On November 29, 2025, a federal judge stated on Wednesday that a Wisconsin state judge stands accused of aiding an illegal immigrant to evade arrest by federal agents, and the trial is scheduled to proceed next month. The federal judge also refuted rumors of a possible plea deal.
US District Judge Lynn Adelman informed prosecutors and defense lawyers of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan during a hearing that the trial was set to commence on December 11 as planned, with jury selection to take place first.
In April of this year, federal prosecutors charged Dugan with obstructing justice and harboring a suspect to prevent their arrest. According to court documents, Dugan was originally set to preside over a state assault case involving Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a 31-year-old illegal immigrant. Federal agents learned that he was scheduled to appear in Judge Dugan’s courtroom and thus went to the Milwaukee County courthouse with plans to apprehend him.
Documents revealed that upon learning of federal agents outside her courtroom, Dugan escorted Flores-Ruiz out through a private door. He managed to escape the courthouse, but was later captured after a pursuit by the agents. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced earlier this month that he had been deported.
If convicted on charges of obstructing justice and harboring, Dugan could face up to six years in prison. US prosecutor Brad Schimel stated last week that plea negotiations were ongoing, but Dugan showed no interest in reaching an agreement.
Dugan’s defense team maintains her innocence and is preparing for the trial. They argued that she was fulfilling her duties as a judge when she escorted Flores-Ruiz out of the courtroom.
The hearing on Wednesday was the final one before Dugan’s trial, where both Schimel’s office and Dugan’s lawyers did not mention the possibility of a deal, focusing instead on the jury selection process and trial arrangements.
Dugan’s lead attorney Steven Biskupic informed Adelman that both prosecution and defense had excluded 34 potential jurors based on a questionnaire assessing their political biases. They stated that it might take two days to select the final jurors from the remaining approximately 90 candidates.
The indictment of Dugan has exacerbated the conflict between the two parties in the US regarding illegal immigration issues.
Democrats accuse the Trump administration of attempting to reduce resistance and expedite the deportation of illegal immigrants by charging Judge Dugan. Republicans, on the other hand, labeled Dugan as a “radical judge” on social media and circulated a picture of her being handcuffed and escorted out of the courtroom.
Biskupic expressed his desire for each potential juror to fill out a questionnaire about their biases before entering the courtroom on the jury selection day and noted that the public continues to follow the case, a sentiment that Adelman agreed with.
US Assistant Prosecutor Richard Frohling informed Adelman that the government plans to call 25 to 28 witnesses, including federal immigration officers and individuals who witnessed Judge Dugan’s actions inside the courtroom and courthouse. Biskupic told the judge that the government also plans to submit a recording of about half an hour of the courtroom proceedings involving Judge Dugan.
Frohling stated that the government’s presentation would require at least four days. Biskupic did not reveal any details about their witnesses or how long their presentation might last.
After the hearing concluded, lawyers for both sides did not grant interviews to reporters. Judge Dugan was present at the hearing, yet did not make any statements and did not engage with reporters upon leaving.
(This article referenced reporting from the Associated Press)