MILWAUKEE — In a significant legal development, Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan pleaded not guilty on Thursday to serious charges that she interfered with a federal immigration arrest. Dugan contends that federal authorities lack the jurisdiction to prosecute her for actions taken within the courtroom setting.
This plea comes just two days after a federal grand jury returned an indictment against Dugan, accusing her of obstructing an official proceeding and concealing a person from arrest. Dugan's attorney issued a statement asserting her innocence and expressing confidence in her eventual vindication in court.
On Wednesday, Judge Dugan's legal team filed a motion to dismiss the charges, arguing that she possesses immunity from prosecution for actions conducted in her capacity as a judge. They referenced a recent Supreme Court decision that affirmed former President Donald Trump's immunity from prosecution for official acts, suggesting a similar protection for judicial actions.
In the coming weeks, a judge will review Dugan's request to dismiss the charges, which hinge on her actions during an incident that unfolded outside her courtroom in downtown Milwaukee.
The charges stem from an incident in April when federal agents arrived at the courthouse to arrest Eduardo Flores Ruiz, a Mexican immigrant facing state misdemeanor battery charges. Flores Ruiz, who had previously been deported in 2013, was scheduled to appear before Judge Dugan that day. In a controversial move, Dugan directed the federal agents to the office of the court’s chief judge while she postponed Flores Ruiz’s hearing.
During this time, Dugan escorted Flores Ruiz and his attorney through a jury exit that led to a private area of the courthouse. This area eventually connected to the public hallway where federal agents were stationed. Consequently, the agents spotted Flores Ruiz, leading to his arrest outside the courthouse.
Remarkably, just a week after the incident, Judge Dugan was arrested. FBI Director Kash Patel announced her arrest on the social media platform X, sharing a photo of her being led away in handcuffs. Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized Dugan, stating she prioritized protecting a criminal defendant over the rights of crime victims.
The Justice Department's decision to pursue charges against Dugan has garnered mixed reactions. Supporters of former President Trump praised the action, while over 150 former judges condemned it as an attempt to intimidate the judiciary. This situation echoes a similar case from Trump’s first term, where a Massachusetts judge faced charges for aiding an undocumented immigrant. Those charges were ultimately dropped in 2022.
On Thursday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Stephen C. Dries accepted Dugan’s not guilty plea and scheduled a trial for July. Dugan appeared in court alongside her attorneys but did not make any statements during the brief four-minute proceeding. This case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman of the Eastern District of Wisconsin, who was appointed by President Bill Clinton and has previously made headlines for his critiques of the Supreme Court.
Prior to the hearing, a crowd gathered outside the federal courthouse, holding an upside-down U.S. flag and signs advocating for due process, with slogans such as “Only fascists arrest judges.” This incident has sparked a broader discussion about judicial independence and the implications of federal interference in state judicial matters.
