A bombshell verdict was just announced in a case that most of us likely never thought would see the inside of a courtroom.
Former Judge Hannah Dugan in Wisconsin was just found guilty of obstruction.
While she does plan to appeal the case, she could be sentenced to as many as five years in prison.
Dugan, if you recall, is the Wisconsin judge who assisted an illegal immigrant in avoiding federal authorities after he appeared in her courtroom.
While federal agents were told to cool their heels in a different area of the courthouse, the illegal immigrant used a different route to exit the courtroom, but he was eventually caught.
At the time, FBI Director Kash Patel stated, "Thankfully, our agents chased down the perp on foot, and he's been in custody since, but the Judge's obstruction created increased danger to the public.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi added, "I think some of these judges think they are beyond and above the law, and they are not.”
The defense of Dugan by Democrats at the time was fairly pathetic, simply stating that she had done nothing wrong. Others tried to defend her, saying that if she was convicted, criminals would never show up in court again.
For instance, UW-Madison Law School Professor John Gross stated, "Justices in the courthouse are concerned about this chilling effect that federal law enforcement activity, if it's taking place in the courthouse, how that could deter people from having their day in court. If people fear arrest at a courthouse, it will close the courthouse doors effectively."
Rep. Sylvia Ortiz-Velez (D-Milwaukee) also stuck up for the judge, stating, “As the ranking member of the judiciary committee in the state of Wisconsin, I was appalled. Hannah Dugan, I stand with her. She did nothing wrong, and in the end, I don't believe that she'll be found guilty of doing anything wrong.”
If people are guilty, I don’t see why it matters where they are arrested. If you know you have them in a certain spot, why should they be protected? This is not a game of tag where you get to have a safe zone.
I am not going to lie, but I felt a little giddy when the verdict was announced. And it’s not that I have any ill will against Dugan. I don’t know her at all, but I just assumed this case would get dismissed with prejudice by a liberal judge and she would walk free.
Instead, the case went to trial, and the jury took only six hours to return a verdict. Dugan’s defense team has already announced that it will appeal, stating, "While we are disappointed in today’s outcome, the failure of the prosecution to secure convictions on both counts demonstrates the opportunity we have to clear Judge Dugan’s name and show she did nothing wrong in this matter."
The statement continued, "We have planned for this potential outcome and our defense of Judge Dugan is just beginning. This trial required considerable resources to prepare for and public support for Judge Dugan’s defense fund is critical as we prepare for the next phase of this defense."
Now, I don’t expect the judge to actually see a day in prison, even if she does not win her appeal. I read the comments from prosecutors, and they did not seem overwhelmingly happy that they had gone after the judge, but they did realize that everyone needs to be held accountable. That said, I think they will make a very lenient recommendation during the sentencing process.
