Milwaukee County officials have publicly reinforced their allegiance to the fundamental principles of due process following the recent arrest of Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan. In a collective response to the unsettling news, Milwaukee County Supervisor and 1st Vice Chair Steven Shea, along with 2nd Vice Chair Priscilla E. Coggs-Jones and Supervisors Juan Miguel Martinez, Jack Eckblad, Sequanna Taylor, Sky Z. Capriolo, Felesia A. Martin and Anne O'Connor, released a statement emphasizing that justice and fairness are cornerstones of the legal system that must be steadfastly maintained.
The group of supervisors, in a statement obtained by Milwaukee County, expressed, "As elected officials, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the rule of law and the constitutional protections that ensure justice and fairness in our legal system." Furthermore, they collectively recognized that while the law is supreme and applies uniformly to everyone, it is equally important to unconditionally defend the rights of all individuals beneath the protection of due process.
The statement references Judge Dugan’s record of public service and notes her experience in the courtroom. While details regarding Dugan’s arrest have not been extensively discussed, officials emphasized the importance of following due process and avoiding premature judgments before all facts are fully established.
Officials have conveyed an unequivocal message: "Due process is the bedrock of our democracy. It applies to all individuals—regardless of status, circumstance, or profession—and must be upheld without fear or favor." They underscore the necessity to appropriately follow judicial procedure, thus adhering to the country's democratic values, and remaining vigilant in protecting the rights of every citizen, including those like Judge Dugan who are to readily have built their careers on the pursuit of justice.
Milwaukee County's supervisory body has emphasized its commitment to due process during this period of legal proceedings. Officials have reaffirmed the importance of ensuring that legal processes are followed appropriately, underscoring the role of due process in maintaining the integrity of the justice system for all individuals within the community.
