Supporters of former Adams Township Clerk Stephanie Scott are celebrating a major legal win after a judge dropped all felony charges against her in an election-related case dating back to November 2020.
In a written opinion, Hillsdale County Circuit Judge Sara Lisznya ruled that the case against Scott was based on a “fundamental error.” She said that prosecutors used a law that did not actually forbid Scott from sharing election data. In a sharp rebuke of a lower court’s previous ruling, Lisznyai said those judges “invented” rules that do not exist in Michigan law.
Scott’s legal team argued the case was an example of state officials overreaching their power to punish a local clerk.
In a written statement, her attorney David Kallman called the ruling “complete vindication.”
Scott still faces a misdemeanor charge related to the case. However, the most serious charges are off the table.