If you want to get a millennial’s attention in the political arena, talk about criminal justice reform. The vast majority of this younger, larger generation that is now becoming a huge political force is concerned about the way that the legal system and ordinary people interact.
In fact, according to the latest survey out of the GenForward Project, more than 40% of millennials say that a politician’s stance on criminal justice reform will heavily influence their vote in the next presidential election.
In addition, the feelings about the way the criminal justice system cut across all races. Regardless of their ethnic or racial identity, 57% of millennials believe that people of color — specifically blacks and Latinos — are treated more negatively than whites.
Some of the other statistics gained from the survey are equally telling:
- Less than one-third of black millennials trust the police.
- Almost half of black millennials make a point of avoiding police contact — far more than the one-fourth of whites in the same age bracket.
- Millennials of all races want to eliminate the cash bond system — a method that effectively keeps poor people and people of color locked up pending trial.
- Over 75% of millennials want more accountability from the police, including mandatory body cameras, community strategies and accountability boards that will put power over the police back in the hands of the people they’re supposed to serve.
What does all of this tell us? In essence, the trust the public holds for the police has sunk very low — probably as low as it has been in decades. No doubt, many of the news stories involving police misconduct and brutality around the nation haven’t helped.
Regardless of the reason for an arrest, every defendant deserves strong, experienced representation and advocacy. If you’re facing criminal charges, find out more about your options today.
