Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan is resigning effective immediately following her felony conviction for interfering with federal agents as they sought to arrest an undocumented immigrant who came to her courtroom.
In a letter to Gov. Tony Evers Saturday, Dugan wrote the “unprecedented federal legal proceedings she faces” present “immense and complex challenges that threaten the independence of our judiciary.” While she plans to appeal her conviction, Dugan added she wanted to avoid “a partisan fight in the state legislature” over who sits on the Milwaukee County Branch 31 bench.
The move comes after Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, and Majority Leader Tyler August, R-Geneva, said shortly after Dugan’s conviction that their chamber would begin impeachment proceedings “immediately” if Dugan didn’t resign.
The last time a Wisconsin judge was impeached was 1853.
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“My faith in God and in our legal system leads me to trust that in the long run justice will be served for our independent judiciary and for me,” Dugan wrote in the letter.
A spokesperson for Evers said the guv has received the letter, and as with any appointment, he will “work to fill the vacancy without delay.”
The state Constitution bars felons from holding office. Meanwhile, state statute says a vacancy is created when an incumbent is convicted and sentenced by a court.
U.S. Judge Lynn Adelman hasn’t yet scheduled a sentencing hearing, and Dugan’s legal team has been gearing up for an appeal on what it’s calling a split verdict. While jurors convicted Dugan for felony obstruction, they acquitted her of a misdemeanor charge of concealing an individual from arrest.
“I’m glad Dugan did the right thing by resigning and followed the clear direction from the Wisconsin Constitution,” Vos said.
