Do You Trust Our Legal System?



A new poll shows that most Americans distrust the legal system. The survey was conducted by Clarus Research Group for Common Good, a government reform coalition, on June 21-25, 2012. The findings include:

·         86% of voters polled say they agree that there is an increasing tendency for Americans to threaten legal action and lawsuits when things go wrong.   

·         67% say that the time and trouble it takes to file a lawsuit discourages many people with legitimate cases from going to court.

·         51% believe that people have become so fearful of frivolous lawsuits that they are discouraged from engaging in normal activities.

·         When asked whether the civil justice system needs to change the way it handles lawsuits, 53% say there is a need for either fundamental change or the complete rebuilding of the system; 39% say there should be minor changes; and only 6% say they want to keep the system as it is.

Source:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-nationwide-poll-most-voters-distrust-us-legal-system-160429725.html

These findings confirm what many lawyers who care about our legal system have long believed: the legitimacy of our courts and our laws depends mainly on our ability as lawyers to demonstrate fairness and competence in our day–to–day dealings with litigants and the public.