A statue of blind justice by sculptor Raymond Kaskey outside the Albert V. Bryan United States Courthouse in Alexandria
A statue of blind justice by sculptor Raymond Kaskey outside the Albert V. Bryan United States Courthouse in Alexandria

U.S. adults believe white defendants are more likely than Black defendants to receive a fair trial, according to a recent Economist / YouGov report.

Nearly two-thirds (65%) of respondents say it is very or somewhat likely for “a white defendant accused of a crime to get a fair trial in the U.S.” Only 10% say it was very or somewhat unlikely, while 17% said it was neither likely nor unlikely and 8% were unsure.

By comparison, 34% said it was likely or very likely for “a Black defendant accused of a crime to get a fair trial in the U.S.,” while 37% said it was unlikely or very unlikely, 20% said it was neither likely or unlikely and 8% were not sure.

There are notable differences in views based on the political affiliation and race of respondents.

There is widespread agreement that white defendants are likely to receive a fair trial, with 68% of white and 70% of Black respondents saying this is likely or very likely. Similarly, 77% of Democrats, 66% of Independents and 62% of Republicans say this is likely or very likely.

When it comes to Black defendants, only 20% of Black respondents say it is very or somewhat likely for them to receive a fair trial, while 58% say this is very or somewhat unlikely.

By comparison, 40% of white respondents said that it is very or somewhat likely for a Black defendant to receive a fair trial, while 34% said it is very or somewhat unlikely.

There are also significant differences depending on political affiliation, with 61% of Republicans saying a fair trial is very or somewhat likely for Black defendants, compared to 38% of Independents and 17% of Democrats.

Similarly, only 12% of Republicans say a fair trial is very or somewhat unlikely, compared to 37% of Independents and 59% of Democrats.

A majority (56%) of all respondents said it is very or somewhat common “for innocent people to be arrested for crimes they didn’t commit,” compared to 31% who said it is very or somewhat uncommon and 13% who were not sure.

When asked about someone “being convicted of crimes they didn’t commit,” 44% said it is very or somewhat common, 41% said it is very or somewhat uncommon and 15% were unsure.

Respondents were confident that “someone who murders a white American will be convicted for the crime,” with 64% saying it is very or somewhat likely, compared to only 8% who say it is very or somewhat unlikely.

By comparison, 42% say it is very or somewhat likely “that someone who murders a Black American will be convicted for the crime,” while 26% say it is very or somewhat unlikely.

The margin of error is plus-or-minus 3%. The full report is available here. The topline results are available here.