The Volokh Conspiracy

Mostly law professors | Sometimes contrarian | Often libertarian | Always independent

Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan Found Guilty of "Obstructing Federal Agents Seeking to Make an Immigration Arrest Outside Her Courtroom"

|

So reports the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (John Diedrich, Mary Spicuzza & Hope Karnopp):

On April 18, Dugan was presiding over a misdemeanor court on the sixth floor of the Milwaukee County Courthouse….

Federal agents were there to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, 31, charged with battery and appearing before Dugan. Flores-Ruiz illegally re-entered the U.S. in 2013.

Dugan learned of the planned arrest from her clerk. She went to the main corridor with another judge, questioned the agents, and directed them to the chief judge's office, who was working on a plan on how such arrests were to be treated.

Dugan returned to her courtroom, moved Flores-Ruiz's case up first and then directed Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through a non-public door and into a hallway used by judges and staff, witnesses testified.

Flores-Ruiz and his attorney emerged into the public corridor. Federal agents followed them. He was arrested outside the courthouse after a brief foot chase.