Negotiations Underway in Case Against Wisconsin Judge Accused of Obstruction

Wed Nov 19 2025 03:01:03 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Plea discussions are taking place as federal prosecutors move closer to a trial involving Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan, who allegedly helped an undocumented immigrant evade arrest, amid rising tensions over immigration policies.

Plea negotiations have commenced in the case of Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan, accused of aiding an immigrant's escape from federal agents. Dugan's trial is set for December 15, and she faces significant prison time if convicted. The case is emblematic of the ongoing clashes between local judicial authorities and the Trump administration's stringent immigration enforcement efforts.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Plea negotiations are currently underway concerning Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan, who is accused of helping an undocumented immigrant avoid federal capture. Interim U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel shared that discussions are taking place, but Dugan's attorneys have yet to signal a willingness to accept any potential plea deal.

A successful plea agreement would signify a notable shift in a case that has caused significant contention amid the Trump administration's robust immigration policies. Schimel stated that negotiations are part of the normal legal procedures to seek resolutions and mitigate risks involved for both parties.

Dugan's legal team has maintained her innocence, affirming their readiness for the upcoming trial scheduled to begin on December 15. The charges stem from an incident in April where federal agents attempted to apprehend Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an undocumented immigrant, at the courthouse while Dugan presided over a related case.

Reports detail that Dugan escorted Flores-Ruiz out of the courtroom through an alternate exit, helping him evade federal agents who later captured him following a brief pursuit outside the courthouse. His deportation was later confirmed by the Department of Homeland Security.

Dugan faces serious allegations and potential penalties of up to six years in prison if convicted on charges of obstruction and concealing an individual to prevent arrest. Her case has sparked debate regarding the balance between immigration enforcement and local judicial authority, with accusations from Democrats pointing to Dugan's indictment as a political maneuver by the Trump administration to suppress judicial challenges against its immigration initiatives.

Amid the trial preparations, Schimel, who served as Wisconsin's Attorney General from 2015-2019 before his recent appointment as U.S. attorney, recognizes the pressures surrounding the case. His comments regarding plea negotiations, though, have raised eyebrows among legal experts who caution that such disclosures can unduly influence defendants' decisions.

If resolution efforts falter, Dugan’s trial and subsequent proceedings may further amplify the contentious discourse surrounding immigration policy, judicial independence, and local authority amid the backdrop of heightened scrutiny by federal agencies.