Public trust in state courts is showing small gains for the second year in a row.
For the fourth year in a row, state courts are earning a stronger job approval rating.
Few see state courts providing help for self-represented litigants (SRLs), with most respondents supporting a proposal to license Allied Legal Professionals (ALPs).
Respondents expressed a hunger for justice system innovation—ranging from the use of AI to more problem-solving dockets.
More Americans are expressing trust and confidence in America’s state courts according to NCSC’s annual State of the State Courts public opinion poll. The December 2024 survey shows that nearly two-thirds (63%) of Americans express trust and confidence in America’s state courts. It’s the second consecutive year that the trust barometer has moved up.
“Public trust and confidence are the stock and trade of the courts,” said Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby of the D.C. Court of Appeals and co-chair of the CCJ-COSCA Public Engagement, Trust and Confidence committee. “It’s heartening to see this survey reflect that most Americans feel we are earning that trust. As national court leaders, we are committed to earning that confidence every day.”
Growing numbers of Americans are giving state courts a positive “job approval” rating. This year’s 54% rating is up from 44% in 2021 and marks the fourth year of this positive trend. The 2024 survey also reveals that 63% of Americans agree that state courts are “committed to protecting individual and civil rights” and that 59% believe that state courts “treat people with dignity and respect.”
The poll of 1,000 registered voters was conducted using online surveys. Respondents were contacted between December 9-12, 2024. Findings are considered accurate within +/- 3 percent, 19 times out of 20. The survey was developed by GBAO Strategies, with input from an advisory body of judges, court professionals and NCSC staff.