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Judge Dugan has served 15 years on the Municipal Bench, since being appointed in 2007 by Governor Ed Rendel. His meritorious service to the court earned the respect of his peers and Dugan was elected President Judge in 2019. As one of the country’s busiest courts, Philadelphia Municipal Court has thrived under Judge Dugan’s tenure and has led the nation in diversion, innovation, and reform initiatives. Viewed as a fair and experienced arbiter of justice, Judge Dugan was selected by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to be one of nine judges appointed to the newly instituted Judicial Ethics Advisory Board.
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Pat Dugan with friend Deacon Steve Hopkins, Korean War Veteran and POW
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I raised my right hand to defend and uphold the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania both as a soldier and as a jurist. These oaths guide my life and there is no end date to either.” - Judge Pat Dugan
Sgt Pat Dugan with his Peshmerga Team
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Judge Dugan has made a lifelong commitment to public service. Dugan served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve as an enlisted airborne infantryman, civil affairs soldier, and Jag Officer. After his first tour of honorable service he returned home to Philadelphia and used his GI Benefits to work his way through Rutgers Law School. Dugan left his law practice and returned to service after a 14 years break to serve alongside the Iraqi Coalition Provisional Authority as an Army Political Administration Officer then as a JAG officer.
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Judge Dugan’s service was instrumental in forming one of the first ever Women’s Empowerment Groups in Iraq. He coordinated and instructed democracy classes to various Councils and officials in the Iraqi provinces of Ninewa and Dohuk. Additionally, during combat operations, Dugan served as both machine gunner and driver on dozens of Civil Affairs missions. Among Dugan’s more than two dozen military awards are the Bronze Star, Combat Action Badge, Parachutists Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
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Pat Dugan with his Family - Halloween 2022
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Judge Patrick Dugan isn’t a friend of mine just because he has a nice smile and a personality to match. I’m proud to call him a friend because I’ve seen how by spearheading Philadelphia Veterans Court he has transformed the lives of scores of at-risk former American service members. When these men and women fell afoul of the law, Pat Dugan recognized what they had given to our nation. He gave them a second chance, and led them to a better path. His brand of toughness, compassion and wisdom is exactly what we want from our judiciary. Judge Pat Dugan is exactly who we need now, on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania." |
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Understanding the Veteran experience has been formative to his work on the bench. Dugan was a founder of Philadelphia’s Veterans Court, and has served in that role since 2010. His holistic approach in Veterans Court has proven highly effective as recidivism is less than 10%.
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Pat Dugan with Vet Court Team and West Wing actors Dule Hill and Melissa Fitzgerald
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There is no slap on the wrist. We hold veterans to the highest standard of behavior. But I may insist they go to therapy instead of serving time. I tell them I want them to get back to the person they were when they were in the service.” - Judge Pat Dugan |
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Dugan is a lifelong resident of Pennsylvania where alongside his wife Nancy they have a blended family of six children and have been blessed with nine grandchildren. His campaign committee includes Pennsylvania Conference of Teamsters President Bill Hamilton who will serve as Campaign Chair and Shawn Murphy as Campaign Treasurer.
Judge Dugan will continue the fight for all Pennsylvanians to ensure transparency, fairness, and justice is upheld across the Commonwealth on the Superior Court. |
