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ABA survey: 52% believe justice system is racially biased

ABA survey: 52% believe justice system is racially biased

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A recent survey from the American Bar Association found that more than half of respondents believe the U.S. criminal-justice system is racially biased.

The ABA’s 2021 Survey of Civic Literacy questioned 1,000 adults throughout the U.S. about their opinions on the criminal-justice system. The survey was conducted in March by phone in English and Spanish.

Slightly more than half of respondents, 52%, agreed with the statement that “The justice system has racial biases built into its rules, procedures and practices.” When broken down by race, 80% of Black people, 63% of Hispanic people and 45% of white people agreed. A majority thought the judicial system adheres to the rule of law and treats all individuals equally, but the support for that statement also varied by race and age.

Fifty-five percent of people thought that prosecutors should be able to charge juveniles under 18 years old as adults for serious crimes. Once again, the results again varied by age and race. Fifty-seven percent of white people held that opinion, whereas 43% of Black people did. Half of Hispanics agreed.

See detailed statistics about the criminal-justice questions in the infographic below.

The survey also tested respondents’ knowledge on the basics of U.S. democracy and opinions on legally requiring COVID-19 vaccines and masks in the workplace. About one-third of people believed employers should be legally permitted to require vaccination for COVID-19. Proposals to legally require face masks in the workplace received much higher support; 78% agreed that precaution should be taken.

The American Bar Association's 2021 Civic Literacy Survey shows differing levels in the justice system

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