The Valley Bar Caucus (“VBC”) of the San Fernando Valley Bar Association, in furtherance of the Bar’s mission of advancing the administration of justice, condemns the arrest of Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan by federal authorities on April 25, 2025. The public nature of the incident appears to be an assault on judicial independence.
The timing and nature of this arrest raise profound concerns. It mirrors a troubling pattern of federal overreach aimed at intimidating the judiciary and eroding the separation of powers. Such actions threaten to transform our legal system into a tool of political retribution, rather than a forum for impartial justice. It further undermines the longstanding principle that judicial officers have inherent powers to manage their proceedings to ensure justice. This is especially true given that public accounts are the immigration officials were attempting to make an arrest without a judicial warrant.
We join with legal advocates, civil rights organizations, and concerned citizens in calling for a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Judge Dugan's arrest. It is imperative that we uphold the integrity of our judicial system and protect it from political interference.
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