A judge is threatening to halt court proceedings in protest of the arrest of a colleague last week, according to reports.
The judge made it clear in an email to judges statewide that she has no intention of cooperating with federal authorities.
“If there is no guidance for us and no support for us, I will refuse to hold court. I will not put myself or my staff, who may feel compelled to help me or my community, in harm’s way,” the judge wrote, according to a copy of the email obtained by Wisconsin Right Now.
“I have no intention of allowing anyone to be taken out of my courtroom and sent away without due process, as both constitutions we swore to support require. Should I start raising bail money?” she added while referencing the state constitution as well.
It should be noted that, according to federal authorities, individuals being detained and deported have already had their “due process” via an immigration judge.
“If this costs me my job or gets me arrested, at least I know I did the right thing,” the judge added.
The Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights responded to the judge’s ultimatum, calling the threat “problematic,” according to reports.
The colleague was arrested and charged with obstruction of an official proceeding after evidence showed she had shielded an individual from authorities. She also faces a charge of concealing an individual to prevent their discovery and arrest.
