15105-D John J Delaney Drive Suite 325 Charlotte, NC 28277 www.voccii.com Charlotte-Mecklenburg Criminal Justice System Public Perceptions Study Quantitative Report Prepared by Voccii, LLC REVISED December
Table of Contents Executive Summary... 3 Methodology... 5 Perceptions of Crime in Mecklenburg County... 8 Viewpoint on Criminal Justice Funding Allocation... 11 Perceptions of Performance of Mecklenburg County Criminal Justice System... 12 Viewpoint on Arrests and Citations... 13 Viewpoint on Bail and Release Conditions... 15 Viewpoint on Sanctions and Sentencing... 17 Youthful Offenders... 20 Experience with Criminal Justice System... 22 Victim Status... 23 Perceptions of Racial Inequalities in the Justice System... 24 Communications/Opinion Influences... 26 Respondent Demographics... 28 2
Executive Summary Perceptions of Crime: Over half (52%) of Mecklenburg County residents rate crime as a not serious or a neutral problem compared to other problems the community is facing. The percent of residents who believe crime is a serious or extremely serious problem fell from 55 percent in 2012 to 48 percent in. The top two categories of crimes that all respondents are most worried about are robbery/burglary/breaking & entering, and gun violence/murder. respondents are more likely to think crime is a serious or extremely serious problem (53%); followed by Whites (50%) and s/s (25%). Respondents favor prevention, such as youth education and employment programs as the top priority for dealing with crime. There has been a significant shift since 2012, from enforcement to prevention as the top priority. Funding Allocation: Respondents want their county tax dollars spent equally on incarceration and on funding rehabilitation programs. Performance Ratings: Consistent with 2012 ratings, the criminal justice system was rated average to good for performance. A significant drop in perception of the job being done by police and law enforcement was observed, compared to 2012; however, this rating still fell in the average to good range. Performance ratings of judges/courts and probation/parole improved significantly compared to 2012 ratings. Arrests and Citations: Respondents favor not arresting a person for low-level, non-violent crimes (64%), and specifically favor payment of a fine (41%). However, for those who favor arrest, the fact that arrests are more costly than citations does not measurably impact their position. Bail and Release: Most respondents (80%) favored non-financial options for the release of low risk defendants prior to their court date hearing. Nearly 30% favor release on unsecured financial bond, where payment is only required if the person is rearrested or fails to appear in court. Twenty percent believe a financial payment should be required from low risk defendants to be released while awaiting court date. 3
Sanctions: Consistent with 2012 findings, 87% of respondents believe it is important or very important to provide judges and prosecutors with detailed social and criminal background information at sentencing. Respondents (75%) favor rehabilitation versus punishment for offenders; however this preference is significantly lower than in 2012. Consistent with 2012 ratings, respondents support or strongly support community-based or non-jail programs. This support increased slightly when respondents were told that the cost of incarceration is generally more expensive than community-based programs. s and s tend to more strongly support community-based or non-jail programs, while whites tend to favor punishment for crimes. Youthful Offenders: Respondents think people should be held responsible as adults for all types of criminal charges at age 18 or even 16. However, respondents think youthful offenders should not be arrested/get a criminal record if they successfully complete a program of meetings and community service. Racial Disparities: Respondents believe there are racial inequalities in the criminal justice system. Specifically, they tend to think: Certain groups are going through the justice system at much higher or somewhat higher levels (66%). People of other races and ethnicities are not treated the same way as people of their same race (57%). People of other races and ethnicities are not treated fairly in the justice system (45%). and respondents are more likely to think there are inequities in the justice system compared to white respondents. Police and law enforcement are viewed as doing an average to good job overall in ensuring fair treatment of county residents despite differences in race or ethnicity. However, this perception does vary by race. White respondents rate police and law enforcement, as well as most other justice system groups, significantly higher in performance than respondents. Opinion Influences: Media and news reports on radio or television and on the internet have some influence on respondent s opinions of the Mecklenburg County criminal justice system. Family and friends are another source of influence. 4
Methodology This study was conducted using a combined methodology of online surveys and telephone surveys. The online survey fielded June 19-26, ; and the telephone survey fielded June 26 July 7,. A total of 406 surveys were completed with adults residing in Mecklenburg County (75 by phone; 331 via online). An online panel of respondents was used for the online survey, sourced through Qualtrics. Panels consist of respondents who have opted in to accept survey invitations, to avoid issues with Spam laws and regulations. They are highly representative of the population and much more effective than telephone surveys. To ensure all segments were eligible for inclusion, a random sample of landlines and cell phones were used by Survey Sampling, Inc. to complete the phone interviews. All calls were made by live operators to avoid issues with telemarketing regulations related to cell phones. The CJS sample is representative of Mecklenburg County based on key demographics of gender, race/ethnicity, and age. Listed below is a comparison of actual demographics to sample demographics. Mecklenburg Census Data CJS Sample 2012 (n=501) CJS Sample Gender: Male 48% 50% 45% Female 52% 50% 55% Race/Ethnicity: White, non- 51% 50% 51% 31% 30% 33% of all races 12% 12% 12% Other 6% 8% 5% 5
Mecklenburg Census Data CJS Sample 2012 (n=501) CJS Sample Age: 18-34 31% 30% 32% 35-44 23% 20% 23% 45-54 19% 19% 18% 55-64 14% 16% 14% 65+ 13% 16% 13% Statistical Notes: Margins of error are based on sample size. Based on the number of completed surveys, the margin of error (at the 95% confidence level) is +/- 4.9%. Significance testing was performed between the following groups: versus 2012 (where applicable) White versus Note: There are not enough observations in the subgroup for significance testing. Statistically significant differences will be indicated. The significantly higher number will be shown in red. Higher percentages (the bases for results statements and conclusions) in the tables are highlighted in gold. This project was made possible by a grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. 6
Detailed Findings 7
Perceptions of Crime in Mecklenburg County Fewer than half (48%) of Mecklenburg County residents rate crime as a serious or extremely serious problem. This rating is significantly lower than 55% in 2012. There are no significant shifts in individual categories (not serious, neutral, serious, extremely serious), but rather a general shift towards the less serious end of the scale. Nearly 20% of respondents in though that crime is not a serious problem in Mecklenburg County. s are significantly more likely than whites to characterize it as an extremely serious problem: 23% rated crime as an extremely serious problem compared to 14% of white/non-s. Three-quarters of / respondents are either neutral or think crime is not a serious problem. s conveyed a more positive outlook compared with other races. Thinking about the problems facing Mecklenburg County today, how serious a problem is crime? 2012 (n=501) Total (n=404) Not Serious (1-4) 15% 19% Neutral (5-6) 28% 33% Serious (7-8) 36% 33% Extremely Serious (9-10) 19% 15% Mean 6.7 6.26 Slightly more than one-third of respondents have the perception that crime has increased over the past three years. Similar to 2012 ratings, over one-third (35%) of respondents think crime has increased in Mecklenburg County over the past three years. Would you say the amount of crime in Mecklenburg County over the past three years has 2012 (n=501) (n=404) (n=130) / Increased 34% 35% 34% 40% 27% Stayed the same 33% 31% 34% 23% 40% Decreased 26% 19% 18% 21% 17% Don t Know 6% 15% 14% 16% 17% 8
Similar to 2012, robbery/burglary and violent crimes are the most common types of crimes that residents worry about on a day-to-day basis. The top two categories of crimes that all respondents are most worried about are: Robbery, Burglary, Breaking & Entering 40% Gun violence, Murder 21% Assault, Attacks 5% Rape 5% Drugs 3% In day to day life in Mecklenburg County, what types of crime, if any, do you personally worry about? Mentions Total Mentions White/non - Mentions Mentions / (n=47) Robbery/stealing/theft/break-ins/burglary/breaking & entering/home invasion 211 89 79 32 Gun violence/shootings/murder/killing/violent crime 112 56 48 7 Assault/attacks 27 11 7 5 Rape 14 10 4 Drugs 14 13 1 Property damage/vandalism/graffiti 11 8 2 Kidnapping/abduction 10 6 3 1 Car theft/smashing car windows/stealing from cars 10 4 3 3 Hate crimes/racial crimes/race issues/burning 9 3 4 Mugging 7 5 1 Gang 6 4 1 1 Carjacking 5 4 1 All types/everything 4 3 1 Petty theft 4 4 Identity theft 3 1 1 1 School violence 3 2 1 Crimes against children/molesting/child abuse 3 2 1 Racism with law enforcement/police brutality 3 3 Domestic violence/violence against women 2 2 Drunk drivers 2 1 1 Scams targeting seniors 2 2 Fraud 2 2 Traffic crime/road rage 2 2 Stabbings 1 1 9
Mentions Total Mentions White/non - Mentions Mentions / (n=47) Teenage truancy 1 1 Human trafficking 1 1 Black on black crimes 1 1 Larceny 1 1 Terrorism 2 1 1 Internet scams 1 1 Sexual harassment 1 1 Misdemeanor 1 1 Loitering 1 1 Don t worry/none/nothing/na 59 30 14 11 Nearly half (47%) of respondents favor prevention, such as youth education and employment programs as the top priority for dealing with crime in Mecklenburg County. This rating is significantly higher than 35% in 2012. Whites, s and s all favor prevention. s are significantly more likely to favor prevention than whites. Although enforcement is not as popular overall compared to 2012, it is still a top option (along with prevention) for Whites. Whites are significantly more likely to favor enforcement. Please tell me which one of the following four options you think should be the top priority for dealing with crime overall in Mecklenburg County? (Select One) 2012 (n=501) (n=404) Prevention, such as youth education and employment programs 35% 47% Enforcement, such as more police on the streets 33% 23% Rehabilitation, such as job training, community service, treatment 20% 22% Incarceration, such as time in jail or prison 11% 9% 10
Viewpoint on Criminal Justice Funding Allocation Nearly half (46%) of respondents want their county tax dollars spent equally on incarceration and on funding rehabilitation programs. Responses for varied by race. All three races favor equal funding. White respondents favor incarceration significantly more than s. s favored both options equally compared to white/non-s. On which of the following two options would you most want your county tax dollars spent? (Select one) Total 2012 (n=501) (n=404) / Incarceration, or putting offenders in jail 25% 14% 20% 5% 10% Funding of treatment/rehabilitation programs that address offenders 68% 35% 33% 39% 38% underlying criminal behavior Both equally 7% 46% 40% 55% 46% Don t Know 1% 5% 7% 2% 6% Note: Both equally was a new option provided to survey participants in. 11
Perceptions of Performance of Mecklenburg County Criminal Justice System Consistent with 2012 ratings, the criminal justice system was provided average to good ratings for performance. There was a significant drop in perception of the job being done by police and law enforcement, compared to 2012; however, this rating still fell in the average to good range. Whites rated their performance as significantly higher compared to s. Ratings for judges/courts and probation/parole employees increased significantly over 2012. Next I d like your opinion of how well different groups in the Mecklenburg County Criminal Justice System are doing in serving the public. Please rate each of the following groups on the quality of job you feel they are doing, using a scale between 1 and 10, where 1 means extremely poor and 10 means extremely well. Mean 2012 (n=501) Mean Extremely Good (9-10) Good (7-8) Average (5-6) Police and law enforcement 7.1 6.5 20.2% 36.4% 29.6% 13.9% Jails and detention facilities 6.1 5.9 13.8% 28.9% 37.4% 19.8% Prosecutors and district attorneys 5.9 6.1 12.5% 31.5% 40.4% 15.6% Judges/courts 5.8 6.1 13.4% 33.0% 34.5% 19.2% Public defenders 5.5 5.8 12.4% 25.4% 41.7% 20.6% Probation and parole employees 5.4 5.8 11.2% 25.2% 45.6% 18.0% NOTE: Assigned Ratings: 9 10: Extremely Good 7 8: Good 5 6: Average 1 4: Poor Poor (1-4) 12
Viewpoint on Arrests and Citations More than six out of ten respondents (64%) favor not arresting a person for low-level, non-violent crimes. Respondents favor payment of a fine over a summons to appear in court only. Only 27% of respondents overall favor arrest as the best strategy for handling low-level, non-violent crimes. Results did not vary by race. In general, which of the following do you believe is the best strategy for handling low-level, non-violent crimes? Would you say..(select one) Arrest the person, set bail, and detain in jail until the bond requirement is fulfilled Do not arrest the person, but write a citation requiring the person to appear for a court date Do not arrest the person, but write a citation requiring payment of a fine or a court appearance Total / 27% 27% 23% 29% 23% 24% 27% 10% 41% 39% 43% 46% I don t know 10% 10% 7% 15% Note: This is a new or modified question for. Comparable results from 2012 are not available. Respondents who preferred arrest (27% of the total sample) were informed that arrest and processing is more costly than issuing a summons to appear in court. Overall, cost does not sway the opinion of white residents who favor arrest and sways only 40% of s who favor arrest. Upon learning of the additional cost, almost three-quarters of respondents overall (73%) still favored arrest and detainment in jail over a citation, even though it is more costly. Whites were significantly more likely to maintain their original preference for arrest (87%) while 40% of s shifted towards issuing a citation. 13
Arrest requires the officer to bring the person to jail where they must be processed. Arrest and processing is more costly than issuing a citation to appear in court. Arrest and processing also removes the officer from service in the community. How does knowing this impact your opinion about issuing a citation, rather than making an arrest, as a strategy for handling low-level, non-violent crimes? Would you say.(select one) (n=147) (n=55) (n=30) / (n=14) You still feel strongly that the person should be arrested and detained in jail 57% 71% 40% 33% You still prefer arrest and detaining the person, but not as strongly as before 16% 16% 17% 14% You are slightly more in favor if issuing a citation rather than making an arrest 16% 11% 20% 7% You are definitely more in favor of issuing a citation rather than making an 8% 2% 20% 7% arrest I don t know 3% 0% 3% 14% Note: This is a new or modified question for. Comparable results from 2012 are not available. 14
Viewpoint on Bail and Release Conditions Most respondents (80%) favored non-financial options for the release of low risk defendants prior to their court date hearing. Twenty percent believe a financial payment should be required from low risk defendants to be released while awaiting court date. Nearly 30% favor release on unsecured financial bond, where payment is only required if the person is re-arrested or fails to appear in court. Whites and s are most likely to favor an unsecured financial bond whereas s preference is for release on their own recognizance. s also prefer release under court-ordered supervision, and along with s, favor electronic monitoring as a release option. Which of the following release conditions do you favor for accused defendants who are at low risk of failing to appear in court for trial and at low risk of committing a crime? (Select one) Release on their own recognizance, which is a written promise to appear in court Release on unsecured financial bond, where payment is only required if the person is re-arrested or fails to appear in court Require payment of a secure financial bail amount in order to be released from jail while awaiting court date Release under court-ordered supervision while awaiting court date, which requires reporting to pretrial services and random drug testing / 17% 17% 15% 23% 28% 30% 27% 19% 19% 22% 15% 13% 15% 14% 18% 10% Release on electronic monitoring 13% 9% 17% 19% I don t know 9% 8% 8% 17% Note: This is a new or modified question for. Comparable results from 2012 are not available. 15
When setting release conditions, 88% of respondents think it is extremely important that judges and prosecutors are provided with information of the defendant s risk of committing a crime or not appearing in court. Results did not vary by race. How important is it to you that judges and prosecutors are provided with information of the defendant s risk of committing a crime or not appearing in court when setting their release conditions? 2012* (n=501) (n=392) (n=200) (n=130) / (n=44) Not Important at All (1-2) 3% (1-4) 2% 1% 1% 2% Neutral (3) 5% (5-6) 10% 8% 12% 14% Important (4-5) 91% (7-10) 88% 91% 87% 84% Note: This is a modified question for. *Comparisons to 2012 are estimated, based on different scales (2012 scale is shown in parenthesis.) 16
Viewpoint on Sanctions and Sentencing Consistent with 2012 findings, 87% of respondents believe it is important or very important to provide judges and prosecutors with detailed social and criminal background information at sentencing. Over half (56%) of respondents overall think it is extremely important that judges and prosecutors are provided with detailed social and criminal background information about accused offenders when sentencing them. This is significantly lower than the 70% in 2012. Results did not vary by race. How important is it to you that judges and prosecutors are provided with detailed social and criminal background information about accused offenders when sentencing them? 2012 (n=501) (n=403) (n=204) / (n=47) Not Important (1-4) 4% 5% 5% 9% 2% Neutral (5-6) 7% 13% 13% 14% 11% Important (7-8) 17% 26% 27% 23% 21% Extremely Important (9-10) 70% 56% 55% 55% 66% Three quarters (76%) of respondents favor rehabilitating offenders so they don t commit crimes again versus punishing offenders and keeping them off the streets. This is significantly lower than the 85% preference in 2012. s are significantly more in favor of rehabilitation (versus punishment) compared to whites. Although significant differences cannot be tested, s respondents are more likely to favor punishment than the other groups. For non-violent crimes, what do you believe the most important goal of sentencing should be? Is it: (Select one) 2012 (n=501) / Punishing offenders and keeping them off the street 13% 20% 20% 14% 29% Rehabilitating offenders so they don t commit crimes again 85% 76% 74% 85% 63% I don t know 2% 4% 6% 2% 8% 17
Consistent with 2012 ratings, nearly three quarters (73%) of respondents support or strongly support community-based or non-jail programs. respondents are significantly more likely to strongly support community-based or non-jail programs. In general, what is your level of support for community-based programs or non-jail sanctions, instead of incarceration, for lower risk offenders? 2012 (n=501) (n=405) Strongly Oppose Community-Based or Non-Jail Programs (1-4) 7% 8% Neutral (5-6) 16% 19% Support (7-8) 30% 32% Strongly Support Community-Based or Non-Jail Programs (9-10) 46% 41% Respondents were told that the cost of holding a person in jail or prison is generally more expensive than community-based programs. This resulted in a slight increase in support across all groups. However, the shift in support does not appear to be as strong as in 2012. In the previous survey, there was a 10% increase in strong support based on the cost information. In, this positive shift is only 8%. While the majority of respondents overall maintained their same position, there was some movement towards stronger support for community-based or non-jail programs based on cost factors. Whites who opposed the programs were not impacted by the cost considerations. The additional support came from white respondents who were originally neutral or slightly supportive. respondents were more strongly impacted by the cost of holding a person in jail. Almost half of those who opposed community-based or non-jail programs in the beginning changed to a supporting position based on the cost information. Over half (57%) of s who were neutral became supporters based on the new information. Respondents who oppose community-based programs and non-jail sanctions cite the following reasons: Criminals should be punished Programs are not effective and do not rehabilitate criminals Criminals continue to repeat crimes 18
If 1-4 (Oppose Community-based programs and non-jail sanctions), why do you say this? Mentions Total (n=56) Mentions (n=39) Mentions (n=6) Mentions / (n=6) When you commit crime you should be punished 21 19 2 Programs are not effective/do not work/cannot 4 4 Felons are released with a slap on the wrist and they keep committing crimes/judges just let them 3 3 go and they keep committing crimes Liberal bias/needs to be proven 3 3 Safety/theft/do not trust 3 1 Benefit for incarceration and rehabilitation 2 2 Waste of money/cost 2 2 Opinion is in the middle 2 2 People deserve a second chance 2 1 1 Fine line between crime and minors 1 1 Want community to be better 1 1 Depends on who is running program and the focus 1 1 Both require a great deal of resources and should be consistent across communities 1 1 My opinion changed knowing they are worse if 1 1 Because/don t know/not sure/na/prefer not to 9 1 3 2 19
Youthful Offenders Respondents think people should be held responsible as adults for all types of criminal charges beginning as early as 16, but clearly by age 18. Results did not vary by race. At what age do you believe people should be held responsible as adults, and treated as adults for all types of criminal charges? [Open ended] Age # Mentions Total (n=401) # Mentions (n=204) # Mentions (n=131) # Mentions / (n=47) Under 14 11 6 2 2 14 12 10 1 15 27 13 9 5 16 93 53 27 11 17 38 17 13 5 18 159 83 56 14 19 2 2 20 17 6 6 1 21 29 10 12 6 Over 21* 13 6 3 3 Note: This is a new or modified question for. Comparable results from 2012 are not available. *Those responding over 21 likely misunderstood the question, perhaps putting in their own age by mistake. This does not impact the findings significantly. Over half (52%) of respondents think youthful offenders should not be arrested or get a criminal record if they successfully complete a program of meetings and community service. s tend to favor this more than Whites and s. Although support of prosecution is low, whites are significantly more likely to support prosecution than s. 20
Minor crimes include behaviors such as trespassing, public affray (or fighting), communicating threats, disorderly conduct, simple assault, larceny or theft, damage to property, or being undisciplined, truant and a runaway. For a youthful offender, someone between the age of 16 and 20, charged with minor crimes, which do you favor? (Select one) / Prosecution and a criminal record 10% 13% 6% 8% Diversion from arrest program, where they are not arrested and do not get a criminal record if they successfully complete a program of 52% 49% 58% 46% meetings and community service Arrest, but no prosecution, if they are put under court-ordered supervision and successfully 33% 34% 32% 35% complete treatment program I don t know 5% 4% 4% 10% Note: This is a new or modified question for. Comparable results from 2012 are not available. 21
Experience with Criminal Justice System Around one-fifth of respondents reported that they or a family member have had some type of criminal justice engagement. Nearly a quarter (22%) of respondents reported that they or a family member have been stopped and frisked with no charges made. Fourteen percent of respondents reported that they or a family member have been detained without cause. About 19% stated that they or a family member have been jailed in Mecklenburg County. s (respondents or a family member) are significantly more likely to report having been stopped and frisked, detained without cause and jailed in Mecklenburg County, followed by s and then White respondents. Have you or an immediate family member ever been stopped and frisked with no charges made? Total / Yes 22% 15% 30% 25% No 73% 82% 64% 63% I Don t Know 5% 3% 6% 13% Note: This is a new or modified question for. Comparable results from 2012 are not available. Have you or an immediate family member ever been detained without cause? Total / Yes 14% 8% 23% 13% No 84% 91% 73% 83% I Don t Know 3% 2% 4% 4% Note: This is a new or modified question for. Comparable results from 2012 are not available. Have you or an immediate family member ever been jailed at the Mecklenburg County jail? / Yes 19% 12% 32% 23% No 79% 88% 67% 71% I Don t Know 1% 0% 2% 6% Note: This is a new or modified question for. Comparable results from 2012 are not available. 22
Victim Status Nine percent of respondents reported that they or a family member have been a victim of a violent crime in Mecklenburg County, which is significantly lower than the 20% in 2012. Similarly, the number of respondents who were victims of non-violent crimes (29%) is significantly lower than the 49% in 2012. s and respondents are more likely than white respondents to have been the victim of a violent crime (although the difference is not statistically significant). Conversely, white respondents are slightly more likely to have been the victim of a non-violent crime in Mecklenburg County. Have you or an immediate family member ever been a victim of a violent crime involving force or a weapon in Mecklenburg County? 2012 (n=501) / Yes 20% 9% 7% 11% 13% No 80% 89% 92% 87% 83% I Don t Know 0% 2% 1% 2% 4% Have you or an immediate family member ever been a victim of a non-violent crime in Mecklenburg County an incident not involving a weapon or force? 2012 (n=501) / Yes 49% 29% 33% 27% 27% No 51% 69% 67% 70% 69% I Don t Know 0% 2% 1% 3% 4% Nearly half (46%) of the respondents who were the victim of a crime believe that the crime was resolved in a way that restored their sense of safety and quality of life. Results did not vary by race. If yes, was the crime resolved in a way that restored your sense of safety and quality of life? (n=121) (n=66) (n=35) / (n=16) Yes 46% 45% 46% 44% No 46% 45% 51% 50% I Don t Know or It Has Not Been Resolved 7% 9% 3% 6% Note: This is a new or modified question for. Comparable results from 2012 are not available. 23
Perceptions of Racial Inequalities in the Justice System Two thirds (66%) of respondents think certain groups are going through the justice system at much higher or somewhat higher levels. This is especially true in the population, where significantly more (over half, 52%) believe certain groups are going through the system at much higher levels. Whites were significantly more likely to think that there is a proportionate number of all races and ethnicities in the justice system. In your opinion, do you believe that certain racial or ethnic groups are in the jails or going through trials in Mecklenburg County at a higher level than you would expect? (Select one) / Yes, certain groups are going through the justice system at much higher levels 39% 29% 52% 40% Yes, certain groups are going through the justice system at somewhat higher levels 27% 27% 29% 25% No, there is balanced and fair break down of racial and ethnic groups going through the 13% 17% 7% 15% justice system in Mecklenburg County I Don t Know 21% 27% 12% 21% Note: This is a new or modified question for. Comparable results from 2012 are not available. Over half (57%) of respondents believe that people of other races and ethnicities are not treated the same way as people of their same race. s are significantly more likely to think that people of other races and ethnicities are treated differently than them. Whites were significantly more likely to think people of other races are treated as equally, however, they were also significantly more likely to be unsure of this, compared to s. Do you believe that people of other races and ethnicities are treated in the same way as people of your race and ethnicity in the local justice system? / Yes 30% 38% 21% 21% No 57% 44% 73% 67% I Don t Know 13% 18% 6% 13% Note: This is a new or modified question for. Comparable results from 2012 are not available. 24
Nearly half (45%) of respondents think people of other races and ethnicities are not treated fairly in the justice system. White respondents are significantly more likely to believe that people of other races and ethnicities are treated fairly, while the majority of s and s feel there is unfair treatment of other races and ethnicities in the local justice system. Do you believe that people of other races and ethnicities are treated fairly in the local justice system? / Yes 38% 45% 33% 27% No 45% 33% 58% 54% I Don t Know 17% 22% 8% 19% Note: This is a new or modified question for. Comparable results from 2012 are not available. On a scale between 1 and 10, with 1 being extremely poor and 10 being extremely good, respondents feel various justice system groups are doing an average to good job of ensuring fair treatment despite racial/ethnic differences, with ratings ranging between 6 and 7 for all agencies. Police and law enforcement are viewed as doing a fair job overall in ensuring fair treatment of county residents despite differences in race or ethnicity. This perception varies by race however, with white respondents tended to rate all agencies significantly higher, with the exception of probation and parole. Next, I d like your opinion of how well different groups in the Mecklenburg County Criminal Justice System are doing in ensuring fair treatment of County residents despite differences in race or ethnicity. Please rate each of the following groups on the quality of job you feel they are doing. Mean Mean Mean Mean / Police and law enforcement 6.22 6.64 5.51 6.46 Jails and detention facilities 5.87 6.12 5.42 6.18 Prosecutors and district attorneys 6.11 6.36 5.73 6.26 Judges/courts 6.19 6.43 5.80 6.50 Public defenders 6.04 6.37 5.58 6.06 Probation and parole employees 6.07 6.20 5.90 6.07 Note: This is a new or modified question for. Comparable results from 2012 are not available. 25
Communications/Opinion Influences Media and news reports on radio or television and on the internet have some influence on respondents opinions of the Mecklenburg County criminal justice system. Family and friends are another source of influence. and respondents are more likely to be influenced by these sources than white respondents. respondents report significantly more influence by median and family/friends than whites (all except interactions with CMPD) s also indicated that education programs in schools or community events was an influencer, significantly more so than whites. Other sources of information mentioned by respondents include: Social Media/Newspaper Neighbors/coworkers Police officers In general, how have the following sources of information shaped your knowledge and opinions of the Mecklenburg County Criminal Justice system? Would you say they have had a strong influence (4), some influence (3), a little influence (2) or no influence (1)? /Latin o Media and news reports on radio or television 2.97 2.82 3.16 3.11 Media and news reports on the internet 2.81 2.67 2.98 2.83 Information from family or friends 2.75 2.60 3.05 2.57 Interactions with the CMPD (the police 2.72 2.68 2.82 2.59 department) Education or community programs at local schools or community events 2.68 2.41 3.04 2.73 Media and news reports in print, such as the newspaper or magazines 2.65 2.52 2.78 2.81 Personal experience with criminal justice system 2.49 2.38 2.67 2.35 This survey 2.40 2.06 2.74 2.74 Note: This is a new or modified question for. Comparable results from 2012 are not available. 26
Are there any other sources that have influenced your knowledge of or opinion about the Mecklenburg County Criminal Justice System? [Open End] Other Sources of Influence: # Mentions Total (n=383) # Mentions (n=190) # Mentions (n=128) # Mentions / (n=47) News/radio/social media/web/ Internet/ Charlotte Observer/phones 25 6 9 3 Neighbors/relatives/friends/coworkers 12 7 3 2 Officers/married to a cop/cmpd at HOA 10 5 5 Own experiences/working in a jail/previous 8 6 2 Politicians/attorneys/judge/governor 4 2 1 Crime stats in area/crimes 3 2 1 Justice system 3 3 Students/school 3 2 1 Programs 2 1 1 National events/national reports 2 2 Community involvement 1 1 Action or lack thereof 1 1 Talking with convicted criminals 1 1 Theft 1 1 Surveys 1 1 Available court dockets 1 1 Case studies 1 1 Jury duty 1 1 Justice system is a joke 1 1 No/na/can't think of any/none/nope/nothing 337 155 114 40 27
Respondent Demographics / Gender: Male 45% 52% 33% 54% Female 55% 48% 67% 46% Race: White, non- 51% -- -- -- 33% -- -- -- / of any race 12% -- -- -- Other 5% Age: 18-24 14% 10% 17% 17% 24-34 18% 16% 16% 19% 35-44 23% 21% 32% 10% 45-54 18% 20% 15% 23% 55-64 14% 15% 14% 19% 65 and older 13% 18% 5% 13% / Employment: Full-time 49% 54% 45% 48% Part-time 11% 8% 12% 10% Homemaker 8% 10% 3% 4% Retired 15% 19% 14% 8% Full-time Student 4% 2% 6% 2% Unemployed 9% 3% 13% 21% Disabled 5% 4% 8% 6% 28
/ Annual Household Income: Less than $25K 21% 13% 30% 25% $25K to $49K 24% 21% 30% 23% $50K to $74K 15% 17% 10% 19% $75K to $99K 13% 17% 8% 6% $100K or more 15% 19% 11% 13% I prefer not to say 12% 12% 11% 15% 29