A legal storm erupted in Wisconsin when Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was taken into federal custody on felony charges related to immigration enforcement. The judge, who was arrested after an alleged incident involving US immigration agents at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, faces two felony charges – obstruction of justice and concealing an undocumented immigrant.
Charges Linked to Hannah Dugan’s Courtroom Conduct
According to federal documents, the incident happened during a routine pretrial hearing on April 18. Hannah Dugan was presiding over the case of Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an undocumented Mexican immigrant who was previously deported in 2013 but had since returned to the US.
Federal immigration agents, acting on an administrative warrant, arrived at the courthouse to take Flores-Ruiz into custody. Instead, events took a surprising turn. Witnesses claim that Hannah Dugan directly intervened, questioning the validity of the agents’ warrant and allegedly instructing the defendant and his attorney to exit the courtroom from the side.
Escape Attempt and Immediate Aftermath
Moments after allegedly being instructed to exit through a non-public corridor, Flores-Ruiz fled the building. He was briefly pursued outside the courthouse before agents captured him near West State Street and North 10th Street. The arrested judge is now being charged with intentionally obstructing this federal arrest attempt.
The complaint further alleges that Hannah Dugan expedited the court hearing upon becoming aware of the agents’ presence, which led to the defendant’s sudden and unexpected escape.
Legal Consequences and Defenses
The charges against Hannah Dugan — obstruction and concealment to prevent arrest — carry the potential for up to six years in prison and fines totaling $350,000. While these are the statutory maximums, nonviolent crimes such as these typically result in more moderate sentences, if convicted.
Dugan’s legal team has strongly protested the manner of the judge’s arrest, arguing it was excessive and unnecessary. Her defense attorney emphasized her dedication to the rule of law, saying she looks forward to clearing her name in court.
Community and Political Response
The arrest of a sitting judge has sparked heated debate in Wisconsin and beyond. Critics argue that arresting a public official at her workplace in full view of employees and litigants sends a scary message to the broader legal community. Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson described the situation as potentially damaging to public trust in the judiciary.
Democratic leaders denounced the move as politically charged and an example of federal overreach. Some called the arrest an intimidation tactic aimed at discouraging judicial independence.
Others, however, took a firm stand in support of federal officers. Wisconsin’s top Republican officials said anyone who interferes with immigration enforcement should be held accountable, regardless of their position.
Background of The Defendant and Charges
Flores-Ruiz, the defendant at the center of the controversy, was scheduled for trial on misdemeanor battery charges related to a domestic incident. He is now separately charged in federal court with illegally re-entering the United States. Records show he has been living and working in Milwaukee for more than a decade.
Court documents show that on the day of the incident, six plainclothes officers from multiple federal agencies arrived to arrest him. Hannah Dugan reportedly challenged his authority upon learning of the plan and redirected court proceedings in a way that allowed Flores-Ruiz to escape.
A Judge’s History and Path Forward
First elected in 2016, Hannah Dugan is known for her strong stances on civil rights and due process. Her current term is set to expire in 2028. The case against her now becomes a defining moment in her judicial career — one that is likely to have legal and political resonance across the country.
As the court proceedings progress, all eyes are on Milwaukee’s courthouse. The rare incident of a judge being arrested in the building where she dispenses justice has drawn national attention and ignited a wider conversation about the balance between immigration enforcement and judicial discretion.
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