Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan pleads not guilty in federal court

Hannah Dugan, the Wisconsin judge s used of helping an illegal migrant evade ICE, pleaded not guilty through her attorneys Thursday, according to Fox News.

"Judge Hannah C. Dugan has been committed to the rule of law and the principles of due process throughout her career as a lawyer and judge," her lawyers said, adding that their client further "asserts her innocence and looks forward to being vindicated in court."

On Wednesday, Dugan's legal team also filed a motion to dismiss the federal case against her.

"The problems with this prosecution are legion, but the most immediate is that the government cannot prosecute Judge Dugan because she is entitled to judicial immunity for her official acts. Immunity is not a defense to prosecution to be determined later by a jury or court; it is an absolute bar to prosecution from the outset," reported Fox.

The Milwaukee County Court (Wisconsin) judge was formally indicted Tuesday by a federal grand jury for allegedly helping an undocumented immigrant avoid being detained by federal agents. According to the indictment, the judge concealed this person and obstructed the work of authorities by interfering with the arrest operation.

Dugan is accused of "‘falsely’ telling federal officials in April that they needed a warrant to come into her courtroom during a scheduled appearance by Flores-Ruiz, an undocumented Mexican citizen facing three misdemeanor battery charges.”

According to Fox, the judge "told the immigration agents to proceed to the judge's office to obtain a warrant, according to a criminal complaint, and then escorted Flores-Ruiz through a side door to evade federal agents. Flores-Ruiz was then ’arrested after a foot chase,’ the complaint added.”