Former Wisconsin judge Hannah Dugan was sentenced Wednesday to a $5,000 fine for her role in helping a defendant evade immigration agents. U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman declined to impose a prison sentence, citing Dugan’s history of public service and the significant professional and personal consequences she has already faced. Dugan was convicted in December of a felony count of obstruction related to an April 2025 incident at the Milwaukee County courthouse.
The April 2025 Incident
On April 18, 2025, agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency arrived at the Milwaukee County courthouse seeking to detain 31-year-old Eduardo Flores Ruiz. Flores Ruiz was present for a hearing regarding a state-level physical assault case. According to court records, Dugan confronted the agents outside her courtroom and directed them to the presiding judge’s office, questioning the validity of the administrative order they presented. After the agents departed, Dugan directed Flores Ruiz and his attorney to exit the building through a private door designated for the jury. Agents later observed Flores Ruiz in a hallway, followed him outside, and completed his arrest after a foot pursuit. Flores Ruiz was subsequently deported in November.
Legal Arguments and Sentencing
Federal sentencing guidelines suggested a range of 15 to 21 months in prison, but Judge Adelman, appointed in 1997, noted he was not bound by those recommendations. The prosecution had requested a severe penalty, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Frohling arguing that Dugan violated her judicial oath and crossed a line that judges must not breach. Defense attorneys contended that Dugan had already suffered sufficient punishment through the loss of her career, the felony conviction, and ongoing safety threats that forced her to move and withdraw from community life.
Dugan resigned from her position as a Milwaukee County circuit judge in January following nine years on the bench. Her resignation came amid threats of impeachment from state Republican legislators who labeled her an activist judge.
Implications for the Judiciary
During the trial, Dugan’s defense team argued that the administration of President Donald Trump targeted the judge to ensure the judiciary complied with ICE’s practice of detaining individuals at courthouses. Dugan, in her statement to the court, maintained that her actions were intended to preserve the “decorum and safety” of her courtroom rather than to act with malice. She noted that she has been forced into retirement from public life due to the backlash and threats against her and her family.
The sentencing of a former judge for obstruction underscores the high stakes when local judicial administration clashes with federal enforcement priorities. Judge Adelman’s decision to prioritize Dugan’s past professional record over federal prison guidelines reflects a judicial focus on the totality of a defendant’s life, even in cases involving a breach of public trust.
What Happens Next
Following the sentencing, defense attorney Jason Luczak announced that they plan to appeal Dugan’s felony conviction for obstruction. While she was convicted on that count, a jury previously acquitted her of a lesser charge regarding the concealment of a person to avoid arrest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Hannah Dugan sentenced to prison?
No. Judge Lynn Adelman ruled that prison was not necessary, instead imposing a $5,000 fine.
What was the specific charge against the former judge?
Dugan was convicted of a felony count of obstruction. She was acquitted of a separate, lesser charge of concealing a person to avoid arrest.
What happened to the defendant, Eduardo Flores Ruiz?
After being apprehended by ICE agents outside the courthouse in April 2025, Flores Ruiz was deported in November of that year.
How should the line between judicial autonomy and federal enforcement be defined in a courthouse setting?
