Judge Suspended Amid Allegations of Aiding Migrant

Clear Facts

• The Wisconsin Supreme Court has suspended Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan following her arrest for allegedly assisting an illegal immigrant in evading federal authorities.
• Judge Dugan is accused of directing a migrant and his lawyer to avoid U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents during a courthouse visit.
• Despite her suspension, Judge Dugan will continue to receive her salary during administrative leave.

In a significant move, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has suspended Judge Hannah Dugan of Milwaukee County Circuit Court. This decision comes on the heels of her arrest by federal authorities, who claim she assisted an illegal immigrant in dodging U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

The arrest, carried out by the FBI, followed an investigation into Dugan’s background. The judge is accused of helping an illegal migrant, who faced charges of violence, evade ICE agents. The state’s Supreme Court issued an order stating that Dugan is “temporarily prohibited” from performing her judicial duties “until further order of the court.”

The court emphasized the need to maintain public confidence in the judicial system during the criminal proceedings against Dugan. The order declared, “In the exercise of that constitutional authority and in order to uphold the public confidence in the court of this state during the pendency of the criminal proceeding against Judge Dugan, we conclude on our own motion that it is the public interest that she be temporarily relieved of her official duty.”

Despite her suspension, Dugan will continue to receive her annual salary of over $170,000 while on administrative leave. This decision has sparked discussions about accountability and the use of taxpayer dollars.

The incident in question occurred on April 18, when ICE agents arrived at the courthouse where Dugan presides. They intended to arrest a migrant scheduled for a hearing with the judge. However, Dugan allegedly directed the migrant and his lawyer to move to another floor, away from the ICE agents.

The charges against Dugan involve two federal crimes, which could lead to a felony and a misdemeanor, depending on the outcome. Her legal team has expressed strong opposition to the arrest. They stated, “Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety.”

In response to the suspension, Dugan’s attorneys voiced their dissatisfaction, stating, “We are disappointed that the Court acted in unilateral fashion.” They further asserted, “We continue to assert Judge Dugan’s innocence and look forward to her vindication in court.”

Judge Dugan is scheduled to appear in court on May 15, where further developments in this high-profile case are anticipated.

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