Overview
- A federal jury convicted Dugan in December 2025 of obstructing a federal proceeding for directing ICE agents away and escorting a defendant through a private jury door.
- On July 8, 2026, U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman fined Dugan $5,000 and declined to impose prison time, saying her long public service and the collateral consequences she already suffered weighed against incarceration.
- The April 18, 2025 episode began when ICE agents went to the Milwaukee County Courthouse to arrest Eduardo Flores‑Ruiz; Dugan redirected agents, led the defendant out a nonpublic exit, and agents later arrested him outside after a short chase.
- Federal prosecutors argued Dugan abused judicial authority and cited federal sentencing guidelines calling for 15 to 21 months in prison, while her lawyers said resignation, public shaming and threats amount to severe punishment and asked for time served.
- Dugan has resigned from the bench and her lawyers said they will appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, a move that could set precedent for how prosecutors use obstruction laws against judges and influence future courthouse arrest tactics and judicial responses.