The Wisconsin Supreme Court has decided to temporarily suspend Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan. This action follows her recent arrest and formal charges of obstructing immigration authorities. As outlined in an official order, Judge Dugan is barred from performing her judicial duties effective last Tuesday, with this suspension lasting until further court directives emerge.
The FBI has charged Judge Dugan with federal offenses related to obstructing a U.S. agency’s proceedings and concealing an individual to shield them from discovery and arrest. These charges stem from Dugan’s actions during a pretrial conference involving Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an undocumented immigrant facing battery and domestic abuse charges. The federal complaint highlights that deportation officers from the Department of Homeland Security were present to arrest Flores-Ruiz at that time. However, Dugan allegedly intervened by redirecting officers away from the courtroom and allowing Flores-Ruiz to escape through a restricted area, prompting a chase.
The charges against Judge Dugan are linked to violations of Section 1505 and Section 1071 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code. Given these pending criminal proceedings, the Wisconsin Supreme Court asserts that Dugan’s suspension serves to preserve public confidence in the judiciary. This decision emphasizes their commitment to maintaining the integrity of the legal system while legal proceedings against Dugan are ongoing.
For further reporting on this developing story, refer to the full article on JURIST.