PHOENIX - A judge will hold a hearing Tuesday to examine ways to address the Maricopa County sheriff's contempt-of-court violations in a racial profiling case.
Sheriff Joe Arpaio was found in civil contempt two weeks ago for disobeying court orders in the profiling case, including letting his immigration patrols continue after the judge ordered them stopped.
The finding is expected to bring greater court oversight to the sheriff's office and could lead to a criminal contempt case that could expose Arpaio to fines and even jail time.
Lawyers who pressed the case against Arpaio are urging the judge to recommend a criminal investigation against the sheriff.
The contempt ruling concluded Arpaio deliberately misstated facts when he denied in court that he had conducted an investigation of the judge.
