A Milwaukee County Circuit Judge, Hannah Dugan, is facing serious legal trouble after being indicted for allegedly helping an illegal immigrant avoid arrest. The charges against her include concealing a person from arrest and obstructing federal proceedings. This all reportedly happened last month when Dugan attempted to assist Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national, escape from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials who were waiting outside her courtroom.
Dugan’s attorneys are arguing that she should not be prosecuted at all, claiming "judicial immunity." They believe that this legal protection prevents her from facing charges for actions taken in her official capacity. In a recent court filing, they stated that the prosecution violates the U.S. Constitution’s 10th Amendment, which preserves certain powers for the states. They emphasized that judicial immunity has been recognized for centuries, and in their view, the government has no legal basis to pursue charges against her.
The incident unfolded when law enforcement was outside Dugan’s courtroom, prepared to arrest Flores-Ruiz. Allegedly, Dugan confronted the officials and directed Flores-Ruiz to exit through a side door, bypassing the public exit where ICE was waiting. The complaint against her notes that she was aware of an administrative warrant for Flores-Ruiz’s arrest but still chose to escort him out through a non-public area.
Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized Dugan’s actions, especially given that the case involved domestic violence. She expressed outrage, stating that Dugan was prioritizing the protection of a criminal defendant over the victims of crime.
As this case unfolds, it raises important questions about the limits of judicial authority and the responsibilities of judges. The outcome could have significant implications for how similar cases are handled in the future.