Arizona sheriff’s criminal contempt trial moved to April 4

A new date has been set for Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s trial on a criminal contempt-of-court charge that stems from his defiance of a judge’s order in a racial profiling case.

Arpaio had been scheduled to be tried on Dec. 6, but the trial has since been moved to April 4 after his lawyer said he needed more time to prepare.

The contempt-of-court charge stems from Arpaio’s decision to prolong his signature immigration patrols for 17 months after the judge in the profiling case had ordered them stopped.

The lawman has pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor charge and says his contempt violation wasn’t intentional. He faces up to six months in jail if convicted.

The six-term sheriff was defeated earlier this month by retired Phoenix police Sgt. Paul Penzone.