Former Judge Hannah Dugan Sentenced to Fine for Obstruction of Justice

Hannah Dugan, a former Milwaukee County Circuit Judge, was sentenced to a $5,000 fine on July 8, 2026, for assisting an illegal immigrant in evading arrest. U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman chose not to impose a prison sentence, stating that Dugan's actions were a poor decision rather than indicative of her character. Dugan was convicted in December on a felony obstruction charge related to helping Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who was facing arrest by federal immigration officers. Dugan resigned from her judicial position and is ineligible to serve as a judge in Wisconsin due to her felony conviction. The Justice Department had recommended a serious sentence, citing the misuse of her judicial authority. Dugan's attorneys plan to appeal the conviction to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit.