Prosecutorial Accountability Isn’t Broken. It’s Fiction.
If you ask the public how prosecutors are held accountable, you’ll usually hear some version of this: elections, ethics rules,…
Rita Williams
Rita Williams is a Michigan-based judicial oversight analyst and founder of Clutch Justice, an investigative platform focused on court system accountability, sentencing integrity, and SCAO policy. Her work examines how courts, policies, and administrative systems operate in practice, with a focus on where process breaks down and harm is created. Drawing on lived experience and systems-level analysis, she writes to make legal structures more readable, expose institutional gaps, and advocate for reforms grounded in both evidence and human impact. Rita’s writing bridges legal analysis, institutional critique, and public education, with a consistent focus on accountability without losing sight of the people most affected by the justice system.
Michigan’s 2026 Constitutional Convention Question: A Rare Opportunity to Rethink Our Courts
In November 2026, Michigan voters will again face a quiet but consequential ballot question: whether to convene a constitutional convention…
From Commentary to Casework: How Clutch Justice Became an Applied Scholarship Project
Over the last several years, something incredible has happened. Clutch Justice has changed shape. What began as a space for…
Michigan Attorney Joseph Anthony Paparella Suspended Following Felony Assault Conviction
The Michigan Attorney Discipline Board has issued a 30-day suspension of Joseph Anthony Paparella (P64848) of Grand Rapids, Michigan, following a felony conviction and a…
When “Danger to Society” Becomes a Substitute for Law: How Fear, Immunity, and Risk Aversion Distort Sentencing
American courts are built on a promise of proportionality. Sentencing is supposed to reflect conduct, context, and legally defined limits….
Sentencing Integrity in Michigan Courts | Rita Williams
Sentencing integrity is one of the quiet foundations of a functioning justice system. When sentencing outcomes are predictable, proportional, and…
Michigan Judicial Tenure Commission Sets Trial Dates in Hartig Misconduct Case
The disciplinary case against Kirsten Nielsen Hartig, a judge of Michigan’s 52-4 District Court, has entered a decisive phase. According to…
When Delay Becomes the Decision: Family Court Turnover, Systemic Failure, and the Cost to Children
On paper, Family court is supposed to resolve disputes involving children with urgency, clarity, and evidence. But in practice, some…
Michigan Assistant Prosecutor Michael J. Szappan Reprimanded Following Discovery Failure and Unprofessional Communications
The Michigan Attorney Discipline Board has issued a reprimand to Michael J. Szappan (P68107) of Flushing, Michigan, effective October 7, 2025, following a consent resolution of professional…
The Private Prison Pipeline: How Money Shapes Mass Incarceration Policy
Mass incarceration in the United States is often framed as the result of crime trends, public fear, or political ideology….
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