Wisconsin Judge Threatens Courtroom Boycott After Fellow Judge’s Arrest

Judicial drama is unfolding in Wisconsin: Judge Monica Isham has threatened to stop holding court in Sawyer County after her colleague, Judge Hannah Dugan, was arrested by federal authorities last week. Isham’s bold move came to light in an email she sent to judges across the state, dramatically titled "Guidance Requested or I Refuse to Hold Court."

Isham’s message made it clear she’s not interested in cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and won’t let courtroom staff or her community be put "in harm’s way" without clear support and guidance. She doubled down, stating, "I have no intention of allowing anyone to be taken out of my courtroom by ICE and sent to a concentration camp, especially without due process, as BOTH of the constitutions we swore to support require." She even joked about raising bail money for herself—talk about commitment.

Judge Isham’s stance follows the arrest of Judge Dugan, who faces charges of obstructing an official proceeding and concealing an individual to prevent discovery and arrest. According to the criminal complaint, Dugan allegedly helped Mexican national Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who was in her courtroom on three misdemeanor battery charges, evade ICE agents waiting to detain him. Dugan is accused of escorting Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out a restricted jury door instead of through the public area, giving ICE the slip.

Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon weighed in on social media, calling Isham’s courtroom boycott threat "problematic." Meanwhile, Dugan, a longtime advocate for legal aid and former executive director of Catholic Charities, continues to oversee cases at Milwaukee County’s Branch 31 of the Circuit Court, where she’s been since 2016.

Looks like Wisconsin’s courts are taking the phrase "order in the court" to a whole new level.