On Friday, November 14, 2025, Wisconsin Public Radio reported that a Republican-backed bill is moving forward in the Wisconsin Legislature that would halt the salaries of judges suspended due to alleged criminal misconduct.
The bill was introduced in response to the case of Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan, who faces federal charges for allegedly assisting a man in evading immigration authorities in April.
Dugan is accused of guiding the individual through a side door of her courtroom. She has pleaded not guilty, and her trial is scheduled for December 15. Following the charges, the Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended Dugan at the end of April. As is customary in Wisconsin, Dugan is receiving her salary during the suspension.
State Representative Shae Sortwell, the bill’s author, argues that it is unfair for taxpayers to fund what he describes as an “extended vacation” for Dugan while also paying for reserve judges to cover her duties. Dugan’s annual salary is $179,774, according to a state court spokesperson.
While the bill would not retroactively affect Dugan’s situation, Republican sponsors intend to prevent similar scenarios in the future.
The initial version of the bill proposed withholding pay from any judge or judicial commissioner suspended pending investigation of any alleged misconduct. However, it has since been amended to specify that the alleged misconduct must be criminal and that the judge will receive back pay if the suspension does not lead to disciplinary action. A further proposed amendment would require the Wisconsin Supreme Court to hold a hearing to establish probable cause of misconduct before pay can be withheld.
Data from the Wisconsin Judicial Commission indicates that judicial suspensions are infrequent. Between 1978 and 2024, only 15 Wisconsin judges were suspended due to public disciplinary cases. These investigations can result in various disciplinary measures, including reprimands, unpaid suspensions, or, in rare cases, removal from office.
Typically, a judge’s suspension occurs after the Wisconsin Judicial Commission files a complaint with the state Supreme Court, asserting probable cause of misconduct. However, in Dugan’s case, the Supreme Court acted independently, citing the need to maintain public confidence in the courts.
The State Bar of Wisconsin has not taken a position on the bill, and Dugan’s attorneys have declined to comment. The bill has cleared both an Assembly and a Senate committee, with Republicans supporting and Democrats opposing it.
Source: Wisconsin Public Radio
