Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested by the FBI Friday and charged in federal court for allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant avoid arrest. She is facing two charges for obstruction and concealing the individual from arrest. She made an initial appearance in court and was released.
The arrest on federal charges is an escalation in the Trump administration’s focus on judges’ conduct, particularly as it relates to immigration enforcement. The Justice Department has repeatedly asserted that it will investigate any local officials who do not assist federal authorities on immigration matters.
FBI director posts photo of arrested Wisconsin judge’s perp walk, possibly violating DOJ policy
- The caption by Patel read, “No one is above the law.”
According to the Confidentiality and Media Contacts Policy listed on the Justice Department’s website, DOJ personnel “should not voluntarily disclose a photograph of a defendant unless it serves a law enforcement function or unless the photograph is already part of the public record in the case.”
Former Attorney General Eric Holder, who implemented the policy during the Obama administration, worked during his tenure to make it more difficult for members of the media to obtain photos of defendants, such as mug shots.
Holder told CNN that Patel’s social media post violates this policy.
“Whatever the issues with what the judge did, they’re trying to maximize intimidation,” Holder said in a statement to CNN.
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