Survey shows strong overall support fur U.S. justice system.

How do Americans feel about the nation's justice system? About 80 percent believe that it's the best in the world despite its weaknesses, according to a survey by the American Bar Association (ABA). Respondents were most satisfied with the jury system, with 78 percent saying that it is the fairest way to determine guilt or innocence. Almost 70 percent believed that juries are the most important part of the U.S. justice system.

"What is most remarkable about the survey results was the strong support and confidence the American people have in the jury system despite years of jury bashing by tort `reformers,'" said Robert Peck, ATLA's senior director for legal affairs and policy research. "Confidence in juries and the courts dwarfs the levels of confidence that the public has in Congress and the media."

Respondents had strong confidence in the U.S. Supreme Court, with 50 percent "extremely or very confident" in the institution. Thirty-four percent expressed confidence in other federal courts, and 28 percent expressed confidence in state courts. Only 18 percent of respondents had strong confidence in Congress, and 8 percent had strong confidence in the media.

Among other findings, 41 percent of those polled said that most lawyers do what is right for their clients. Forty percent disagreed with that statement, and 18 percent expressed no view. Asked whether lawyers from smaller firms take more interest in their clients than do lawyers from larger firms, 43 percent said yes, 28 percent said no, and 27 percent expressed no opinion.

Sixty-one percent of respondents reported that they want to learn more about the justice system, and, of those, 75 percent said they want to learn from current or retired judges.

How might the justice system be improved? Nearly 75 percent of those polled felt that court costs are too high and that court matters take too long to resolve. Only 39 percent believed that the courts treat all ethnic and racial groups the same, and just 35 percent agreed that lawyers keep their clients informed of the progress of their cases (36 percent disagreed and 27 percent had no opinion).

Further, 72 percent believed that convicted criminals have too many opportunities to appeal, and 68 percent said that too many convicted criminals are set free on technicalities. Fifty-two percent said criminals are not sentenced severely enough, but 56 percent said criminals should be dealt alternative sentencing such as community service instead of jail time.

Finally, 77 percent said judges and lawyers ought to seek the ideas of the general population when they are planning court improvements.

The survey, Perceptions of the U.S. Justice System, polled 1,000 adults, age 18 or older. Complete survey results are available on the ABKs Web site at http://www. abanet.org/media.