All day long, I hear people say, “(County Name) is the worst.” Now’s your chance to prove it, Michigan!

Why We’re Launching the Transparency Showdown

Government accountability doesn’t just happen; it’s forced into the light by people who demand it. And no one is better positioned to expose secrecy than the people who live under it. Across Michigan, access to public records, court files, police reports, meeting minutes, and even basic data varies wildly by county. Some clerks respond in hours. Others ignore you for weeks. Some judges allow media access to recordings. Others make sure no one ever sees them.

It’s time to find out who’s doing their job; and who’s hiding behind bureaucracy.

Welcome to the Clutch Justice Transparency Showdown, a statewide crowdsourced challenge designed to map out the best and worst counties for government transparency — and push them all toward accountability.

The Challenge: County vs. County

We’re inviting journalists, advocates, lawyers, defendants, and everyday citizens to document how their local county handles transparency. Then, we’ll publish a statewide ranking from the most open and responsive to the most secretive and stonewalling.

This isn’t just a poll. It’s a people-powered audit.

How to Participate: The Official Rules

Here’s how you can join the Transparency Showdown:

1. Pick Your County: Choose one Michigan county you want to investigate — ideally the one where you live, work, or have dealt with the justice system.
2. Submit 3–5 Transparency Tests: These can include:
   • Filing a FOIA request and timing the response.
   • Asking for access to a court hearing recording.
   • Requesting a copy of a case file or docket sheet.
   • Requesting public meeting minutes or policy manuals.
   • Contacting the prosecutor’s office or clerk for a public record.
3. Document Everything: Save timestamps, screenshots, emails, and response letters. If you’re denied, note the reason (or lack of one).
4. Rate the Experience (1–5): See the free printable checklist for details.
5. Submit Your Results: Use our upcoming submission form (or email us directly at hello@clutchjustice.com) with your findings, evidence, and ratings.
6. Share Your Story: Post your experience online with the hashtag #TransparencyShowdown to raise awareness and get others involved.

Voting & Ranking

Once submissions are in, we’ll compile the data into a public Transparency Index, ranking every county from most open to most secretive. We’ll also open community voting so readers can weigh in on their own experiences.

💡 Bonus: The counties with the worst scores will be featured in a “Hall of Shame” exposé on Clutch Justice and the best will be recognized as models of how government should work.

Incentives & Impact

This isn’t just a contest for bragging rights; it’s a movement. Here’s what your participation builds:

• Real Data: Evidence that lawmakers, journalists, and advocacy groups can use to push for stronger transparency laws.
• Collective Voice: One complaint is easy to ignore. Hundreds of documented examples are not.
• Accountability Pressure: Counties care about their reputations — public rankings make secrecy a liability.
• A FREE Clutch t-shirt and toolkit of your choice.

Why It Matters

Transparency isn’t just a “good government” issue. It’s the foundation of justice, democracy, and accountability. If people can’t see how decisions are made, they can’t challenge corruption. If defendants can’t access their own case files, they can’t appeal. If the public can’t examine how money is spent, they can’t vote responsibly.

This challenge is about flipping that power dynamic and reminding every public official that they work for us.

Join the Showdown

Are you ready to hold your local government to the light? Grab your notebook, fire off those FOIAs, and let’s find out which Michigan counties believe in transparency — and which are terrified of it.

Submit your findings to hello@clutchjustice.com, use #TransparencyShowdown on social media, and follow the results at ClutchJustice.com.

County Transparency Challenge: Participant Checklist

Goal: Use this checklist to guide your investigation and collect evidence about how transparent your county’s government and courts are. Each completed item helps build the statewide Transparency Index and hold officials accountable.

Step 1: Choose Your County

•  I selected one Michigan county to investigate (where I live, work, or have had legal experience).
•  I identified key offices to test (e.g., court clerk, prosecutor, sheriff, county board, FOIA office).

Step 2: File 3–5 Transparency Tests

(Complete as many as possible — the more data, the stronger the results.)

Public Records & FOIA Requests

•  I submitted at least one FOIA request for public documents (e.g., budgets, policies, emails).
•  I tracked how long it took to receive a response.
•  I noted whether I was charged unreasonable fees or denied without cause.

Court Access

•  I requested access to a court hearing recording or transcript.
•  I asked to inspect a case file or docket sheet.
•  I checked whether media policies were followed (e.g., press request forms, access permissions).

Government Transparency

•  I requested county board or city council meeting minutes or recordings.
•  I checked whether agendas and public notices were posted online in advance.
•  I asked for policies, manuals, or complaint procedures from a public agency.

Step 3: Document Your Experience

(Documentation is essential — it builds the evidence we need.)

•  I saved screenshots or photos of online records requests and responses.
•  I saved emails and letters from officials or agencies.
•  I recorded the date/time of each request and response.
•  I noted the tone and helpfulness of staff interactions.
•  I documented any denials or delays, including the reasons given (if any).

Step 4: Rate the Transparency

(Score each interaction 1–5.)

•  1 – Completely Opaque: Ignored, denied, or stonewalled without explanation.
•  2 – Poor Transparency: Partial response after significant delays or high fees.
•  3 – Moderate: Mixed experience; some information provided, but barriers existed.
•  4 – Good Transparency: Mostly responsive and timely with minor issues.
•  5 – Fully Transparent: Quick, complete, and cooperative access to public records.

Step 5: Submit Your Findings

•  I compiled all my documentation into a single file or folder.
•  I completed the Transparency Submission Form or emailed my findings to tips@clutchjustice.com.
•  I shared my story publicly using #TransparencyShowdown on social media.

Bonus Tips for Impact

•  Compare multiple counties if possible.
•  Partner with friends or community groups to cover more offices.
•  Follow up on denied requests — and document if they ignore your appeals.
•  Include notes on accessibility (e.g., disability accommodations, language support).

Submission Checklist (Final Review)

Before you submit, make sure you have:

•  At least 3 completed transparency tests.
•  Documentation (screenshots, emails, letters, etc.).
•  A rating (1–5) for each test.
•  A summary paragraph describing your overall experience.

Remember: Every data point you collect adds power to this movement. Together, we can map Michigan’s most transparent — and most secretive — counties, and use that evidence to demand reform.

Free Printable Checklist