PHOENIX (AP) - A federal judge has denied a request by Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio to delay his upcoming trial on a criminal contempt-of-court charge.
U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton issued the order Wednesday.
Arpaio’s attorneys had said they needed more time to prepare for the scheduled Dec. 6 trial.
The six-term sheriff was charged with criminal contempt for defying another judge’s order to stop his immigration patrols.
The judge in question later said he believed Arpaio prolonged the patrols because he believed doing so would benefit his 2012 campaign.
Arpaio has acknowledged the violation, but said it wasn’t intentional and vowed to fight the charge.
The 84-year-old Arpaio has been charged with a misdemeanor. If convicted, he could face up to six months in jail but wouldn’t be barred from office.
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