PHOENIX (AP) - Former Sheriff Joe Arpaio is asking a judge to delay his criminal trial that’s scheduled to start Monday.
His lawyers say in court papers that a delay is needed until the U.S. Supreme Court decides whether it will take up Arpaio’s request to have a jury, rather than a judge, decide whether he’s guilty of criminal contempt-of-court.
Arpaio faces the charge for defiance of a 2011 court order to stop his immigration patrols.
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He acknowledged prolonging his patrols, but insists his disobedience wasn’t intentional.
His attorneys also heavily criticized prosecutors making a court filing that mentioned attorney-client communications between the sheriff and his then-lawyer about the 2011 order.
They say if the presiding judge has read the filing, then a mistrial should be declared and the judge should be recused.
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