Money and justice: Most North Carolinians believe politics influences judicial decisions

A new poll conducted by Elon University shows that North Carolina residents have a higher opinion of law enforcement officers than they do the court system.

Of those people surveyed, four out of five respondents said they had confidence in their local police department and sheriff's office. On the other hand, only two of three expressed the same confidence in the judicial system.

And they think politics plays too much of a role in determining just who wears that black robe. Seventy-six percent of respondents said the courts are influenced by politics. Nearly the same percentage said judges' decisions are influenced by the fact that they have to be thinking about their next run for office.

Why do people feel so strongly about this issue?

Possibly because North Carolina had the nation's second highest level of campaign spending in judicial elections in 2014. Only Michigan's judicial candidates spent more money trying for a seat on the bench.

That level of spending isn't likely to foster confidence in the legal system.

Even though most judges are acutely aware of the need to remain fair and impartial in trying cases, the impression that money plays a role in their thinking is there. When there is that much money involved, the idea that justice is for sale is easy to come by.

And don't expect the system to change anytime soon.

Published in Editorials on November 20, 2015 11:56 AM