independence of our judiciary,” she wrote.
Dugan’s departure opens the way for the governor to appoint a successor to serve in Milwaukee County Branch 31. Since her suspension by the Wisconsin Supreme Court in April due to the ongoing legal case, reserve judges have been covering her duties. Her annual salary was reported at $179,774.
The case has drawn national attention, underscoring tensions between local judicial authority and federal immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. Dugan’s supporters have criticized what they see as an overreach by the Department of Justice, particularly objecting to immigration-related arrests at courthouses. Federal officials, including U.S. Attorney Pam Bondi, defend these actions as necessary and safe, citing courthouse security measures.
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