Former Milwaukee County judge Hannah Dugan avoids prison time, fined $5K
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Former Milwaukee County judge Hannah Dugan will not spend time in prison.
Dugan is free Wednesday after she was sentenced to time already served and fined $5,000.
It's the latest step in a case that's gotten national attention for more than a year.
Hannah Dugan
Dugan's felony obstruction case is not over as her defense team is preparing an appeal. But this latest chapter is a win for her as she avoids prison time, and for the very first time, Hannah Dugan spoke publicly about her actions last April.
Dugan said that April day was not normal and went beyond the demands of misdemeanor trial court. She said her acts were consistent with community concerns for the sanctity of the court, and she said she did not act with malicious intent or for personal gain.
The courtroom was packed again Wednesday at the federal courthouse as the defense and prosecution focused on Dugan's character. The government argued for a serious sentence for a serious crime, saying Dugan has caused institutional damage.
More than 20 letters of support were submitted on Dugan's behalf.
Former Supreme Court justice Janine Geske-a longtime friend of Dugan's- was among those who spoke on her behalf. They told the judge Dugan has been through enough already, including having to move out of her home, withstand threats, and retreat from all public life.
"I told the judge that there probably is not a place in the city of Milwaukee where the poor gather, where there's homeless, where there's domestic violence survivors, where there is places of people who need a place to go, that Hannah hasn't spent time and contributed to the betterment of the community," Geske said.
Ultimately, Judge Lynn Adelman decided prison is not necessary.
He said the collateral consequences cannot be ignored and that it's hard to see how prison time would add to that deterrence.
Dugan did not react in the courtroom when the sentence was announced. Neither she nor the prosecution spoke afterwards.
Dugan's legal team is now preparing to appeal the conviction itself.