Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan faces serious allegations after a courtroom incident involving an undocumented immigrant last month.
According to Fox News, Dugan entered a not guilty plea in federal court on Thursday to charges of concealing a person from arrest and obstruction of justice after allegedly helping an illegal immigrant evade Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.
The federal indictment details how Dugan allegedly assisted Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an undocumented Mexican national, in evading ICE agents during his scheduled court appearance in April. When immigration officers attempted to apprehend Flores-Ruiz, who was facing three misdemeanor battery charges, Dugan reportedly told them they needed a warrant to enter her courtroom and directed them to the chief judge's office.
The situation escalated when Dugan allegedly escorted Flores-Ruiz through a side door of the courtroom, enabling him to temporarily escape federal agents. According to witness accounts cited in the criminal complaint, Dugan displayed visible anger and confrontational behavior during the incident.
Law enforcement eventually apprehended Flores-Ruiz following a foot chase. The FBI subsequently arrested Judge Dugan at the courthouse one week after the incident, though she was later released from custody.
Around 200 protesters gathered outside the Milwaukee federal courthouse on Thursday to demonstrate their support for Dugan as she made her court appearance. The judge's trial date has been set for July 21.
Dugan's legal team has mounted an aggressive defense strategy, filing a motion on Wednesday to dismiss the federal charges. Her attorneys emphasized her dedication to upholding legal principles throughout her career.
According to her legal team:
The problems with this prosecution are legion, but most immediately, the government cannot prosecute Judge Dugan because she is entitled to judicial immunity for her official acts. Immunity is not a defense to the prosecution to be determined later by a jury or court; it is an absolute bar to the prosecution at the outset.
The motion further argued that immunity and federalism issues require swift resolution, maintaining that the government lacks a legal basis for prosecution.
If convicted on both federal charges, Dugan could face severe penalties, including up to six years of imprisonment and fines reaching $350,000. The case has drawn significant attention within the legal community.
The charges represent a rare instance of a sitting judge facing federal prosecution for actions taken during court proceedings. The case raises questions about the boundaries of judicial authority and immigration enforcement in courtroom settings.
Dugan continues to assert her innocence through her legal representatives, who have stated their client looks forward to vindication through the court process.
Judge Hannah Dugan, a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge, faces federal charges after allegedly helping Eduardo Flores-Ruiz evade ICE officers during a court appearance in April 2025. The incident, which resulted in a foot chase and eventual arrest of both Flores-Ruiz and later Dugan herself, has sparked significant controversy and public demonstrations. As the case moves toward a July trial date, Dugan's legal team has filed for dismissal based on judicial immunity while she maintains her innocence against charges that could result in substantial prison time and financial penalties.
