Profiling lawsuit could add to Arizona sheriff's troubles

PHOENIX -- A judge is poised to make key decisions within the next few days in a lawsuit that alleges racial profiling in embattled Sheriff Joe Arpaio's immigration patrols in the metropolitan Phoenix area.

U.S. District Judge Murray Snow will decide whether he will let the case go to trial or settle the dispute himself by either throwing out the case or declaring the Maricopa County sheriff uses racial profiling in his immigration enforcement.

The handful of Latinos who filed the lawsuit claim officers pulled them over without probable cause to inquire about their immigration status. They are seeking a court declaration that Arpaio's office has violated their constitutional rights and must establishing protections against racial profiling.

Arpaio has denied the racial profiling allegations.