PHOENIX — Attorneys say an appeal is planned after a federal judge ruled that the office of America’s self-proclaimed toughest sheriff systematically racially profiled Latinos in its trademark immigration patrols.

The decision Friday by U.S. District Judge Murray Snow marks the first finding by a court that Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio’s office racially profiles people.

It also backs up allegations made by critics that Arpaio’s officers rely on race in their immigration enforcement. Snow also ruled Arpaio’s deputies unreasonably prolonged the detentions of people who were pulled over.

A small group of Latinos alleged deputies pulled over some vehicles only to make immigration status checks.

Arpaio’s lead attorney Tim Casey said the sheriff’s office “has never used race and will never use race in its law-enforcement decisions” and an appeal of Snow’s ruling will come “in the next 30 days.”