Sections

Public attitudes toward crime and criminal justice-related topics

Results of public opinion polls on criminal justice-related issues results are presented in this section. Perceptions of problems in schools; ratings of the police and courts; fear of crime; and attitudes toward the death penalty, firearms laws, marijuana legalization, doctor-assisted suicide are some of the topics covered.

Capital punishment

Applied to select groups

  • Attitudes toward the death penalty for murder for selected groups, United States 2002

Attitudes, general

  • Attitudes toward the death penalty for persons convicted of murder, United States selected years 1953-2013
    • Table 2.51.2013 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward the death penalty for persons convicted of murder, by demographic characteristics, United States
    • 2003 Table 2.52 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2004 Table 2.52.2004 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2005 Table 2.52.2005 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2006 Table 2.52.2006 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2007 Table 2.52.2007 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2008 Table 2.52.2008 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2009 Table 2.52.2009 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2011 Table 2.52.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2012 Table 2.52.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward the death penalty for persons convicted of murder, by politics and religious affiliation, United States 2010
    • Table 2.0037.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward the death penalty for persons convicted of murder, by demographic characteristics, United States, selected years 1980-2002

Deterrent

  • Respondents reporting whether they believe the death penalty acts as a deterrent to murder, United States selected years 1985-2011
    • Table 2.57.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents reporting whether they believe the death penalty acts as a deterrent to murder, by demographic characteristics, United States
    • 2004 Table 2.58 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2011 Table 2.58.2011 -- PDF -- CSV

Fairness

  • Attitudes toward fairness of the application of the death penalty, United States 2000 and 2002-2013
    • Table 2.0005.2013 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward fairness of the application of the death penalty, by demographic characteristics, United States
    • 2004 Table 2.54 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2007 Table 2.54.2007 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2008 Table 2.54.2008 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2009 Table 2.54.2009 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2010 Table 2.54.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2011 Table 2.54.2011 -- PDF -- CSV

Preferred penalty for murder

  • Attitudes toward the better penalty for murder, United States selected years 1985-2010
    • Table 2.49.2010 -- PDF -- CSV

Reasons favoring or opposing

  • Reported reasons for favoring the death penalty for persons convicted of murder, United States 1991, 2000, 2001, and 2003
  • Reported reasons for opposing the death penalty for persons convicted of murder, United States 1991 and 2003

Student attitudes

  • College freshmen reporting that the death penalty should be abolished, by sex, United States 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1978-2006
    • Table 2.93.2006 -- PDF -- CSV

Crime

Approaches to lowering the crime rate

  • Attitudes toward approaches to lowering the crime rate in the United States, United States selected years 1989-2010
    • Table 2.28.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward approaches to lowering the crime rate in the United States, by demographic characteristics, Unites States
    • 2006 Table 2.0013.2006 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2010 Table 2.0013.2010 -- PDF -- CSV

Fear

  • Respondents reporting fear of walking alone at night, United States selected years 1965-2011
    • Table 2.37.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents reporting whether they feel afraid to walk alone at night in their own neighborhood, by demographic characteristics, United States selected years 1973-2002
  • Respondents reporting concern about crime victimization, by sex and race, United States
    • 2003 Table 2.39 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2004 Table 2.39.2004 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2005 Table 2.39.2005 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2006 Table 2.39.2006 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2007 Table 2.39.2007 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2008 Table 2.39.2008 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2010 Table 2.39.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2011 Table 2.39.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents reporting whether they engaged in selected behaviors because of concern over crime, by sex and race, United States
    • 2003 Table 2.40 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2005 Table 2.40.2005 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2007 Table 2.40.2007 -- PDF -- CSV

Identity theft

  • Respondents reporting concern about crime victimization, by sex and race, United States
    • 2009 Table 2.39.2009 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2010 Table 2.39.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2011 Table 2.39.2011 -- PDF -- CSV

Level of spending for the problems of crime and drugs

  • Respondents indicating too little is spent on selected problems in this country, United States selected years 1973-2002
  • Attitudes toward the level of spending to halt the rising crime rate, by demographic characteristics, United States selected years 1985-2002
  • Attitudes toward the level of spending to deal with drug addiction, by demographic characteristics, United States selected years 1985-2002

Perceptions of crime and safety in U.S. and neighborhoods

  • Attitudes toward level of crime in the United States, United States selected years 1989-2011
    • Table 2.33.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward level of crime in the United States, by demographic characteristics, United States
    • 2003 Table 2.34 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2004 Table 2.34.2004 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2005 Table 2.34.2005 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2006 Table 2.34.2006 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2007 Table 2.34.2007 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2008 Table 2.34.2008 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2009 Table 2.34.2009 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2010 Table 2.34.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2011 Table 2.34.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward level of crime in own area, United States selected years 1972-2011
    • Table 2.35.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward level of crime in own area, by demographic characteristics, United States
    • 2003 Table 2.36 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2004 Table 2.36.2004 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2005 Table 2.36.2005 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2006 Table 2.36.2006 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2007 Table 2.36.2007 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2008 Table 2.36.2008 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2009 Table 2.36.2009 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2010 Table 2.36.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2011 Table 2.36.2011 -- PDF -- CSV

Progress coping with drug problem

  • Respondents' perceptions of the Nation's progress in coping with illegal drugs, United States selected years 1972-2011
    • Table 2.44.2011 -- PDF -- CSV

Responses to concern about crime

  • Respondents reporting whether they engaged in selected behaviors because of concern over crime, by sex and race, United States
    • 2003 Table 2.40 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2005 Table 2.40.2005 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2007 Table 2.40.2007 -- PDF -- CSV

Student attitudes

  • High school seniors reporting that they worry about crime and violence, by sex, race, region, college plans, and illicit drug use, United States 1991-2003

Courts

Death penalty

  • Attitudes toward the death penalty for persons convicted of murder, United States selected years 1953-2013
    • Table 2.51.2013 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward the death penalty for persons convicted of murder, by demographic characteristics, United States
    • 2003 Table 2.52 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2004 Table 2.52.2004 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2005 Table 2.52.2005 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2006 Table 2.52.2006 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2007 Table 2.52.2007 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2008 Table 2.52.2008 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2009 Table 2.52.2009 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2011 Table 2.52.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2012 Table 2.52.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward the death penalty for persons convicted of murder, by politics and religious affiliation, United States 2010
    • Table 2.0037.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward the death penalty for persons convicted of murder, by demographic characteristics, United States, selected years 1980-2002
  • Attitudes toward the death penalty for murder for selected groups, United States 2002
  • Attitudes toward fairness of the application of the death penalty, United States 2000 and 2002-2013
    • Table 2.0005.2013 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward fairness of the application of the death penalty, by demographic characteristics, United States
    • 2004 Table 2.54 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2007 Table 2.54.2007 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2008 Table 2.54.2008 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2009 Table 2.54.2009 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2010 Table 2.54.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2011 Table 2.54.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Reported reasons for favoring the death penalty for persons convicted of murder, United States 1991, 2000, 2001, and 2003
  • Reported reasons for opposing the death penalty for persons convicted of murder, United States 1991 and 2003
  • Respondents reporting whether they believe the death penalty acts as a deterrent to murder, United States selected years 1985-2011
    • Table 2.57.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents reporting whether they believe the death penalty acts as a deterrent to murder, by demographic characteristics, United States
    • 2004 Table 2.58 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2011 Table 2.58.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
  • College freshmen reporting that the death penalty should be abolished, by sex, United States 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1978-2006
    • Table 2.93.2006 -- PDF -- CSV

Federal judges' attitudes toward selected sentencing issues

  • U.S. District Court judges' opinions on mandatory minimum sentences, by offense type 2010
  • U.S. District Court judges' opinions on victim involvement in criminal proceedings 2010

Judges, honesty and ethics

  • Respondents' ratings of the honesty and ethical standards of judges, United States selected years 1999-2010
    • Table 2.0016.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents' ratings of the honesty and ethical standards of judges, by demographic characteristics, United States
    • 2007 Table 2.0017.2007 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2010 Table 2.0017.2010 -- PDF -- CSV

Preferred penalty for murder

  • Attitudes toward the better penalty for murder, United States selected years 1985-2010
    • Table 2.49.2010 -- PDF -- CSV

Severity of local courts

  • Attitudes toward severity of courts in own area, by demographic characteristics, United States selected years 1985-2002

Student attitudes

  • High school seniors reporting positive attitudes toward the performance of the U.S. Supreme Court, by sex, race, region, college plans, and illicit drug use, United States 1991-2003
  • High school seniors reporting positive attitudes toward the performance of the courts and the justice system in general, by sex, race, region, college plans, and illicit drug use, United States 1991-2003
  • College freshmen reporting there is too much concern in the courts for the rights of criminals, by sex, United States 1969-83 and 1987-2006
    • Table 2.92.2006 -- PDF -- CSV
  • College freshmen reporting that the death penalty should be abolished, by sex, United States 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1978-2006
    • Table 2.93.2006 -- PDF -- CSV

Treatment of juveniles who commit violent crime

  • Attitudes toward the treatment of juveniles who commit violent crimes, by demographic characteristics, United States 2003

U.S. Supreme Court

  • Respondents' approval of the U.S. Supreme Court, United States 2000-2013
    • Table 2.0032.2013 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Reported confidence in the Federal judicial branch including the U.S. Supreme Court, United States 1972-1976 and 1997-2012
    • Table 2.0031.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents reporting their overall opinion of the U.S. Supreme Court, United States selected years 1987-2013
    • Table 2.0006.2013 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Reported confidence in the U.S. Supreme Court, by demographic characteristics, United States
    • 2004 Table 2.14 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2005 Table 2.14.2005 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2006 Table 2.14.2006 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2007 Table 2.14.2007 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2008 Table 2.14.2008 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2009 Table 2.14.2009 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2010 Table 2.14.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2011 Table 2.14.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2012 Table 2.14.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
    • selected years 1984-2002 Table 2.15 -- PDF -- CSV

Drugs

Availability

  • High school seniors' perceptions of availability of drugs, by type of drug, United States 1980, 1990, and 1993-2003
  • Eighth and tenth graders' perceptions of availability of drugs, by type of drug, United States 1992, 1995, and 2000-2003

Disapproval

  • High school seniors disapproving of drug use, alcohol use, and cigarette smoking, by type of drug and frequency of use, United States 1980, 1990, and 1993-2003
  • Eighth and tenth graders disapproving of drug use, alcohol use, and cigarette smoking, by type of drug and frequency of use, United States 1991, 1995, and 2000-2003
  • High school seniors favoring prohibition of drug use, alcohol use, and cigarette smoking, by type of drug and place of use, United States 1975-2003

Legalization of marijuana

  • Attitudes toward legalization of the use of marijuana, United States selected years 1969-2013
    • Table 2.67.2013 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward legalization of the use of marijuana, by demographic characteristics, United States
    • 2009 Table 2.0021.2009 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2010 Table 2.0021.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2011 Table 2.0021.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward legalization of the use of marijuana, by age and political party, United States 2012
    • Table 2.0021.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward legalization of the use of marijuana, by demographic characteristics, United States selected years 1976-2002
  • Attitudes toward legalization of marijuana to raise revenue for State governments, by demographic characteristics, United States 2009
    • Table 2.0022.2009 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward treating possession of marijuana as a criminal offense, United States selected years 1977-2005
    • Table 2.0003.2005 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents' attitudes toward making marijuana legally available for doctors to prescribe, United States 2003, 2005, and 2010
    • Table 2.0038.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents' attitudes toward making marijuana legally available for doctors to prescribe, by demographic characteristics, United States
    • 2003 Table 2.69 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2005 Table 2.69.2005 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2010 Table 2.69.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
  • High school seniors' attitudes toward the legalization of marijuana use, United States 1975-2003
  • High school seniors' attitudes toward legalization of the sale of marijuana if the use of marijuana were legal, United States 1975-2003
  • College freshmen reporting that marijuana should be legalized, by sex, United States 1969-2006
    • Table 2.90.2006 -- PDF -- CSV

Level of spending on drug addiction

  • Attitudes toward the level of spending to deal with drug addiction, by demographic characteristics, United States selected years 1985-2002

Medical use of marijuana

  • Respondents' attitudes toward making marijuana legally available for doctors to prescribe, United States 2003, 2005, and 2010
    • Table 2.0038.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents' attitudes toward making marijuana legally available for doctors to prescribe, by demographic characteristics, United States
    • 2003 Table 2.69 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2005 Table 2.69.2005 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2010 Table 2.69.2010 -- PDF -- CSV

Perceptions of the harmfulness of drug and alcohol use

  • Students' perceptions of the harmfulness of alcohol and drug use, by grade level of respondent
    • 2002-2003 Table 2.76 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2003-2004 Table 2.76.2004 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2004-2005 Table 2.76.2005 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2005-2006 Table 2.76.2006 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2006-2007 Table 2.76.2007 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Teenagers' perceptions of the harmfulness of alcohol and drug use, United States 2002 and 2003
  • Teenagers' perceptions of someone their age smoking, getting drunk, and using drugs, United States 2004
  • High school seniors' perceptions of the harmfulness of drug use, alcohol use, and cigarette smoking, by type of drug and frequency of use, United States 1980, 1990, and 1993-2003
  • Eighth and tenth graders' perceptions of the harmfulness of drug use, alcohol use, and cigarette smoking, by type of drug and frequency of use, United States 1991, 1995, and 2000-2003
  • Young adults' perceptions of the harmfulness of drug use, alcohol use, and cigarette smoking, by type of drug, frequency of use, and age group, United States 1991-2003
  • Respondents' perceptions of the harmfulness of selected drug use behaviors, by age group, United States 2002 and 2003

Progress coping with drug problem

  • Respondents' perceptions of the Nation's progress in coping with illegal drugs, United States selected years 1972-2011
    • Table 2.44.2011 -- PDF -- CSV

Severity of drug problem

  • Attitudes toward drug problem in the United States and in own area, United States selected years 2000-2011
    • Table 2.0015.2011 -- PDF -- CSV

Guns

Gun control laws

  • Attitudes toward laws covering the sale of firearms, United States selected years 1990-2012
    • Table 2.63.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward laws covering the sale of firearms, by demographic characteristics, United States
    • 2003 Table 2.64 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2004 Table 2.64.2004 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2005 Table 2.64.2005 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2006 Table 2.64.2006 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2007 Table 2.64.2007 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2008 Table 2.64.2008 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2009 Table 2.64.2009 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2010 Table 2.64.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2011 Table 2.64.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward gun laws in the United States, United States selected years 2000-2012
    • Table 2.0012.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward a law restricting the possession of handguns, United States selected years 1959-2012
    • Table 2.65.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward a law prohibiting the manufacture, sale, or possession of semi-automatic guns known as assault rifles, United States selected years 1995-2012
    • Table 2.0004.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward laws requiring background checks at gun shows and banning high-capacity ammunition clips, United States 1999 and 2012
    • Table 2.0045.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward a law prohibiting the manufacture, sale, or possession of semi-automatic guns known as assault rifles, by demographic characteristics United States 2011
    • Table 2.0043.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward a law requiring a police permit prior to gun purchase, by demographic characteristics, United States selected years 1976-2002

Ownership

  • Respondents reporting having a gun in their home or on property, United States selected years 1959-2012
    • Table 2.59.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents reporting having a gun in their home, by demographic characteristics, United States
    • 2003 Table 2.60 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2004 Table 2.60.2004 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2005 Table 2.60.2005 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2006 Table 2.60.2006 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2007 Table 2.60.2007 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2008 Table 2.60.2008 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2009 Table 2.60.2009 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2010 Table 2.60.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2011 Table 2.60.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents reporting a firearm in their home, by demographic characteristics, United States selected years 1973-2002
  • Respondents reporting a firearm in their home, by type of firearm and demographic characteristics, United States 2002

Right to own

  • Respondents reporting whether they think gun control or the right to own a gun is more important, United States selected years 1993-2013
    • Table 2.0018.2013 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents reporting whether they think gun control or the right to own a gun is more important, by demographic characteristics, United States 2010
    • Table 2.0040.2010 -- PDF -- CSV

Safety in the home

  • Attitudes toward whether a gun in the home makes it safer or more dangerous, United States 2000, 2004, 2006
    • Table 2.0010.2006 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward whether a gun in the home makes it safer or more dangerous, by demographic characteristics, United States 2006
    • Table 2.0011.2006 -- PDF -- CSV

Student attitudes

  • College freshmen reporting that the Federal Government should do more to control the sale of handguns, by sex, United States 1989-2006
    • Table 2.95.2006 -- PDF -- CSV

Illegal immigration

Effects of illegal immigrants

  • Respondents' concern over effects of illegal immigrants, United States 2010
    • Table 2.0028.2010 -- PDF -- CSV

Perceived threats to U.S.

  • Attitudes toward perceived threats to the United States, United States 2010
    • Table 2.0030.2010 -- PDF -- CSV

Policies

  • Attitudes toward priorities for dealing with illegal immigration, United States 2010-2013
    • Table 2.0046.2013 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward priorities for dealing with illegal immigration, by race, ethnicity, politics, and religious affiliation, United States 2010
    • Table 2.0035.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward priorities for dealing with illegal immigration, by race, ethnicity, age group, and politics, United States 2013
    • Table 2.0035.2013 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward illegal immigration policies, United States 2007 and 2009-2011
    • Table 2.0042.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward importance of selected immigration policies, United States
    • 2010 Table 2.0026.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2011 Table 2.0026.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward main priority of selected immigration policies, by political party and ideology, United States 2010
    • Table 2.0027.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward main priority of selected immigration policies, United States selected years 2006-2010
    • Table 2.0027.2012 -- PDF -- CSV

Stricter immgration laws

  • Respondents' concern over effects of stricter immigration laws, United States 2010
    • Table 2.0029.2010 -- PDF -- CSV

Police

Honesty and ethics

  • Respondents' ratings of the honesty and ethical standards of police, United States selected years 1977-2012
    • Table 2.20.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents' ratings of the honesty and ethical standards of police, by demographic characteristics, United States
    • 2003 Table 2.21 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2004 Table 2.21.2004 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2005 Table 2.21.2005 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2006 Table 2.21.2006 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2007 Table 2.21.2007 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2008 Table 2.21.2008 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2010 Table 2.21.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2011 Table 2.21.2011 -- PDF -- CSV

Increased law enforcement powers

  • Respondents favoring increased law enforcement powers, United States 2001-2004

Performance and fairness

  • Black respondents' perceptions of unfair treatment by police, United States 2013
    • Table 2.0047.2013 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents' ratings of performance of police in own community, United States 2000 and 2002

Public confidence

  • Reported confidence in the police, by demographic characteristics, United States
    • 2004 Table 2.12 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2005 Table 2.12.2005 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2006 Table 2.12.2006 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2007 Table 2.12.2007 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2008 Table 2.12.2008 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2009 Table 2.12.2009 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2010 Table 2.12.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2011 Table 2.12.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2012 Table 2.12.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Reported confidence in the police to protect from violent crime, United States selected years 1981-2006
    • Table 2.13.2006 -- PDF -- CSV

Racial profiling

  • Respondents' attitudes toward racial profiling, by race and ethnicity, United States 2004

Student attitudes

  • High school seniors reporting positive attitudes toward the performance of the police and other law enforcement agencies, by sex, race, region, college plans, and illicit drug use, United States 1991-2003

Use of force, brutality

  • Attitudes toward a police officer striking an adult male citizen, by demographic characteristics, United States selected years 1973-2002
  • Attitudes toward a police officer striking a citizen under certain circumstances, United States selected years 1973-2002
  • Attitudes toward a police officer striking a citizen under certain circumstances, by demographic characteristics, United States 2002
  • Respondents' perceptions of police brutality in their area, United States selected years 1965-2005
    • Table 2.0001.2005 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents' perceptions of police brutality in their area, by demographic characteristics, United States 2005
    • Table 2.0002.2005 -- PDF -- CSV

Public confidence

Criminal justice system

  • Reported confidence in the criminal justice system, by demographic characteristics, United States
    • 2004 Table 2.11 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2005 Table 2.11.2005 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2006 Table 2.11.2006 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2007 Table 2.11.2007 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2008 Table 2.11.2008 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2009 Table 2.11.2009 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2010 Table 2.11.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2011 Table 2.11.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2012 Table 2.11.2012 -- PDF -- CSV

Government protecting citizens from terrorism

  • Reported confidence in the U.S. Government to protect citizens from terrorist attack, United States selected years 2002-2013
    • Table 2.16.2013 -- PDF -- CSV

Institutions, general

  • Reported confidence in selected institutions, United States
    • selected years 1973-2012 Table 2.10.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 1979-2004 Table 2.9 -- PDF -- CSV

Police

  • Reported confidence in the police, by demographic characteristics, United States
    • 2004 Table 2.12 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2005 Table 2.12.2005 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2006 Table 2.12.2006 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2007 Table 2.12.2007 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2008 Table 2.12.2008 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2009 Table 2.12.2009 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2010 Table 2.12.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2011 Table 2.12.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2012 Table 2.12.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Reported confidence in the police to protect from violent crime, United States selected years 1981-2006
    • Table 2.13.2006 -- PDF -- CSV

U.S. Supreme Court

  • Reported confidence in the U.S. Supreme Court, by demographic characteristics, United States
    • 2004 Table 2.14 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2005 Table 2.14.2005 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2006 Table 2.14.2006 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2007 Table 2.14.2007 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2008 Table 2.14.2008 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2009 Table 2.14.2009 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2010 Table 2.14.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2011 Table 2.14.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
    • Table 2.14.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Reported confidence in the Federal judicial branch including the U.S. Supreme Court, United States 1972-1976 and 1997-2012
    • Table 2.0031.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Reported confidence in the U.S. Supreme Court, by demographic characteristics, United States selected years 1984-2002

Students

College freshmen

Legalization of marijuana

  • College freshmen reporting that marijuana should be legalized, by sex, United States 1969-2006
    • Table 2.90.2006 -- PDF -- CSV

Abortion

  • College freshmen reporting that abortion should be legal, by sex, United States 1977-2006
    • Table 2.91.2006 -- PDF -- CSV

The courts

  • College freshmen reporting there is too much concern in the courts for the rights of criminals, by sex, United States 1969-83 and 1987-2006
    • Table 2.92.2006 -- PDF -- CSV

Capital punishment

  • College freshmen reporting that the death penalty should be abolished, by sex, United States 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1978-2006
    • Table 2.93.2006 -- PDF -- CSV

Homosexual relations

  • College freshmen reporting that homosexual relationships should be legally prohibited, by sex, United States 1976-2006
    • Table 2.94.2006 -- PDF -- CSV

Gun control

  • College freshmen reporting that the Federal Government should do more to control the sale of handguns, by sex, United States 1989-2006
    • Table 2.95.2006 -- PDF -- CSV

Disapproving of drug use

  • High school seniors disapproving of drug use, alcohol use, and cigarette smoking, by type of drug and frequency of use, United States 1980, 1990, and 1993-2003
  • Eighth and tenth graders disapproving of drug use, alcohol use, and cigarette smoking, by type of drug and frequency of use, United States 1991, 1995, and 2000-2003
  • High school seniors favoring prohibition of drug use, alcohol use, and cigarette smoking, by type of drug and place of use, United States 1975-2003

High school seniors

Legalization of marijuana

  • High school seniors' attitudes toward the legalization of marijuana use, United States 1975-2003
  • High school seniors' attitudes toward legalization of the sale of marijuana if the use of marijuana were legal, United States 1975-2003

Performance of selected institutions

  • High school seniors reporting positive attitudes toward the performance of selected institutions, United States 1991-2003

Performance of the courts and justice system

  • High school seniors reporting positive attitudes toward the performance of the U.S. Supreme Court, by sex, race, region, college plans, and illicit drug use, United States 1991-2003
  • High school seniors reporting positive attitudes toward the performance of the courts and the justice system in general, by sex, race, region, college plans, and illicit drug use, United States 1991-2003

Performance of the police

  • High school seniors reporting positive attitudes toward the performance of the police and other law enforcement agencies, by sex, race, region, college plans, and illicit drug use, United States 1991-2003

Social problems

  • High school seniors reporting that they worry about selected social problems, United States 1991-2003
  • High school seniors reporting that they worry about crime and violence, by sex, race, region, college plans, and illicit drug use, United States 1991-2003

Perceptions of availability of drugs

  • High school seniors' perceptions of availability of drugs, by type of drug, United States 1980, 1990, and 1993-2003
  • Eighth and tenth graders' perceptions of availability of drugs, by type of drug, United States 1992, 1995, and 2000-2003

Schools

Drug testing and locker searches

  • Teenagers' perceptions of drug testing and locker searches in their schools, United States 2003
  • Parents' perceptions of safety, drug testing, and locker searches at schools, United States 2003

Problems and fear in schools

  • Attitudes toward the biggest problems facing public schools, by school status, United States 1988-2011
    • Table 2.4.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents reporting concern about child being physically harmed while at school, United States 2000-2011
    • Table 2.0039.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents reporting whether they fear for their child's safety while at school, United States 1998-2012
    • Table 2.0019.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents reporting whether their children report school safety concerns, United States selected years 1999-2012
    • Table 2.0020.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Students' perceptions of safety at school, by grade level of respondent
    • 2002-2003 Table 2.5 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2003-2004 Table 2.5.2004 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2004-2005 Table 2.5.2005 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2005-2006 Table 2.5.2006 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2006-2007 Table 2.5.2007 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Students age 12 to 18 reporting fear of school-related victimization, by student characteristics, United States selected years 1995-2007
    • Table 2.6.2007 -- PDF -- CSV

Social and other issues

Abortion

  • Attitudes toward the legality of abortion, United States selected years 1975-2012
    • Table 2.100.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward the legality of abortion, by demographic characteristics, United States
    • 2004 Table 2.101 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2005 Table 2.101.2005 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2006 Table 2.101.2006 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2007 Table 2.101.2007 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2008 Table 2.101.2008 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2009 Table 2.101.2009 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2010 Table 2.101.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2011 Table 2.101.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2012 Table 2.101.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
  • College freshmen reporting that abortion should be legal, by sex, United States 1977-2006
    • Table 2.91.2006 -- PDF -- CSV

Doctor-assisted suicide

  • Attitudes toward legalization of doctor-assisted suicide, United States selected years 1996-2008
    • Table 2.96.2008 -- PDF -- CSV

Drinking age, underage drinking laws

  • Attitudes toward laws relating to the legal drinking age and underage drinking, by sex and age, United States 2007
    • Table 2.0014.2007 -- PDF -- CSV

Environment

  • Attitudes toward whether there should be stricter laws and regulations to protect the environment, by politics and religious affiliation, United States 2010
    • Table 2.0036.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward whether there should be stricter laws and regulations to protect the environment, United States selected years 1992-2012
    • Table 2.102.2012 -- PDF -- CSV

Ethics of various occupations, lawyers, police, and judges

  • Respondents' ratings of the honesty and ethical standards of various occupations, by type of occupation, United States
    • 2003 Table 2.17 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2004 Table 2.17.2004 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2005 Table 2.17.2005 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2006 Table 2.17.2006 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2007 Table 2.17.2007 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2008 Table 2.17.2008 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2009 Table 2.17.2009 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2010 Table 2.17.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2011 Table 2.17.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2012 Table 2.17.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents' ratings of the honesty and ethical standards of lawyers, United States selected years 1976-2012
    • Table 2.18.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents' ratings of the honesty and ethical standards of lawyers, by demographic characteristics, United States
    • 2003 Table 2.19 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2004 Table 2.19.2004 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2005 Table 2.19.2005 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2006 Table 2.19.2006 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2007 Table 2.19.2007 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2008 Table 2.19.2008 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2010 Table 2.19.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2011 Table 2.19.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents' ratings of the honesty and ethical standards of police, United States selected years 1977-2012
    • Table 2.20.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents' ratings of the honesty and ethical standards of police, by demographic characteristics, United States
    • 2003 Table 2.21 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2004 Table 2.21.2004 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2005 Table 2.21.2005 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2006 Table 2.21.2006 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2007 Table 2.21.2007 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2008 Table 2.21.2008 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2010 Table 2.21.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2011 Table 2.21.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents' ratings of the honesty and ethical standards of judges, United States selected years 1999-2010
    • Table 2.0016.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents' ratings of the honesty and ethical standards of judges, by demographic characteristics, United States
    • 2007 Table 2.0017.2007 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2010 Table 2.0017.2010 -- PDF -- CSV

Fairness of criminal justice system

  • Respondents reporting whether they think the criminal justice system is fair in its treatment of people accused of committing crime, by demographic characteristics, United States 2003

Homosexual relations

  • Attitudes toward the legality of homosexual relations, United States selected years 1977-2012
    • Table 2.98.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward the legality of homosexual relations, by demographic characteristics, United States
    • 2004 Table 2.99 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2005 Table 2.99.2005 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2006 Table 2.99.2006 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2007 Table 2.99.2007 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2009 Table 2.99.2009 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2010 Table 2.99.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2011 Table 2.99.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2012 Table 2.99.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
  • College freshmen reporting that homosexual relationships should be legally prohibited, by sex, United States 1976-2006
    • Table 2.94.2006 -- PDF -- CSV

Important problems for country, government, and teenagers

  • Attitudes toward the most important problem facing the country, United States 1984-2012
    • Table 2.1.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward important issues for the government to address, United States 1993-2004
  • Teenagers' attitudes toward the most important problem facing people their age, United States selected years 1999-2004

Pornography

  • Attitudes toward laws regulating the distribution of pornography, by demographic characteristics, United States selected years 1987-2002

Ratings of lawyers

  • Respondents' ratings of the honesty and ethical standards of lawyers, United States selected years 1976-2012
    • Table 2.18.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents' ratings of the honesty and ethical standards of lawyers, by demographic characteristics, United States
    • 2003 Table 2.19 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2004 Table 2.19.2004 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2005 Table 2.19.2005 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2006 Table 2.19.2006 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2007 Table 2.19.2007 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2008 Table 2.19.2008 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2010 Table 2.19.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
    • 2011 Table 2.19.2011 -- PDF -- CSV

Rehabilitation

  • Attitudes toward whether the criminal justice system should try to rehabilitate criminals, United States 2002 and 2003

Terrorism

Government's ability to reduce threat, protect citizens

  • Reported confidence in the U.S. Government to protect citizens from terrorist attack, United States selected years 2002-2013
    • Table 2.16.2013 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents reporting how well they think the U.S. Government is doing in reducing the threat of terrorism, United States 2001-2011
    • Table 2.0008.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents reporting concern about the U.S. Government's anti-terrorism policies, United States selected years, 2004-2010
    • Table 2.0041.2010 -- PDF -- CSV

Civil liberties

  • Respondents reporting whether they think it will be necessary to give up some civil liberties to curb terrorism in the United States, United States selected years 1996-2011
    • Table 2.31.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents reporting concern about the U.S. Government's anti-terrorism policies, United States selected years, 2004-2010
    • Table 2.0041.2010 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward whether certain civil rights should be extended to persons sympathetic to terrorists, United States selected years 2003-2012
    • Table 2.0009.2012 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Attitudes toward requiring all citizens to carry a national identity card to curb terrorism in the United States, United States 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, and 2011
    • Table 2.32.2011 -- PDF -- CSV

Fear

  • Respondents reporting fear that they or family member will become a victim of terrorism, United States 2001-2013
    • Table 2.29.2013 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents reporting concern about becoming a victim of terrorism, Unites States selected years 2001-2011
    • Table 2.0024.2011 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents' beliefs about future acts of terrorism, United States selected years 2003-2013
    • Table 2.0044.2013 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents' beliefs about how likely it is that there will soon be another terrorist attack in the United States, Unites States selected years 2001-2013
    • Table 2.0023.2013 -- PDF -- CSV
  • Respondents reporting worry that there will soon be another terrorist attack in the United States, United States 2001-2013
    • Table 2.30.2013 -- PDF -- CSV

Perceived threats to U.S.

  • Attitudes toward perceived threats to the United States, United States 2010
    • Table 2.0030.2010 -- PDF -- CSV

Profiling airline passengers

  • Attitudes toward profiling of airline passengers to prevent terrorism, by selected demographic characteristics, United States 2010
    • Table 2.0025.2010 -- PDF -- CSV

Torture

  • Respondents reporting whether they think the torture of suspected terrorists in order to gain information is justified, United States 2004-2011
    • Table 2.0007.2011 -- PDF -- CSV