A Wisconsin circuit court judge convicted of felony obstruction for helping an illegal immigrant evade federal authorities has resigned from the bench, ending weeks of political fallout and averting an imminent impeachment process.
Hannah Dugan, a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge, submitted her resignation letter on Saturday to Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, as Republican lawmakers prepared to move forward with impeachment proceedings tied to her conviction.
Dugan’s resignation follows her Dec. 18 conviction on federal charges stemming from an April incident in which prosecutors said she deliberately interfered with immigration officers attempting to arrest an illegal immigrant outside her courtroom.
The move brings a sudden end to Dugan’s judicial career but leaves unresolved the broader legal and political questions surrounding the case, which has become a flashpoint in the Trump administration’s renewed immigration enforcement efforts.
Conviction Sparked Political Firestorm
Federal prosecutors accused Dugan of obstructing justice after she allegedly intervened to help an illegal immigrant avoid arrest by U.S. immigration officials at the Milwaukee County courthouse on April 18.
According to court records, immigration agents were waiting outside Dugan’s courtroom to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national who had illegally reentered the United States and was scheduled to appear before her on a state battery charge.
Prosecutors said Dugan became aware of the agents’ presence and confronted them, questioning the validity of their administrative arrest warrant. She then directed the agents away from the courtroom to speak with Milwaukee County Chief Judge Carl Ashley.
After the agents left the area, prosecutors allege that Dugan escorted Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a private jury door and into a restricted corridor, allowing him to attempt to flee.
Immigration officers later spotted Flores-Ruiz in the courthouse hallway and apprehended him after a foot chase.
Judge Found Guilty of Felony Obstruction
Dugan was convicted in federal court in December on felony obstruction charges related to the incident. The conviction marked a rare instance of a sitting state judge being found guilty of interfering with federal law enforcement.
In the weeks following the verdict, Republican lawmakers in Wisconsin signaled they would pursue impeachment, arguing that Dugan’s actions violated both state law and judicial ethics.
Her resignation effectively halts that process.
A spokesperson for Gov. Evers confirmed that the governor’s office received the resignation letter and said steps would be taken immediately to fill the vacancy on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court.
Dugan Cites Threats to Judicial Independence
In her resignation letter, Dugan reflected on her decade-long tenure on the bench, saying she had handled thousands of cases with professionalism and respect.
“I have worked every day to treat all persons with dignity and respect, to act justly, deliberately and consistently, and to maintain a courtroom with the decorum and safety the public deserves,” she wrote.
However, Dugan said her ongoing legal fight had become too great a burden to continue serving.
“As you know, I am the subject of unprecedented federal legal proceedings,” she wrote. “They present immense and complex challenges that threaten the independence of our judiciary.”
She added that she intended to continue fighting the charges, framing the case as larger than her own future.
“I am pursuing this fight for myself and for our independent judiciary,” Dugan wrote.
Case Tied to Trump’s Immigration Agenda
The prosecution of Dugan has become closely tied to President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement policies during his second term.
Republicans have pointed to the case as evidence that no one — including judges — is above the law when it comes to obstructing federal immigration enforcement.
Democrats, however, have argued that the case was politically motivated and designed to intimidate members of the judiciary who question or challenge immigration operations in courthouses.
Dugan herself suggested in her letter that the prosecution posed a danger to judicial independence, a claim echoed by some Democratic officials and legal advocates.
Reactions Split Along Party Lines
Reactions to Dugan’s resignation broke sharply along partisan lines.
Ann Jacobs, chair of the Wisconsin Elections Commission, publicly supported Dugan’s decision to step aside.
“Despite her situation, she is ever the champion of justice, wanting to remove the judiciary from a political battle over her fate,” Jacobs wrote on X. “I’m sure this is terribly hard for her, but she is true to her faith and her principles.”
Republican leaders welcomed the resignation as long overdue.
Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said Dugan had finally followed the state constitution.
“I’m glad Dugan did the right thing by resigning,” Vos said. “This brings clarity and accountability back to the judiciary.”
Details of the Courthouse Incident
The underlying incident occurred on April 18 at the Milwaukee County courthouse.
Flores-Ruiz, 31, had been scheduled to appear before Dugan on a state battery charge. Immigration officials identified him through fingerprint records submitted during his jail booking and arrived at the courthouse to arrest him after his hearing.
According to prosecutors, when Dugan encountered the agents, she challenged their authority and sent them away from the courtroom.
Once they left, she allegedly guided Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a secured jury door normally inaccessible to defendants.
Officers later spotted Flores-Ruiz in the building and pursued him on foot before arresting him.
Immigrant Deported After Guilty Plea
Flores-Ruiz was later charged federally with unlawful reentry and pleaded guilty. He was deported to Mexico on Nov. 13, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Federal officials said his deportation closed the immigration case but did not affect the prosecution of Dugan, which proceeded independently.
Legal Case Still Unresolved
Although Dugan’s resignation removes the immediate threat of impeachment, her federal case remains unresolved.
She has maintained that she acted within her authority to manage courtroom proceedings and ensure safety and order, a claim rejected by prosecutors and the jury that convicted her.
Legal experts say the case could have lasting implications for how immigration enforcement intersects with state courts, particularly amid ongoing debates over whether courthouses should be considered sensitive locations.
Broader Implications for the Judiciary
The resignation underscores growing tensions between federal immigration authorities and state judicial systems.
Supporters of stricter enforcement argue that judges must not interfere with lawful arrests, while critics warn that aggressive immigration actions inside courthouses could undermine trust in the justice system and deter immigrants from appearing in court.
Dugan’s case sits at the center of that debate — a rare example of a judge facing criminal consequences for actions taken from the bench.
Vacancy to Be Filled
Gov. Evers is expected to appoint a replacement to fill Dugan’s seat on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court in the coming days.
The resignation closes one chapter in a case that has drawn national attention, but it is unlikely to end the broader political and legal arguments surrounding immigration enforcement, judicial authority, and the limits of courtroom discretion.
For now, Dugan steps away from the bench under the shadow of a felony conviction — leaving behind a case that may continue to shape the national conversation long after her departure.
Emily Johnson is a critically acclaimed essayist and novelist known for her thought-provoking works centered on feminism, women’s rights, and modern relationships. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Emily grew up with a deep love of books, often spending her afternoons at her local library. She went on to study literature and gender studies at UCLA, where she became deeply involved in activism and began publishing essays in campus journals. Her debut essay collection, Voices Unbound, struck a chord with readers nationwide for its fearless exploration of gender dynamics, identity, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary society. Emily later transitioned into fiction, writing novels that balance compelling storytelling with social commentary. Her protagonists are often strong, multidimensional women navigating love, ambition, and the struggles of everyday life, making her a favorite among readers who crave authentic, relatable narratives. Critics praise her ability to merge personal intimacy with universal themes. Off the page, Emily is an advocate for women in publishing, leading workshops that encourage young female writers to embrace their voices. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two rescue cats, where she continues to write, teach, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
