Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan finds herself at the center of a legal storm as federal prosecutors prepare to bring an extensive lineup of witnesses against her. Accused of assisting a man in avoiding immigration detention, her trial is slated to begin on December 15.
In a significant development during a pretrial meeting on Wednesday, federal prosecutors informed U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman of their intention to present testimony from 25 to 28 witnesses. This comes following Dugan’s arrest on April 25, where she allegedly directed a man to evade federal agents through a side exit in her courtroom.
The charges include felony obstruction of a proceeding and misdemeanor concealment of an individual. John Gross, a University of Wisconsin Law School professor, suggested that the prosecution will likely rely on testimonies from law enforcement and court staff present during the incident. “It sounds like they’re (prosecutors) going to call all the law enforcement agents, all of the court personnel, any other … witnesses who were in the hallway, who they were able to identify,” Gross stated.
Jury selection is scheduled for December 11, with 34 potential jurors already dismissed due to bias concerns. About 90 potential jurors remain, with the case drawing national attention and protests at previous hearings. “This case has gotten a lot of press,” Gross noted. “It involves immigration enforcement, which is an issue that people tend to feel strongly about one way or another.”
While Dugan’s defense team has not disclosed their strategy or witness list, she has pleaded not guilty to the charges. In August, Judge Adelman dismissed a defense motion to drop the case, ensuring the proceedings will continue.
The Wisconsin Supreme Court has suspended Dugan from her duties as a circuit judge amid the ongoing case, as reported by the Wisconsin Public Radio. The incident in question occurred on April 18, when federal agents were present in her courtroom to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who was facing domestic violence-related misdemeanor charges. According to the federal complaint, Dugan allegedly facilitated his escape through a juror’s exit, leading to his subsequent arrest outside the courthouse.
The case continues to unfold, drawing significant public interest and raising critical issues regarding the intersection of judicial responsibilities and immigration enforcement.
