(KFYI News) — Former sheriff Joe Arpaio is appealing to the Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals regarding a federal judge's ruling denying him a jury trial on a criminal contempt-of-court charge.
Judge Susan Bolton ruled that since it's just a misdemeanor, a jury trial is not required, so the judge herself would hear the evidence and make a ruling.
The trial is scheduled for late June.
Arpaio's lawyers filed the appeal Friday afternoon, claiming he has a right to a jury trial if he asks for one. They want the Ninth Circuit to override the Phoenix judge and order a jury trial.