The Wisconsin Supreme Court announced an administrative order on Tuesday instructing Milwaukee Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan to be temporarily excused from her official responsibilities.
Dugan was taken into custody and accused of obstructing an official procedure on Friday after it was revealed that she had hidden an undocumented immigrant from federal agents, as stated in a criminal complaint.
Additionally, she faced charges for concealing an individual to evade detection and arrest, as reported by Fox News. The order issued on Tuesday stipulates that Dugan is temporarily barred from performing the duties of a circuit court judge in Wisconsin.
The state Supreme Court indicated that this ruling will remain effective until a further order is issued by the court.
The Wisconsin Court System informed Fox News on Tuesday afternoon that Dugan will not be returning to the court this week, and her responsibilities will be managed by other judges. Dugan is set to appear in federal court on May 15 to address charges of criminal obstruction of a federal agency and a misdemeanor accusation of concealing an individual to aid in evading arrest.
On Friday, the FBI arrested Dugan for reportedly harboring a previously deported illegal immigrant in the jury chamber to prevent his capture by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials.
Federal authorities from ICE, FBI, CBP, and DEA were attempting to apprehend Mexican national Eduardo Flores-Ruiz following his scheduled court appearance before Dugan on April 18, where he faced three misdemeanor battery charges for allegedly assaulting two individuals.
The lawsuit alleges that Dugan instructed the police to enter the chief judge’s office and, after his hearing, escorted Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a restricted jury exit, avoiding the public area where agents were positioned to assist in his arrest evasion.
Dugan appeared in federal court in Milwaukee on Friday but refrained from making any public statements during the brief hearing, as reported by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Her attorney, Craig Mastantuono, informed the court, ‘Judge Dugan deeply regrets and contests her arrest, asserting it was not conducted in the interest of public safety.’ Dugan dismissed local claims that she had concealed the undocumented immigrant from ICE.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel noted that Dugan responded to the allegations in its article published last Tuesday, stating, ‘Almost every detail concerning the “tips” in your email is incorrect.’
Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized Dugan’s conduct during an appearance on Fox’s “America Reports.” “We were astonished that a judge would take such action,” Bondi remarked. “Obstructing a criminal case is unacceptable. It is truly disgraceful. This was a domestic violence case, and she chose to prioritize the rights of a criminal defendant over those of the victims.”
He assaulted the individual, striking him thirty times, knocked him to the ground, and choked him, while also severely injuring a woman, necessitating both of their hospitalizations,” she stated.
Democrats voiced their indignation following FBI Director Kash Patel’s announcement on Friday that Judge Dugan had been apprehended for allegedly aiding an undocumented immigrant in avoiding detention by immigration officials.
Circuit Judge Monica Isham subsequently declared that she would cease hearing cases to protect herself and her staff from potential repercussions should they be asked to undertake similar actions as Judge Dugan.
“Yesterday, Judge Hannah Dugan of Milwaukee County upheld her Oath in the very building where she pledged to maintain it, and for this, she was arrested and charged with felonies. This has gone too far,” she remarked.
I have no intention of permitting anyone to be removed from my courtroom by ICE and transported to a concentration camp, particularly without due process, as mandated by both constitutions we pledged to uphold. Should I begin to gather bail funds?
I will refrain from placing myself or my staff, who might feel obligated to assist me or my community, in a position of danger.
