Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan entered a plea of not guilty on Thursday to federal charges alleging that she assisted a man residing in the country illegally in evading immigration agents who were attempting to apprehend him at her courthouse.
Approximately 100 demonstrators gathered in front of the federal building and courthouse in downtown Milwaukee on Thursday morning in anticipation of an arraignment hearing.
Last month, federal prosecutors filed charges against Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan for obstruction and concealing an individual to prevent arrest. A grand jury issued an indictment against her on the same charges on Tuesday. If convicted on both counts, she faces a potential prison sentence of up to six years.
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On Thursday, protesters carried signs bearing messages such as, “Liquidate the Oligarchs,” “Not Guilty,” and “Hands off Democracy.” They chanted slogans including, “Democracy! Hands off!” and “Free speech! Hands off!”
Protesters supporting Judge Hannah Dugan gather outside the federal courthouse in Milwaukee on Thursday before her arraignment. Bill Kirkos/CNN
Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who had been deported in 2013 but whom prosecutors assert illegally re-entered the US, was present in Judge Dugan’s courtroom on April 18 for a hearing concerning a misdemeanor domestic violence charge. According to court documents filed by prosecutors, Dugan’s clerk informed her that immigration agents were in the courthouse seeking to arrest him.
Prosecutors allege in court documents that Judge Dugan referred to the situation as “absurd” and instructed the agents to speak with the chief judge before escorting Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out through a back exit.
The immigration agents eventually apprehended Flores-Ruiz outside the building following a brief foot pursuit, as stated in the court documents.
Attorneys representing Judge Dugan filed a motion on Wednesday, arguing that her actions on that day were solely directing the movement of individuals within and around her courtroom, and that she is entitled to legal immunity for official acts performed in her capacity as a judge.
The motion stated, “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.”
Judge Dugan’s legal team cited the 2024 US Supreme Court ruling that granted former presidents absolute immunity from prosecution for official acts in the case involving President Donald Trump’s alleged interference in the 2020 election.
