Opinion Survey Highlights

Numerous media accounts have highlighted shortcomings in the criminal justice system. To better understand the concerns, the Center for Prosecutor Integrity commissioned a national telephone survey to assess the public’s knowledge and opinions regarding prosecutor ethics.

Calls were placed to 9,876 landline telephones during the period June 3-5, 2013. An average of 993 persons responded to each question.

The survey reveals a majority of persons has doubts about the fairness of the American criminal justice system:

• Two-thirds  — 66.8% — think the presumption of innocence is becoming lost in our nation’s legal system
• Three-quarters — 74.8% — worry our legal system often does not respect “equal treatment under the law”
• Over two-fifths — 42.8% — of the respondents say prosecutor misconduct is widespread
• Over seven in 10 — 71.8% — believe new laws are needed to curb prosecutor misconduct

Additional information:

• Findings
• Methods