A federal jury in Milwaukee has found Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan guilty of felony obstruction of a federal proceeding, while clearing her of a related misdemeanor charge involving concealment, concluding a closely watched courthouse trial tied to an immigration enforcement incident earlier this year.
The verdict was delivered Thursday evening following more than six hours of jury deliberations after days of trial in the U.S. District Court. Judge Lynn Adelman presided over the case, reading the decision to a packed courtroom after jurors reviewed evidence, requested legal clarifications, and examined multiple exhibits during deliberations.
The case stemmed from an April 18 incident at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, when federal immigration agents arrived to arrest a defendant, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, after a scheduled court appearance. Prosecutors argued that Judge Dugan, upon learning of the agents’ presence, used her judicial authority to escort Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a restricted hallway not open to the public. According to court records, the route allowed Flores-Ruiz to exit the building briefly before agents pursued and detained him following a short foot chase.
Jurors ultimately determined that Judge Dugan unlawfully interfered with a federal proceeding by her actions that day, but did not find sufficient evidence to support the claim that she intentionally concealed Flores-Ruiz to prevent his arrest.
During the trial, prosecutors presented courthouse surveillance footage and courtroom audio recordings. One recording captured Judge Dugan making remarks that prosecutors claimed demonstrated awareness of wrongdoing. Federal attorneys argued that her conduct compromised courtroom neutrality and created unnecessary public safety risks.
Defense attorneys countered that the case represented prosecutorial overreach and emphasized confusion surrounding courthouse arrest procedures. They argued Judge Dugan believed she was following existing protocols related to courtroom security and judicial independence. The defense also questioned the accuracy and context of the audio evidence presented.
Judge Dugan did not testify. The defense instead called several witnesses, including fellow judges, a public defender, and a former Milwaukee mayor, all of whom spoke to her character and professional integrity.
Following the verdict, defense counsel expressed disappointment and indicated that post-trial motions and potential appeals remain under consideration. A statement from the legal defense team noted that the acquittal on one charge leaves room to challenge the remaining conviction.
Federal prosecutors said the outcome affirms the importance of enforcing arrest warrants safely and lawfully within courthouse settings, emphasizing that the case was not intended to target judicial authority broadly.
The felony obstruction conviction carries a maximum possible sentence of up to five years in prison, though legal experts say incarceration is unlikely given Judge Dugan’s lack of prior criminal history and the unusual nature of the case. Sentencing will be scheduled at a later date.
Judge Dugan has served on the Milwaukee County bench since 2016. She was temporarily suspended by the Wisconsin Supreme Court earlier this year pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings.
The trial has drawn national attention, highlighting ongoing tensions between federal immigration enforcement and local judicial operations, while raising broader questions about courtroom authority and procedural boundaries.
