Unequal and Unjust: Public Perceptions of Justice

Equal justice is a core promise of our society. Yet many Americans doubt that they can get a fair shake in court because they lack resources, information, or even fear the legal system.  

To better understand how people experience the civil legal system, Equal Justice Works conducted a national survey exploring how Americans perceive fairness, access to legal help, and their own ability to navigate legal challenges.

The survey explores perceptions across a range of civil legal issues, including housing, employment, discrimination, health care, government benefits, and disaster recovery. It also examines how experiences differ based on income, race and ethnicity, education, age, disability status, LGBTQ+ identity, and geography. 

What We Found

Many People Do Not See the System as Fair or Accessible: Across the findings, one theme is clear: while people believe in equal justice, many do not perceive the system as delivering it consistently. 

Many People Misunderstand Their Rights: Our research also highlights a widespread gap in understanding how the civil legal system works. Many Americans perceive that courts will provide attorneys in situations where that is not the case. 

Barriers Are Not Only Financial: Cost remains a major barrier to legal help. But our research shows that lack of knowledge and fear are just as powerful obstacles.  

Some Communities Face Layered Barriers: Even when legal resources exist, informational barriers prevent many Americans from accessing them. 

Expanding Access to Justice  

Equal Justice Works aims to close the access to justice gap by preparing public interest lawyers and advocates who serve communities across the country. 

Learn more about how we do this work here.