Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan has been arrested on multiple felonies related to alleged fraud involving public benefits. She was charged with obstruction of justice and harboring a fugitive from arrest. Judge Dugan is being charged with illegally assisting an undocumented immigrant named Maria Flores-Ruiz avoid capture by federal immigration agents. We understand that serious concerns have been raised regarding this incident. If found guilty on both counts, she may face up to six years behind bars.
As the proceeding began, Judge Dugan directed Flores-Ruiz and his attorney to a side door reserved for jurors. After some suave lawyering, this neat trick got them out of the courtroom without making a sound. After witnessing federal agents’ preparedness to arrest Flores-Ruiz, Judge Dugan began fuming. This led to loud and contentious debates between him and the agents in the hallway of the courthouse.
The clash intensified when Judge Dugan threw into doubt the validity of the arrest warrant that the agents forced Judge Dugan to prepare. After the argument, she ordered them to report to the chief judge’s office for the county. Unfortunately, this decision further complicated matters.
Judge Dugan was released on her own recognizance after being processed, with a hearing set for May 15. She was initially elected to the Milwaukee County Circuit bench in 2016. She was reelected in 2022 to a second six-year term.
Her lawyer expressed remorse on behalf of Judge Dugan, stating that she “wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest,” arguing that it was not made in the interest of public safety.
Each count Judge Dugan has been charged with carries a maximum of 10 years in prison. The obstruction charge alone carries a potential prison term of up to five years and a fine of $250,000. If convicted on the concealment charge too, you can receive an additional year in prison and another $100,000 fine.
The gruesome assault incited protest and stirred outcry from local and state bodyguards. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson, who had endorsed Judge Dugan, condemned her arrest, calling it “showboating.” He objected to the inferences her activity drew, and how they could affect the character of our judicial system.
Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin called Judge Dugan’s arrest a “grave, serious and extreme step.” Baldwin emphasized the importance of accountability within the judicial system, stating, “Make no mistake, we do not have kings in this country and we are a democracy governed by laws that everyone must abide by.”
Kash Patel, a prominent figure in law enforcement, weighed in on the matter, indicating that although Flores-Ruiz was apprehended shortly thereafter, Judge Dugan’s actions posed increased risks to public safety. “Thankfully our agents chased down the perp on foot and he’s been in custody since, but the Judge’s obstruction created increased danger to the public,” Patel remarked.
As this case continues to develop, it presents a unique and important opportunity to examine issues of serious judicial conduct and accountability. The legal community is watching Judge Dugan’s arrest very closely. Now, they’re studying its effects on her career trajectory and the broader judicial climate in Milwaukee.
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