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DOJ arrests Milwaukee judge for allegedly obstructing arrest of a noncitizen

  1. Original Date Announced

    April 25, 2025

    Federal officials arrested Judge Hannah Dugan of the Milwaukee County circuit court for "obstructing a government proceeding and concealing an individual to prevent arrest." In the criminal complaint, DOJ alleges Judge Dugan "hindered the immigration agents who showed up to arrest" a man appearing in her courtroom by allowing the man "to exit through a jury door." Judge Dugan allegedly confronted the immigration agents at the court, telling them "they needed a judicial warrant to arrest someone inside the courthouse." The man was later arrested by the agents outside.

    Judge Dugan is scheduled to enter a plea on May 15.

    Trump 2.0 [ID # 1706]

    2025.04.25 Reported: US charges Milwaukee judge with obstructing immigration arrest in Trump crackdown - Reuters
  2. Subsequent Trump and Court Action

    August 26, 2025

    2025.08.26 Decision and Order- United States v. Dugan

    Federal District Court Judge Lynn Adelman rejected Wisconsin Judge Hannah C. Dugan's bid for immunity in a federal case where she faces charges of concealing a person from arrest and obstructing proceedings. Judge Dugan argued that she was entitled to absolute criminal immunity for "core judicial acts." Judge Adelman, while recognizing that judges are immune from civil liability, there is no general rule of absolute judicial immunity, stating that "[t]here is no basis for granting immunity simply because some of the allegations in the indictment describe conduct that could be considered 'part of a judge's job.'" A hearing in Judge Dugan's case is set for September 3, 2025. United States v. Dugan, 25-CR-89, (E.D. Wash.).

    **Link to case here. Our litigation entries generally report only the initial complaint and any major substantive filings or decisions. For additional information, CourtListener provides access to PACER and all available pleadings. Other sites that track litigation in more detail or organize cases by topic include Civil Rights Clearinghouse, Justice Action Center, National Immigration Litigation Alliance, and Just Security**

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