Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan resigned Saturday, following her conviction for obstructing federal law enforcement officers.
In a letter to Gov. Tony Evers (D), Dugan said “the Wisconsin citizens that I cherish deserve to start the year with a judge on the bench” rather than have impeachment proceedings drag out in the legislature. The resignation is effective immediately.
Dugan was convicted of felony obstruction on Dec. 18 following a jury trial in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. She faces up to five years in prison.
The case drew national attention after Dugan was arrested in April for aiding an undocumented migrant who was appearing in her courtroom as a defendant. The case raised questions over how much control judges have over their courtrooms and to what extent state officials must cooperate with federal immigration enforcement efforts.
Dugan said in her resignation letter that her case presents “immense and complex challenges that threaten the independence of our judiciary.”
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