Former Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan to be sentenced in ICE obstruction case Judge Lynn Adelman will weigh federal guidelines against Dugan's lack of criminal history, her resignation from the bench and her record of public service.



Federal Judge Lynn Adelman is set to decide today the sentence for former Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan, who was convicted of obstructing federal agents.

Federal sentencing guidelines call for 15 to 21 months in prison, and prosecutors are seeking what they describe as a serious and meaningful sentence. Dugan's attorneys are asking for time served and no additional time behind bars.


The sentencing comes more than a year after the courthouse confrontation that led to Dugan's arrest. A jury convicted Dugan in December of obstructing federal agents who were trying to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz at the Milwaukee County Courthouse in April 2025.

Prosecutors say Dugan directed agents away from her courtroom, then led Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a private jury door. Agents later arrested Flores-Ruiz outside the courthouse after a foot chase.

Legal analyst Dan Adams said Judge Lynn Adelman will weigh the federal guidelines along with factors including Dugan's lack of a prior criminal history, her resignation from the bench and her record of public service.

 All of those factors play into whether or not a prison sentence is appropriate,  Adams said.  And, you know, obviously predicting what a judge will do today is kind of dangerous. But I would be surprised if she gets a prison sentence. I do believe that it will be a time-served disposition, as the defense is asking for. 

Dugan is expected to speak at the sentencing, which would be her first public comments since her conviction. Dugan did not testify at her trial. Her attorneys say she will address the court before Adelman hands down the sentence.

Her attorneys say they plan to appeal the conviction regardless of the sentence.

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