Judge as witness delivers huge blow to judge as criminal defendant

A constitutional expert analyzing the case in Wisconsin involving a suspended judge, Hannah Dugan, who is accused of a felony for allegedly trying to help a criminal illegal alien escape federal officers, has suggested the defense’s hope may rest in convincing at least one juror to ignore the evidence and the law and deliver a verdict based on politics.

That’s after testimony from another judge delivered a devastating blow to Dugan’s case.

The comment is from Jonathan Turley, a recognized expert on the Constitution who has testified to Congress on those issues, even represented members in court in disputes over the Constitution.

On trial is Dugan, accused of diverting federal officers away from a courtroom hallway and then helping a criminal illegal alien defendant escape the courtroom through a “jury door.”

“Dugan is charged with obstruction of a federal agency, a felony, and concealing a wanted person, a misdemeanor. As I discussed in earlier columns, the defense may be hoping for jury nullification in the liberal district,” he explained. “The reaction of lawyers lionizing the judges for facilitating the escape of a suspect may suggest that such a conclusion is possible in this district. The defense may be hoping that at least one juror will discard any testimony and stand with Dugan against ICE and the Trump Administration.”

He said, “The jury pool can only be viewed as overwhelmingly in favor of Dugan. Kamala Harris won Milwaukee by a margin of 68%-30% over Trump. The chances of getting politically motivated jurors are obviously significant, though that obviously does not mean that jurors cannot be persuaded in the end by the strength of this evidence.”

The “lionizing” he referenced came from testimony from Judge Kristela Cervera, who told the courtroom that she was shocked by lawyers praising her for helping the illegal alien criminal, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, escape.

She described attorneys pumping their fists and telling her, “You go, Judge,” and saying, “Judge, you’re ‘goated’ now.”

Cervera explained she was “pulled into” the fight by Dugan, “who she said admitted that she was trying to help Eduardo Flores-Ruiz as he evaded officers,” Turley documented.

In fact, a second judge had appeared on video recordings in the hallway of the courthouse when Dugan confronted federal agents.

Cervera testified she didn’t want to “walk in the hallway with my robe on,” but Dugan told her to do exactly that, so agents would “see them in their robes as a sign of authority.”

“She said that the agent remained respectful but that Dugan was getting upset in the confrontation,” Turley reported, with the judge explaining, “Her irritation seemed to progress to anger. I thought she could have been a little more diplomatic.”

That aligns with testimony from FBI Special Agent Jeffrey Baker, who stated, “I would say angry is the best way to describe it.”

Similarly, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer Joseph Zuraw said Dugan ordered him to “get out” of the public hallway and told him to go to the chief judge’s office.

It was then Dugan let the alien out through a door not normally used by lawyers and defendants.

Cervera said “judges should not be helping defendants evade arrest” and that she was “mortified” that someone would think she was party to the escape.

Dugan could face up to six years in prison if convicted of the felony and misdemeanor counts she faces.

The third judge in the room, U.S. District Judge Lynn Adleman, who is hearing the case, has confirmed that a judge can’t be held criminally liable for judicial acts done in good faith. But an analysis of the case at Courthousenews confirmed, “Based on the facts in the indictment, her [Dugan’s] actions don’t fall into the narrow exception.”

Florez-Ruiz was in court on counts of battery and domestic abuse and when ICE agents arrived to arrest him, Dugan left her courtroom, ordered the agents to speak to Ashley, then held an off-record conference with Florez-Ruiz and his lawyer and let him out through a back door.

Video surveillance shows the illegal alien and his lawyer escaping through a “jury door.”

Dugan was arrested, suspended and indicted.

Dugan is trying to suppress most of the evidence contained in an audio recording made in the court that day.

NOW: Jury seated in Judge Hannah Dugan trial. Group is 14 total: 9 men, 5 women. All appear to be white. @billmiston @fox6now

Picture: Adela Tesnow pic.twitter.com/avdjb4tOUt

— Nikola Junewicz (@nikkijunewicz) December 11, 2025

Hope she gets ALL 6 years!

Breaking: Corrupt Judge Hannah Dugan is now facing 6 years in prison for helping an illegal alien evade an arrest back in April.

She has refused a plea deal today and her trial is officially set for December 11th. pic.twitter.com/nH7DVEUg7B

— Rapid Response MAGA (@MAGAresponse) November 26, 2025

Nine men and five women will decide the fate of Judge Hannah Dugan, who allegedly helped an undocumented immigrant evade detection at the courthouse. Read more: https://t.co/FbeERrNujj pic.twitter.com/FNvn8LqIvr

— WISN 12 NEWS (@WISN12News) December 11, 2025

 

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