Who is Judge Hannah Dugan and Why Was She Arrested?

The recent arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan has stirred widespread discussion, though legal analysts emphasize that such events, while rare, are not without precedent.

Crime correspondent Katelyn Polantz explained, “The case against the Wisconsin judge is unusual, but it’s not unprecedented.” She pointed to a similar 2019 case during the Trump administration, where Massachusetts Judge Shelley Richmond Joseph was charged for allegedly helping a defendant evade ICE officials. Though charges were dropped under the Biden administration, it demonstrated that such prosecutions have historical context.

Polantz further added, “The government has a case, and that case is going to proceed in court,” noting that Dugan has yet to enter a plea and was released after her initial appearance.

The Charges Against Judge Dugan

On Friday, Judge Dugan was arrested by the FBI. A federal complaint spanning 13 pages accuses her of assisting Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national, in avoiding detention by federal immigration agents during a pretrial conference in her courtroom. Dugan allegedly directed Flores-Ruiz out of the courtroom through a jury door. The man, facing misdemeanor battery charges, was ultimately caught after a brief pursuit outside the courthouse.

An FBI affidavit notes Dugan appeared “visibly angry” upon the arrival of immigration agents, labeling the situation “absurd” before retreating to her chambers. She, along with another judge, later confronted the arresting team with a reportedly “confrontational” demeanor.

Dugan now faces charges of “concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest” and obstruction, crimes that could result in a maximum of six years in prison and fines up to $350,000.

Her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, stated during her court appearance: “Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety.”

Political Reaction and Broader Context

The Trump administration’s push for aggressive immigration enforcement has often placed it at odds with the judiciary. Dugan’s arrest represents a sharp escalation in tensions between the executive branch and the courts.

Attorney General Pam Bondi, speaking on FOX News, defended the arrest, stating, “If you are harboring a fugitive…we will come after you and we will prosecute you. We will find you,” emphasizing that “no one is above the law.”

Meanwhile, critics argue the arrest threatens the separation of powers. Democratic figures responded forcefully:

• Senator Tammy Baldwin: “The President’s administration arresting a sitting judge is a gravely serious and drastic move, and it threatens to breach those very separations of power.”

• Governor Tony Evers: “I will continue to put my faith in our justice system as this situation plays out in the court of law.”

• Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on X: “There are no kings in America. Trump and Bondi can’t just decide to arrest sitting judges at will and threaten judges into submission.”

• Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson: “The Trump administration should focus less on settling scores and more on fixing the broken economy.”

• Arizona Representative Yassamin Ansari: “This is why we’ve been sounding the alarm on authoritarianism.”

Republicans, however, rallied behind the move:

• Representative Scott Fitzgerald: “This is an egregious abuse of power by someone sworn to uphold the law.”

• Representative Tony Wied: “Judge Dugan should resign immediately.”

Who Is Judge Hannah Dugan?

Judge Hannah Dugan has been an influential figure in Wisconsin’s legal landscape for nearly three decades. First elected in 2016 after defeating a Walker-appointed incumbent, she was re-elected unopposed in 2022. Before her judicial career, Dugan spent years advocating for low-income clients through legal aid and Catholic Charities.

What’s Next

Dugan’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 15, where further proceedings will shed light on the path forward.