Federal Judge Denies Appeal of Former Milwaukee Judge Convicted of Obstructing Immigration Enforcement

Hannah Dugan was found guilty of felony obstruction of justice for helping an undocumented man evade federal agents in her courtroom.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 7:50pm

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A quiet, cinematic painting of an empty courtroom with a single chair at the judge's bench, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the complex legal issues at the heart of this case.The conviction of a former judge for obstructing immigration enforcement exposes the delicate balance between judicial independence and federal authority.Today in Milwaukee

A federal judge has denied the appeal of former Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan, who was seeking to overturn a jury's guilty verdict against her for obstructing federal immigration enforcement efforts. Dugan was convicted last year of helping an undocumented man appearing in her courtroom go out a side door to evade detection by federal agents.

Why it matters

The case highlights the ongoing tensions between local judges and federal immigration authorities, with Dugan arguing she was acting within her independent authority as a judge. The ruling could set a precedent for how far judges can go in protecting undocumented individuals in their courtrooms.

The details

U.S. District Court Judge Lynn Adelman ruled against Dugan's appeal in a 39-page order, rejecting her claim that she was immune from prosecution because her actions were taken while serving as a judge. Dugan's legal team plans to appeal the ruling to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.

  • On Monday, the federal judge denied Dugan's appeal.
  • Dugan was convicted in December of last year.

The players

Hannah Dugan

A former Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge who was convicted of obstructing federal immigration enforcement efforts.

Lynn Adelman

The U.S. District Court Judge who denied Dugan's appeal.

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What they’re saying

“We continue to maintain that Hannah Dugan acted lawfully and within her independent authority as a judge. The inconsistent jury verdicts demonstrate that the trial proceedings were flawed, and we plan to appeal.”

— Dugan's attorneys

What’s next

Dugan's legal team plans to appeal the federal judge's ruling to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between local judges and federal immigration authorities, with the ruling potentially setting a precedent for how far judges can go in protecting undocumented individuals in their courtrooms.