Statistics
Confidence in the Criminal Justice System: Findings from the 2000 British Crime Survey
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Home Office Research Findings No. 137 By Catriona Mirrlees-Black
Questions measuring the public’s confidence in the Criminal Justice System were included in the 2000 British Crime Survey which assessed public confidence in four aspects of the system. These included whether the needs of victims of crime are met, and if the system is effective in bringing people who commit crimes to justice. Overall, confidence is indicated as being low, although a majority of people believe that the criminal justice system respects the rights of people accused of committing crimes and treats them fairly. Less than half believe that it is effective in bringing people who commit crime to justice, a third that it deals with cases promptly and efficiently and a quarter of those surveyed believe that it meets the needs of victims of crime.
The key findings into the public's confidence in the criminal justice system from the 2000 British Crime Survey are reported here.
Key Points
Confidence in the criminal justice system is higher in some respects than others.
69% are confident that the system respects the rights of the accused and treats them fairly
46% are confident that it is effective in bringing people who commit crimes to justice
34% are confident it deals with cases promptly and efficiently
26% are confident it meets the needs of victims
People who incorrectly believe that crime is vastly increasing and underestimate the severity of sentences, are the most critical of the system. These beliefs are still held even when most people think they are receiving accurate information on the criminal justice system.
Ethnic minorities have greater confidence in the system, but not regarding the fair treatment of suspects and witnesses. However this concern seems to be aimed at the police rather than the courts.
Since the previous British Crime Survey carried out in 1998, there has been a slight fall in the number of people who say that the various parts of the criminal justice system do a good job. The fall is greatest in the case of the police, although they still receive the highest rating overall.
In forming judgments about the criminal justice system, people will be influenced by a range of factors, including those who have at some time had direct experience of the system. Only a minority of people believe that what they read, see and hear about the criminal justice system is accurate, most think it is fairly accurate and few accept it may be inaccurate.
Conclusions
These findings will form the baseline for the new target of promoting confidence in the Criminal Justice System. Additional questions assessing confidence in the system’s effectiveness at reducing crime and dealing with juvenile offenders will be introduced in 2001.
Getting a copy
A full copy of Confidence in the Criminal Justice System: Findings from the 2000 British Crime Survey 
PDF 36K (31.1.01) is available from the Home Office website.
Last update: Wednesday, August 27, 2008