MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Plea negotiations are underway for Judge Hannah Dugan of Milwaukee County, accused of helping an undocumented immigrant evade federal authorities. Interim U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel confirmed discussions are ongoing, but the defense has not shown willingness to accept any offer.
Dugan's case has become a contentious point amid President Trump's strict immigration crackdown. A potential plea deal could signal a significant shift from the prosecutorial stance. Schimel described plea negotiations as a regular part of legal processes that can mitigate risks for both parties involved.
Judge Dugan, whose attorneys assert her innocence, is preparing for trial next month. According to court documents, a federal investigation began after Dugan allegedly facilitated the release of Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a man in the U.S. illegally, who was apprehended in a nearby courthouse following a foot chase.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed last week that Flores-Ruiz had been deported. Dugan was arrested shortly after the incident and subsequently indicted for obstructing justice and concealing an individual to prevent arrest.
The trial is set for December 15, with Dugan facing a maximum sentence of six years if convicted. Critics of the Trump administration have suggested that her case is an attempt to intimidate judges who resist aggressive immigration enforcement.
The situation reflects the ongoing conflict between federal immigration policies and local judicial authority, a point amplified by the administration's rhetoric surrounding Dugan's actions.
