Jury Selection Begins in Trial of Milwaukee Judge Accused of Concealment

Jury selection began this week in the federal criminal case against Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan, who stands accused of concealing an individual from arrest and obstructing federal agents inside the Milwaukee County Courthouse. The two count indictment, returned by a federal grand jury, alleges the conduct occurred as agents were attempting to serve an administrative immigration warrant related to Eduardo Flores Ruiz, described in reporting as a Mexican immigrant who lacks permanent legal status.

Dugan, identified in earlier reporting as 66 years old, pleaded not guilty in May after her arrest by FBI agents. The Wisconsin Supreme Court suspended her with pay pending the outcome of the federal proceedings. The case is being heard in federal court before U.S. District Judge Lynn Adelman, who was appointed by President Bill Clinton according to public reporting.

Voir dire began under varying reported timelines from multiple news organizations, with some outlets citing an earlier start in December and others reporting that juror selection opened on December 11, 2025. Coverage also places prior pretrial activity and earlier voir dire references in the spring of 2025. Those discrepancies in published start dates remain unresolved in public accounts and underscore the need to consult court filings or the U.S. District Court calendar for the definitive schedule.

Courtroom proceedings included a contested decision over whether portions of juror questioning would be held in private. The presiding judge initially ordered private questioning, then reversed that decision after a protest by the press. That reversal drew objections from both the prosecution and the defense as reported by local media, highlighting tensions over transparency in high profile proceedings and the competing interests of juror privacy, press access, and a fair trial.

Federal prosecutors have indicated plans to call a substantial number of witnesses. Local reporting identifies as many as 24 potential government witnesses, and legal observers cited by media outlets have warned the trial could be lengthy, with one earlier estimate suggesting the proceedings might stretch into the holiday period. After jury selection, opening statements were reported to be scheduled to begin the following Monday, according to local coverage.

The indictment charges Dugan with concealing an individual from arrest and obstructing federal proceedings, counts that carry significant legal consequences if proved. The alleged underlying incident was reported to have taken place on April 18, though accounts vary on the year in prior coverage available in the public record. The alleged subject of the arrest attempt is identified in filings and coverage as Eduardo Flores Ruiz.

The case presents questions about the intersection of local judicial authority and federal immigration enforcement, and it places a sitting judge’s conduct under criminal scrutiny. As the trial proceeds reporters and interested members of the public are advised to consult the court docket and official filings for the operative schedule and for pretrial rulings that could shape what evidence jurors will hear.