Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan has been temporarily suspended from her official duties by the Wisconsin Supreme Court following federal charges alleging she assisted an undocumented immigrant in evading arrest by immigration authorities.
The incident in question occurred on April 18, 2025, when Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national previously deported in 2013, appeared in Judge Dugan’s courtroom for a domestic violence hearing.
According to federal prosecutors, upon learning that immigration agents were present in the courthouse to arrest Flores-Ruiz, Judge Dugan expressed frustration, reportedly calling the situation “absurd.”
She then allegedly directed the agents to consult with the chief judge and subsequently escorted Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out of the courtroom through a non-public exit. Flores-Ruiz was later apprehended outside the courthouse after a brief foot chase.
On April 25, Judge Dugan was arrested by FBI agents and later indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of obstruction and concealing a person to prevent arrest. If convicted, she faces up to six years in federal prison. Judge Dugan has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has filed a motion to dismiss the case, asserting judicial immunity on the grounds that her actions were within the scope of her official duties.
In response to the charges, the Wisconsin Supreme Court issued an order temporarily relieving Judge Dugan of her judicial responsibilities to maintain public confidence in the state’s judiciary. A reserve judge has been appointed to handle her caseload during this period.
Judge Dugan has also established a legal defense fund to support her case, emphasizing the importance of judicial independence and framing the prosecution as an overreach by federal authorities.
The fund is managed by former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Janine Geske and is structured to avoid conflicts of interest by declining donations from Milwaukee County residents, attorneys practicing in the county, judges, lobbyists, and county employees.
Her next court appearance is scheduled for July 9, with the trial set to commence on July 21.
