A federal judge has upheld the conviction of Hannah Dugan, a former Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge, for obstructing justice by helping a man avoid detention by immigration officers. The decision comes in the wake of her conviction stemming from an incident where she aided Eduardo Flores-Ruiz in evading Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers who were present at the Milwaukee County courthouse.
Background of Dugan’s Case
Dugan’s conviction was closely watched as it presented an early challenge to the immigration enforcement efforts spearheaded by the Trump administration. While President Trump’s supporters labeled her an activist for her actions, her defenders argued that she was unfairly targeted.
U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman had previously delayed Dugan’s sentencing to consider arguments regarding the validity of her conviction. Despite appeals from Dugan’s defense team, Adelman ruled that her conviction would remain, with sentencing yet to be scheduled.
Legal Arguments and Proceedings
Dugan’s attorney argued her actions should not have led to a conviction, referencing a separate case in Virginia. In that case, a federal appeals court ruled that ICE’s actions did not amount to a “pending proceeding,” a key component in the federal obstruction law.
Dugan’s defense contended that since no active “pending proceeding” was ongoing in her courtroom, her actions to assist Flores-Ruiz should not have resulted in charges. Prosecutors disagreed, asserting the cases cited were not comparable and other legal precedents supported her conviction.
Judge Adelman stated that the operation to detain Flores-Ruiz did classify as a “pending proceeding” because it was a deliberate attempt by immigration officers, rather than an opportunistic arrest.
Sentencing and Resignation
Dugan, aged 67, was convicted on December 19 and faces up to five years in prison. However, with no prior criminal history and conviction for a nonviolent crime, she is likely to receive probation based on federal sentencing guidelines.
Following her conviction, Dugan resigned amid potential impeachment from state lawmakers after serving as a judge for nine years.
Incident Leading to Charges
The incident involving Flores-Ruiz occurred on April 18, 2017. ICE officers sought to detain him at the courthouse due to his illegal reentry into the U.S. Dugan confronted these officers and directed them to a different office, deeming their warrant insufficient for an arrest.
Subsequently, Dugan guided Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer through a private exit, attempting to bypass the officers. Despite her efforts, Flores-Ruiz was spotted and apprehended after a brief chase. Dugan was arrested by FBI agents in the following week.
Ultimately, Flores-Ruiz was deported in November.