Milwaukee choose Hannah Dugan resigns after conviction for obstructing ICE brokers

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Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan, who was convicted final month of obstructing federal brokers making an attempt to arrest an unlawful immigrant, has resigned from her place.

In a letter to Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers on Saturday, Dugan mentioned the case in opposition to her threatens judicial independence and vowed to maintain preventing it.

"As you recognize, I'm the topic of unprecedented federal authorized proceedings, that are removed from concluded however which current immense and complicated challenges that threaten the independence of our judiciary," she wrote. "I'm pursuing this battle for myself and for our unbiased judiciary. Nevertheless, the Wisconsin residents that I cherish deserve to start out the yr with a choose on the bench in Milwaukee County Department 31 reasonably than have the destiny of that Courtroom relaxation in a partisan battle within the state legislature."

Dugan's resignation is anticipated to take impact instantly.

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Milwaukee County Circuit Decide Hannah Dugan walks into the Milwaukee Federal Courthouse on Might 15. (Scott Olson/Getty Photos)

A 12-person jury found Dugan guilty on Dec. 18 of obstructing federal immigration brokers throughout an try and serve a warrant at a courthouse final April.

She was arrested after prosecutors mentioned she helped Eduardo Flores-Ruiz evade plainclothes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) brokers making an attempt to serve a warrant. Prosecutors mentioned Dugan directed Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer to depart her courtroom via a again door on April 18, 2025, after studying ICE brokers had been within the constructing to arrest him.

Dugan pleaded not responsible, and she or he was acquitted on a lesser misdemeanor cost.

Attorneys for Dugan filed a motion late final month indicating they'll search a brand new trial.

She faces as much as 5 years in jail on the felony obstruction depend. U.S. District Decide Lynn Adelman has not set a sentencing date.

Dugan was suspended by the Wisconsin Supreme Court in April, however continued to gather her roughly $175,000 annual wage whereas awaiting trial.

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Milwaukee Circuit Courtroom Decide Hannah Dugan speaks at a pro-Ukraine rally on Feb. 24, 2025. (Lee Matz/ Milwaukee Impartial through AP)

After Dugan's conviction, Wisconsin Republican leaders mentioned they'd provoke the impeachment course of if she didn't resign from her workplace instantly.

Wisconsin Meeting Speaker Robin Vos and Meeting Majority Chief Tyler August argued that the state Structure bars any individual convicted of a felony from serving in an "workplace of belief, revenue or honor" until pardoned.

"Wisconsinites need to know their judiciary is neutral and that justice is blind," they mentioned in a press release final month. "Decide Hannah Dugan is neither, and her privilege of serving the individuals of Wisconsin has come to an finish."

Following the decision, Dugan's protection workforce mentioned they had been ready to maintain preventing to clear her title.

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Milwaukee County Circuit Decide Hannah Dugan leaves the federal courthouse after a listening to on Thursday, Might 15, 2025, in Milwaukee, Wis. (Lee Matz/Milwaukee Impartial through AP)

"Whereas we're upset in in the present day’s consequence, the failure of the prosecution to secure convictions on each counts demonstrates the chance now we have to clear Decide Dugan’s title and present she did nothing unsuitable on this matter," Dugan's protection workforce mentioned in a press release.

They added, "We now have deliberate for this potential consequence and our protection of Decide Dugan is simply starting. This trial required appreciable sources to organize for and public help for Decide Dugan’s protection fund is essential as we put together for the subsequent part of this protection."