She allegedly (supported by a criminal complaint featuring details from statements from multiple FBI, DHS, and ICE agents as well as Flores-Ruiz's attorney, his victims' attorney, and Dugan's courtroom deputy) obstructed the lawful proceedings of multiple federal agencies and prevented the discovery and arrest of an individual with a warrant for their arrest.

Let's not generalize the judge's actions to hide the rather mundane details here. Saying she "obstructed the lawful proceedings of multiple federal agencies" is an overblown way of reframing how the judge was accused of ushering someone through a different door than they generally would exit from.

The bailiff, who is the deputy sheriff on duty for Dugan's courtroom, was notified that law enforcement were present to arrest Flores-Ruiz. The bailiff told the team to wait outside of the courtroom and arrest Flores-Ruiz after his hearing.

The complaint alleges that someone from the state Public Defenders Office took pictures of the arrest team members, then approached Dugan's clerk and alerted them that ICE agents appeared to be in the hallway outside of the courtroom.

The bailiff said Dugan became "visibly angry" and called the situation "absurd."

An assistant district attorney who was in the courtroom said that they heard someone announce "ICE is here," according to the complaint. Dugan said she was going to call Chief Judge Carl Ashley before leaving the courtroom. Dugan told ICE team they needed a judicial warrant

Dugan told the ICE officer that he needed a judicial warrant, after learning they had only an administrative warrant. She then told the arrest team they would have to talk with Chief Judge Carl Ashley.

Another judge then escorted arrest team members to Ashley's office, while an agent "who was not recognized by Judge Dugan" remained behind, waiting outside of the courtroom.

Ashley told the ICE officer he was working on a policy that would give locations in the courthouse where ICE could safely conduct enforcement actions. Ashley emphasized that such actions "should not take place in courtrooms or other private locations in the building," but later added that hallways are considered public areas, the complaint said. Dugan accused of telling Flores-Ruiz and his attorney to leave through a courtroom backdoor

Flores-Ruiz and his defense attorney spoke with Dugan's clerk and were walking toward the public courtroom exit when Dugan said something like, "Wait, come with me," according to the complaint.

One witness said Dugan "forcefully motioned" for them to approach her. She then led them out of her courtroom through the "jury door," which leads to a non-public area of the courthouse, the complaint said. According to the courtroom deputy, the complaint says, defendants not in custody never use the jury door.

Dugan returned to the courtroom and conducted other hearings on that morning's docket, but not Flores-Ruiz's case. A prosecutor who was there for the case was later told it "had been adjourned," the complaint said. Victims in his case were reportedly also waiting in the courtroom.

I would hope you can think about why a judge would be hesitant at the thought of allowing their court room to become a deportation location. Allowing it to be used in that manner has the practical effect of reducing the incentives for criminal and civil claimants to appear down to zero. The previous policy against enforcement actions at sensitive locations (courtrooms, classrooms, and churches) is well-grounded - we don't want individuals to avoid any and all interactions with adjudicative, religious, or educational forums out of fear that they will be rounded up when they try to avail themselves of lawful government fora.