Document Type
Article
Publication Date
Spring 1994
Keywords
Civil jurors, Litigation crisis, Excessive litigation, Civil justice system, National Jury Project, Juror perceptions of litigation
Disciplines
Civil Procedure | Courts | Litigation | Torts
Abstract
Public perceptions that the civil justice system is in crisis are apparently widespread, but little is known about the causes or correlates of such views. This article analyzes the litigation crisis attitudes of a sample of civil jurors. Like the public, jurors endorsed a number of statements suggesting that there is a litigation crisis. Factor analysis identified two independent components: general concern over excessive litigation, and criticism of the civil jury. Litigation crisis views were found in all demographic and attitudinal subgroups. However, attitudes about the civil justice system were related to the respondent's political efficacy, claims consciousness, belief in a just world, age, religion, and race.
Recommended Citation
Hans, Valerie P. and Lofquist, William S., "Perceptions of Civil Justice: The Litigation Crisis Attitudes of Civil Jurors" (1994). Cornell Law Faculty Publications. 320.
https://scholarship.law.cornell.edu/facpub/320
Publication Citation
Published in: Behavioral Sciences and the Law, vol. 12, no. 2 (Spring 1994).