The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Tuesday temporarily relieved Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan of her duties after she was arrested for trying to prevent law enforcement from arresting an illegal immigrant in her courtroom.
In a brief two-page order, the court said it became aware Judge Dugan was charged with a felony and a misdemeanor and “it is in the public interest that she be temporarily relieved of her official duties.”
The court acted on its own accord with the order and was not responding to any specific request.
Judge Dugan was charged last week with obstructing a government proceeding and with concealing an individual from arrest.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said Judge Dugan “screamed” at a deportation officer and tried to order him and other federal agents out of the courthouse when they came with a warrant for Eduardo Flores-Ruiz.
When they wouldn’t leave, Judge Dugan ordered them to go see the chief judge — and she used that opportunity to let Mr. Flores-Ruiz out through a nonpublic door, the FBI said in court documents.
Once outside the courthouse, Mr. Flores-Ruiz made a run for it. He was chased down by federal agents, who took him into custody.
Judge Dugan aided Mr. Flores-Ruiz’s escape before she even had him appear for his hearing on the domestic violence charges.
He had previously been deported in 2013 and was accused now of severely beating a man and a woman.
Both alleged victims, a victim advocate, and a state prosecutor were all in the courtroom, waiting for the hearing that never happened.
During her verbal altercation with a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, the FBI said the judge claimed ICE had no right to make an arrest in the courthouse because it did not have a “judicial“ warrant.
The deportation officer explained to the judge that this is incorrect, and that he had an administrative warrant, which is what is needed in an arrest in the immigration context.
That is when Judge Dugan sent the federal agents to talk to the chief judge, and used the opportunity to help the migrant escape, the FBI said in court documents
Judge Dugan is expected to appear for an arraignment May 15.
And in a statement to the Associated Press, Judge Dugan’s lawyers said they were disappointed “that the Court acted in unilateral fashion. We continue to assert Judge Dugan’s innocence and look forward to her vindication in court.”
