The Dismissal of Felony Charges in Hillsdale County
In a recent development, a Hillsdale County judge has made a decision to dismiss felony charges against a former local clerk and a lawyer associated with false 2020 election conspiracies. The Michigan Attorney General’s office had accused former Adams Township Clerk Stephanie Scott of illegally sharing election data with unauthorized individuals after the 2020 presidential election.
The state argued that certain voter records were exempted from the Freedom of Information Act, making that data confidential. These exempted records include ID card numbers, birthdays, and digital signatures. However, Scott’s lawyer, David Kallman, contended that exempting something from FOIA did not equate to making it confidential. He argued that his client had the discretion to share select data with a private attorney for advice.
Kimberly Bush, a spokesperson with the Michigan Attorney General’s office, mentioned that they are considering their next steps, including the possibility of an appeal against the ruling. The court’s decision has raised concerns about the implications it may have on upcoming elections.
On the other hand, lawyers for the defense accused the state of bringing politically motivated charges against the defendants. Kallman suggested that the attorney general had personal biases, particularly towards Scott’s codefendant, Stefanie Lambert, who is tied to President Donald Trump and the efforts to overturn his loss in the 2020 presidential election.
Although Lambert had her Hillsdale County felony charges dismissed alongside Scott, she still faces pending criminal charges in Oakland County over separate accusations related to gaining illegal access to a voting machine. Lawyer Peter Ticktin, who represents Lambert in the Oakland County case, believes that the recent decision in Hillsdale County could bode well for their pending case.
It remains to be seen how these legal proceedings will unfold, with both sides continuing to present their arguments and defend their positions in the courtroom.
