Judge in Wisconsin enters plea of not guilty for aiding in immigration evasion by federal authorities.

HARD-HITTING NEWS BY THE APMILWAUKEE - Judge HANNAH DUGAN boldly pleaded not guilty in federal court to charges claiming she assisted an unlawful alien evade U.S. immigration authorities seeking his arrest at her courthouse.

Dugan faced her accusers during a brief arraignment. Magistrate Judge STEPHEN DRIES set a trial start date for July 21, with Dugan's top attorney, STEVEN BISKUPIC, estimating the trial to span approximately a week. All parties left the courtroom tight-lipped, avoiding the media rush.

The Juicy Details Against Dugan

Prosecutors accuse the judge of concealing an individual to evade arrest and obstruction. They allege Dugan escorted EDUARDO FLORES-RUIZ and his lawyer out of her courtroom via a back door on April 18, after discovering federal agents within the courthouse aiming to apprehend Flores-Ruiz for his unlawful presence in the country. If she's found guilty, Dugan could face up to six years behind bars for both offenses.

Dugan and her legal team assert her innocence. They filed a motion Wednesday to dismiss the case, asserting she was acting in her role as a judge and thus immune from prosecution. They also contest the federal government's conduct, accusing them of violating Wisconsin's autonomy by breaching a state courtroom and indicting a state judge.

The Heat's on — Tensions Escalate

Dugan's arrest has amplified the division between the Trump administration and Democrats over the president's robust immigration crackdown.

Protesters protested outside the courthouse ahead of Thursday's hearing, carrying signs that read, "Covert Police State Actions," "AG Barr Overstep," and "Keep Your Paws Off Our Judges!!" The group chanted, "Protection of Due Process," "Hands Off Our Freedom," and "Vamos Pa Lante" - Spanish for "Come On, Let's Go" - a battle cry for immigrant rights activists. One man stood across the street with a TRUMP flag.

NANCY CAMDEN, of suburban Mequon north of Milwaukee, joined the protesters demanding the case's dismissal. Camden stated she believes ICE should not have attempted to arrest Flores-Ruiz within the courthouse and believes the Department of Justice "overstepped" by charging Dugan.

"The way they handled this and made a spectacle of arresting her and cuffing her, it was all intimidation," Camden stated. "I won't be intimidated. I'm fighting back."

ESTHER CABRERA, a Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression organizer, called the charges against Dugan "state-sanctioned intimidation."

"If we're going to go after judges, if we're going after mayors, we must understand they can come after anyone," she said. "That's why we wanted to make a presence today, to say they can't come after everyone, and it stops here."

The Case's History

According to court documents, Flores-Ruiz illegally re-entered the U.S. following a deportation in 2013. Online court records show he was charged with three counts of misdemeanor domestic abuse in Milwaukee County in March, and he stood before Dugan on April 18 for a hearing regarding this case.

The FBI affidavit alleges Dugan was alerted to the agents' presence by her clerk, who was advised by an attorney that the agents appeared to be in the hallway. Dugan reportedly expressed her anger and called the situation "ridiculous" before fleeing the bench and relocating to her chambers. Later, she and another judge confronted members of the arrest team within the courthouse with what witnesses described as a "confrontational, mad demeanor."

Following a disagreement with the agents over the warrant for Flores-Ruiz, Dugan demanded they consult the chief judge and led them out of the courtroom, according to the affidavit.

After returning to the courtroom, witnesses reportedly heard her say something to the effect of "pause, come with me" before guiding Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out through a door typically utilized solely by deputies, court staff, jurors, and in-custody defendants, the affidavit alleges. Flores-Ruiz was out on a signature bond in the abuse case, according to online state court records. Federal agents ultimately apprehended him outside the courthouse after a foot pursuit.

The state Supreme Court suspended Dugan last week, stating the action was necessary to preserve public confidence in the judiciary. She was subsequently released after her arrest.

Will This Case Stand Up in Court?

JOHN VAUDREUIL, a former federal prosecutor in Wisconsin who isn't connected to either Dugan's or Flores-Ruiz's cases, speculates the Trump administration strives to make an example out of Dugan. He suggests U.S. Attorney General PAM BONDI or DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL TODD BLANCHE, rather than the U.S. attorney in Milwaukee, are likely making the crucial decisions about the case, diminishing the likelihood prosecutors will lower the charges against Dugan in a plea bargain.

Dugan is represented by some of Wisconsin's most accomplished legal minds. Biskupic was a federal prosecutor for 20 years and served for seven years as U.S. attorney in Milwaukee. Paul CLEMENT, on the other hand, is a former U.S. solicitor general who has argued more than 100 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. Both were appointed to their positions by former Republican President GEORGE W. BUSH.

Associated Press reporters SCOTT BAUER in Madison, Wisconsin, and LAURA BARGFELD contributed to this report.

Volcanic Eruption in Deep Ocean Ridge Captured for First Time by Scientists
California Eaglets Sunny and Gizmo Get Ready for Their Wings
Dan Seavey, Alaska Mushing Family Matriarch, Dies
Hawaii's Kona Coffee Fields Target for ICE
The Longevity Expert's 5 Tips for Aging Well

The ongoing controversy surrounding Judge Hannah Dugan's arrest in Seattle involves allegations of obstruction and aiding an unlawful alien, sparking debate in the realm of politics, particularly regarding the Trump administration's stance on immigration.
In the aftermath of Judge Dugan's arrest, Seattle has become a focal point of general-news discussions, with the government's conduct under scrutiny due to accusations of violating state autonomy and breaching a courtroom.
The high-profile trial of Judge Dugan, set to commence on July 21, is not only a significant event in Seattle's crime-and-justice sector but also a potential indicator of how the government handles similar cases, impacting future interactions between law enforcement and the judiciary.

Judge in Wisconsin enters plea of not guilty for aiding in immigration evasion by federal authorities.