Volunteer | Clutch Justice

Q: Who can volunteer with Clutch Justice?

Applicants must be 18 or older. CourtWatch opportunities are based in Michigan. Research and Investigations, FOIA and Public Records, and Communications, Outreach and Partnerships opportunities are available remotely anywhere in the United States.

Q: Is there a minimum time commitment?

No. There is no minimum time commitment. Volunteers tell Clutch Justice what they can offer and receive assignments that fit.

Q: Do Clutch Justice volunteers write articles?

No. The Accountability Network does not include writing, editorial production, or content creation. Editorial authority, investigative direction, publication decisions, and final approvals remain with Clutch Justice leadership.

Q: Will I have to sign a confidentiality agreement?

Confidentiality agreements may be required before some assignments, particularly work involving unpublished investigations or source material.

Q: What recognition do volunteers receive?

Volunteers receive a network title, verification of service hours on request, reference letters once earned, and research acknowledgment on published work when approved.

Williams, Rita

Clutch Justice | The Accountability Network ?

Help hold Michigan’s justice system to its own record.

Clutch Justice is building a network of researchers, court observers, records hunters, and community connectors who want to extend independent accountability reporting into places one investigator cannot reach alone.

Apply to the network See the four roles Join the Facebook group ?

Founding cohort Community: Facebook group Applications: open now Assignments: begin as onboarding is finalized Commitment: no minimum

Four ways in

Volunteer Categories

Every role exists to widen what Clutch Justice can see. Each one runs under the same standards for accuracy, documentation, and confidentiality that govern the reporting itself.

Research & Investigations

Assist with public-source research, case timelines, background investigations, document review, identifying discrepancies, and organizing investigative findings. All research follows Clutch Justice standards for accuracy, documentation, confidentiality, and ethical investigative practice.

RemoteNationwideResearch Associate

CourtWatch & Judicial Accountability

Attend public court proceedings, document courtroom observations, monitor court dockets, track judicial accountability concerns, and contribute to transparency and accountability efforts throughout Michigan’s justice system.

In personMichigan onlyCourtWatch Observer

FOIA & Public Records

Identify public records and government records custodians, assist with FOIA requests, track statutory deadlines, review agency responses, and help identify missing records, inconsistencies, or potential transparency concerns.

RemoteNationwideRecords Associate

Communications, Outreach & Partnerships

Support community engagement, develop relationships with organizations and community stakeholders, coordinate approved outreach initiatives, identify potential sponsors and partnerships, and help connect Clutch Justice with communities and individuals whose experiences deserve attention.

RemoteNationwideOutreach Associate

The process

How It Works

Short, direct, and built around what you can actually offer.

ApplyComplete the application below. It takes about ten minutes.

ConversationClutch Justice reviews your interests, location, and conflict disclosure, then follows up by email.

AgreementSome assignments require a confidentiality agreement before any material is shared.

AssignmentYou receive defined tasks with clear scope, standards, and a point of contact.

Clear lines

Roles and Boundaries

Volunteers expand the reach of the work. Leadership, editorial control, and internal operations stay where they are.

What volunteers do

Complete assigned research, observation, records, and outreach tasks within defined scope.

Document everything: sources, dates, custodians, and where each fact came from.

Flag discrepancies, gaps, and leads back to Clutch Justice for evaluation.

Protect confidential material and unpublished work.

What stays with Clutch Justice leadership

All editorial authority, investigative direction, publication decisions, and final approvals.

Writing, editorial production, and content creation.

Organizational management, administration, volunteer coordination, and operations.

Representing Clutch Justice publicly and contacting investigative subjects, unless specifically authorized.

Earned, not handed out

Volunteer Recognition

Recognition that carries weight on a resume, an application, or a practicum record.

Network titleA role title tied to your category, for your resume and LinkedIn.

Hours verificationVerification of service hours on request, for school, practicum, or professional requirements.

Reference lettersWritten references, earned through sustained, reliable contribution.

Research acknowledgmentCredit for research support on published work, when approved.

Titles: Research Associate, CourtWatch Observer, Records Associate, and Outreach Associate, each held as a member of The Accountability Network.

For colleges and universities

Academic Practicum Partners

Clutch Justice is looking for college and university partners to place students in supervised, unpaid practicum and internship roles. Placements can count toward credit or required program hours in criminal justice, human services, social work, journalism, political science, public administration, paralegal studies, and pre-law.

What Clutch Justice provides

Written learning objectives for each of the four roles.

Orientation before any assignment, written task assignments, and check-ins at least every two weeks.

A weekly hours log with monthly supervisor sign-off, plus midpoint and final evaluations.

Direct supervision by Rita Williams, M.S. in Criminal Justice and doctoral candidate in Human Services.

What a partner school provides

The school’s site or affiliation agreement.

Program learning outcomes and required hours.

A faculty or placement coordinator contact for check-ins and evaluations.

Request the practicum partner packet

Before you apply

Eligibility and FAQs

Who can apply?

Anyone 18 or older. CourtWatch opportunities are Michigan-based and in person. Research and Investigations, FOIA and Public Records, and Communications, Outreach and Partnerships are available remotely anywhere in the United States.

How much time do I need to give?

There is no minimum time commitment. Tell Clutch Justice what you can realistically offer and assignments are matched to it.

Can I write for Clutch Justice through this program?

No. The network does not include writing, journalism, editorial production, or content creation. Those responsibilities remain with Clutch Justice leadership.

Will I need to sign anything?

Confidentiality agreements may be required before assignments, particularly work involving unpublished investigations or source material.

Why do you ask about conflicts of interest?

Clutch Justice investigates courts, agencies, attorneys, and officials. A connection to any of them does not automatically disqualify you. It does need to be disclosed so assignments can be made without compromising the work or putting you in an awkward position.

Can this count for academic credit?

Clutch Justice is seeking academic practicum partners. If your school approves the placement, your hours can count toward credit or program requirements. Mention it on your application, and see Academic Practicum Partners above.

Do I get paid?

No. Network roles are unpaid. Recognition takes the form of titles, hours verification, earned references, and approved research acknowledgment.

Application

Join The Accountability Network

Required fields are marked with *. When you submit, your email app opens with your completed application addressed to Clutch Justice. Press send to finish.

A few things need attention:

1About You

Full name*

Email*

Phoneoptional

City*

State*

Michigan countyhelps match CourtWatch

I am 18 or older.*

2Volunteer Categories* Choose every category that interests you.

? Research & InvestigationsRemote, nationwide ?? CourtWatch & Judicial AccountabilityIn person, Michigan only ? FOIA & Public RecordsRemote, nationwide ? Communications, Outreach & PartnershipsRemote, nationwide

CourtWatch is Michigan-based and in person. Select Michigan as your state to choose it, or pick one of the remote categories.

3Relevant Experience

Background that fits best*

LinkedIn or portfoliooptional

Skills you bringoptional

Public records research Court docket navigation FOIA requests Timelines and document review Spreadsheets and data Community outreach Partnerships and fundraising Languages other than English Courtroom observation

Describe your relevant experience*Work, school, volunteer, or lived experience. Formal credentials are not required.0 / 1200

Are you seeking verified service hours for a school or program?optional

Yes No Maybe later

4Availability

Time you can usually offer*There is no minimum.

When could you start?optional

When are you generally available?optionalMost courts hold proceedings on weekday business hours.

Weekday daytime Weekday evenings Weekends

5Motivation

Why do you want to join The Accountability Network?*0 / 1000

6Conflicts of Interest* Do you have any connection to a case, court, agency, organization, or individual Clutch Justice has reported on or investigates? This includes employment with a court, prosecutor, law enforcement agency, or government body; being a party to active litigation; or a personal or professional relationship with a judge, attorney, official, or subject of coverage. A disclosure does not automatically disqualify you.

No Yes Not sure

Please describe the connection*General terms are fine. Clutch Justice will follow up privately if more detail is needed.0 / 800

7Acknowledgments Privacy. I understand this application is sent by my own email directly to Clutch Justice. This page does not store my information. Clutch Justice will use it only to evaluate my application and contact me about The Accountability Network, and will not sell or publish it.* Boundaries. I understand volunteers work within assigned responsibilities, do not independently represent Clutch Justice, and do not contact investigative subjects without authorization. All editorial authority, investigative direction, and publication decisions remain with Clutch Justice leadership.* Confidentiality. I understand a confidentiality agreement may be required before I receive an assignment, and that submitting this application does not guarantee placement.*

Your email app will open with everything filled in. Press send in your email app to complete your application.

One last step: press send.

Your email app should now be open with your completed application addressed to Clutch Justice. Review it, then press send. Your application is not received until that email goes out.

Once it arrives, you will receive a confirmation reply. Clutch Justice reviews every application personally and follows up by email about next steps.

Open my email again

Email app did not open? Copy your application below and email it to hello@clutchjustice.com with the subject line Accountability Network Application.

Your completed application

While you wait, join the Clutch Justice | The Accountability Network ? group on Facebook to meet the network and get updates.

You can also explore the free investigative tools in The Lab or support independent accountability reporting at Support Clutch.

The Accountability Network is an unpaid Clutch Justice volunteer program. Submitting an application does not create an employment, contractor, agency, or representative relationship with Clutch Justice. Clutch Justice reserves sole discretion over placement, assignments, and participation.