A Wisconsin judge has threatened not to hold court in protest of her fellow judge, Hannah Dugan, being arrested by federal authorities last week. On Saturday, Judge Monica Isham announced her boycott via email. She titled her email “Guidance Requested or I Refuse to Hold Court,” making her intent of not working with immigration clear. Judge Dugan was arrested on Friday and charged with obstruction after evidence surfaced that she shielded a migrant from ICE agents.
Judge Dugan Officially Charged
The Wisconsin judge has been officially charged. On Friday, the Wisconsin judge appeared in federal court and has since been released. Her next court date is scheduled for May 15. Dugan is being charged with two federal felony counts: concealing an individual and obstruction.
“Judge Dugan wholeheartedly regrets and protests her arrest. It was not made in the interest of public safety,” Craig Mastantuono, Dugan’s attorney, said during the hearing.
Judge Isham’s Email
In her email, Judge Isham wrote, “If there is no guidance for us and no support for us, I will refuse to hold court in Branch 2 in Sawyer County. I will not put myself or my staff, who may feel compelled to help me or my community, in harm’s way,” Isham wrote.
“If this costs me my job or gets me arrested, then at least I know I did the right thing,” she wrote. Harmeet Dhillon, Wisconsin’s assistant attorney general for civil rights, called Isham’s email “problematic.”
This situation began when federal agents from CBP, DEA, FBI, and ICE tried to arrest Eduardo Flores Ruiz, an undocumented Mexican national, after he appeared before Dugan on April 18, where he faced three misdemeanor battery charges for allegedly beating up two people.
Dugan’s Actions Called ‘Disruptive’
Dugan instructed the officers to wait in the chief judge’s office until the hearing was over. After the hearing, she had Flores-Ruiz escorted out a restricted door, away from where agents were waiting. Dugan was arrested after being ordered to leave the courtroom by Commissioner Rachel Schiffman. Schiffman called Dugan’s actions “disruptive.” The Wisconsin judge stood her ground, saying that she was only fulfilling her duties as a GAL by advocating for her client.
Judge Reiser Supports Dugan
Judge Jessica Reiser, who has stood up for Dugan, says the implications extend beyond the Wisconsin judge’s case and could have a “chilling effect” on GALs if they feel that they are being intimidated or silenced. “If we allow GALs to be intimidated or silenced, we risk compromising the integrity of our justice system,” Reiser said.
Dugan’s Supporters Rally Around Her
Dugan’s supporters have rallied around her, calling her arrest “unjustified.” They argue that Schiffman overstepped the boundaries of her authority by ordering the Wisconsin judge removed from her courtroom. A large number of attorneys and judges have expressed their support for Duggan and are calling for Schiffman to be held accountable for her actions. The response of Wisconsin’s legal community has been one of solidarity, demanding that the rights of GALs be upheld.
