The criminal trial of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan has reached the defense phase after prosecutors rested following three days of testimony. Dugan's lawyers plan to call four witnesses and may put her on the stand; closing arguments could begin Thursday. Prosecutors say she diverted immigration officers and led Eduardo Flores-Ruiz out a private courtroom door, while the defense says she followed a draft courthouse policy and lacked intent to obstruct.
Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan To Present Defense As Trial Over Alleged Help To Immigrant Nears End
This courtroom sketch depicts Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan in court, Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wis. (Adela Tesnow via AP)
A Milwaukee judge facing criminal charges that she helped a Mexican national evade federal immigration authorities is set to present her defense as the trial on obstruction and concealment charges moves toward conclusion.
Prosecutors rested their case Wednesday after three days of testimony in the trial of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan. Defense attorneys said they plan to call four witnesses beginning Thursday; it remained unclear whether Dugan will testify and closing arguments could begin as soon as Thursday afternoon.
What Prosecutors Say
Prosecutors allege Dugan intentionally interfered with a federal immigration task force that sought to arrest 31-year-old Eduardo Flores-Ruiz at the Milwaukee County Courthouse. Witnesses testified that officers learned Flores-Ruiz was in the country illegally after a separate state arrest on battery charges and positioned six agents outside Dugan's courtroom on April 18, prepared to take him into custody when he exited.
According to testimony, Dugan and another judge, Kristela Cervera, stepped into a hallway in robes, and Dugan angrily instructed four members of the team to report to the chief judge's office. As Cervera escorted those officers away, prosecutors say Dugan returned to her courtroom and led Flores-Ruiz out a private door into the corridor. Transcripts from courtroom microphones include Dugan telling her court reporter she would "take the heat" for ushering Flores-Ruiz through the private exit.
Defense Case
Dugan's lawyers contend she had no intent to obstruct and was following a draft courthouse policy from Chief Judge Carl Ashley that directed court staff to refer immigration agents to supervisors when they sought to make arrests inside the courthouse. The defense also argues the arrest team could have detained Flores-Ruiz at any point after he left the courtroom and should not blame Dugan for their decision to wait until he was outside.
Additional Testimony
Two agents who were not diverted followed Flores-Ruiz outside, pursuing him on foot through traffic before he was captured. Team members told jurors Dugan's actions split and displaced officers, leaving them short-handed and unable to make what they considered a safe arrest in the hallway.
Judge Kristela Cervera testified she was uncomfortable backing Dugan during confrontations with the team and said she was "shocked" to learn Dugan led Flores-Ruiz out a private door. Cervera recalled Dugan later telling her she was "in the doghouse" with Chief Judge Carl Ashley because she "tried to help that guy."
The case is unusual: criminal charges against a sitting judge are rare, and supporters of Dugan say the prosecution has become part of a larger debate over federal immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump.
The trial will proceed with the defense's witnesses and possibly Dugan's testimony before jurors hear closing arguments.
