“Whatever her motivations, the ends cannot justify the means. No matter what you think of deporting illegal alien criminals, the allegations against Judge Dugan are very serious. If the facts as outlined are true, they show an intentional, almost irrational, disregard for the law, her duties, and her responsibilities as a judge and attorney.
“According to the complaint, Judge Dugan became ‘visibly angry’ that ICE and FBI agents were in a public hallway, outside her courtroom. She then went to her chambers, presumably to calm down. Rather than calm down, Judge Dugan then went into the hallway with another judge, still ‘visibly upset’ with a ‘confrontational, angry’ demeanor.
“At this time, according to the complaint:
Judge Dugan demanded the ICE agent leave the public hallway of a public building after being told that ICE agent was not present for a court appearance.
Judge Dugan misrepresented the law by stating the ICE agents needed a judicial warrant after the ICE agent stated he or she was administering an administrative warrant.
Judge Dugan stopped Mr. Flores-Ruiz from exiting the court room in a normal fashion.
Judge Dugan “forcefully direct[ed]” Mr. Flores-Ruiz out of the court room via the jury door into a non-public area.
Judge Dugan adjourned Mr. Flores-Ruiz’s case without informing the prosecutor and victims in the case.
“Facts matter. Any single one of these instances can be a violation of judicial or legal ethics. Any single one of these alleged facts are elements of the crimes she is accused of. Combined, these facts create a strong case.
“The people protesting Judge Dugan’s charging and arrest aren’t disputing the facts. They are disputing the politics and that Judge Dugan must follow the law or face consequences.
“Laws and ethics used to matter. They still should. We have too much lawlessness in government – in Washington and Wisconsin. Wisconsinites should demand that all elected officials, especially judges, follow the law and their ethical code. Without that, the whole judicial system suffers and, ultimately, falls apart.”
