A Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge has resigned from office, bringing a sudden conclusion to a growing political dispute that had drawn sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers at the state level.
Judge Hannah Dugan, who presided over Branch 31 of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court, submitted her resignation late last week. Court officials confirmed that the resignation took effect immediately, leaving the judicial seat vacant ahead of the end of her elected term.
The decision followed public statements from Republican leaders in the Wisconsin Legislature who had indicated they were considering impeachment proceedings related to Dugan’s conduct on the bench. Lawmakers cited concerns over several high-profile judicial decisions, arguing that they raised serious questions about judicial judgment and accountability.
Among the issues highlighted by critics was Dugan’s decision to release a defendant in a reckless homicide case on a signature bond, a move that drew intense scrutiny from political leaders and victims’ advocates. Legislators also pointed to a separate incident in which a contempt ruling resulted in the incarceration of a woman identified as a victim in another court matter. GOP leaders claimed these actions demonstrated conduct they believed could meet constitutional standards for impeachment.
In response to the allegations prior to her resignation, Judge Dugan maintained that her rulings were lawful and consistent with judicial discretion. She characterized the political backlash as an attempt to interfere with judicial independence, emphasizing that judges must rule based on legal standards rather than political pressure.
Dugan was elected to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court in 2021, with her term originally scheduled to run through 2027. Her departure effectively halts any impeachment effort, as state officials confirmed that impeachment proceedings cannot continue once a judge has left office.
Under Wisconsin law, the vacancy will be filled through a gubernatorial appointment. The individual selected by the governor will serve until the next general election, at which point voters will choose a judge to complete the remainder of the term.
The resignation underscores ongoing tensions between Wisconsin’s legislative and judicial branches, particularly as debates over public safety, judicial discretion, and political oversight continue statewide. As of now, no additional public statement has been issued by Dugan regarding her future plans.
Court administrators have indicated that Branch 31 operations will continue with temporary assignments until a permanent replacement is named.
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