Latest news with #MilwaukeeCountyCircuitCourt
USA Today
08-07-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
A judge allegedly helped an undocumented man avoid arrest. Her case just moved forward.
A judge allowed the case against Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan to proceed, a setback for the official as she faces charges for allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant evade law enforcement. U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Joseph issued her decision late July 7, rejecting Dugan's bid to have the case tossed as her lawyers argue she's protected by judicial immunity. Joseph's 37-page report and recommendation directed prosecutors and Dugan's lawyers to resolve any differences regarding the facts of the case at a trial. "Dugan disputes the government's version of events, and the government will have the burden of proving its allegations beyond a reasonable doubt at trial," Joseph wrote. "However, these contested facts cannot be resolved at this juncture." Dugan was indicted May 13 on charges she obstructed a federal agency and helped a man named Eduardo Flores-Ruiz elude federal agents in the Milwaukee County Courthouse. Flores-Ruiz, 31, was arrested April 18 following a short chase outside the courthouse. Dugan herself was arrested by the FBI at the courthouse a week later, placing her at the center of the ongoing dispute between the Trump administration and the nation's courts. Dugan, 66, has pleaded not guilty to the charges, one a felony and the other a misdemeanor. If convicted, she could face a maximum penalty of six years in prison and a $350,000 fine, but sentences in cases involving nonviolent offenses typically are much shorter. However, the judge's bid to have her case tossed isn't over. Joseph's report will now go to U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman, the trial judge who will make the final decision on the motion to dismiss. "We are disappointed in the magistrate judge's non-binding recommendation, and we will appeal it," Dugan attorney Steven Biskupic said in a statement. "This is only one step in what we expect will be a long journey to preserve the independence and integrity of our courts." Dugan's lawyers filed a memo May 29 arguing her federal prosecution is improper, violating the 10th Amendment and amounting to federal overreach. Prosecutors countered that the judicial immunity argument is flawed and doesn't align with previous cases, saying Dugan is "not above the law." A scheduling hearing is set for July 9. No trial date has been set. Joseph's decision to allow the charges against Dugan to move forward cited multiple previous cases, including the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that President Donald Trump had immunity from prosecution. However, she said the ruling doesn't apply to Dugan's case – calling the arguments by the Milwaukee judge's lawyers "a leap too far." "While Dugan asserts that Trump simply extended to the President the same immunity from prosecution that judges already have, this argument makes a leap too far. Trump says nothing about criminal immunity for judicial acts," Joseph wrote. Joseph said she agrees with Dugan's attorneys that judges have great power, but that does not give her absolute immunity. The magistrate judge's report also noted that judges have immunity from civil lawsuits seeking monetary damages when engaging in so-called "judicial acts." But Joseph said such immunity does not apply in criminal cases. "A judge's actions, even when done in her official capacity, do not bar criminal prosecution if the actions were done in violation of the criminal law." Still, Joseph added that "Dugan is presumed innocent, and innocent she remains, unless and until the government proves the allegations against her beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury at trial.'
USA Today
08-07-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Case against judge who allegedly helped undocumented man avoid arrest moves forward
A judge allowed the case against Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan to proceed, a setback for the official as she faces charges for allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant evade law enforcement. U.S. Magistrate Judge Nancy Joseph issued her decision late July 7, rejecting Dugan's bid to have the case tossed as her lawyers argue she's protected by judicial immunity. Joseph's 37-page report and recommendation directed prosecutors and Dugan's lawyers to resolve any differences regarding the facts of the case at a trial. "Dugan disputes the government's version of events, and the government will have the burden of proving its allegations beyond a reasonable doubt at trial," Joseph wrote. "However, these contested facts cannot be resolved at this juncture." Dugan was indicted May 13 on charges she obstructed a federal agency and helped a man named Eduardo Flores-Ruiz elude federal agents in the Milwaukee County Courthouse to arrest him. Flores-Ruiz, 31, was arrested April 18 following a short chase outside the courthouse. Dugan herself was arrested by the FBI at the courthouse a week later, placing her at the center of the ongoing dispute between the Trump administration and the nation's courts. Dugan, 66, has pleaded not guilty to the charges, one a felony and the other a misdemeanor. If convicted, she could face a maximum penalty of six years in prison and a $350,000 fine, but sentences in cases involving nonviolent offenses typically are much shorter. However, the judge's bid to have her case tossed isn't over. Joseph's report will now go to U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman, the trial judge who will make the final decision on the motion to dismiss. "We are disappointed in the magistrate judge's non-binding recommendation, and we will appeal it," Dugan attorney Steven Biskupic said in a statement. "This is only one step in what we expect will be a long journey to preserve the independence and integrity of our courts." Dugan's lawyers filed a memo May 29 arguing her federal prosecution is improper, violating the 10th Amendment and amounting to federal overreach. Prosecutors countered that the judicial immunity argument is flawed and doesn't align with previous cases, saying Dugan is "not above the law." A scheduling hearing is set for July 9. No trial date has been set. Joseph's decision to allow the charges against Dugan to move forward cited multiple previous cases, including the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling that President Donald Trump had immunity from prosecution. However, she said the ruling doesn't apply to Dugan's case – calling the arguments by the Milwaukee judge's lawyers "a leap too far." "While Dugan asserts that Trump simply extended to the President the same immunity from prosecution that judges already have, this argument makes a leap too far. Trump says nothing about criminal immunity for judicial acts," Joseph wrote. Joseph said she agrees with Dugan's attorneys that judges have great power, but that does not give her absolute immunity. The magistrate judge's report also noted that judges have immunity from civil lawsuits seeking monetary damages when engaging in what's known as "judicial acts." But Joseph said such immunity does not apply in criminal cases. "A judge's actions, even when done in her official capacity, do not bar criminal prosecution if the actions were done in violation of the criminal law." Still, Joseph added that "Dugan is presumed innocent, and innocent she remains, unless and until the government proves the allegations against her beyond a reasonable doubt to a jury at trial.'
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Milwaukee County Judge Dugan case, prosecutors urge court not to dismiss
The Brief The Trump administration is opposing the dismissal of charges against Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan. Dugan is accused of helping a man evade immigration agents in her courthouse. DOJ attorneys argue dropping the charges would set a dangerous precedent, implying judges are above the law. MILWAUKEE - A federal motion has been filed in response to Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan's request to dismiss the case against her. And after reading through the 25-page motion, federal prosecutors say Dugan is not above the law. The indictment against Dugan alleges she helped an undocumented man who was wanted on a federal warrant avoid arrest by I.C.E. agents. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News Click to open this PDF in a new window. In Dugan's motion for dismissal, she asked the court to dismiss the indictment based on judicial immunity. But today (June 9), federal prosecutors came back saying her request was unprecedented and quote "would, in essence, say that judges are above the law." Dugan faces a July 21 trial in the case that escalated a clash between Trump's administration and opponents over the Republican president's sweeping immigration crackdown. Trump critics contend that Dugan's arrest went too far and that the administration is trying to make an example out of her to discourage judicial opposition to the crackdown. The backstory Dugan is charged with concealing an individual to prevent arrest, a misdemeanor, and obstruction, which is a felony. Prosecutors say she escorted Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, 31, and his lawyer out of her courtroom through a back door on April 18 after learning that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were in the courthouse seeking to arrest him for being in the country illegally. She could face up to six years in prison and a $350,000 fine if convicted on both counts. Her attorneys say she's innocent. They filed a motion last month to dismiss the case, saying she was acting in her official capacity as a judge and therefore is immune to prosecution. They also maintain that the federal government violated Wisconsin's sovereignty by disrupting a state courtroom and prosecuting a state judge. The other side Justice Department attorneys responded in a court filing Monday, saying dismissing the charges against the judge on the grounds that she is immune would be unprecedented and would ignore "well-established law that has long permitted judges to be prosecuted for crimes they commit." "Such a ruling would give state court judges carte blanche to interfere with valid law enforcement actions by federal agents in public hallways of a courthouse, and perhaps even beyond," Justice Department attorneys argued. "Dugan's desired ruling would, in essence, say that judges are 'above the law,' and uniquely entitled to interfere with federal law enforcement." Dugan's attorney, Craig Mastantuono, did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment. In her motion to dismiss, Dugan argued that her conduct amounted to directing people's movement in and around her courtroom, and that she enjoys legal immunity for official acts she performs as a judge. She also accused the federal government of violating Wisconsin's sovereignty by disrupting a state courtroom and prosecuting a state judge. Dugan's case is similar to one brought during the first Trump administration against a Massachusetts judge, who was accused of helping a man sneak out a courthouse back door to evade a waiting immigration enforcement agent. That case was eventually dismissed. The backstory According to prosecutors, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz illegally reentered the U.S. after being deported in 2013. He was charged in March with misdemeanor domestic violence in Milwaukee County and was in Dugan's courtroom for a hearing in that case on April 18. Dugan's clerk alerted her that immigration agents were in the courthouse looking to arrest Flores-Ruiz, prosecutors allege in court documents. According to an affidavit, Dugan became visibly angry at the agents' arrival and called the situation "absurd." After discussing the warrant for Flores-Ruiz's arrest with the agents, Dugan demanded that they speak with the chief judge and led them away from the courtroom. She then returned to the courtroom, was heard saying something to the effect of "wait, come with me," and then showed Flores-Ruiz and his attorney out a back door, the affidavit says. The immigration agents eventually detained Flores-Ruiz outside the building following a foot chase. Dugan, 66, was arrested by the FBI on April 25 at the courthouse. A grand jury indicted Dugan on May 13 and she pleaded not guilty on May 15. FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android What we know A legal defense fund created by Dugan supporters to help pay for her high-profile defense attorneys has raised more than $137,000 in three weeks from more than 2,800 donors. Her legal team includes former U.S. Attorney Steve Biskupic and former U.S. Solicitor General Paul Clement. Both were appointed by Republican presidents. She has also hired prominent attorneys in Milwaukee and Madison. "This is an impressive show of support for the defense fund, highlighting that the public believes in protecting a fair and independent judiciary," former Supreme Court Justice Janine Geske, the fund's trustee, said Monday. "The fund will continue to raise grassroots donations and uphold strict guidelines to ensure transparency and accountability." Dugan is not required to list the donor names until she submits her annual financial disclosure form, which is due in April. Numerous people are prohibited from donating, including Milwaukee County residents; attorneys who practice in the county; lobbyists; judges; parties with pending matters before any Milwaukee County judge; and county employees. The Source FOX6 has done significant reporting on the arrest and charges filed against Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan. FOX6 produced this story with information from the federal motion, with contributions from the Associated Press.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
What to know about Judge Laura Crivello who is presiding Maxwell Anderson trial
A judge's role in any trial is to make sure the proceedings are fair and that lawyers stay on topic and aren't grandstanding in front of a jury. Circuit Court Judge Laura Crivello will be the one officiating Maxwell Anderson's homicide trial. Education: Crivello attended University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for her undergraduate degree and went to law school at Marquette University Law School and graduated in 1993. Work experience: Crivello worked 24 years as an assistant District Attorney in Milwaukee County. During that time, she prosecuted various felony and misdemeanor criminal cases, including those involving homicide, firearms, drugs, domestic violence, community prosecution, and child protection cases. 54 Crivello was appointed to the Milwaukee County Circuit Court in 2018 by then-Gov. Scott Walker. She retained her seat in an uncontested 2019 judge race and again in 2025. The case against Anderson was transferred to Crivello in July as part of a judicial rotation schedule change in July ordered by Chief Judge Carl Ashley. The initially was assigned to Judge Mark Sanders. Sade Robinson, 19, was just weeks from graduating from Milwaukee Area Technical College when police say she was killed during a first date in April, and her body was dismembered. Anderson, 34, has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide and other felonies in connection with her death. He has pleaded not guilty. Crivello presided over the trial of Stephanie Rapkin, the Shorewood lawyer who was convicted of a misdemeanor for spitting on a Black teenager during a racial justice protest in 2020. Rapkin rejected the judge's sentence of a year of probation and 100 hours of community service, and chose instead to spend 60 days in the House of Correction as punishment. Crivello oversaw the trial of Antonius Trotter, who was convicted of killing 11-year-old Ta'Niyla Parker and wounding her younger sister in an October 2021 shooting that drew protests and demonstrations around the city. Trotter is serving a 60-year in prison sentence. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What to know about Judge Crivello, presiding Maxwell Anderson trial
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Milwaukee County judge files to have federal charges against her dismissed
The Milwaukee County Courthouse (Photo by Isiah Holmes/Wisconsin Examiner) Attorneys for Milwaukee County Judge Hannah Dugan filed a motion to dismiss the federal charges against her on Wednesday, arguing the government can't charge her because she has judicial immunity. 'This is no ordinary criminal case, and Dugan is no ordinary criminal defendant,' the motion states. 'Dugan is a Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge. She was arrested and indicted for actions allegedly taken in and in the immediate vicinity of her courtroom, involving a person appearing before her as a party. The government's prosecution of Judge Dugan is virtually unprecedented and entirely unconstitutional — it violates the Tenth Amendment and fundamental principles of federalism and comity reflected in that amendment and in the very structure of the United States Constitution.' The motion states that the problems with the prosecution 'are legion,' and begin with her judicial immunity, which prevents judges from being charged with crimes for their official acts. Immunity is not a defense to be used at trial but 'is an absolute bar to the prosecution at the outset,' the motion states, citing the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Trump v. United States that found the president can't be charged with crimes for official acts. Dugan has been accused by federal officials of helping an immigrant without legal status in the U.S. escape from federal agents waiting to arrest him outside her courtroom last month. The criminal complaint alleges she directed the man, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, who came to her court for a routine hearing in a misdemeanor case, out a side door to avoid federal agents waiting to arrest him with an administrative warrant. Flores-Ruiz and his lawyer exited the courtroom into the same hallway where the agents were waiting and a DEA agent rode down the elevator with him before he was arrested on the street. Trump administration officials have touted the case as an example of a stern federal response to 'deranged' judges across the country working to stymie the president's efforts to increase immigration enforcement. Dugan's motion states the facts alleged in the indictment and criminal complaint against her would be disproven at trial, but that the case should never get that far. 'Even if (contrary to what the trial evidence would show) Judge Dugan took the actions the complaint alleges, these plainly were judicial acts for which she has absolute immunity from criminal prosecution,' the motion states. 'Judges are empowered to maintain control over their courtrooms specifically and the courthouse generally.' Dugan's attorneys also argue that the prosecution violates the Tenth Amendment, which clarifies the balance of power between states and the federal government. The motion states that federal agents going into a state courthouse to arrest a sitting judge is a violation of the Constitution. 'The government's prosecution here reaches directly into a state courthouse, disrupting active proceedings, and interferes with the official duties of an elected judge,' the motion states. 'The federal government violated Wisconsin's sovereignty on April 18 when it disrupted Judge Dugan's courtroom, and it is violating Wisconsin's sovereignty now with this prosecution. The Court should end the violation of Wisconsin's sovereignty and dismiss the indictment.' Dugan is scheduled to appear in court for her arraignment Thursday morning. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
