Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan is facing federal charges after allegedly helping a defendant avoid detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A federal judge recently denied her motion to dismiss the case on the grounds of judicial immunity, stating that the actions she is accused of fall outside the scope of protected judicial conduct.
U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman ruled that Dugan failed to prove she is entitled to absolute judicial immunity. He emphasized that immunity only applies to functions that are inherently judicial, and the allegations—interfering with federal agents and facilitating a defendant’s exit—do not clearly fall under that category. Adelman stated that the court must now determine the facts through trial proceedings.
The incident occurred on April 18, when ICE agents attempted to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a defendant in Dugan’s courtroom facing battery charges. According to prosecutors, Dugan learned of the agents’ presence, confronted them, and informed them they needed a judicial warrant. She allegedly diverted the agents to another office and then allowed the defendant and his lawyer to exit through a private door.
Despite this, ICE agents arrested Flores-Ruiz later that day. Dugan was indicted shortly after and has since argued that her actions were taken as part of her judicial duties. Her legal team also invoked constitutional protections, including the Tenth Amendment and the separation of powers doctrine, arguing that the federal government overstepped its authority.
Judge Adelman rejected these defenses, ruling that the conduct described—allegedly misleading federal officers and facilitating an escape—could not be shielded by immunity simply because it occurred within a courthouse. The case will now proceed, with a hearing set for October 3.
The case has garnered national attention due to its rarity. Legal observers note that its outcome may influence future interpretations of judicial immunity, especially in cases involving federal law enforcement actions.
