2006: Sheriff Joe Arpaio “decided to turn MCSO into a ‘full-fledged anti-illegal immigration agency.’

June 2008: Department of Justice commenced initial inquiries into alleged constitutional rights violations by Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff Joe Arpaio.

September 2010: After months of non-cooperation by Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, the Justice Department filed a lawsuit to compel the sheriff department to provide data and information needed to investigate the constitutional rights violations. Click here to download the complaint.

June 2011: The Justice Department settled the September 2010 lawsuit, and Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office agreed to cooperate in the investigation.

December 2011: The Department of Justice issued a letter on the results of the investigation. Federal investigators found that Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has “engaged in a pattern or practice of discriminatory policing of Latinos.” Click here to download the English and Spanish versions of the letter.

January – May 2012: The Department of Justice attempted to negotiate a settlement with Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

May 10, 2012: The Justice Department filed a civil suit against Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office to stop the department’s racial profiling practices and systematic violations of constitutional rights. The lawsuit also seeks to cut off federal funding to Maricopa County and the sheriff’s department if the violations continue.

Learn More:

• WhatTheFolly.com: Justice Department sues Maricopa County Sheriff for discriminating against Latinos
• Department of Justice: United States v. Maricopa County, et al complaint filed May 10, 2012 (PDF)
• Department of Justice: Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Thomas E. Perez Speaks at the Maricopa County Press Conference in Phoenix, Arizona
• Department of Justice: Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act
• Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office: Biography of Sheriff Joe Arpaio