Racial, Ethnic, and Socioeconomic Disparities
Years of survey research indicate that minority groups tend to think more poorly about the courts than do majority groups. For example, in 2015 the National Center for State Courts “State of the State Courts” survey found only 32% of Black citizens believed state courts provide “equal justice to all,” compared to 57% of the overall population. That same survey found equally noteworthy differences in beliefs that the wealthy are treated better by the justice system than the poor. Meanwhile surveys in 2017 and 2018 suggested that Black participants in particular tended to disagree that state courts reflect the values of their communities and understand the challenges facing the people who appear in their courtrooms.
The aim of this Toolkit is to help courts in their efforts to increase and protect public trust. Researchers typically define trust as the trustor’s willingness to accept their vulnerability—that is, potential for injury—at the hands of the other. Applied to the courts, this suggests that members of the public trust the courts when they are comfortable with the courts making decisions that impact them and their communities. The key to building trust is ensuring that the courts are worthy of being entrusted with a level of authority that facilitates meeting their responsibilities while protecting communities from harm.
Public Perceptions — Survey Says:
In general, judges in (STATE) courts reflect the values of our communities and understand the challenges facing the people who appear in their courtroom.
Sources: The State of State Courts: NCSC Public Opinion Surveys for 2017 and 2018.
