Former Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan avoided prison time Wednesday after a federal judge sentenced her to a $5,000 fine following her conviction for obstructing federal agents during an immigration arrest at the Milwaukee County Courthouse.
The sentencing ended one chapter of a closely watched case that raised questions about judicial authority, immigration enforcement, and the limits of a judge’s power during federal immigration enforcement actions.
U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman, a Democratic appointee, declined to impose incarceration or probation, saying Dugan’s actions represented a serious mistake but weighing her decades of public service and lack of prior criminal history.
A federal jury convicted Dugan in December of felony obstruction but acquitted her of a separate charge involving concealing an individual from arrest.
The case stemmed from an April 18, 2025, incident at the Milwaukee County Courthouse involving Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national who had illegally reentered the United States and was scheduled to appear before Dugan for a state battery case, as Resist the Mainstream previously reported.
Federal agents went to the courthouse that day after learning Flores-Ruiz was scheduled to appear before Dugan.
Prosecutors argued Dugan interfered with the federal operation by confronting agents outside her courtroom, raising questions about the agents’ authority, and directing them to the chief judge’s office.
They alleged that after the agents left, Dugan allowed Flores-Ruiz and his attorney to leave through a private jury door and restricted hallway.
Agents later located Flores-Ruiz outside the courthouse and took him into custody.
Federal prosecutors argued that Dugan’s actions represented an abuse of authority and that judges must follow the law even when they disagree with government policies or enforcement decisions.
They said the case was about accountability and maintaining public confidence in the judicial system, according to NBC Chicago.
Dugan addressed the court before sentencing, defending her actions and saying she was attempting to preserve courtroom safety and order during an unusual situation.
She said her actions were not motivated by personal interest or malicious intent and argued that the events had been portrayed in ways that did not reflect her intentions.
“I am a public servant who’s just trying to do my job,” Dugan said, according to Spectrum News 1.
She said she had been characterized as both a hero and a lawbreaker but believed neither description accurately reflected her actions.
Dugan’s defense team argued that she had already faced significant consequences, including resigning from the judgeship she held for nine years and withdrawing from public life following threats directed toward her and her family.
Supporters described her as a longtime public servant who had dedicated much of her career to helping the community, according to CBS 58.
Judge Adelman said the sentence needed to reflect both the seriousness of the offense and the circumstances surrounding the defendant.
He noted that the conduct occurred over a brief period and determined that prison or probation was not necessary given the consequences Dugan had already experienced.
The sentencing does not conclude the case.
Dugan’s attorneys have said they plan to appeal the conviction to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing that the prosecution raised concerns about judicial independence and the relationship between state courts and federal immigration enforcement.
Dugan resigned from the Milwaukee County Circuit Court in January after facing calls for her removal from office following her conviction.
The case has become part of a broader national debate over immigration enforcement, judicial discretion, and whether government officials can interfere with federal operations while carrying out their duties.
WATCH:
