Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan resigns in wake of conviction

MILWAUKEE - Hannah Dugan, the Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge convicted in federal court last month of obstructing federal agents, submitted her resignation to Gov. Tony Evers on Saturday.

Dugan's resignation

What they're saying:

FOX6 News obtained a copy of Dugan's resignation letter. In it, she wrote in part, that she was the subject of "unprecedented legal proceedings" that "present immense and complex challenges that threaten the independence of our judiciary." 

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Dugan also wrote that it "has been the honor of my life and a daily blessing" to serve as a judge for the past nine years. She expressed a desire for the branch she served to start the year with a judge on the bench "rather than have the fate of that Court rest in a partisan fight in the state legislature."

What's next:

Dugan asked that Evers accept her resignation with immediate effect. A spokesperson for the governor said his office received Dugan's letter, and he would work to fill the vacancy without delay.

Jury's split decision

The backstory:

A jury found Dugan guilty of obstructing federal agents who were at the Milwaukee County Courthouse to arrest an undocumented man in April. However, the jury acquitted her of helping that man evade those agents. 

The Wisconsin Supreme Court said, until U.S. District Judge Adelman accepts the verdict, which could take a few months, Dugan would remain suspended with pay. 

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The Wisconsin Constitution states a person convicted of a felony shall not be eligible to hold office. The law states an elected official loses office upon conviction and sentencing for a felony, but the federal court has not yet entered the guilty judgment or sentenced Dugan.

Court filings show Dugan's legal team filed a motion for a judgment of acquittal and, in doing so, moved for a new trial last month. The filings also sought to extend the deadlines for post-verdict motions. 

Leaders respond

What's next:

Since her conviction, it remained a possibility that Dugan could resign. Wisconsin Republicans called for her to be impeached if she did not, something that has not happened since 1853.

Republican Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos on Saturday praised Dugan's decision, saying in a statement: "I’m glad Dugan did the right thing by resigning and followed the clear direction from the Wisconsin Constitution."

Democrat Ann Jacobs, who is chair of the Wisconsin Elections Commission board, said she agreed with Dugan that Milwaukee should have a permanent judge in place while this fight plays out.

"Despite her situation, she is ever the champion of justice, wanting to remove the judiciary from a political battle over her fate. I’m sure this is terribly hard for her but she is true to her faith and her principles," Jacobs said in a post on X.

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, a supporter of Dugan, said he is on board with her resignation. 

"It's an unfortunate situation, but our job is to make sure, not just our Milwaukee County Courthouse, but our justice system, is something that we can trust and continue to believe in," he said.

Attorney weighs in

Dig deeper:

Defense Attorney Julius Kim, who is not associated with the case, said Dugan's decision to step down takes the politics out of judicial independence.

"I personally expected this to happen," Kim said. "Especially after the conviction, the one conviction that occurred in trial, because that leaves a lot of things kind of in limbo – legal limbo, and then limbo in a time standpoint because appeals take a long time."

Kim also said Dugan's request for a new trial extends the legal process and would've placed a burden on her courtroom.

"I think that she recognized that it's probably better for the system and for the people of Milwaukee County that someone else gets appointed that can fill in her position on a full-time basis," he said.