Milwaukee, Wisconsin — The state’s Supreme Court has placed a temporary suspension on a circuit judge following her arrest last week on charges related to aiding an undocumented individual in avoiding capture by federal authorities.
Judge Hannah Dugan of the Milwaukee County Circuit was ordered to step back from her judicial responsibilities as of Tuesday. This decision comes amid ongoing criminal proceedings against her, as outlined in a directive from the court signed by its clerk, Samuel Christensen. The directive expressed the court’s commitment to maintaining public trust during the legal process.
Dugan faces two federal charges, including obstructing a federal proceeding and concealing an individual to prevent his capture. The FBI arrested her on Friday after allegations surfaced that she directed agents away from Eduardo Flores Ruiz, an undocumented migrant originally from Mexico who was wanted for unlawful presence in the United States.
The legal troubles for Flores-Ruiz have been complicated; he is facing three charges of battery related to domestic abuse. He was scheduled to attend a hearing overseen by Dugan on April 18, but the event turned chaotic when federal immigration officers arrived to arrest him.
Eyewitness accounts from court records describe Dugan as visibly upset when federal agents attempted to apprehend the suspect. After an altercation in the courtroom, she allegedly escorted Flores-Ruiz out through a less conspicuous exit, helping him evade the authorities. Subsequent to his departure, law enforcement pursued him, resulting in a foot chase before he was finally taken into custody.
Reaction to Dugan’s suspension has been swift. Some state Republicans have praised the Supreme Court’s decision to relieve her of her duties. Representative Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin remarked that judges should maintain integrity and uphold the law, asserting that Dugan should face permanent removal from her position. Fellow Republican Representative Darrell Issa of California echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that a judge is not above the law due to their position.
As the case progresses, Dugan’s future on the bench remains uncertain, and public interest continues to mount regarding the implications of her alleged actions and the broader context of judicial accountability in such matters.
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