Federal Judge Weighs Appeal in Case of Former Wisconsin Judge Convicted on Immigration Charges
A federal judge is deliberating on the possibility of overturning a jury’s guilty verdict against former Wisconsin judge Hannah Dugan, who was convicted of aiding an illegal immigrant in evading federal agents. This case represents a significant test of the judiciary’s response to the aggressive immigration policies enacted under President Trump.
Initially slated for sentencing on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman has indefinitely postponed the proceedings to evaluate arguments that could lead to the conviction being overturned. Prosecutors are steadfast in asserting that the verdict should stand, while Dugan’s legal team points to a recent federal appeals court ruling in Virginia, suggesting that it significantly impacts the precedent set in her case.
Legal Team Cites Virginia Ruling
Stephen Biskupic, Dugan’s attorney, contends that her conviction should be deemed invalid due to the implications of a Virginia immigration case, which was recently overturned. He maintains that Dugan’s conviction was improperly based on the same legal framework that was dismantled by the appeals court.
Biskupic argues that the core issue here is a flawed understanding of what constitutes a “pending case.” In the Virginia case, an illegal immigrant had fled from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after being detained. The court ultimately ruled that the lawsuit filed by ICE was not a “pending proceeding” under federal obstruction law, which Dugan’s team claims applies similarly to her situation.
In their defense, Dugan’s lawyers argue that the mere existence of a warrant does not equate to a “proceeding” as defined by the law, and therefore, she should not have faced charges. Prosecutors, however, contend that the facts of the Virginia case differ significantly from those surrounding Dugan’s conviction, asserting that other legal precedents support the outcomes in her case.
Judge Delays Sentencing to Review Arguments
Dugan could serve up to five years in prison following her December 19 conviction, although federal sentencing guidelines generally favor probation for first-time offenders convicted of nonviolent crimes. Following her conviction, she resigned from her position as Milwaukee County circuit judge amidst threats of impeachment from Republican lawmakers, having served in that capacity for nine years.
While Dugan attended the hearing, she remained silent during the proceedings. The charges against her were initiated by the Trump administration, which has aggressively pursued immigration enforcement and branded her as an activist judge. Dugan’s legal team has argued that her role as a judge should exempt her from prosecution in this context, a claim that was ultimately rejected in court.
Case Involves Specific Incident with ICE Agents
This case marks a notable first in Wisconsin, as Dugan is the first state judge to face charges for allegedly interfering with immigration officials. Although she was acquitted of a misdemeanor charge related to concealment of identity, the felony conviction has sparked a heated legal debate.
On April 18, 2025, immigration officials visited the Milwaukee County Courthouse, intending to apprehend Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who had illegally reentered the country and was due to appear before Dugan for a hearing. Dugan confronted the investigators and led them to another judge’s office, suggesting that the administrative warrant they presented was inadequate for arresting Flores-Ruiz.
After the ICE agents left the premises, Dugan facilitated Flores-Ruiz’s escape by guiding him and his attorney through a private exit. Investigators later found Flores-Ruiz in the courthouse hallway and arrested him following a foot chase. Days later, the FBI apprehended Dugan during court proceedings, resulting in her arrest amidst considerable public attention. Flores-Ruiz was eventually deported in November.
