NCJ Number
92718
Journal
State Court Journal Volume: 7 Issue: 4 Dated: (Fall 1983) Pages: 4-13
Date Published
1983
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Half of the 983 randomly selected respondents to a national telephone survey did not understand the concept of innocent until proven guilty.
Abstract
The interview questions focused on the public's knowledge of legal concepts, their sources of information, their personal experience with the judicial system, and their opinions about certain contemporary issues. Of the total sample, 32 percent felt best informed about Congress, 28 percent about the Presidency and executive branch, and only 21 percent believed they were best informed about the courts. Half of those who had served on a jury said that it is up to the person accused of a crime to prove his innocence; 31 percent of the college graduates concurred. However, 81 percent knew of the right to appeal convictions, 87 percent correctly defined hung jury, and 79 percent understood jury selection. One-fifth had experience with the judicial system, typically in civil cases such as divorce, child support, or breach of contract. Only 32 percent of the respondents have been called for jury duty; only 16 percent have actually served. Sixty-three percent of the respondents agree to increased enforcement and punishment of 'victimless crimes;' 53 percent do not support plea bargaining. Furthermore, 57 percent believe that journalists should be able to keep their sources confidential; 36 percent thought they should have to identify sources in compliance with a court order. Opinion is almost evenly split on allowing cameras in the courtroom. The survey instrument and methodology are appended.