Judiciary seen more favorably by recent jurors

(CN) — Public confidence in the U.S. judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court, has eroded significantly in recent years, raising concerns about the long-term health of the rule of law, according to researchers in a survey published Monday in Judicature.

Yet the researchers also say 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.

The researchers find 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 drop 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. “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.”

The report indicates trust in the Supreme Court has fallen 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 fallen to 41%. Nearly 59% reported little or no trust.

The decline appears to have accelerated after the 2022 Dobbs abortion decision overturning Roe v. Wade, with growing partisan divides and skepticism about whether justices decide cases free of personal or political views.

“This is quite worrying,” Levendusky said. “We published a 2024 article about the consequences of that lower trust in the Supreme Court. We’re already seeing Democratic politicians call the court illegitimate, and that threatens the court’s role in our system of government. Indeed, it is a sense that the court is out of line that has historically led to calls to curb the court’s power.”

Lower federal courts and state courts fare somewhat better but have also seen erosion. In 2025 data, 53% expressed confidence in their state courts, compared to 62% in 2006. Trust levels in these courts show less stark partisan polarization than the Supreme Court, potentially offering a better foundation for rebuilding broader legitimacy.

Meanwhile, jury service stands out as a trust-builder, even after controlling for demographics like age, education, income, party identification. and race or ethnicity.

In fact, jury service outperformed other factors — including civic knowledge, law-themed TV viewing, formal civics classes or personal experience as a litigant — in positively associating with all three measures. Prior studies cited in the article also link jury service to increased voter turnout among infrequent voters and greater civic engagement.

But, as jury trials have become more rare, fewer people are offered that exposure. At the federal level, the percentage of civil cases reaching trial fell from 5.5% in 1962 to 0.8% by 2013, with criminal jury trials also declining.

In state courts, civil jury trial rates dropped to 0.9% by 2019. Plea bargaining now resolves about 95–98% of criminal cases, while civil matters are often diverted to arbitration or settlements.

As a result, the share of adults reporting recent jury service has halved, from an average of about 9% before 2020 to just 4% in 2025 surveys. Fewer summonses and selections compound the issue.

With jury opportunities dwindling, the study authors call for expanded, lifelong civic learning about the courts and government.

Suggestions include integrating family engagement in K-12 civics, workplace programs, military training enhancements and court-led initiatives like learning centers, mock trials and summer institutes.

“One practical take-away is that it is important for everyone to work to bolster trust in the system,” Levendusky said. “Courts can help in this process by working with schools and civic organizations to help educate students about the essential role that courts play in our system. Ordinary citizens can serve on juries when called to do so in order to help the system work as it was designed.”

The researchers conclude that whatever the route, “the ultimate goal should be to raise baseline civic literacy and empower all individuals to participate meaningfully in democratic life. In a time of polarization and misinformation, this is not merely an educational priority — it is a democratic necessity.”

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