Former MI Township Clerk Bound Over for Trial and Arraigned

Trial to be scheduled on January 12

Former Adams Township Clerk, Stephanie Scott, July 2025, Photo: Kristine Christlieb, MFEI News & Commentary

By Kristine Christlieb, MFEI News & Commentary Editor

December 29, 2025

HILLSDALE, Mich. — Three days before Christmas, former Adams Township Clerk Stephanie Scott stood before 1st Judicial Circuit Court Judge Sara Lisznyai in the first step toward a trial where she is being charged with four election-related felonies and a misdemeanor.

At the December 22 arraignment, Scott entered a plea of not guilty and notified the court Michigan attorney David A. Kallman would be representing her at trial. Since Kallman only recently joined as defense counsel, he asked the court for a few weeks to familiarize himself with the details of the case. Granting the request, Judge Lisznyai adjourned the proceeding and scheduled a pre-trial hearing for January 12. At that time, various dates will be set, including a date for jury selection to begin.   

What Is an Arraignment?

• Charges are formally read.

• Defendants are asked to plead guilty, not guilty, or no contest.

• The defendant’s rights are explained: the right to remain silent, the right to an attorney.

• Legal representation is announced; if a defendant cannot afford a lawyer, one is appointed.

• The court sets future hearing dates.

• An arraignment is the first, formal step toward a criminal trial

Michigan Fair Elections Institute Founder and Chair Patrice Johnson called Kallman a “brilliant lawyer.” The Lansing litigator was made famous when he defended Karl Manke, the Owosso, Michigan, barber who defied COVID-19 lockdown orders and re-opened his barber shop. Thanks to Kallman, Manke’s license was restored and the charges against him dropped. Kallman also represented Michigan alternate elector William Choate. Charges against the 15 electors were dismissed.

After months of legal wrangling, including two days of testimony from Bureau of Elections (BOE) Director Jonathan Brater, Stephanie Scott also was hoping for dismissal of all charges. But on December 1, District Judge Megan Stiverson found there was probable cause to bind Scott over for trial in circuit court.

On December 22, the State’s case against Stephanie Scott officially moved to the next level — a criminal trial, where the possibility of jail time grew more vivid. Scott left the court room that day and returned to her family and friends to celebrate Christmas.

The Charges Against Scott

On May 8, 2024, the state of Michigan charged Scott with four felonies and one misdemeanor.

• One count of Using a Computer to Commit a Crime (7-year felony)

• One count of Unauthorized Access to a Computer (5-year felony)

• One count of Conspiracy to Commit Unauthorized Access to a Computer (5-year felony)

• One count of Misconduct in Office (5-year felony)

• One count of Disobeying a Lawful Instruction or Order of the Secretary of State as Chief Election Officer (90-day misdemeanor)

Even though she wasn’t charged until May 2024, the ordeal began on December 1, 2020, with a memo from BOE Director Jonathan Brater who instructed clerks:

The EPB [electronic poll book] software and associated files must be deleted from all devices by the seventh calendar day following the final canvass and certification of the election unless a petition for recount has been filed.

Scott refused to obey the order, choosing to rely on Michigan election law 168.811:

All election returns, including poll lists, statements, tally sheets, absent voters' return envelopes bearing the statement required by section 761, absent voters' records required by section 760, and other returns made by the election inspectors of the several precincts must be carefully preserved and may be destroyed after the expiration of 22 months following the primary or election at which the same were used. [Emphasis added.]

Under cross-examination in the July probable cause hearing, Brater finally admitted, after prompting from the judge, his instruction was unlawful.

“The instruction to wipe the poll books seven days after the election, an instruction Jonathan Brater was forced to admit was unlawful, is now enshrined in administrative law through the recent adoption of Rule Set 2025 - 14ST,” Johnson pointed out.

Johnson continued, “Scott’s case revealed the state’s legal vulnerability and may have motivated the Board of Elections to write new poll book regulations. Thanks to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, Benson’s regulations now have the force of law.”

On August 4, 2021, Brater issued another statewide memo to clerks entitled "Access to Election Records and Equipment." In the section on "Instructions on Preventative Maintenance," Brater directed clerks to proceed with scheduled biennial maintenance on tabulators and other voting equipment.

Again, Scott refused to comply and did not turn her tabulators over for vendor maintenance, believing she had the authority and the duty to protect the integrity of the equipment and data from possible outside manipulation.

As the situation escalated, Scott retained Stefanie Lambert (also known as Stefanie Junttila) to help her navigate the BOE’s demands. It was in that context the State claims Scott gave Lambert and an outside computer expert unauthorized access to private voter data.

While the Secretary of State and her Board of Elections have succeeded in getting Scott’s case to trial, the proceedings will play out very publicly against the backdrop of a year when Michigan will elect a new Secretary of State.

Stephanie Scott’s trial could have the unintended consequence of drawing Michigan voters’ attention to the power concentrated in the office of Secretary of State and the unlawful manipulations it can promulgate.  

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