Michigan Criminal Lawyers Blog
Original Case Details
A city clerk who served the city of Southfield faces felony charges for allegedly altering voter file records during the 2018 elections. The clerk, Sherikia Hawkins is accused of altering 193 voter records that were under her control as a city clerk. The Oakland County Clerk’s Office noticed the irregularities during the 14-day canvass period that followed the 2018 election. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has stressed that all the votes that were made were actually counted, and that Hawkins’ alleged activity did not affect the outcome of the election in any way. When an absentee ballot makes it to the clerk’s office, it is supposed to be logged into the qualified voter file. The clerk is then supposed to check to make sure the entries made are valid and correct. Oakland County Elections Director Joseph Rozell noticed that ballot summary sheets were blank and contacted Hawkins to ask why. After speaking with her, it was his belief that Hawkins switched the original reports with altered reports. Records allegedly indicate that Hawkins’ username and computer were the source of the alterations to the records. Hawkins is the first African American to be elected as Southfield city clerk.
Criminal Charges Involved
Hawkins has recently been bound over for trial on all six charges that she was originally facing. She is charged with:
• Election Law Falsifying Returns or Records
A felony charge that carries up to five years in prison and up to a $1,000 fine.
• Forgery of a Public Record
A felony charge that carries up to 14 years in prison.
• Misconduct in Office
A felony charge that carries up to five years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
• Using a Computer to Commit a Crime – Forgery of a Public Record
A felony charge that carries up to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine.
• Using a Computer to Commit a Crime – Election Law Falsifying Records or Returns
A felony charge that carries up to 7 years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine.
• Using a Computer to Commit a Crime – Misconduct in Office
A felony charge that carries up to 7 years in prison and up to a $5,000 fine.
Note: it is important to understand that even though all of these charges add up to a total of 48 years of possible prison time, these charges do not run consecutively. This means that whatever Hawkins sentence is given if she is convicted will be served concurrently. This means that the absolute maximum she could spend in prison is 14 years as that is the highest maximum available from the charges against her.
What’s Next?
The case has now been bound over to circuit court for further proceedings. This does not necessarily mean that she will actually face a trial. The choice to go to trial is Hawkins’ and Hawkins’ alone. She may seek to negotiate a plea agreement if she and her attorney feel that a plea is the best option for her. In these negotiations, a multitude of things can be agreed to including a promise for no jail time, a shortened sentence, or a specific amount of money in the form of fines. If a plea is not reached before trial, then prosecutors will have to prove each charge beyond a reasonable doubt in order to convict Hawkins of the charges.
Any Further Questions?
If you have any additional questions relating to this case or anything else related to public corruption, then we are happy to offer a FREE consultation. If you or someone you love is facing a criminal charge or is currently being investigated for a possible criminal charge, then it is important to seek the advice and counsel of an attorney immediately. At Grabel & Associates, we have over 100 years of combined experience in successfully representing clients in both federal and state court respectively. We are a criminal defense firm, it’s all we do. We are available by phone on our 24/7 defense line at 1-800-342-7896. You can contact us online or come visit us at one of our three statewide offices. We can also come to you.