Sheriff Joe Arpaio files for trial by Arizona jury

PHOENIX — Lawyers for Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio have filed papers for a jury to decide the lawman’s fate on a criminal contempt charge.

Arpaio’s lawyer said it was his client’s constitutional right to a trial by jury of his peers rather than a judge and that an elected official’s actions should be decided by an impartial jury of his peers, not a judge.

The 84-year-old was officially charged with criminal contempt in October for disobeying a federal court order in a racial-profiling case that included his famous immigration patrols.

He pleaded not guilty.

Arpaio faced the charge for continuing his immigration patrols for 17 months despite orders to his office to end them.

He admitted in court to ignoring the court to order but not purposefully. He said he didn’t understand the injunction.

The case has cost county taxpayers millions in lawyers and court fees.

In September, the county Board of Supervisors agreed to pay $4.4 million in settlement fees related to the case.

Arpaio had also sought to have U.S. District Judge Murray Snow removed from the case. Murray refused to recuse himself. He had found Arpaio guilty of civil contempt and recommended criminal charges be filed.

The six-term sheriff’s trial was scheduled for April 4. It had originally been scheduled to start Dec. 6.

Arpaio lost his bid for a seventh term in November. His successor Paul Penzone takes office next week.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Related

The Escape Game opens 2nd Valley escape room venue at CityScape in downtown PhoenixParts of metro Phoenix see showers before evening lull, overnight ramp up16-year-old boy arrested in connection with Mesa shooting involving off-duty officerASU expected to name new hockey coach with Greg Powers on leave100 new charges, including bestiality, submitted in Corona del Sol High School voyeurism caseArizona heroin trafficker sentenced to nearly a decade in prison