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Judge Postpones Hannah Dugan Sentencing to Hear Motion for Acquittal or New Trial

The court halted the planned June sentencing so a judge can hear defense arguments that could overturn the conviction or order a retrial.

Overview

  • A federal court order filed late Tuesday canceled the June 3 sentencing and set oral argument so the judge can consider the defense motion for acquittal or a new trial.
  • Dugan’s lawyers asked the judge to toss the verdict or grant a retrial and the judge moved the schedule to decide those requests before imposing any sentence.
  • A jury in December found the former Milwaukee County judge guilty of a federal felony obstruction charge and acquitted her on a related misdemeanor count.
  • The case centers on allegations that Dugan helped an undocumented court defendant evade federal agents in her courtroom, and she resigned from the bench after her arrest and suspension.
  • If the judge grants the motion the conviction could be vacated or a new trial ordered, which would delay sentencing and reshape any appeal; conservative outlets have criticized the postponement while local reporting has focused on the procedural step.