Sheriff Arpaio Seeks to Settle Contempt Case, Announces Run for Seventh Term
Jude Joffe-Block reports the latest on Maricopa County Sheriff (Arizona) Joe Arpaio’s legal saga in Melendres v. Arpaio, a case in which a federal district court in 2013 found that Arpaio’s Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MSCO) had engaged in a pattern and practice of discriminating against Latinos in its law enforcement activities.
District Judge Murray Snow is expected to soon order a hearing to decide whether Sheriff Arpaio should be held in contempt for violating court orders. Lawyers for the sheriff are asking to settle the charges.
In finding that the MSCO had violated the rights of Latinos in Maricopa County, the court ordered sweeping changes at the department, and appointed a monitor to oversee compliance. In recent months Judge Snow has expressed concern that the sheriff’s office has seemingly violated several court orders and, earlier this month, he tentatively set aside four days in April to hold a possible civil hearing to find out if Arpaio and his commanders should be found in contempt of court.
On Friday, lawyers for the sheriff asked Judge Snow for a settlement meeting. The motion for a settlement conference was filed on the same day that Arpaio sent an e-mail to supporters announcing his plans to run for re-election in 2016, which would be the seventh term for the 82 year old sheriff.
For what it is worth, Sheriff Arpaio reportedly has predicted that the New England Patriots will win the Super Bowl, which will be played today in Glendale, Arizona, near Phoenix.
KJ