Arpaio contempt hearing today: Intent is key

*There’s been speculation as to whether Sheriff Arpaio could go to jail on the contempt charge. This is a civil case, and Arpaio’s lawyers are hoping for a settlement where the sSheriff would contribute $100 thousand to a restitution fund. VL

By Megan Cassidy, The Republic

In May 2013, U.S. District Judge G. Murray Snow delivered what seemed a crushing blow to Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio and his political platform.

Arpaio’s deputies had racially profiled the county’s Latino drivers as part of Arpaio’s immigration-enforcement efforts, Snow concluded. His subsequent order would require millions of county dollars to reform the office, including more deputy training, videotaped traffic stops and a court-appointed monitor to oversee compliance.

At the time, Arpaio seemed characteristically defiant. He’d faced setbacks before, each time promising to deliver the same brand of law enforcement that made him a conservative darling in the immigration debate.

He vowed an appeal and used the ruling to his advantage in March 2014 when rallying for campaign funds in case he ran for governor: “Rampant, unfounded charges of racism and racial profiling” may threaten his chances, a campaign e-mail sent to supporters said.

This week, in a contempt-of-court hearing scheduled to begin Tuesday, Arpaio’s words may come back to haunt him.

Click HERE to read the full story.