Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan Resigns Following Felony Obstruction Conviction

Judge Hannah Dugan Steps Down Amidst Controversy

Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan submitted her resignation on Saturday, January 3, 2026, following her conviction for felony obstruction. The resignation, effective immediately, was sent to Democratic Governor Tony Evers. Dugan, 66 years old, stated in her letter that the 'unprecedented federal legal proceedings' she faces present 'immense and complex challenges that threaten the independence of our judiciary,' and that she wished to avoid 'a partisan fight in the state legislature' over her position.

Obstruction Conviction Details

The conviction, handed down by a federal jury on December 18, 2025, found Judge Dugan guilty of a felony count of impeding or obstructing a proceeding. She was acquitted of a misdemeanor charge of concealing an individual to prevent his discovery or arrest. The charges originated from an incident on April 18, 2025, when federal agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrived at the Milwaukee County courthouse to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a man scheduled for a hearing in Dugan's courtroom on misdemeanor domestic battery charges.

According to prosecutors, Dugan led Flores-Ruiz through a side door of her courtroom and informed him his hearing would be rescheduled via Zoom, effectively helping him evade the federal officers. Federal agents later apprehended Flores-Ruiz after a foot chase outside the courthouse. Dugan was arrested on April 25, 2025, and subsequently suspended from her judicial duties by the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

Impeachment Threats from GOP Leaders

The resignation came after Wisconsin's top legislative Republicans, including Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Majority Leader Tyler August, publicly announced their intent to initiate impeachment proceedings against Dugan if she did not resign 'immediately' after her conviction. They cited a section of the Wisconsin Constitution which states that individuals with a felony conviction are ineligible to hold 'any office of trust, profit or honor in this state' unless pardoned. Speaker Vos stated, 'I'm glad Dugan did the right thing by resigning and followed the clear direction from the Wisconsin Constitution.'

Broader Implications and Future Steps

Judge Dugan's case garnered national attention, highlighting the ongoing tension between local judicial authority and federal immigration enforcement efforts. While a sentencing date for Dugan has not yet been set, her legal team has indicated plans to appeal the conviction. Her resignation allows Governor Evers to appoint a successor to the Milwaukee County Branch 31 bench.