Wisconsin Judge Convicted of Obstructing ICE Resigns, Says She Will Continue Legal Battle [WATCH]

Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan has resigned from her position following her conviction last month on a felony charge stemming from her actions during an attempted arrest by federal immigration authorities inside a courthouse, as reported by Fox News.

Dugan submitted her resignation in a letter dated Saturday to Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers, saying the ongoing federal case against her threatens judicial independence and pledging to continue fighting the conviction.

Her resignation is expected to take effect immediately.

“As you know, I am the subject of unprecedented federal legal proceedings, which are far from concluded but which present immense and complex challenges that threaten the independence of our judiciary,” Dugan wrote.

“I am pursuing this fight for myself and for our independent judiciary. However, the Wisconsin citizens that I cherish deserve to start the year with a judge on the bench in Milwaukee County Branch 31 rather than have the fate of that Court rest in a partisan fight in the state legislature.”

A 12-person jury found Dugan guilty on Dec. 18 of obstructing federal immigration agents during an attempt to serve a warrant at the Milwaukee County courthouse last April.

She was acquitted on a lesser misdemeanor charge and pleaded not guilty to all allegations.

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Federal prosecutors said Dugan interfered with plainclothes Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who were attempting to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an illegal immigrant, on April 18, 2025.

According to prosecutors, Dugan directed Flores-Ruiz and his attorney to exit her courtroom through a back door after learning ICE agents were present in the building to take him into custody.

Following the incident, Dugan was arrested and later suspended by the Wisconsin Supreme Court in April. Despite the suspension, she continued to receive her approximately $175,000 annual salary while awaiting trial.

Dugan faces up to five years in prison on the felony obstruction count. U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman has not yet scheduled a sentencing date. Attorneys for Dugan filed a motion late last month indicating they intend to seek a new trial.

After the conviction, Republican leaders in Wisconsin said they would begin impeachment proceedings if Dugan did not immediately step down.

Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Assembly Majority Leader Tyler August cited the Wisconsin Constitution, which bars individuals convicted of a felony from holding an “office of trust, profit or honor” unless pardoned.

“Wisconsinites deserve to know their judiciary is impartial and that justice is blind,” Vos and August said in a joint statement last month.

“Judge Hannah Dugan is neither, and her privilege of serving the people of Wisconsin has come to an end.”

Dugan’s defense team said after the verdict that they plan to continue contesting the case.

“While we are disappointed in today’s outcome, the failure of the prosecution to secure convictions on both counts demonstrates the opportunity we have to clear Judge Dugan’s name and show she did nothing wrong in this matter,” her attorneys said in a statement.

“We have planned for this potential outcome, and our defense of Judge Dugan is just beginning. This trial required considerable resources to prepare for, and public support for Judge Dugan’s defense fund is critical as we prepare for the next phase of this defense.”

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