The Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan after she was arrested for helping a migrant evade immigration authorities.
“The court has learned that Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah C. Dugan has been charged with two federal criminal offenses, one of which is a felony and one of which is a misdemeanor,” a court document reads. “The court is charged in the Wisconsin Constitution with exercising superintending and administrative authority over the courts of this state.”
“In the exercise of that constitutional authority and in order to uphold the public’s confidence in the courts of this state during the pendency of the criminal proceeding against Judge Dugan, we conclude, on our own motion, that it is in the public interest that she be temporarily relieved of her official duties,” the document continues.
Dugan’s legal team said in a statement obtained by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that they “are disappointed that the Court acted in unilateral fashion. We continue to assert Judge Dugan’s innocence and look forward [to] her vindication in court.”
Dugan is set to appear in court on May 15 upon being charged with obstructing a proceeding and concealing an individual to prevent arrest.
After Dugan was arrested, former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) wrote on X, “The Members of the Wisconsin Legislature should vote to remove disgraced Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan from office. It requires a two-thirds vote. They should come in for an extraordinary session ASAP and remove her from office.”
