Race and Class as Predictors of Public Confidence in The Criminal Justice System

• In Event: Poster Session II

Abstract

Research regarding the role of race and class as predictors of confidence in the criminal justice system has been promising but varied in terms of findings. Further, while research has been conducted regarding public perceptions of fairness and effectiveness in the administration of justice, these studies often neglect to identify whether race or class is most deterministic. This study uses data from the General Social Survey to examine whether race or class is a more significant predictor of public confidence in the criminal justice system. Overall, the results of a multiple regression analysis which estimated interaction effects found that while both race and class significantly predict confidence in the criminal justice system, class is a more significant predictor. Further, there is significant variation even among minorities with respect to public confidence in the criminal justice system based on income, education and employment. The findings suggest that while criminal justice policies based on improving perceptions of the criminal justice system among racial minorities is justified, other stratifications should be explored when examining predictors of confidence in the criminal justice system.

Author

• Tameka Gaye Samuels-Jones, University of Florida