Judge Dugan’s Case Advances Amid Immunity Debate

A federal magistrate judge in Wisconsin has recommended that criminal charges against Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan, accused of helping undocumented immigrant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz evade ICE arrest, should not be dismissed. Judge Dugan was arrested in April and faces charges of obstruction and concealing an individual to prevent arrest after allegedly assisting Flores-Ruiz in her courthouse. Her legal team argued for judicial immunity and claimed the prosecution infringes on state sovereignty, but Magistrate Judge Nancy Joseph ruled that judicial immunity only covers civil lawsuits, not criminal charges. The recommendation is non-binding and will be reviewed by U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman. If convicted, Dugan could face up to six years in prison. The case has sparked debate about the boundaries of judicial immunity and state versus federal law enforcement authority.