A federal judge recently declined to overturn the conviction of former Wisconsin judge Hannah Dugan, who was convicted of obstruction of justice. Dugan allegedly helped Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an immigrant, evade immigration officers in a courtroom setting. Her case tested the judicial response to the immigration policies during President Donald Trump’s administration.

Conviction and Response

Dugan, who resigned from her post as a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge, faced criticism from Trump supporters who labeled her an activist. Her own support base maintained she was specifically targeted. U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman was tasked with reviewing Dugan’s conviction, which led to a delayed sentencing. However, Adelman ultimately decided not to overturn the decision.

Dugan’s defense stated the conviction was incorrect, citing a similar Virginia case where a federal appeals court overturned the justification used in Dugan’s trial. In that case, the court determined an ICE action did not qualify as a “pending proceeding”. Dugan’s attorneys argued this precedent applied to her, while prosecutors highlighted differences in the cases.

Legal Arguments

Dugan’s legal team contested her charges, stating there was no “pending proceeding” against Flores-Ruiz, only a warrant for his arrest. They argued that a warrant does not meet the legal definition of a proceeding. Prosecutors countered, stating that Flores-Ruiz’s arrest was a planned operation, constituting a pending proceeding by ICE. Judge Adelman agreed with the prosecutors, affirming this action as part of a pending immigration process.

Sentencing and Consequences

Although Dugan could face up to five years in prison, she is more likely to receive probation. This aligns with federal guidelines for individuals with no prior criminal record convicted of nonviolent offenses. Dugan resigned following her conviction, also due to threats of impeachment from Republican lawmakers.

The case originated during the Trump administration’s push to enforce stricter immigration laws. At that time, Dugan was accused of obstructing justice by guiding Flores-Ruiz out via a private courtroom door, allowing him to temporarily avoid arrest. He was subsequently detained by ICE after a short pursuit. Flores-Ruiz was later deported in November.