Sheriff Arpaio Found in Contempt of Court, Lengthy Order Rebukes Sheriff’s Intentional Violation of Court Orders
A federal district court judge has found controversial Maricopa County (Arizona) Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who is famous for his enforcement-oriented approach to immigration, to be in civil contempt of the court. Here is the 162-page order in Melendres v. Arpaio, a case brought by the ACLU of Arizona and others..
U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow issued the order yesterday. This is how he summed up the ruling:
“In short, the Court finds that the Defendants have engaged in multiple acts of misconduct, dishonesty, and bad faith with respect to the Plaintiff class and the protection of its rights. They have demonstrated a persistent disregard for the orders of this Court, as well as an intention to violate and manipulate the laws and policies regulating their conduct as they pertain to their obligations to be fair, “equitable[,] and impartial” with respect to the interests of the Plaintiff class.
Sheriff Arpaio is in civil contempt on Counts One, Two, and Three of the Order to Show Cause. Chief Deputy Sheridan is in civil contempt on Counts One and Three. Retired Chief Sands and Lieutenant Sousa are in civil contempt on Count One.
The Court has set a hearing for May 31, 2016, in which the Parties will be able to discuss with the Court the appropriate relief in light of the factual findings below.” (emphasis added).
Judge Snow ruled that Sheriff Arpaio and three of his top aides violated an order meant to curtail racial profiling in the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office. A year ago Judge Snow held hearings to determine whether Sheriff Arpaio and others defied Snow’s court orders. Chief Deputy Jerry Sheridan was found in contempt on two counts, and retired Chief Brian Sands and Lt. Joe Sousa each were found in contempt of one.
Judge Snow has asked the parties, including the U.S. Department of Justice, to file a response to his rulings by May 27. The Justice Department settled a separate racial-profiling case against Sheriff Arpaio last year. Judge Snow will consider the appropriate sanctions in hearings beginning on May 31.He is expected to issue orders on remedies and decide whether to refer the case for criminal contempt.
Here are reports on the contempt ruling in the Arizona Republic, CNN, and New York Times. Here is a radio report by Jude Joffe-Block, who has closely followed the contempt proceedings.
KJ