Monday, January 5, 2026- Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan has resigned after being convicted in December 2025 of obstruction of justice for helping a Mexican immigrant evade arrest by federal agents during a courthouse appearance.
Dugan’s resignation letter was sent to Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers on January 3, acknowledging that the ongoing legal and political battle had become a distraction from the work of the court.
Dugan’s federal conviction stemmed from an incident last April when she confronted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal officers waiting outside her courtroom to arrest Eduardo Flores‑Ruiz, who was in court on unrelated state charges.
Prosecutors said she directed agents away and then guided Flores‑Ruiz out through a private exit, actions a federal jury found obstructed law enforcement. Flores‑Ruiz was eventually arrested, later sentenced for illegal re‑entry, and deported.
Her resignation came amid threats of impeachment from the Republican‑controlled Wisconsin legislature, which had pushed for her removal following her felony conviction, noting that the state constitution bars convicted felons from holding office.
State lawmakers and officials offered contrasting reactions: Republican leaders welcomed the resignation as constitutional, while some Democrats highlighted her longtime judicial service and defended her intentions, reflecting deep partisan divides over judicial conduct and immigration enforcement.
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