• Judge Hannah Dugan found guilty of obstruction for aiding immigrant escape from ICE arrest.
• Dugan faces up to five years in prison following a conviction that reflects tensions over Trump's immigration policy.
• The court acquitted her of a lesser charge but noted her actions were a violation of federal law enforcement.

Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was found guilty of felony obstruction after attempting to help an undocumented immigrant, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, evade arrest by federal immigration agents. Dugan's conviction was seen as a significant victory for the Trump administration, which has vigorously pursued enforcement actions against individuals allegedly obstructing immigration enforcement. The jury acquitted her of a separate charge related to concealing a person from arrest, but she could face up to five years in prison on the obstruction count, according to ABC News, Reuters, BBC, and Los Angeles Times.

During the trial, the prosecution argued that Dugan had actively tried to prevent federal agents from doing their jobs after learning of their presence in the courthouse. They alleged that Dugan directed the agents away and facilitated the escape of Flores-Ruiz through a private exit, as he was awaiting trial on misdemeanor charges at the time. Prosecutors utilized recordings and witness testimonies to illustrate Dugan's intentions, stating, "She knew what she was doing. She did it anyway," according to ABC News, Reuters, and Los Angeles Times.

Defense attorneys contended that Dugan was merely following courthouse protocols in response to the presence of ICE agents and did not deliberately obstruct justice. They characterized the prosecution as politically charged, attempting to make an example of Dugan amid heightened scrutiny of local officials’ interactions with federal immigration law enforcement, as detailed by Reuters and Los Angeles Times.

The ruling comes at a time when such judicial actions are under severe scrutiny, with federal officials emphasizing the importance of enforcing immigration laws. Following the verdict, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche remarked that the outcome underscored a commitment to enforce federal law, stating that "nobody is above the law," according to BBC and Los Angeles Times.