Michigan Supreme Court Clears Former Gov. Rick Snyder of Charges in Flint Water Investigation

FILE – This screen shot from video, shows former Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, during his Zoom hearing in the 67th District Court in Flint, Mich., on Jan. 18, 2020. A judge had no authority to issue indictments in the Flint water scandal, the Michigan Supreme Court said Tuesday, June 28, 2022 in an extraordinary decision that wipes out charges against former Gov. Snyder, his health director and seven other people (67th District Court in Flint via AP, file)

The Michigan Supreme Court on Tuesday cleared charges against former Gov. Rick Snyder (R) in the Flint water probe, ruling that the lower court judge lacked the legal authority to issue the indictments.

Driving the news: “[State laws] authorize a judge to investigate, subpoena witnesses and issue arrest warrants,” the Supreme Court said. “But they do not authorize the judge to issue indictments.”

• Tuesday’s ruling also clears Snyder’s health director and seven other people of charges in connection with the investigation into the water crisis.
• The state’s Supreme Court also said that in the case of a one-judge grand jury — as in the Flint water probe — “the accused is entitled to a preliminary examination before being brought to trial.”

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SOURCE: Axios, Erin Doherty