Overview

• Judge Dugan is indicted on misdemeanor concealment and felony obstruction charges for allegedly guiding an undocumented defendant out of a back door to evade ICE agents during an April 18 hearing.
• Her legal team filed a motion to dismiss the indictment, arguing she has absolute judicial immunity for official courtroom acts under the Supreme Court’s Trump v. United States ruling.
• Justice Department attorneys responded June 9 that granting immunity would be unprecedented and would allow state judges to block valid federal enforcement actions.
• A brief from 138 retired state and federal judges led by former Colorado Chief Justice Michael L. Bender supports dismissal, warning the prosecution threatens judicial independence and state sovereignty.
• Surveillance footage obtained by ABC News challenges the government’s stairwell escape claim by showing the defendant and his attorney exited via a private door and elevator.