• Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan pleads not guilty to federal charges of obstructing immigration agents.
• Dugan is accused of helping undocumented immigrant Eduardo Flores-Ruiz evade arrest during a court hearing.
• The case has sparked protests and opinions on judicial autonomy amidst a strict immigration policy under the Trump administration.
• Dugan seeks to dismiss charges, asserting judicial immunity and arguing against federal overreach.
• The trial is set for July 22, and Dugan is raising funds to cover her legal defense costs.

Wisconsin County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan pleaded not guilty to federal charges on May 15, 2025, for allegedly obstructing immigration authorities who intended to arrest an undocumented immigrant in her courtroom. Dugan is facing one count of concealing an individual to prevent arrest and one count of obstruction, which could lead to a total of six years in prison if convicted. Her legal representative, Steven Biskupic, entered the plea during a brief arraignment in federal court, and a trial is scheduled for July 22, according to CBS News and HuffPost.

Allegations arose from an incident on April 18, when Dugan allegedly allowed Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who was in her courtroom on domestic violence charges, to evade arrest by ICE agents. According to the indictment, she directed the agents away and facilitated Flores-Ruiz's exit through a non-public door, leading to a confrontation with law enforcement, who ultimately apprehended him outside the courthouse. The actions have drawn criticism from multiple sources, including former federal judges and civil rights advocates, who argue that the case highlights an alarming overreach of federal power in local judicial matters, as noted in South China Morning Post and New York Times.

The prosecution comes against the backdrop of the Trump administration's aggressive stance on immigration enforcement, emphasizing a crackdown on local officials perceived to be obstructing federal actions. Dugan's defense team has argued for the dismissal of the charges, claiming her courtroom actions fall under judicial immunity and are protected from prosecution. This legal battle is set against escalating tensions in the judiciary concerning immigration policy, drawing significant public attention and protest, according to Los Angeles Times, Al Jazeera, and Le Monde.

Dugan's controversies have spurred a wave of public demonstrations, with protestors rallying outside the courthouse, demanding the dismissal of charges and accusing the government of violating judicial independence. The state Supreme Court temporarily suspended her following her indictment, assigning a reserve judge to her cases in the interim. In light of the mounting legal expenses, Dugan has initiated a funding campaign for her defense, seeking contributions to support her legal battle against what her supporters decry as an "unprecedented attack" on judicial autonomy, according to Los Angeles Times, and CBS News.