The state Supreme Court acted on its own to suspend a Milwaukee County judge facing federal charges of interfering with immigration officials, saying it was necessary to uphold the public’s confidence in the courts.
In yesterday’s order, the court temporarily relieved Hannah Dugan of her official duties as she faces two federal charges, including a felony. Dugan, who was arrested on Friday, is accused of interfering with ICE agents as they sought to arrest a man in the country illegally who was before her court.
The court wrote it concluded “on our own motion, that it is in the public interest that she be temporarily relieved of her official duties.” The order will be in effect until further notice from the court.
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The court has previously acted on its own to suspend a judge following an arrest.
In 2021, the court temporarily barred then-Milwaukee County Judge Brett Blomme from exercising the powers of a circuit court judge in an order issued the same day that the state filed a criminal complaint against him for possession of child pornography. That order also directed Blomme’s judicial salary to be withheld.
Yesterday’s order suspending Dugan from exercising her powers made no mention of her salary.
In 2018, the justices barred a Fox Crossing municipal judge from exercising his powers the day after he was arrested on charges of stalking and violating a temporary restraining order. In that case, a complaint had already been filed with the Judicial Commission over Leonard Kachinsky’s behavior toward village employees, including harassment.As with yesterday’s order, the court cited its power as the “superintending and administrative authority over the courts of this state” in suspending Kachinsky.
