Wisconsin Judge Arrested: When Judges Cross the Line, Do Robes Grant Immunity?

"This is not normal." That’s how Senator Amy Klobuchar described the headline-grabbing arrest of Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan. She’s not wrong—judges don’t get cuffed every day, but the reason for this legal drama is a hot debate.

Dugan allegedly took the law into her own hands by helping a man wanted by federal authorities avoid arrest. If true, that’s definitely not in the judge’s handbook. Democrats, including Klobuchar, quickly called it a constitutional crisis, warning that the arrest could shake the foundations of our checks and balances. But unless the officers are flat-out lying, it’s hard to see how helping a suspect sneak out is just another day at the courthouse.

Senator Tina Smith upped the ante, accusing the FBI and Trump allies of going after judges they dislike and calling this a "blatant power grab." But let’s be real: if a judge helps someone dodge the law, is the "red line" really about who’s doing the arresting, or about the conduct itself?

Details from Wisconsin media suggest ICE officials showed up at Dugan’s courtroom, and she allegedly guided the defendant and his lawyer through a side door, down a private hallway, and into the public area, dodging the feds along the way. That’s not just creative navigation—it’s potentially criminal obstruction.

The man she’s accused of helping, Ruiz, allegedly assaulted three people after a spat over loud music, sending some to the hospital. When police had to chase him down outside the courthouse, it could have turned ugly in a hurry. This isn’t Dugan’s first rodeo—other judges have faced similar accusations. Remember Massachusetts Judge Shelley Joseph, who was charged with helping an undocumented immigrant avoid ICE? Charges were dropped, but it sparked a national debate.

Meanwhile, over in New Mexico, another judge (Joel Cano) and his wife were arrested for allegedly harboring an undocumented gang member and smashing a phone to cover it up. It’s starting to feel like the bench is a little more crowded than we knew—with suspects, not just judges.

Some politicians are quick to defend their own before all the facts land on the table. If Dugan did help someone escape, she’s not just bending the rules—she’s snapping them in half. Judges are supposed to uphold the law, not play Houdini for fugitives.

At the end of the day, respect for the courts cuts both ways. Judges can’t expect the public to trust the system if they’re caught playing favorites or, worse, helping people break the law. That’s the real "red line" we should be talking about.