The federal trial of Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan, who is accused of helping an undocumented man evade federal agents, is set to proceed as planned in December. A federal judge confirmed the trial schedule during a final pre-trial hearing on Wednesday, dismissing discussions of a potential plea agreement.
U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman instructed both the prosecution and defense teams to prepare for jury selection to begin on December 11. The hearing addressed key trial logistics, including witness lists, potential evidence, and the jury selection process.
From an initial pool of 128 potential jurors, both sides agreed to strike 34 individuals based on their questionnaire responses. Prosecutors indicated they plan to call 25 to 28 witnesses, including federal agents and others present at the courthouse during the incident. The defense has requested a complete list of these witnesses.
A key piece of evidence discussed was approximately 35 minutes of courtroom audio recordings that the prosecution intends to introduce. Defense attorneys have objected to the inclusion of any recordings made when Judge Dugan was not present.
Dugan was indicted by a federal grand jury in May on a two-count indictment, to which she has pleaded not guilty. The charges allege that she obstructed justice and helped an undocumented man, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, evade federal agents who were at the Milwaukee County Courthouse to arrest him.
The incident occurred on April 18, when Flores-Ruiz appeared in Dugan’s courtroom for a misdemeanor battery case. Prosecutors allege that Dugan directed the federal agents to the chief judge’s office and then instructed Flores-Ruiz and his attorney to exit her courtroom through a back door while the agents waited outside. Flores-Ruiz was apprehended by agents outside the courthouse following a brief chase.
Following the indictment, the Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended Dugan from her duties as a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge. Her defense team filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing she is protected by judicial immunity for actions taken in her official capacity.
Prosecutors countered that judicial immunity applies to civil lawsuits but does not shield judges from criminal prosecution. In an August ruling, Judge Adelman denied the motion to dismiss, stating that the federal government’s argument on the limits of immunity was stronger.
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