Former Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan was ordered on Wednesday to pay a $5,000 fine for obstructing the arrest of an undocumented immigrant at a courthouse, but she will not serve any prison time. Dugan, 67, was convicted of felony obstruction last year after federal agents attempted to serve a warrant to Eduardo Flores-Ruiz on April 18, 2025. She was acquitted of a misdemeanor charge of concealing an individual to prevent arrest. Prosecutors had sought a sentence between 15 and 21 months.
Prosecutors argued that Dugan violated her oath as a judge, putting law enforcement officers and the public at risk. Republican lawmakers had previously characterized her as an activist judge. Dugan resigned from her Milwaukee County circuit judgeship in January amid threats of impeachment from state Republican lawmakers.
Dugan addressed the case before U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman imposed her sentence, defending her actions and stating her intent to "return to public service." She said her acts were consistent with community concerns at the courthouse and were not done with malicious intent or to advance personal interests. Dugan stated that she was forced to retire and resigned from her office so constituents would have a judge, adding that she is a public servant trying to do her job. She expressed a desire not to let the events of April 18, 2025, define her life's work.
On the day of the incident, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents appeared at the Milwaukee County courthouse seeking Flores-Ruiz, who had re-entered the United States illegally and was scheduled for a hearing in a state battery case. According to federal prosecutors, Dugan confronted ICE agents outside her courtroom, asserting their administrative warrant was insufficient for an arrest. She reportedly directed the agents to the chief judge's office and instructed Flores-Ruiz and his attorney to exit her courtroom through a rear door.
Flores-Ruiz was apprehended by agents shortly after outside the courthouse following a brief foot chase. He has since been deported to Mexico. Dugan was arrested by the FBI weeks after the confrontation and was seen being led away in handcuffs.
During the sentencing, several individuals testified on Dugan's behalf. Rev. Gregory J. O'Meara, a Jesuit priest, lawyer, and law professor, stated that Dugan models Christian behavior and that further punishment is unnecessary. Janine Geske, a law professor at Marquette University, testified that Dugan has been punished by being handcuffed, facing media attention, and losing her profession and income, and that she was humbly asking for an opportunity to return to the community.