"The federal trial is set to start on Monday for a Wisconsin judge accused of concealing an undocumented man to prevent his arrest by immigration authorities. Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan was charged in a two-count federal indictment that alleges she obstructed official Department of Homeland Security removal proceedings and knowingly concealed the man from immigration authorities at a courthouse in April."
"According to federal prosecutors, Dugan encountered federal agents who were at the Milwaukee County Circuit Court on April 18 to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who was appearing in her courtroom on a battery charge. Prosecutors say that after speaking to the agents, Dugan directed them to the chief judge's office down the hall and then sent Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out a non-public door in an alleged attempt, authorities claim, to help him evade arrest on immigration violations."
"Dugan's lawyers have called her arrest "virtually unprecedented" and sought to dismiss the case, arguing she has judicial immunity for official acts and her prosecution is unconstitutional. Judge Lynn Adelman denied the motion, finding there was "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.'""
A federal trial begins Monday for Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan, charged in a two-count indictment alleging obstruction of Department of Homeland Security removal proceedings and knowing concealment of an undocumented man at a courthouse in April. Dugan pleaded not guilty. Jury selection occurred last week and opening statements are expected Monday, with prosecutors planning 25 to 28 witnesses. Federal prosecutors say Dugan encountered agents on April 18 who were there to arrest Eduardo Flores-Ruiz on a battery charge and allegedly directed them away while sending Flores-Ruiz out a non-public door. Dugan's lawyers sought dismissal based on judicial immunity; the motion was denied. The Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended Dugan following her arrest. Flores-Ruiz was later arrested and charged with unlawful reentry into the U.S.
Read at ABC7 Los Angeles
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