Jury service builds trust in courts, while overall confidence in judicial system has eroded, new survey says
A new survey published in Judicature has indicated that people who have served on juries have more confidence and trust in the judicial system. (Photo by Jason Doiy/Getty Images)
While public confidence in the judiciary, particularly the U.S. Supreme Court, has eroded significantly in recent years, those who served on juries offer a more favorable of the judicial system, according to new research.
According to a new survey published in Judicature, people who have served as jurors within the past five years viewed state courts as more legitimate; reported higher overall trust in courts; and rated judges more positively on traits such as trustworthiness, fairness and competence.
Courthouse News Service has coverage of the survey, which was released Monday.
The researchers found that while direct experience with the justice system, particularly through jury service, tends to strengthen positive views of courts, fewer Americans are getting that opportunity amid a sharp decrease in jury trials.
“Jury service has such a significant effect,” study co-author Matthew Levendusky of the Annenberg Public Policy Center said in an email interview with Courthouse News Service. “For many Americans, their jury service is really the only way they personally interact with the justice system and allowing them to see it in action matters.”
According to the survey, trust in the Supreme Court has decreased markedly since 2019, when 68% of respondents expressed high or moderate trust in the Supreme Court to act in the best interests of people like them. By March 2025, that figure had decreased to 41%. Nearly 59% reported little or no trust, according to Courthouse News Service.
See also:
Public support for Supreme Court is falling, new poll finds
Erosion of public confidence in courts spurs group from former state supreme court judges
Write a letter to the editor, share a story tip or update, or report an error.
