Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu and Cochise County Sheriff Larry Dever seemed surprised and encouraged by some of the comments three 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals judges made during a hearing Monday over Senate Bill 1070.

They expected the 9th Circuit, which has a more liberal reputation than other appeals courts, to be a roadblock in the effort to overturn U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton's decision to halt four parts of the immigration-enforcement law from going into effect.