It was supposed to be a routine court hearing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin—but what unfolded inside that courtroom in April has now blown up into a major legal and political firestorm.
Judge Hannah Dugan, a seasoned local judge, now finds herself in the national spotlight after being accused of helping an undocumented Mexican national, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, evade Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
What started as a domestic abuse case turned into a federal obstruction charge—and the details are raising eyebrows across the country.
Surveillance Footage Shows Judge Directing ICE Away
According to newly released surveillance footage from the Milwaukee County Courthouse, Judge Dugan is seen wearing her black judicial robe while confronting ICE officers who had shown up to detain Flores-Ruiz during his April 18 pretrial hearing.
Prosecutors say Dugan redirected the agents toward the chief judge’s chambers while simultaneously helping Flores-Ruiz and his attorney sneak out through a restricted “jury door”—a back exit not meant for the public.
That door, courtroom staff later explained, is typically reserved for jurors, law enforcement, or defendants already in custody—not people out on bond like Flores-Ruiz.
A Quick Escape—and a Fast Arrest
Security footage showed that after leaving through the jury door, Flores-Ruiz and his attorney took an elevator down and exited the courthouse.
ICE agents pursued and caught up with him just a block away, where he attempted to flee on foot.
He was eventually apprehended after a short chase.
The arrest marked the beginning of a much bigger problem—this time for the judge herself.
Judge Dugan’s Alleged Confrontation with ICE
According to a criminal complaint filed by federal authorities, Judge Dugan was visibly agitated by the presence of immigration officers in her courtroom.
Witnesses described her demeanor as angry and confrontational.
At one point, she allegedly told the officers they needed a judicial warrant to detain Flores-Ruiz.
Before leaving the bench, she reportedly instructed Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer to “wait, come with me” and personally led them toward the back exit.
What’s more, she adjourned the case without notifying the state prosecutor—a move that raised even more concerns.
Why Was Flores-Ruiz in Court in the First Place?
Flores-Ruiz isn’t just facing immigration issues.
Prosecutors say he punched someone 30 times in the face over a noise complaint in March and was charged with three counts of misdemeanor battery after allegedly assaulting three people.
He had also previously been deported in 2013, making his reentry into the U.S. illegal.
His legal troubles are far from over, with multiple hearings scheduled for June relating to both his domestic abuse and immigration cases.
Judge Dugan Pleads Not Guilty and Pushes Back
Just one week after the incident, Judge Dugan was arrested and charged with obstructing a federal investigation and harboring an individual to prevent arrest.
She has pleaded not guilty and insists that her actions were within her judicial discretion.
Her lawyers argue that federal prosecutors are overstepping their authority and that judges should be immune from prosecution for their official duties.
They claim the case sets a dangerous precedent and represents a constitutional overreach.
Legal Community and Politicians Rally Behind Her
Judge Dugan isn’t standing alone. Over 150 former judges from both state and federal levels have signed a letter condemning her arrest, calling it an attack on judicial independence.
Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin also came out in support, labeling the prosecution as a “drastic move” and a threat to democracy.
“We do not have kings in this country,” Baldwin wrote.
“Everyone must abide by the law, including those in power.”
But the Wisconsin Supreme Court Takes Action
Despite the support, the Wisconsin Supreme Court decided to suspend Judge Dugan from her duties, citing public interest.
Notably, the court acted on its own initiative and not in response to any formal request.
With a 4-3 liberal majority, the court stated the move was necessary given the serious nature of the charges.
Her legal team expressed disappointment, saying the court acted unilaterally and reaffirmed her innocence.
Upcoming Court Dates to Watch
Judge Dugan’s legal battle is far from over. She’s scheduled to return to court on July 9 for a pretrial hearing, with a full jury trial set to begin on July 21.
Meanwhile, Flores-Ruiz is due back in court on June 2 for his final pretrial conference and again on June 18 for his battery and domestic abuse case.
As the case moves forward, it’s clear that the courtroom drama has now spilled far beyond the courthouse—and may have national implications for how judges, immigration law, and federal authority intersect.