Guilty of criminal contempt of court for former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio
by
Aaron Black • August 17, 2017
In a long awaited trial, former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has been found guilty of criminal contempt of court. According to the ruling “Credible testimony shows that the Defendant knew of the order and what the order meant in regards to the MCSO’s policy of detaining persons who did not have state charges for turnover to ICE for civil immigration violations”.
In the late 2000 and early 2010’s, Sheriff Arpaio enforced hard-line immigration efforts which included “pretextual” traffic stops to catch those who were in the country illegally, in addition, they were accused of focusing exclusively on Hispanic neighborhoods. Many were taken into custody for living in the country illegally rather than violating a state crime. In 2011 a preliminary injunction was filed, and it barred migrants who have not been suspected of a crime from being detained.
In 2013 U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow presided over a civil case which ruled that Arpaio had racially profiled. Again in 2015 Snow ordered a civil trial to determine if Arpaio's office had violated three separate orders. Two of the orders centered on whether the department failed to turn over evidence and a third on whether Arpaio had violated the 2011 preliminary injunction which barred deputies from detaining migrants when they had not been suspected of a crime.
In the end, it was Arpaio’s own words that were the key to his conviction as he was quoted more than 20 times in a federal judge’s ruling of saying that he would continue to enforce state and federal immigration law.
Former Sheriff Arpaio faces sentencing in October which could include up to six months in jail which is the equivalent to a misdemeanor. According to former U.S. attorney for the District of Arizona. Paul Charlton “I’d say the likelihood of Sheriff Arpaio spending six months in jail are slim to none.”
To learn more contact the Law Office of Aaron Black or call 480-729-1683 to set up a free consultation today.
In the late 2000 and early 2010’s, Sheriff Arpaio enforced hard-line immigration efforts which included “pretextual” traffic stops to catch those who were in the country illegally, in addition, they were accused of focusing exclusively on Hispanic neighborhoods. Many were taken into custody for living in the country illegally rather than violating a state crime. In 2011 a preliminary injunction was filed, and it barred migrants who have not been suspected of a crime from being detained.
In 2013 U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow presided over a civil case which ruled that Arpaio had racially profiled. Again in 2015 Snow ordered a civil trial to determine if Arpaio's office had violated three separate orders. Two of the orders centered on whether the department failed to turn over evidence and a third on whether Arpaio had violated the 2011 preliminary injunction which barred deputies from detaining migrants when they had not been suspected of a crime.
In the end, it was Arpaio’s own words that were the key to his conviction as he was quoted more than 20 times in a federal judge’s ruling of saying that he would continue to enforce state and federal immigration law.
Former Sheriff Arpaio faces sentencing in October which could include up to six months in jail which is the equivalent to a misdemeanor. According to former U.S. attorney for the District of Arizona. Paul Charlton “I’d say the likelihood of Sheriff Arpaio spending six months in jail are slim to none.”
To learn more contact the Law Office of Aaron Black or call 480-729-1683 to set up a free consultation today.
About the Author
Aaron Black is the founder and sole attorney of the Law Office of Aaron Black. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, his DUI and criminal defense law firm provides legal services to people who have received felony or misdemeanor charges from the state.
Aaron has developed a strong interest in defending people who have been arrested and received criminal charges for driving under the influence. With his professionalism and knowledge of Arizona DUI and criminal law, he has acted as a check and balance on the police, prosecution and courts and has protected a great number of his clients from excessive and unfair sentencing.Along with DUI defense, Aaron handles a range of other criminal matters, including aggravated assault, burglary, domestic violence, drug possession, drug trafficking, fraud defense, insurance fraud, sex crimes and white-collar crime.
After graduating college in 2003 from the University of Arizona, Aaron decided to pursue a law degree. He followed a family long tradition and went to the University of South Dakota School of Law where he pursued his goal of becoming a criminal defense lawyer.
After passing the Arizona and South Dakota bar exams, Aaron joined the Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender where he defended hundreds of people charged with serious criminal offenses. His work as a public defender helped him sharpen his litigation skills and gave him a unique insight into the Arizona criminal justice system.
Over the course of his 15-year legal career, Aaron has spent a considerable amount of time in both Arizona justice, municipal, state and federal courts. He has argued over 50 jury trials, tried over 100 bench trials and has become one of the highest-rated criminal and DUI defense attorneys in Phoenix and the surrounding areas. He has received a 10/10 rating from the legal directory Avvo because of his legal background and successful case record. Since 2014, he has received the Super Lawyer rating for his work as a Phoenix DUI and criminal defense attorney.
You can review Aaron’s Attorney Bio page for more information about his background, education and experience as a Phoenix DUI and criminal defense attorney.
