Milwaukee County Judge Dugan accused; supporters of judge protest
Supporters of Judge Dugan protest
More than 100 protesters huddled outside the federal courthouse on Thursday in defense of the suspended judge.
MILWAUKEE - FOX6 News was the only TV station to question Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan after she pleaded guilty to federal charges on Thursday, May 15.
Judge Dugan remains silent
What we know:
FOX6's Jason Calvi asked the judge the following as she was leaving the federal courthouse on Thursday morning.
"Judge Dugan, if you had to do it again, would you do it the same? Judge Dugan, your response. Do you have judicial immunity, judge?" Calvi asked.
Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan leaves federal court
Judge Dugan did not respond to any of the questions.
Supporters of judge protest
What they're saying:
While the circuit court judge is not talking, her supporters are. More than 100 protesters huddled outside the federal courthouse on Thursday in defense of the suspended judge.
Supporters of Judge Hannah Dugan protest outside federal courthouse in Milwaukee
"We are not being given the due process. We’re entitled to and we will fight back against this un-Democratic assault on our American constitution and on our American freedoms," said William Walter of Our Wisconsin Revolution.
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Supporters of Judge Hannah Dugan protest outside federal courthouse in Milwaukee
"I think the administration got out of it what they were hoping to with the headlines. But she has complete and total purview over her court. And I think when some of the facts come out, it’s going to be quite clear, that she did nothing wrong," said Darryl Morin, National President of Forward Latino.
Dugan's attorneys
What they're saying:
Dugan's defense attorneys agree. On Wednesday, they asked a federal court judge to throw out the case. They said Dugan has judicial immunity, protection from prosecution for her official acts as a judge.
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But other lawyers question that.
"Judges have criminal immunity only from judicial actions, like a ruling in a case. They do not have immunity from what are called ministerial actions, like for example, ordering somebody out of the courtroom," said Howard Schweber, UW-Madison Professor Emeritus.
What's next:
Before the judge's trial in July, a federal judge will weigh the arguments over tossing the case.
What is at stake? This case touches on the national fight over immigration and deportation.
Milwaukee County Judge Dugan pleads not guilty in federal court
Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges that she helped a man who is in the country illegally evade U.S. immigration authorities looking to arrest him in her courtroom.
For now, the Wisconsin Supreme Court has suspended Dugan while this case plays out.
The Source: The information in this post was produced by FOX6 News and includes information from previous coverage.