United States Thanks Jurors for Their Service and Urges Peaceful Response to Verdict

Brad D. Schimel, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, issued the following statement in response to the conviction of Judge Hannah Dugan.

“There are several important messages that would be the same no matter the verdict: First, we all owe a debt of gratitude to the jurors for their service and dedication – our justice system is not always perfect, but it is the best the world has ever known. Much of the credit for that belongs to citizens who sacrifice to serve as jurors, and our justice system would not work without their service.

Second, we all need to keep this case in proper perspective. Some have sought to make this about a larger political battle. While this case is serious for all involved, it is ultimately about a single bad day in a public courthouse. It was a criminal case like the many that make their way through this courthouse every day, and we all must accept the verdict peacefully.

Third, although much of the work on this case took place prior to my appointment, I have witnessed the hard work and extraordinary talent of the team here that put the final pieces of this case together over the last month. I am immensely proud of them. The three seasoned trial attorneys worked tirelessly to prepare the presentation of this case, and based upon my experience, they tried it masterfully.

Many other attorneys and our very capable litigation support staff also worked long hours to put this together. Many thanks to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for their astounding investigative efforts. On behalf of the people of the United States that we serve, I thank all of them for their diligent efforts.

I reiterate that ALL of us need to keep this case in proper perspective and peacefully accept the verdict. This was a serious matter for which it was necessary to seek to hold Judge Dugan accountable. We have all heard the phrase, “no one is above the law.” It is apt in this case. A judge holds a high position of public trust, and Judge Dugan’s actions violated that trust. Her own recorded words demonstrate that she knew what she was doing was wrong.

Experience and common sense, as well as the evidence presented in this case, demonstrate that the safest place to execute this arrest warrant can often be within the public area of a courthouse, such as the Milwaukee County Courthouse, where there is security screening to ensure that none who enter are armed. That is why federal law enforcement agents sought, as law enforcement does every day, to utilize that safer environment to accomplish this arrest.

But the Defendant’s actions provided an opportunity for a wanted subject to flee outside the courthouse, which led to a dangerous foot chase through automobile traffic and eventually to an agent taking the subject to the ground, which is always hazardous for both the officer and the suspect. There was certainly the potential for many other dangers, as well. Thankfully, no one was injured.

Law enforcement work is fraught with dangers and our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day. Here they were carrying out their sworn responsibility to execute an arrest warrant. Whenever they perform their duties, they should reasonably be entitled to do so in the safest possible conditions. When someone, especially a sworn public official, puts them in unnecessary danger by obstructing those efforts to make an arrest as safely as possible, they must be held accountable.

The Defendant exercised her constitutional right to put the government to its proof. We met that burden, and the jury has found the defendant guilty of a felony. It will now be up to the Judge to determine the appropriate sentence.”

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.