Wednesday, 27 February 2008
APPEALS COURT RULES: SHERIFF RUNS JAILS
Not Courts or Judges

Court Victory for Sheriff Joe Arpaio!

Phoenix, AZ A final decision came hours ago from the Arizona Court of Appeals upholding what Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio has been saying all along - that the jails are run by the Sheriff and not the courts or judges.

The months long debate over jail visitation hours culminated in today’s ruling but began last November when Sheriff Arpaio reduced jail visitation hours.

Superior Court Judge Anna Baca then publicly blasted the Sheriff’s Office proclaiming that the reduction in hours amounted to a violation of inmates’ constitutional rights. Her argument was shot down today after the entire record showed not even one inmate constitutional violation.
Arpaio’s move to temporarily cut visitation hours from 15 hours a day to eight hours daily (except Fridays) to save taxpayers over $900,000 prompted Baca and two public defenders to try to force the Sheriff to change his operation.

[color=blue][size=150][b]“You give this judge an inch and she’ll take a mile,â€