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Wisconsin Judge Indicted for Helping Immigrant Evade Arrest

Wisconsin judge indicted by federal grand jury for aiding immigrant in evading arrest, sparking debate on judiciary's role in immigration enforcement.

Wisconsin Judge Indicted for Helping Immigrant Evade Arrest
Wisconsin Judge Indicted for Helping Immigrant Evade Arrest

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Federal Grand Jury Charges Judge Hannah C. Dugan with Obstruction of Justice

The Wisconsin judge arrested last month and accused of helping an immigrant in the country without legal permission evade federal agents was indicted by a federal grand jury today on charges of concealing a person from arrest and obstruction of proceedings.

The indictment of the judge, Hannah C. Dugan of Milwaukee County Circuit Court, was a routine but significant step in the Justice Department’s case against her. The Trump administration has defended the prosecution as a warning that no one is above the law, while many Democrats, lawyers, and former judges have denounced it as an assault on the judiciary.

Dugan, who has been temporarily removed from the bench by the Wisconsin Supreme Court while the case against her advances, has indicated through a lawyer that she intends to fight the charges. She is expected to appear in court Thursday.

“Judge Hannah C. Dugan has committed herself to the rule of law and the principles of due process for her entire career as a lawyer and a judge,” her lawyers said in a statement shortly after she was arrested. They added today that “Judge Dugan asserts her innocence and looks forward to being vindicated in court.”

MIKE DE SISTI / USA TODAY NETWORK VIA IMAGN IMAGES

Author Name: New York Times