According to this article, U.S. District Judge Susan Ritchie Bolton has held that President Trump’s pardon of Sheriff Arpaio only functions to stop his sentencing, and not to remove his guilt. In fact she claims it “implies a confession of guilt.” As such, the pardon issued by President Trump will forestall Arpaio from contesting the validity of his conviction on appeal.

Professor Frank Bowman has discussed at length how the Arpaio pardon is an impeachable offense. That discussion can be found here. In addition to a summary of the facts, the link above includes Judge Bolton’s written decision.

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