Summary Observations

Perceptions of Equal Treatment

Respondents in both surveys were questioned on how they perceive the equality to be in the court system for selected groups. The following summarizes attitudes towards better, the same or worse treatment for each segment:

Segment and Rating of Equality
National
Washington
Variance

People like you?

     
Better
21
25
+4

Same

54
47
-7

Worse

16
22
+6

Men?

     
Better
23
19
-4

Same

56
55
-1

Worse

12
19
+7

Women?

     
Better
21
24
+3

Same

55
52
-3

Worse

17
20
+3

African Americans?

     
Better
09
07
-2

Same

39
34
-5

Worse

41
52
+11

Hispanics?

     
Better
08
07
-1

Same

38
33
-5

Worse

40
52
+12

Non-English Speaking People?

     
Better
08
12
+4

Same

30
26
-4

Worse

46
54
+8

Middle Class People?

     
Better
21
26
+5

Same

61
59
-2

Worse

12
12
  

Working Class People?

     
Better
16
18
+2

Same

61
58
-3

Worse

18
20
+2

Wealthy People?

     
Better
76
79
+3

Same

18
13
-5

Worse

01
04
+3

As the results show, perceptions of inequality of treatment for African American, Hispanic, and Non-English Speaking groups are significant and in contrast to perceptions the middle class and wealthy groups receive much better treatment by the courts.

 

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