It’s not every day you see the FBI walk into a local courthouse to arrest the person sitting behind the bench. But that’s exactly where we found ourselves in the saga of Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan. Honestly, the whole thing felt like a scene pulled straight out of a political thriller, but for the people of Wisconsin, it was a very real legal crisis that just wrapped up with a resignation letter on the Governor's desk.
If you’ve been following the headlines about the Milwaukee County judge Hannah Dugan indicted by federal grand jury, you know the basics: a judge, a defendant, and a side door. But the "why" and the "how" are a lot messier. This wasn't just a simple case of someone breaking the law. It became a massive tug-of-war between state judicial independence and federal immigration enforcement, and it’s basically changed the way judges think about their own courtrooms.
The Incident That Started It All
Everything traces back to April 18, 2025. It was a Friday morning in Branch 31 of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court. A 31-year-old man named Eduardo Flores-Ruiz was there for a hearing on some misdemeanor battery charges. Standard stuff for a local judge.
But things went sideways when a team of federal agents showed up. They weren't there for the battery case; they were there because Flores-Ruiz had re-entered the country illegally after a prior deportation.
When Dugan’s clerk told her the agents were in the hallway, witnesses say she didn't just stay on the bench. She got "visibly angry." She confronted the agents, demanding to see a judicial warrant. They only had an administrative one.
In the eyes of the feds, that administrative warrant was plenty. To Dugan, it wasn't. What happened next is what led to the Milwaukee County judge Hannah Dugan indicted by federal grand jury proceedings. While the agents were sent off to talk to the Chief Judge about "courtroom policy," Dugan allegedly took Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer through a private "jury door" that leads to a non-public hallway.
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He got out of the building. For a minute, anyway. The feds caught him outside after a foot chase, but the damage was done. The Department of Justice viewed that side-door exit as a felony.
Why the Federal Grand Jury Stepped In
You might wonder why this became a federal case instead of a local ethics complaint. Basically, when you mess with federal officers trying to do their jobs, you’re playing in a different league.
The grand jury didn't take long to act. By May 13, 2025, they handed down an indictment with two main charges:
- Obstruction of Justice (Felony): Specifically, "obstructing or impeding a proceeding."
- Concealing a Person (Misdemeanor): Helping a wanted individual evade discovery.
The prosecution’s argument was pretty straightforward. They claimed Dugan used her position of power to intentionally trick federal agents so a defendant could escape. Her defense team, led by Craig Mastantuono, tried a different angle. They argued she was just "doing her job" and managing her courtroom. They even brought up judicial immunity, suggesting a judge can't be prosecuted for how they handle their own space.
It didn't stick. U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman ruled that immunity doesn't give you a "get out of jail free" card if you’re accused of a crime.
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The Trial and the December Verdict
Fast forward to December 2025. The trial was a four-day media circus. We saw character witnesses like former Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett testifying that Dugan was a "good person." We heard from other judges who felt "uncomfortable" when Dugan asked them to help her confront the agents.
On December 18, 2025, the jury came back with a split decision.
- Guilty on the felony obstruction charge.
- Not Guilty on the misdemeanor of concealing the person.
It was a weird middle ground, but a felony conviction for a sitting judge is a career-ender. Period.
Resignation and the Aftermath in 2026
By the time we hit January 2026, the pressure was at a boiling point. Republican lawmakers in Madison were already drawing up impeachment papers. They didn't have to finish them, though.
On January 3, 2026, Dugan sent her resignation letter to Governor Tony Evers. She didn't sound like someone who had given up, though. She called the proceedings "unprecedented" and said she was resigning to avoid being a "distraction" while she continues to fight the conviction through appeals.
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What Happens Now?
If you're wondering what this means for the Milwaukee legal system, the dust is still settling.
- A New Judge: Governor Evers has already appointed Owen Piotrowski, a former assistant district attorney, to fill the seat in Branch 31.
- Sentencing: Dugan is still waiting for her sentencing date. She could face up to five years, though most legal experts think she'll get significantly less (or even probation) given her lack of a prior record.
- The Appeal: Her lawyers are banking on the idea that the federal government overreached. They’re looking at recent Supreme Court rulings on immunity to see if they can get the whole thing tossed.
Lessons for the Legal Community
This case is a massive warning shot. It tells local officials that "sanctuary" sentiments have limits when they cross the line into physical interference with federal agents. Whether you think Dugan is a hero for standing up for her courtroom or a criminal for helping someone flee, the precedent is set.
If you find yourself following local court cases or dealing with legal proceedings in Milwaukee, it's worth keeping an eye on the Wisconsin Supreme Court. They’ve been tightening rules on courthouse conduct ever since this blew up to ensure nothing like the "side door exit" happens again.
Next Step: You should check the official Wisconsin Court System website or the Milwaukee County Clerk of Courts to see how the new appointment has affected the current case backlog in Branch 31.