MILWAUKEE — A Wisconsin judge was found guilty on Dec. 18 of a felony count of obstructing federal agents seeking to make an immigration arrest outside her courtroom, a precedent-setting case that has been closely watched nationally and drawn protests.
Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan was charged in April with obstruction and concealing an individual to prevent the arrest of the man, who was in the U.S. without legal permission. After deliberating for more than six hours, a jury delivered a split verdict and found the judge not guilty on the lesser misdemeanor charge of concealment.
“We weren’t trying to make an example out of anyone. This was necessary to hold Judge Dugan accountable because of the actions she took,” Interim U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel said. “There’s not a political aspect to it.”
Dugan attorney Steve Biskupic highlighted that the jury delivered a split verdict and the elements between the two counts are the same. Dugan, 66, showed no emotion as the verdict was read.
“The case is a long way from over,” Biskupic said.
