Our Work
Our investigation began with a comprehensive national survey where we sought to grasp the sentiments of the average citizen. The survey measured the public’s trust and confidence in the main institutions in our justice system: law enforcement, the court system (including the Supreme Court), Congress, and our corrections system.
The results were eye-opening, revealing how the public viewed the perceived bias of the courts and police, how well they thought the justice system worked, how fair they thought the courts and the overall system worked, how well they understood the system, and how the media’s reporting on the system contributed to their views.
Phase One:
The National Survey
Building on the insights gained from the survey, we entered into the second phase of the Trust in Justice Project. Through a series of thoughtfully designed focus groups and interviews, we delved deeper into the root causes behind the erosion of trust in our legal system.
This report outlines the feedback from our focus group participants, our analysis of the systemic and cultural causes of these issues, and suggested improvements to the justice system, both from our participants and our additional research.
Richard also presented the Phase Two findings at the American Society of Trial Consultants' 2024 Annual Conference in Washington, D.C.
Phase Two:
Delving Deeper with Focus Groups
Voices from the Focus Groups
I think they don't listen. The system is just made for them. It's not made for us at all.
Eddie, Focus Group Participant
More access, more availability, and more input in how things are going to transpire is a good thing.
Aggie, Focus Group Participant
This [focus group] feels like a call to action and reinvigorates me to get involved.
Rowan, Focus Group Participant
Voices from the Focus Group
Phases of Project
Phase One:
The National Survey
Our investigation began with a comprehensive national survey where we sought to grasp the sentiments of the average citizen. The survey measured the public’s trust and confidence in the main institutions in our justice system: law enforcement, the court system (including the Supreme Court), Congress, and our corrections system.
The results were eye-opening, revealing how the public viewed the perceived bias of the courts and police, how well they thought the justice system worked, how fair they thought the courts and the overall system worked, how well they understood the system, and how the media’s reporting on the system contributed to their views.
Phase Two:
Delving Deeper with Focus Groups
Building on the insights gained from the survey, we entered into the second phase of the Trust in Justice Project. Through a series of thoughtfully designed focus groups and interviews, we delved deeper into the root causes behind the erosion of trust in our legal system. This report outlines the feedback from our focus group participants, our analysis of the systemic and cultural causes of these issues, and suggested improvements to the justice system, both from our participants and our additional research.
Phase Three:
Community Forums
In the next phase of this project, we will be holding community forums with all constituents—jurors, judges, lawyers, police, corrections officials, politicians, law professors, and social psychologists—to openly explore challenges, share insights, and discuss strategies for enhancing public trust in the justice system.
Phase Three:
Community Forums
In the next phase of this project, we will be holding community forums with all constituents—jurors, judges, lawyers, police, corrections officials, politicians, law professors, and social psychologists—to openly explore challenges, share insights, and discuss strategies for enhancing public trust in the justice system.
The first forum will be hosted by the New York County Lawyers Association. This program will gather leaders of New York’s legal community to discuss how judges, lawyers, and the media can start rebuilding public trust in our justice system.