What was the judges order?
He was not to profile or conduct immigration raids. Someone would call and say employees at such and such a place or illegal and the Judge wanted him to ignore it
"The evidence at trial proves beyond a reasonable doubt and the Court finds that Judge (G. Murray) Snow issued a clear and definite order enjoining Defendant from detaining persons for further investigation without reasonable suspicion that a crime has been or is being committed; that Defendant knew of the order; and that Defendant willfully violated the order by failing to do anything to ensure his subordinates’ compliance and by directing them to continue to detain persons for whom no criminal charges could be filed," Bolton wrote in the ruling.
"Because the Court finds that Defendant willfully violated an order of the court, it finds Defendant guilty of criminal contempt."
My question is: Do Judges have the authority to order law enforcement officers to cease and desist performing the duties that are required of them by the laws of the county/state they work in? If Arpaio believed that Judge Snow's order was illegal, and violated the laws he took an oath to uphold, then he had every right to disobey it. To me it appears that the refusal to allow Arpaio to have a trial by jury, was a revenge motive to guarantee that he would be found guilty. I found this article about Judge Snow, who by the way was appointed by George W. Bush on the recommendation of John McCain, and Jon Kyl..."and green lighted by Senator Harry Reid who announced 'all Senators should be aware that this vote will occur very quickly…' ” There was no recorded confirmation vote. He was confirmed by unanimous consent agreement.
Politically motivated Judge refers Sheriff Arpaio, aides for prosecution?