MILWAUKEE, Wis. — A Wisconsin judge entered a not guilty plea on Thursday to charges alleging she assisted a man in avoiding arrest by federal immigration authorities in her own courthouse. Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan made the plea during a brief arraignment session in federal court, where Magistrate Judge Stephen Dries scheduled a trial for July. Dugan’s attorney, Steven Biskupic, indicated that the trial could last about a week.

Dugan is facing charges of concealing an individual to prevent arrest and obstruction, stemming from an incident on April 18. Prosecutors allege that she led Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who is in the country illegally, and his attorney out of her courtroom via a back exit after being informed that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were present to apprehend him. If convicted on both counts, Dugan could face a maximum of six years in prison.

Her legal team asserts that Dugan is innocent and has filed a motion to dismiss the case, claiming that her actions were part of her judicial duties and thus should grant her immunity. They argue that the federal government’s interference violated the state’s sovereignty by disrupting court proceedings involving a state judge.

The case has exacerbated tensions surrounding immigration enforcement policies under the previous presidential administration. Ahead of Thursday’s hearing, dozens of protesters gathered outside the courthouse, expressing their support for Dugan and criticizing the government’s actions. Many held signs with messages like “Only Fascists Arrest Judges” and “Keep Your Hands Off Our Judges.” Demonstrators chanted slogans emphasizing due process and immigrant rights, while one man stood nearby bearing a Trump flag.

Court documents reveal that Flores-Ruiz had illegally re-entered the United States after being deported in 2013. At the time of his encounter with Dugan, he was awaiting a hearing for misdemeanor domestic abuse charges. According to an affidavit from the FBI, Dugan was alerted to ICE’s presence by her clerk. Witnesses reported her reacting angrily to the situation, which she later described as “absurd,” before exiting the bench to address the agents.

After reportedly engaging in a tense exchange with the arrest team, Dugan allegedly requested they speak with the chief judge before leading Flores-Ruiz and his attorney through an exit typically used by court staff and jurors, rather than the public entrance. Although Flores-Ruiz was released on a signature bond, federal agents ultimately apprehended him outside the courthouse after a brief foot chase.

In response to the situation, the Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended Dugan last week, emphasizing that the decision was necessary to maintain public trust in the judiciary. Dugan was released shortly after her arrest.

Legal experts suggest that the case may serve as a cautionary example regarding immigration enforcement. John Vaudreuil, a former federal prosecutor not connected to the case, speculated that higher-ups in the U.S. Department of Justice might be exerting influence over how the prosecution proceeds, potentially complicating any plea agreements.

Dugan’s defense team includes high-profile attorneys, with Biskupic having served as a former U.S. attorney and Clement, a former U.S. solicitor general with extensive Supreme Court experience. They are expected to push for a jury trial, given the intense public sentiment surrounding immigration policies and the actions of the administration. The upcoming trial will likely attract significant attention as it navigates the complex intersection of judicial authority and immigration enforcement.