Two weeks after the arrest of a Milwaukee County judge by federal authorities, a majority of readers who voted in our non-scientific poll said the U.S. Justice Department took the appropriate action against Judge Hannah Dugan.
Federal authorities have accused Dugan of helping an undocumented immigrant defendant evade arrest by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE. Dugan was charged April 25 with a misdemeanor and a felony — one for concealing a person to prevent his arrest and the other for obstructing a proceeding before a U.S. department.
Our poll question asked: “Was it right for the Justice Department to file criminal charges against a Milwaukee County judge?” As of May 9 when the vote closed, 62% said “Yes,” 36% said “No” and 1.2% have “No opinion.”
The margin for the second question — “Was it appropriate for the judge to be arrested by U.S. Marshals at the Milwaukee County Courthouse?” — was similar: 59% said, “Yes, these are serious charges, 40% said, “No, she isn’t a flight risk” and 1% have “No opinion.”
Thank you to the 250 people who took the poll and left comments. Here is a sampler of what readers had to say:
Judges are supposed to enforce law, not subvert it
➤”Judges are supposed to enforce the law, not try to subvert it. Dugan should go to trial on the charges, and if found guilt, she should be dismissed from the court, lose her law license, and pay a substantial fine.” — Greg Schick, Mt. Pleasant
➤”The arrest is a purely political act. Not surprised by this action because this administration is doing the only thing they are good at, throwing ‘raw meat’ to their fan club. Unfortunately, while many in our country are banging the drum of ‘lock her up,’ there remains no progress in resolving many of the actual problems and challenges in our country. Many politicians want a deeply divided country and will continue to do whatever it takes to maintain those divisions because they think it will benefit them. There are no winners here. Let’s applaud leaders that will unite us not just give us the next meal of ‘raw meat’ that we think will taste good. Be better than that.” — Parker Sammuelson, Waukesha
➤”That judge spit in the face of the two victims of the illegal (immigrant). He was there to face justice and she showed him the way to escape.” — Cheryl Cheun, North Fond du Lac
➤”Some accounts make it sound like the judge gave this man, a litigant in her court, an avenue to escape down a tunnel like ‘El Chapo,’ the drug kingpin. Actually, the jury exit leads out to the same 6th floor corridor at the Milwaukee Courthouse, about 30 or 40 feet from the main courtroom entrance. Court staff routinely provide an alternate exit for people facing cameras or crowds outside the courtroom. It was ridiculous to charge two felonies for showing a man where the exit is located.” — Thomas O’Donnell, Milwaukee
➤”I expect the poll to go as usual. The Democrats will support the judge and criticize Trump as they always do no matter the circumstances. and the Republicans will support the justice department. Milwaukee County is highly Democratic, so I sort of know what to expect. Wouldn’t be nice if people voted according to what the law says and not by political stance.” — Wergin Glenn, Lake Geneva
Was it right for the Justice Department to file criminal charges?
➤”This is a classic example of a fascist attack on the judiciary on nonsense legal grounds. ICE’s administrative warrants are illegitimate. The entire organization ought to be regarded as the American Gestapo.” — Alexandria Lavandula, Cudahy
➤”We’ve been told for two years now that “no one is above the law”. That seems to only apply to those who oppose the views of the left.” — Chad Yates, Oconomowoc
➤”Nothing that Trump does is justice! So who is his ‘justice’ department to judge someone who doesn’t agree with their far-right wing ideology?” — Eric Hopp, Skokie, Illinois
Was it appropriate for the judge to be arrested at the courthouse?
➤”Read what she had done with her life. She has done more to help the poor, the homeless, the hungry than anyone else I know. It seems as if she is trying to live her life as a good Christian.” — Linda Monaco McConkey, Aurora, Illinois
➤”The judge helped a criminally charged illegal (immigrant) escape from federal officers. In these times, too many activist judges, are abusing the legal system. It is time that they are sent a message loud and clear, that this is unacceptable. Having her arrested in public and handcuffed, is the right message, in my opinion.” — Jim Anderson Wausau
➤”The ‘suspect’ had no criminal history, was a sitting judge, had clear ties to her community and in no normal universe would any FBI agent look at the circumstances and have any reason to believe she was a flight risk or that she wouldn’t appear at the time and place of her first appearance.” — John Bigly, Mounds View MN
Jim Fitzhenry is the Ideas Lab Editor/Director of Community Engagement for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Reach him at jfitzhen@gannett.com or 920-993-7154.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: We asked readers about arrest of Milwaukee Judge Dugan. Here’s what you said. | Opinion
Reporting by James N. Fitzhenry, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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