ILL IMM FBI arrests Milwaukee judge Hannah Dugan over obstructing ICE operations - Found Guilty Of Felony Obstruction; resigns

Dobbin

Faithful Steed
And the bill is being paid by the Bush criminal cabal, of that you can be sure.
New World Order.

You're all the same in the NWO. You have a right to anything you want, and its the responsibility of those with more to make your compensation.

And "rules" are only for those who abide by the rules.

Dobbin
 

Red Baron

Paleo-Conservative
_______________
Fair Use Cited
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Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan case; final pretrial hearing

By FOX6 News Digital Team
Published November 26, 2025

The Brief

- Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan faces a final pre-trial hearing on Nov. 26 for allegedly helping an undocumented man evade federal immigration agents.

- Plea negotiations are in progress, but the judge's team has signaled they are unwilling to accept a deal.

- The case has become a flashpoint in the ongoing national immigration crackdown.

MILWAUKEE - Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan is set to appear for a final pre-trial hearing on Wednesday, Nov. 26. Dugan is accused of helping an undocumented man evade federal immigration agents.

Plea negotiations in Dugan case

What we know: Plea negotiations are underway with the trial just weeks away, according to key players. However, the Dugan team has indicated it is not willing to accept a plea deal.

A plea agreement would mark a surprising de-escalation by prosecutors in a case that has become a flashpoint in President Donald Trump's sweeping immigration crackdown. Schimel said plea negotiations are part of a "normal process to resolve a case and eliminate risk for both sides, to find a resolution that makes sense. That's all."

The grand jury's two-count indictment accuses Dugan of helping undocumented Eduardo Flores-Ruiz evade federal agents, who were at the Milwaukee County Courthouse to arrest him. It also states Dugan obstructed those agents in the process.

Flores-Ruiz was in Dugan's courtroom for a misdemeanor battery case on April 18. Prosecutors said Dugan told federal agents to go to the chief judge's office down the hall, and is then accused of telling Flores-Ruiz and his attorney to leave her courtroom out a back door as federal agents waited outside the courtroom to arrest him.

Agents later arrested Flores-Ruiz outside the courthouse after a brief foot chase.

The Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended the Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge, saying it is in the public interest to temporarily relieve her of her duties as she faces federal charges.

Motion to dismiss

Dig deeper: A day after Dugan was indicted, her attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the case – claiming she has judicial immunity and the prosecution violates the 10th Amendment.

Dugan's defense argued that judicial immunity means she's protected from prosecution for her official actions as a judge. But the federal government said that immunity only applies to civil lawsuits and does not shield judges from criminal prosecution.

Federal Judge Lynne Adelman on Aug. 26 ruled against Dugan's motion to dismiss. In his decision, he stated history reveals the federal government has the better argument over Dugan on the question of immunity.

 

Red Baron

Paleo-Conservative
_______________
There is quite a legal precedent at stake here that would have best not been explored by Judge Dugan.

I think some kind of plea deal is still possible.

Fair Use Cited
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Milwaukee County Judge Charged in Immigration Incident Going to Trial

Nov 27, 2025 | 7:45 AM
State News

Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan is headed to federal trial.

Dugan appeared in federal court on November 26th in the obstruction case against her, as both sides discussed jury selection, the use of audio recordings, and potential trial witnesses.

She is accused of obstructing immigration agents who were trying to arrest a man in her courtroom.

Dugan has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

 
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Walrus

Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.
IMHO never going to happen. Reason: They think THEY above all others will get away with it.

You do know the criminals more favored saying don't you?

I didn't do nothing.

We all probably used that a lot when we were children. But then we grew up and realized that actions have consequences.
Dindo nuffins all.
 

Macgyver

You also got your last Timebomb. Well that sucks.

Judge Faces Trial for Helping Illegal Migrant Escape ICE

The federal trial for a Wisconsin judge who is accused of helping an illegal alien escape the custody of immigration officials has begun in Milwaukee.

Milwaukee Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was indicted by a grand jury in May for helping an illegal alien escape from U.S. Customs and Enforcement (ICE) officials in April.

Dugan is accused of discovering that ICE agents were searching for illegal alien Eduardo Flores-Ruiz inside a Milwaukee courthouse. She then reportedly helped him escape ICE by spiriting him out through the judge’s private hallway where he re-entered the public elevators while ICE officials were searching for him in the courtroom. The FBI later arrested Judge Dugan and charged her with “obstruction’ for helping Flores-Ruiz escape custody.

As the trial began Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Alexander criticized Judge Dugan’s actions and insisted that, “The judicial robe that the defendant wore in the public hallway that morning did not put her above the law,” the Wall Street Journal reported.

In his opening statement, the judge’s attorney claimed that Dugan was merely attempting to operate by guidelines the court’s chief judge issued on how to interact with ICE in the courthouse. She claims she was acting in accordance with those rules.

Dugan’s attorney, Steven Biskupi, said that his client and other judges had spent some time trying to hash out their duties in emails ahead of her incident with the migrant. “Little did she know that it was her head that was going to be at risk under these policies,” Biskupi said.

“Normally she’s up on the bench making judgments. This week she’s on trial because the federal government wanted her to act a certain way about ICE and she didn’t act that way,” Biskupi added.

Flores-Ruiz has since been deported back to his home country of Mexico.
 

Raggedyman

Res ipsa loquitur
ahhh yes!!!
bear witness to the RULE OF LAW as it functions in this day and age; where only common white folk are made to abide it; where the LAW itself stands in the way of JUSTICE. upside down and inside out BULLSHIT where right is wrong and wrong is right; where agencies not only legally tasked, but constitutionally and morally responsible for ENSURING ACCOUNTABILITY and adherence to ethics and the RULE OF LAW are themselves complicit in perpetuating not only criminal acts but also crimes of HIGH TREASON
 

Dobbin

Faithful Steed
In his opening statement, the judge’s attorney claimed that Dugan was merely attempting to operate by guidelines the court’s chief judge issued on how to interact with ICE in the courthouse. She claims she was acting in accordance with those rules.
"I was only following orders."

Heard widely during the Nuremberg Trials post WWII.

Google AI: Nuremberg Trials I was only following orders

At the Nuremberg Trials, the defense of "just following orders" (Befehlsnotstand) was used by Nazi leaders to claim they weren't responsible for war crimes, but the tribunal rejected it, establishing the principle that individuals are responsible for their actions, especially when orders are clearly illegal or immoral, although a "moral choice" wasn't always possible for lower-ranking soldiers, leading to nuances in legal application. This established the "Nuremberg Defense" principle: you can't escape responsibility for war crimes by claiming you were just obeying a superior, though ignorance of illegality could be a factor.

Hard to imagine Dugan, a judge, to claim "ignorance of the law."

Dobbin
 
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TFergeson

Non Solum Simul Stare
"I was only following orders."

Heard widely during the Nuremberg Trials post WWII.

Google AI: Nuremberg Trials I was only following orders



Hard to imagine Dugan, a judge, to claim "ignorance of the law."

Dobbin

It worked quite well for the military commanders who unlawfully ordered the COVID shot. None of them have been held accountable. Now that the defense is starting to fade, they are switching to "I was misled by legal".

I fully expect to see this new excuse start going mainstream if these politicians and judges start to be held accountable.
 

Raggedyman

Res ipsa loquitur
I fully expect to see this new excuse start going mainstream if these politicians and judges start to be held accountable.
yes INDEED . . . "going mainstream" as regards its use by politicians (spit) and judges (spit spit spit)
- BUT -
that very same "mainstream use" will NOT be extended to us wee folk who will as usual sit back and eat more of the SHIT that is perpetually shoveled our way.
 

Plain Jane

Just Plain Jane

Fellow Judge Delivers Blow To The Defense Of Hannah Dugan​

by Tyler Durden
Wednesday, Dec 17, 2025 - 12:20 PM
Authored by Jonathan Turley,
The trial of Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan began this week.

Yesterday, the defense was delivered a blow from the testimony of the judge, who Dugan enlisted to confront ICE officers seeking to arrest an illegal alien in the courthouse.

Judge Kristela Cervera testified that she was pulled into the dispute by Dugan, who she said admitted that she was trying to help Eduardo Flores-Ruiz as he evaded officers.



Many of us were wondering who the second judge was who appeared in the hallway wearing her robes. It is irregular to see judges outside of their courtrooms wearing their robes.

Cervera said that Dugan specifically told her to keep her robe on and that she was reluctant to do so: “I didn’t want to walk in the hallway with my robe on.” Dugan, however, allegedly wanted the agents to see them in their robes as a sign of authority.

She said that the agent remained respectful but that Dugan was getting upset in the confrontation: “Her irritation seemed to progress to anger. I thought she could have been a little more diplomatic.”

That coincides with the testimony of FBI Special Agent Jeffrey Baker, who stated, “I would say angry is the best way to describe it.”

Likewise, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer Joseph Zuraw stated that Dugan ordered him to “get out” of the public hallway and told him to go to the chief judge’s office. She then allegedly helped the suspect escape through a side door.


Cervera also testified that she was “shocked” by Dugan’s later conduct and that “judges should not be helping defendants evade arrest.”

She added, “I was mortified. I thought that someone may think that I was part of some of what happened.”

Cervera said she was shocked by attorneys praising her for helping Flores-Ruiz escape.

She described attorneys pumping their fists and telling her, “You go, Judge,” and saying, “Judge, you’re ‘goated’ now.”

She said that she avoided Cervera but ran into her in an elevator. She noted that Cervera told her she was “in the dog house” with the Chief Judge for trying to help Flores-Ruiz.

The testimony supports the allegation that Dugan knowingly sought to help Flores-Ruiz and that her actions were outside her role as a judge in the courthouse.

Dugan is charged with obstruction of a federal agency, a felony, and concealing a wanted person, a misdemeanor. As I discussed in earlier columns, the defense may be hoping for jury nullification in the liberal district. The reaction of lawyers lionizing the judges for facilitating the escape of a suspect may suggest that such a conclusion is possible in this district. The defense may be hoping that at least one juror will discard any testimony and stand with Dugan against ICE and the Trump Administration.


The jury pool can only be viewed as overwhelmingly in favor of Dugan. Kamala Harris won Milwaukee by a margin of 68%-30% over Trump. The chances of getting politically motivated jurors are obviously significant, though that obviously does not mean that jurors cannot be persuaded in the end by the strength of this evidence.
 

auxman

Deus vult...
Breaking: Liberal Wisconsin judge Hannah C. Dugan was CONVICTED by a jury at a federal trial for obstructing federal agents.

Jurors saw and heard evidence of how Dugan directed federal agents to another part of the courthouse and then whispered to the court reporter that an illegal migrant could leave through a side door not open to the public. She then led the migrant to that door.

Dugan's crime has been defended by Democrats and leftists, who say it was "fascist" for a judge they favored to be arrested and charged.

View: https://twitter.com/i/status/2001852574257791315
 

Doc1

Has No Life - Lives on TB
MAJOR BREAKING: Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan, who assisted an illegal alien in ESCAPING ICE capture, has just been found GUILTY of FELONY OBSTRUCTION

FAFO!

She now faces FIVE YEARS in prison

RT 1:45
View: https://twitter.com/i/status/2001850972419821748

Good! A felony conviction by itself - irrespective of whatever prison time she receives - ends her legal career. If she does wind up serving time, she will probably wind up having a fairly easy time of it. Why, you ask? Because she's an attorney and will no doubt be swarmed by inmates needing help writing and filing various legal papers.

If she is halfway intelligent about it, she should be able to parlay that experience into having protection and privileges while inside.

Of course there's no guarantee that she'll be halfway intelligent...

Best
Doc
 

thompson

Certa Bonum Certamen

Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan found guilty of felony

A jury found Dugan guilty of impeding a proceeding, but not guilty of concealing an individual

By Sarah Lehr
December 18, 2025
Updated December 18, 2025 at 10:30 pm

Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan has been found guilty of one count against her and not guilty of another.

She was found guilty of impeding a proceeding, a felony, but not guilty of the less serious misdemeanor charge of concealing an individual to prevent his arrest or discovery.

The jury announced the decision after 8:30 p.m. at the federal courthouse in Milwaukee.

The charges stem from an April 18 incident, in which Dugan led a man through a side door of her Milwaukee County courtroom. That happened after federal agents showed up at the courthouse to arrest the man for being in the country illegally.

Dugan’s attorney: ‘The case is a long way from over’

It’s up to U.S. District Court Judge Lynn Adelman to decide Dugan’s sentence. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

Dugan’s defense attorney, Steve Biskupic, said the verdict is “disappointing.”

“The case is a long way from over,” Biskupic told reporters.

He suggested the juror’s split verdict was puzzling and said some elements of one charge against Dugan were the same as the elements needed to prove the other.

“How can you find (her) guilty there and not guilty on the first?” Biskpuic asked.

Brad Schimel, the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Milwaukee, said he’s proud of the federal prosecutors who tried the case.

He said the verdict demonstrates that the “safest” places for carrying out arrest warrants are the public hallways of courthouses.

“The defendant’s actions provided an opportunity for a wanted subject to flee outside that safe courthouse environment, which led to a dangerous foot chase through automobile traffic,” Schimel said. “I’d like to think that she looked back on this from the get go with some regrets about what she did that day.”

On Thursday, Adelman warned the jury they should not consider Dugan’s potential punishment when deciding whether or not she’s guilty.

Throughout the evening Thursday, jurors sent Adelman notes, asking to see exhibits and requesting more clarity on the definitions of the charges against Dugan. At one point, jurors sent for pizza.

Stopped by reporters after the verdict, one juror, who asked not to be named, said the jury followed Adelman’s instructions faithfully. Asked if it was hard to decide, the person answered directly.

“Yes,” said the juror. “Yes.”

Along with potential fines, the impeding-a-proceeding charge filed against Dugan carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, while the concealment charge carried a maximum penalty of one year behind bars.

But prison time in Dugan’s case would be virtually unheard of given the allegations in the case and Dugan’s lack of a criminal record, University of Wisconsin-Madison Law Professor John Gross told WPR.

Gross called the case “incredibly unique.”

“Judges rarely face criminal charges,” Gross said. “Generally speaking, (judges are) people who are pretty outstanding members of the community.”

Dugan’s trial has put a spotlight on Milwaukee, and it’s highlighted the tension between President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and the authority of a local judge.

Federal prosecutor: Dugan is neither evil nor a martyr

Speaking to reporters late Thursday evening, Schimel, the top federal prosecutor for the Milwaukee region, suggested the case was not “about a larger political battle.”

“While this case is serious for all involved, it is ultimately about a single day, a single bad day in a public courthouse,” Schimel said. “The defendant is certainly not evil, nor is she a martyr for some greater cause. It was a criminal case like many that make their way through this courthouse.”

During closing arguments on Thursday, Dugan’s defense attorney, Jason Luczak, said Dugan was the victim of “government overreach” in a case “riddled with doubt.” Meanwhile, prosecutors said Dugan undermined the neutrality of the justice system when she abused her power to knowingly break the law.

Prior to Dugan’s indictment in May, a group of more than 100 state and federal judges signed a letter condemning Dugan’s arrest as an attempt to “intimidate” the judiciary.

When speaking to Fox News after Dugan’s arrest in April, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said judges are not above prosecution if they break the law.

“You cannot obstruct a criminal case. And really, shame on her,” Bondi said of Dugan’s actions.

During the four-day trial, Dugan did not take the stand to testify in her own defense. Adelman told jurors they may not consider the fact that she chose not to testify as evidence against her.

Dugan has been a Milwaukee County judge since 2016. This spring, the Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended her from her duties while the criminal case against her was still ongoing.
 

Doc1

Has No Life - Lives on TB
"During the four-day trial, Dugan did not take the stand to testify in her own defense. Adelman told jurors they may not consider the fact that she chose not to testify as evidence against her."

I don't claim to be an expert, but - many years ago - I have been involved in a fair number of trials. I'm also not an attorney, so the following is just my layman's take:

Defense attorneys often don't want their client to testify for a number of reasons. First is that they are stupid and their attorney thinks they'd be destroyed by the prosecution if they took the stand. Second would be that their client is guilty as 'ell and their defense attorney thinks they'd be destroyed by the prosecution if they took the stand. Third might be that their attorney thinks they are nervous and high strung and inarticulate and the defense attorney thinks they'd be destroyed by the prosecution if they took the stand. Their are other reasons and often they are all inter-related.

I've testified in a number of cases and it's not like the courtroom dramas you've seen on TV. Even if you are the "good guy" and are testifying for the prosecution you're likely to be somewhat nervous and your blood pressure will probably go up a bit. The opposing attorney is going to do their best to try to refute your testimony, trip you up with trick questions and make you look like Satan incarnate...or Gomer Pyle.

In this case, the judge warned the jury not to consider the fact that Dugan elected not to testify on her own behalf. I've never believed that those instructions from the bench are very effective. Even if a juror makes a good faith effort not to consider the accused not testifying, they are still going to be aware of it in at least some dark corner of their brain. In this case, they are going to be aware that the defendant is a judge and a skilled legal professional. I think that probably had at least some effect on the jurors.

I'm glad to see that Dugan was found guilty, but I'm concerned that going forward, during the appeal process, she might get relief from one of her fellow liberal judges.

We shall see.

Best
Doc
 

CaryC

TB Fanatic
"During the four-day trial, Dugan did not take the stand to testify in her own defense. Adelman told jurors they may not consider the fact that she chose not to testify as evidence against her."

I don't claim to be an expert, but - many years ago - I have been involved in a fair number of trials. I'm also not an attorney, so the following is just my layman's take:

Defense attorneys often don't want their client to testify for a number of reasons. First is that they are stupid and their attorney thinks they'd be destroyed by the prosecution if they took the stand. Second would be that their client is guilty as 'ell and their defense attorney thinks they'd be destroyed by the prosecution if they took the stand. Third might be that their attorney thinks they are nervous and high strung and inarticulate and the defense attorney thinks they'd be destroyed by the prosecution if they took the stand. Their are other reasons and often they are all inter-related.

I've testified in a number of cases and it's not like the courtroom dramas you've seen on TV. Even if you are the "good guy" and are testifying for the prosecution you're likely to be somewhat nervous and your blood pressure will probably go up a bit. The opposing attorney is going to do their best to try to refute your testimony, trip you up with trick questions and make you look like Satan incarnate...or Gomer Pyle.

In this case, the judge warned the jury not to consider the fact that Dugan elected not to testify on her own behalf. I've never believed that those instructions from the bench are very effective. Even if a juror makes a good faith effort not to consider the accused not testifying, they are still going to be aware of it in at least some dark corner of their brain. In this case, they are going to be aware that the defendant is a judge and a skilled legal professional. I think that probably had at least some effect on the jurors.

I'm glad to see that Dugan was found guilty, but I'm concerned that going forward, during the appeal process, she might get relief from one of her fellow liberal judges.

We shall see.

Best
Doc
Agreed.

But I Am hoping that the appeals will cost her, and cost her dearly. Like living under a bridge dearly.

Then she can come out walk across the street to the quickmart and tell them Hi, I'm Judge Dugan and they will say Who?
 

20Gauge

TB Fanatic
Call me a skeptic but I'll be amazed if she spends five minutes in jail much less five years.

I'll not be surprised if her conviction gets reversed on appeal compliments of a sympathetic appellate judge.
Not that so much, but gets probation instead.... I do agree with no jail time
 

energy_wave

TB Fanatic
Breaking: Liberal Wisconsin judge Hannah C. Dugan was CONVICTED by a jury at a federal trial for obstructing federal agents.

Jurors saw and heard evidence of how Dugan directed federal agents to another part of the courthouse and then whispered to the court reporter that an illegal migrant could leave through a side door not open to the public. She then led the migrant to that door.

Dugan's crime has been defended by Democrats and leftists, who say it was "fascist" for a judge they favored to be arrested and charged.

View: https://twitter.com/i/status/2001852574257791315
She used emotion over logic. No respect for the law she presides over. I bet she runs into a few friends she convicted over the next five years.
 

Red Baron

Paleo-Conservative
_______________
LOL - She wasn't fired, she quit!

Fair Use Cited
-------------------
Wisconsin judge convicted of obstructing arrest of immigrant resigns as GOP threatens impeachment

Embattled Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan, who was convicted of obstruction last month for helping an immigrant evade federal officers, has sent her resignation letter to the governor.

The letter was sent Saturday. Republicans had been making plans to impeach her ever since her Dec. 19 conviction. A spokesperson for Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, said his office received Dugan's letter, and he would work to fill the vacancy without delay.

Dugan wrote that over the past decade she handled thousands of cases with “a commitment to treat all persons with dignity and respect, to act justly, deliberately and consistently, and to maintain a courtroom with the decorum and safety the public deserves.”

But she said the case against her is too big of a distraction.

“As you know, I am the subject of unprecedented federal legal proceedings, which are far from concluded but which present immense and complex challenges that threaten the independence of our judiciary. I am pursuing this fight for myself and for our independent judiciary,” Dugan said in her letter.

Last April, federal prosecutors accused Dugan of distracting federal officers trying to arrest a Mexican immigrant outside her courtroom and leading the man out through a private door. A federal jury convicted her of felony obstruction.

The case against Dugan was highlighted by President Donald Trump as he pressed ahead with his sweeping immigration crackdown. Democrats insisted the administration was trying to make an example of Dugan to blunt judicial opposition to the operation.

Republican Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos praised Dugan's decision.

“I’m glad Dugan did the right thing by resigning and followed the clear direction from the Wisconsin Constitution," Vos said.


Democrat Ann Jacobs, who is chair of the Wisconsin Elections Commission board, said she agreed with Dugan that Milwaukee should have a permanent judge in place while this fight plays out.

“Despite her situation, she is ever the champion of justice, wanting to remove the judiciary from a political battle over her fate. I’m sure this is terribly hard for her but she is true to her faith and her principles,” Jacobs said in a post on X.

On April 18, immigration officers went to the Milwaukee County courthouse after learning 31-year-old Eduardo Flores-Ruiz had reentered the country illegally and was scheduled to appear before Dugan for a hearing in a state battery case.

Dugan confronted agents outside her courtroom and directed them to the office of her boss, Milwaukee County Chief Judge Carl Ashley, because she told them their administrative warrant wasn’t sufficient grounds to arrest Flores-Ruiz.

After the agents left, she led Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out a private jury door. Agents spotted Flores-Ruiz in the corridor, followed him outside and arrested him after a foot chase. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced in November he had been deported.

 
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