Sources of Public Confidence in the Canadian Criminal Justice System

Abstract

This study examines factors associated with public confidence in the Canadian criminal justice system. It further examines whether interaction with this legal authority leads to varying bases for this confidence. Using data from the 2009 Canadian General Social Survey, this study found that satisfaction with sentencing severity was among the least important sources of confidence. Instead, satisfaction with the extent to which the Canadian criminal justice system provides justice quickly and its ability to determine guilt were the most prominent bases for public confidence. Satisfaction with the extent to which the justice system helps victims and ensures a fair trial for accused persons were found to be intermediate sources of confidence. However, these factors’ relative importance differed to some extent based on previous interactions with this legal authority. This study argues for a need to better inform the public on the workings of the Canadian criminal justice system.