PHOENIX (AP) — Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Arizona has pleaded not guilty to a criminal contempt-of-court charge less than two weeks before he tries to win his seventh term.
The lawman of metro Phoenix opted to enter his plea in a court filing Friday instead of during a courtroom appearance. Arpaio was charged for defying a court order to stop his immigration patrols in a racial profiling case.
The sheriff prolonged the patrols for more than a year. A judge later determined Arpaio’s officers profiled Latinos and said he believed Arpaio did it to benefit his 2012 campaign.
The sheriff has acknowledged the violation but insists it wasn’t intentional.
He has been charged with a misdemeanor. If convicted, Arpaio could face up to six months in jail but wouldn’t be barred from office.
Arpaio’s trial is scheduled for Dec. 6. His lawyers also asked the court Friday for a 120-day continuance so they can prepare.
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In tody’s political atmosphere, his jury will consist of 12 white robed and hooded jurors. He will be found not guilty.
Does he get a jury trial for misdemeanor criminal contempt?
I think this will get very ugly, because if his defense is lack of intent, then pretty much all of the department’s top-level communications about the unlawful activities get subject to a fine-tooth comb. It will make some of the other racist-email cases we’ve seen recently look PC.
A four month continuance on a misdemeanor charge? You knew this was coming and have had plenty of time to prepare, so you can forget about that. And where is the booking photo?
He is hoping for President Trump to be sworn in and pardon him.
Put the putz in pink panties!