By Jacques Billeaud
Associated Press
PHOENIX — An Arizona sheriff known for crackdowns on illegal immigration has acknowledged that he violated federal court orders in a racial profiling case.
Lawyers for Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and top aide Jerry Sheridan said in papers filed late Tuesday that their clients agree they have committed civil contempt of court.
They asked a judge to call off hearings next month to examine the violations. The judge would decide whether to cancel the hearings.
Among the violations was a court order that barred Arpaio’s deputies from detaining people based solely on the suspicion that they’re in the country illegally.
The judge has expressed concerns about whether fines from a civil contempt finding would adequately address the violations.
He’s considering launching a separate criminal contempt case that could subject Arpaio to more fines and jailtime.