A longtime publicist for Joe Arpaio testified at her former boss' criminal trial that he wouldn't have violated a judge's order to stop his signature immigration patrols.
Lisa Allen says the lessons the former sheriff learned in his earlier career as a federal drug agent gave him respect for the orders of federal judges.
Allen served as chief spokeswoman for the media savvy lawman for nearly 23 years.
Arpaio is charged with misdemeanor contempt-of-court for prolonging the patrols 17 months after a judge in a racial profiling lawsuit had ordered them stopped.
Arpaio has acknowledged continuing the patrols, but said his disobedience wasn't intentional.
Prosecutors must prove that Arpaio purposefully violated the order to win a conviction.
Arpaio faces up to six months in jail if convicted.
