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Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics


Section 2

Public attitudes toward crime and criminal justice-related topics


Most important problems for country and communities

Attitudes toward the most important problem facing the country, United States, 1982-97 (Table 2.1)
Acrobat file (6k)

Teenagers' attitudes toward the most important problem facing the United States today and in the future, United States, 1996 (Table 2.2)
Acrobat file (4k)

Attitudes toward important issues for the government to address, United States, 1993-97 (Table 2.3)
Acrobat file (5k)

Attitudes toward the most important issue facing communities today, by race/ethnicity, United States, 1996 (Table 2.4)
Acrobat file (4k)

Teenagers' attitudes toward the most important problem facing people their age, United States, 1996 (Table 2.5)
Acrobat file (4k)

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Problems in schools

Attitudes toward the biggest problems facing public schools, by school status, United States, 1993-96 (Table 2.6)
Acrobat file (6k)

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Public confidence in institutions

Reported confidence in selected institutions, United States, 1973-97 (Table 2.7)
Acrobat file (5k)

Reported confidence in selected institutions, United States, selected years 1973-97 (Table 2.8)
Acrobat file (5k)

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Confidence in the criminal justice system

Reported confidence in the criminal justice system, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1997 (Table 2.9)
Acrobat file (5k)

Reported confidence in the criminal justice system, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1996 (Table 2.10)
Acrobat file (5k)

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Confidence in police

Reported confidence in the police, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1997 (Table 2.11)
Acrobat file (5k)

Reported confidence in local police, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1996 (Table 2.12)
Acrobat file (5k)

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Confidence in the U.S. Supreme Court and local courts

Reported confidence in the U.S. Supreme Court, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1997 (Table 2.13)
Acrobat file (5k)

Reported confidence in the U.S. Supreme Court, by demographic characteristics, United States, selected years 1980-96 (Table 2.14)
Acrobat file (10k)

Reported confidence in the local court system, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1996 (Table 2.15)
Acrobat file (5k)

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Confidence in the prison system

Reported confidence in the State prison system, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1996 (Table 2.16)
Acrobat file (5k)

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Ethics of lawyers and police

Respondents' ratings of the honesty and ethical standards of various occupations, by type of occupation, United States, 1996 (Table 2.17)
Acrobat file (4k)

Respondents' ratings of the honesty and ethical standards of lawyers, United States, selected years 1976-96 (Table 2.18)
Acrobat file (4k)

Respondents' ratings of the honesty and ethical standards of lawyers, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1996 (Table 2.19)
Acrobat file (5k)

Respondents' ratings of the honesty and ethical standards of police, United States, selected years 1977-96 (Table 2.20)
Acrobat file (4k)

Respondents' ratings of the honesty and ethical standards of police, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1996 (Table 2.21)
Acrobat file (5k)

Respondents' confidence in ability of police to protect, solve crime, and prevent crime, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1995 (Table 2.22)
Acrobat file (6k)

Reported confidence in ability of police to protect from violent crime, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1995 (Table 2.23)
Acrobat file (5k)

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Police use of force

Attitudes toward a police officer striking an adult male citizen, by demographic characteristics, United States, selected years 1973-96 (Table 2.24)
Acrobat file (9k)

Attitudes toward a police officer striking a citizen under certain circumstances, United States, selected years 1973-96 (Table 2.25)
Acrobat file (4k)

Attitudes toward a police officer striking a citizen under certain circumstances, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1996 (Table 2.26)
Acrobat file (6k)

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Perceptions of crime and safety

Attitudes toward level of crime in the United States, United States, selected years 1989-97 (Table 2.27)
Acrobat file (3k)

Attitudes toward level of crime in own area, United States, selected years 1972-97 (Table 2.28)
Acrobat file (4k)

Respondents reporting fear of walking alone and feeling unsafe at home at night, United States, selected years 1965-97 (Table 2.29)
Acrobat file (4k)

Respondents' feelings of safety alone at night at home, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1996 (Table 2.30)
Acrobat file (5k)

Respondents' feelings of safety walking alone at night in own neighborhood, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1996 (Table 2.31)
Acrobat file (4k)

Respondents reporting whether they fear walking alone at night near their home, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1996 (Table 2.32)
Acrobat file (4k)

Respondents reporting whether they feel afraid to walk alone at night in their own neighborhood, by demographic characteristics, United States, selected years 1973-96 (Table 2.33)
Acrobat file (9k)

Attitudes toward crime rate in own neighborhood in past year, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1995 (Table 2.34)
Acrobat file (5k)

Respondents' feelings of safety on streets in own neighborhood in past year, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1995 (Table 2.35)
Acrobat file (4k)

Attitudes toward crime rate in own area and uneasiness on the streets, United States, selected years 1966-93 (Table 2.36)
Acrobat file (4k)

Respondents' reported worries about criminal victimization, by race and ethnicity, United States, 1996 (Table 2.37)
Acrobat file (4k)

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Teenagers' attitudes toward drugs and other influences

Teenagers' attitudes toward the main reason kids use drugs, United States, 1996 (Table 2.38)
Acrobat file (4k)

Teenagers' attitudes toward the worst influence facing today's American youth, by sex, United States, 1996 (Table 2.39)
Acrobat file (4k)

Teenagers' and parents' attitudes toward American culture glamorizing certain problem behaviors, United States, 1996 (Table 2.40)
Acrobat file (4k)

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Level of spending for the problems of crime and drugs

Attitudes toward problems on which tax dollars should be spent, by sex, race, age, and education, United States, 1996 (Table 2.41)
Acrobat file (5k)

Respondents responding too little is spent on selected problems in this country, United States, selected years 1973-96 (Table 2.42)
Acrobat file (4k)

Attitudes toward the level of spending to halt the rising crime rate, by demographic characteristics, United States, selected years 1982-96 (Table 2.43)
Acrobat file (11k)

Attitudes toward the level of spending to deal with drug addiction, by demographic characteristics, United States, selected years 1982-96 (Table 2.44)
Acrobat file (11k)

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Responses to crime and criminals

Attitudes toward the justice systems' dealing with people who commit crime, United States, 1996 (Table 2.45)
Acrobat file (4k)

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Anti-drug measures

Attitudes toward effectiveness of anti-drug measures, United States, 1996 (Table 2.46)
Acrobat file (4k)

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Police officials' attitudes toward efforts to reduce the drug problem

Police chiefs' attitudes toward law enforcement's approach to the drug problem, by size of community, United States, 1996 (Table 2.47)
Acrobat file (5k)

Police chiefs' attitudes toward Federal programs dealing with drug abuse, by size of community, United States, 1996 (Table 2.48)
Acrobat file (4k)

Police chiefs' attitudes toward the effectiveness of mandatory minimum sentences for drug possession, by size of community, United States, 1996 (Table 2.49)
Acrobat file (4k)

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Severity of local courts

Attitudes toward severity of courts in own area, by demographic characteristics, United States, selected years 1982-96 (Table 2.50)
Acrobat file (10k)

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Use of wiretaps

Attitudes toward wiretapping, United States, selected years 1974-94 (Table 2.51)
Acrobat file (3k)

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Drug testing to get a driver's license

Attitudes toward a law requiring teenagers to pass a drug test to get a drivers' license, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1996 (Table 2.52)
Acrobat file (4k)

Attitudes toward a law requiring anyone renewing or obtaining a new drivers' license to pass a drug test, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1996 (Table 2.53)
Acrobat file (4k)

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Dealing with drunk drivers

Attitudes toward how harshly criminal justice system treats drunk drivers, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1995 (Table 2.54)
Acrobat file (4k)

Attitudes toward appropriate sentence for repeat drunk drivers, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1995 (Table 2.55)
Acrobat file (5k)

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Purpose of sentencing; rehabilitation

Attitudes toward most important purpose in sentencing adults and juveniles, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1995 (Table 2.56)
Acrobat file (6k)

Attitudes toward whether violent criminals can be rehabilitated, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1995 (Table 2.57)
Acrobat file (5k)

Attitudes toward whether government should rehabilitate or punish criminals, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1995 (Table 2.58)
Acrobat file (5k)

Attitudes toward treating juveniles as adults if charged with serious property crime, selling drugs, or serious violent crime, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1995 (Table 2.59)
Acrobat file (5k)

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Prisons

Attitudes toward the most important goal of prison, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1996 (Table 2.60)
Acrobat file (5k)

Attitudes toward proposals to reduce prison overcrowding, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1995 (Table 2.61)
Acrobat file (5k)

Attitudes toward proposals for dealing with prison inmates, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1995 (Table 2.62)
Acrobat file (5k)

Attitudes toward mandatory prison sentences, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1995 (Table 2.63)
Acrobat file (5k)

Attitudes toward the effectiveness of various alternatives to prison, United States, 1996 (Table 2.64)
Acrobat file (4k)

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Death penalty

Attitudes toward the death penalty, United States, selected years 1965-97 (Table 2.65)
Acrobat file (3k)

Attitudes toward the death penalty, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1997 (Table 2.66)
Acrobat file (4k)

Attitudes toward the death penalty for persons convicted of murder, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1996 (Table 2.67)
Acrobat file (4k)

Attitudes toward the death penalty if murderers were given sentence of life without parole, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1996 (Table 2.68)
Acrobat file (5k)

Attitudes toward the death penalty for persons convicted of murder, by demographic characteristics, United States, selected years 1976-96 (Table 2.69)
Acrobat file (9k)

Attitudes toward the death penalty for persons convicted of murder, United States, selected years 1953-95 (Table 2.70)
Acrobat file (4k)

Attitudes toward the death penalty for persons convicted of murder, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1995 (Table 2.71)
Acrobat file (5k)

Attitudes toward the death penalty for teenagers convicted of murder, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1994 (Table 2.72)
Acrobat file (5k)

Attitudes toward the death penalty for persons convicted of murder given evidence that innocent persons have been sentenced to death, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1995 (Table 2.73)
Acrobat file (5k)

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Gun ownership

Respondents reporting having a gun in their home, United States, selected years 1959-97 (Table 2.74)
Acrobat file (4k)

Respondents reporting a firearm in their home, by demographic characteristics, United States, selected years 1973-96 (Table 2.75)
Acrobat file (6k)

Respondents reporting a firearm in their home, by type of firearm and demographic characteristics, United States, 1996 (Table 2.76)
Acrobat file (5k)

Respondents reporting a firearm in their home, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1996 (Table 2.77)
Acrobat file (4k)

Respondents reporting owning a firearm, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1995 (Table 2.78)
Acrobat file (4k)

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Gun control policies

Attitudes toward laws covering the sale of firearms, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1996 (Table 2.79)
Acrobat file (5k)

Attitudes toward various gun control issues, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1995 (Table 2.80)
Acrobat file (5k)

Attitudes toward laws covering the sale of firearms, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1995 (Table 2.81)
Acrobat file (4k)

Attitudes toward the registration of handguns, United States, selected years 1982-93 (Table 2.82)
Acrobat file (3k)

Attitudes toward banning the possession of handguns except by the police and other authorized persons, United States, selected years 1980-93 (Table 2.83)
Acrobat file (4k)

Attitudes toward restricting the sale of handguns, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1996 (Table 2.84)
Acrobat file (5k)

Attitudes toward a law requiring a police permit prior to gun purchase, by demographic characteristics, United States, selected years 1973-96 (Table 2.85)
Acrobat file (9k)

Attitudes toward maintaining a ban on rapid-fire assault weapons, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1996 (Table 2.86)
Acrobat file (5k)

Attitudes toward making it legal to sell semi-automatic assault rifles, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1996 (Table 2.87)
Acrobat file (5k)

Attitudes toward a ban on assault rifles, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1995 (Table 2.88)
Acrobat file (4k)

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Legalization of marijuana

Attitudes toward legalization of the use of marijuana, by demographic characteristics, United States, selected years 1973-96 (Table 2.89)
Acrobat file (9k)

Attitudes toward legalization of marijuana, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1995 (Table 2.90)
Acrobat file (5k)

Teenagers' and parents' attitudes toward the legalization of marijuana, United States, 1996 (Table 2.91)
Acrobat file (3k)

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High school seniors' attitudes: Selected social problems

High school seniors reporting that they worry about selected social problems, United States, 1984-96 (Table 2.92)
Acrobat file (6k)

High school seniors reporting that they worry about crime and violence, by sex, race, region, college plans, and illicit drug use, United States, 1984-96 (Table 2.93)
Acrobat file (7k)

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High school seniors' attitudes: Performance of selected institutions

High school seniors reporting positive attitudes toward the performance of selected institutions, United States, 1984-96 (Table 2.94)
Acrobat file (6k)

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High school seniors' attitudes: 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, 1984-96 (Table 2.95)
Acrobat file (6k)

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High school seniors' attitudes: 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, 1984-96 (Table 2.96)
Acrobat file (6k)

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, 1984-96 (Table 2.97)
Acrobat file (6k)

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Perceptions of the harmfulness of drug use

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, 1984-96 (Table 2.98)
Acrobat file (7k)

Students' perceptions of the harmfulness of drug use and alcohol use, by type of drug, frequency of use, and student grade level, United States, 1993-96 (Table 2.99)
Acrobat file (6k)

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, 1984-96 (Table 2.100)
Acrobat file (9k)

Respondents' perceptions of the harmfulness of selected drug use behaviors, by age group, United States, 1994 (Table 2.101)
Acrobat file (5k)

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Students' perceptions of availability of drugs

High school seniors' perceptions of availability of drugs, by type of drug, United States, 1984-96 (Table 2.102)
Acrobat file (5k)

Students' perceptions of availability of drugs, by type of drug and student grade level, United States, 1993-96 (Table 2.103)
Acrobat file (5k)

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Students 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, 1984-96 (Table 2.104)
Acrobat file (6k)

Students disapproving of drug use and alcohol use, by type of drug, frequency of use, and student grade level, United States, 1993-96 (Table 2.105)
Acrobat file (6k)

High school seniors favoring prohibition of drug use, alcohol use, and cigarette smoking, by type of drug and place of use, United States, 1984-96 (Table 2.106)
Acrobat file (5k)

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High school seniors' attitudes toward legalization of marijuana

High school seniors' attitudes toward the legalization of marijuana use, United States, 1984-96 (Table 2.107)
Acrobat file (4k)

High school seniors' attitudes toward legalization of the sale of marijuana if the use of marijuana were legal, United States, 1984-96 (Table 2.108)
Acrobat file (4k)

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College freshmen attitudes: Legalization of marijuana

College freshmen reporting that marijuana should be legalized, by sex, United States, 1968-96 (Table 2.109)
Acrobat file (5k)

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College freshmen attitudes: Abortion

College freshmen reporting that abortion should be legal, by sex, United States, 1977-96 (Table 2.110)
Acrobat file (4k)

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College freshmen attitudes: 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 1987-96 (Table 2.111)
Acrobat file (4k)

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College freshmen attitudes: Capital punishment

College freshmen reporting that capital punishment should be abolished, by sex, United States, 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1978-96 (Table 2.112)
Acrobat file (4k)

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College freshmen attitudes: Homosexual relations

College freshmen reporting that homosexual relations should be legally prohibited, by sex, United States, 1976-96 (Table 2.113)
Acrobat file (4k)

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College freshmen attitudes: AIDS testing and drug testing

Attitudes of college freshmen toward testing for AIDS and drug testing by employers, by sex, United States, 1988-96 (Table 2.114)
Acrobat file (4k)

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College freshmen attitudes: Gun control

College freshmen reporting that the Federal Government should do more to control the sale of handguns, by sex, United States, 1989-96 (Table 2.115)
Acrobat file (3k)

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Pornography, prostitution, and homosexuality

Attitudes toward laws regulating the distribution of pornography, by demographic characteristics, United States, selected years 1983-96 (Table 2.116)
Acrobat file (11k)

Attitudes toward pornographic materials leading to rape, by demographic characteristics, United States, selected years 1973-94 (Table 2.117)
Acrobat file (9k)

Attitudes toward the legalization of prostitution, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1996 (Table 2.118)
Acrobat file (4k)

Attitudes toward the legality of homosexual relations, by demographics characteristics, United States, 1996 (Table 2.119)
Acrobat file (4k)

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Abortion

Attitudes toward the legality of abortion, United States, selected years 1975-96 (Table 2.120)
Acrobat file (4k)

Attitudes toward the legality of abortion, by demographic characteristics, United States, 1996 (Table 2.121)
Acrobat file (5k)

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