Former Wisconsin judge Hannah Dugan fined $5,000, avoids prison in ICE obstruction case

Former Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was sentenced to a $5,000 fine and no prison time on Wednesday for helping a Mexican immigrant evade ICE agents in 2025. US District Judge Lynn Adelman said Dugan's actions were "a few minutes of conduct" in an otherwise law-abiding life, and he did not believe prison was necessary Source: AP News. The case became a flashpoint in the debate over judicial independence and immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump Source: The Guardian.

The incident and trial

In April 2025, Dugan directed ICE agents to the chief judge's office and then escorted the defendant, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, out through a private jury door. Agents caught him outside after a brief chase Source: Al Jazeera. A federal jury convicted Dugan of felony obstruction in December but acquitted her of a misdemeanor charge of concealing an individual Source: CNN.

Sentencing highlights

• Prosecutors argued that Dugan "crossed a line" by using her judicial power to obstruct federal agents, but they did not recommend a specific sentence Source: AP News.
• Defense attorneys said Dugan had been "punished enough," having lost her judgeship and faced threats Source: Ground News.
• Judge Adelman noted that Dugan's actions did not ultimately prevent the arrest and that she had no prior criminal history Source: CNN.
• Dugan told the court: "I have been cast as both a scofflaw and a hero. I am neither. I am a public servant who’s just trying to do my job" Source: The Guardian.

Reactions and fallout

Republican Rep. Tom Tiffany called for Dugan to be "locked up" after her conviction Source: Al Jazeera. Dugan resigned in January amid impeachment threats and said her prosecution threatened "the independence of our judiciary" Source: CNN. Her attorneys plan to appeal Source: AP News.