U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman has denied Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan’s request to dismiss charges that she helped an undocumented immigrant avoid Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
But in a 27-page ruling, Adelman rejected that argument. “There is no basis for granting immunity simply because some of the allegations in the indictment describe conduct that could be considered ‘part of a judge’s job,’” he wrote. The decision keeps the case alive as federal prosecutors and Dugan’s defense team prepare for trial.
The indictment accuses Dugan of obstructing justice by deliberately helping an illegal immigrant evade federal authorities after a hearing in her courtroom. (RELATED: Milwaukee Police Break Up ‘Street Takeover’ Amid Crime Epidemic)
Prosecutors allege that when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrived to take the man into custody, Dugan directed him through a private exit normally reserved for judges and staff, allowing him to slip past agents waiting at the main doors. The charges contend that her actions went beyond judicial discretion and amounted to active interference with federal immigration enforcement.
Adelman has set a hearing for September to determine the next steps in the proceedings. Both sides have indicated they want the trial to begin before the end of the year, underscoring the urgency and national attention surrounding the case.
Judge Dugan’s legal team said they were disappointed by the ruling but expressed confidence the upcoming trial will show she acted appropriately and handled the case no differently than any other in her courtroom.
The ruling raises significant questions about the boundaries of judicial immunity and the responsibilities of state judges when federal immigration enforcement intersects with their courtrooms. Legal experts note the case could set a precedent for how far federal prosecutors can go in holding state officials accountable when accused of obstructing immigration enforcement.
For Dugan, the decision means she must continue to defend herself against allegations that could end her judicial career and carry potential criminal penalties. For Adelman, the ruling reinforces his long record of scrutinizing claims of immunity when weighed against federal indictments.
With a September hearing on the calendar, the case is expected to remain a high-profile legal battle in Milwaukee through the remainder of the year. (RELATED: Disgraced Judge’s Trial Likely To Proceed)