Disgraced Judge Hannah Dugan's Conviction Stands
- Rex Ballard
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
Milwaukee, Wis. — A federal judge has denied former Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan’s request for a new trial or acquittal, upholding her felony conviction for obstructing federal immigration agents. The ruling, issued April 6, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman, means Dugan’s December 2025 guilty verdict remains intact as she prepares for sentencing and vows to appeal further.
Dugan, once a sitting judge, resigned from the bench in January 2026 following her conviction. She now faces up to five years in prison and a $350,000 fine for the felony obstruction charge, though as a first-time, non-violent offender, she is unlikely to receive significant jail time.
abc30.com Wisconsin judge arrested: FBI arrests Hannah Dugan, Milwaukee County circuit court judge, for alleged help to Eduardo Flores Ruiz - ABC30 Fresno
The Case That Shocked the Courthouse
The conviction stems from events on April 18, 2025, in Dugan’s Milwaukee courtroom. According to trial testimony and surveillance evidence, federal immigration agents were waiting outside the main doors to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national facing state battery charges who had a prior deportation order. Dugan, upon learning of the agents’ presence, allegedly directed Flores-Ruiz out a side jury door, allowing him to evade immediate arrest. He was later apprehended outside the building after a brief chase and was ultimately deported.
Federal prosecutors charged Dugan with two counts: felony obstruction of a federal proceeding and misdemeanor concealing an individual to prevent arrest. After six hours of deliberation, the jury delivered a split verdict on December 18, 2025: guilty on the felony obstruction charge, not guilty on the concealing charge.
pbswisconsin.org December trial set for Milwaukee judge accused of helping a man evade arrest in the courtroom
Appeal Efforts and the Judge’s Defense
Dugan’s high-powered legal team, led by attorney Steve Biskupic, immediately moved for acquittal or a new trial. In post-trial filings, they argued the verdicts were logically inconsistent, citing issues with jury instructions on what Dugan needed to know about the agents’ intentions. They also renewed claims of judicial immunity, asserting Dugan acted lawfully within her authority as a judge handling a state court proceeding.
In a 39-page order released Monday, Judge Adelman rejected those arguments, finding no legal basis to overturn the jury’s decision or grant a new trial. Dugan’s attorneys responded swiftly: “We continue to maintain that Hannah Dugan acted lawfully and within her independent authority as a judge. The inconsistent jury verdicts demonstrate that the trial proceedings were flawed, and we plan to appeal.”
The case is widely expected to head to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, with some legal observers predicting it could eventually reach the U.S. Supreme Court. Supporters have framed the prosecution as an overreach into judicial independence. At the same time, critics say it sends a clear message that no one — not even a judge — is above the law in federal immigration enforcement.
Visuals from the High-Profile Trial
en.wikipedia.org Milwaukee County Courthouse - Wikipedia
Video Coverage to Watch:
Jury Reaches Verdict in Judge Hannah Dugan Case (December 2025 courtroom drama captured live): Watch here
Sentencing has not yet been scheduled. Dugan remains free pending the outcome of her appeals. The case has drawn national attention amid broader debates over immigration enforcement and the limits of judicial discretion.
