A Great Day in Law Enforcement and Justice – Joe Arpaio's Conviction Stands

Sheriff Found Guilty Wanted It Erased After He Accepted Pardon

One of the more disgusting individuals in modern American immigration issues has been Arizona sheriff Joe Arpaio. Not only did he violate the rights of Hispanics he openly defied the law and court orders not to do so. And finally he was tried and convicted.

But Donnie sees lawless behavior against minorities as being done by 'fine people'. So Donnie pardoned the sheriff. But Arpaio wanted more, he wanted his pardon to mean he was never convicted. And this is what has happened to that wish.

Federal judge refuses to erase Joe Arpaio’s conviction despite Trump pardon

See, when one accepts a pardon one admits guilt. But like all of the arrogant folks who think they are above the law, Sheriff Joe wanted to get a pardon but not admit his guilt. It don't work that way.

In her ruling, U.S. District Judge Susan R. Bolton said the pardon only freed Arpaio from possible punishment. In a four-page order offering a check on the president’s executive power, Bolton wrote that a pardon could not erase the facts of the case.

“The power to pardon is an executive prerogative of mercy, not of judicial recordkeeping,” Bolton wrote in the decision. “To vacate all rulings in this case would run afoul of this important distinction. The Court found Defendant guilty of criminal contempt.”

An Appellate decision might still overturn justice, after all there are conservatives on the courts who think it is their duty to impose their philosophy on the public regardless of the law. In this case Arpaio's options were simple. If he thought he was innocent he should not have accepted the pardon, after all you can't pardon an innocent person. But that would have taken a person with courage, not a bullying sheriff.