Trial starts for a Wisconsin judge accused of obstructing ICE

"She is accused of helping a man try to evade arrest by immigration authorities at the county courthouse last April. A grand jury indicted Dugan the following month. She faces one count of obstructing a proceeding, a felony, and another count of concealing an individual to prevent an arrest, a misdemeanor. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Dugan could face up to six years in prison if convicted."

"According to the criminal complaint, ICE agents wanted to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national, for being in the U.S. unlawfully. They determined he'd be appearing before Judge Dugan on April 18, on misdemeanor charges of domestic assault. When agents showed up to arrest Flores-Ruiz, prosecutors say Dugan falsely told agents they needed a judicial warrant. They say she directed ICE agents to leave the hallway and go to the chief judge's office."

"As she said after her unnecessary arrest, Judge Dugan asserts her innocence and looks forward to being vindicated in court."

Jury selection is complete and a federal trial has begun for Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan on charges tied to an April courthouse incident. A grand jury indicted Dugan on one felony count of obstructing a proceeding and one misdemeanor count of concealing an individual to prevent an arrest; she pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors allege she misled ICE agents, directed them away, addressed a defendant's case off the record, and directed the defendant and counsel through a non-public door; ICE later chased and arrested the defendant, who was deported. Dugan's defense asserts her innocence and cites court policy on courthouse immigration enforcement.

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