Only 2% of federal criminal defendants went to trial in 2018, and most who did were found guilty
Trials are rare in the federal criminal justice system: Just 2% of criminal defendants went to trial in fiscal 2018. Acquittals are even rarer.
Numbers, Facts and Trends Shaping Your World
Political Issues
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Political Issues
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A majority of Americans think abortion will still be legal in 30 years, but with some restrictions
About three-in-four Americans believe that abortion will be legal in 2050. Democrats are more likely than Republicans to say this.
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From police to parole, black and white Americans differ widely in their views of criminal justice system
Attitudes vary considerably by race on issues including crime, policing, the death penalty, parole decisions and voting rights.
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Key facts about U.S. immigration policies and Trump’s proposed changes
Proposals to change the U.S. immigration system have received renewed attention under the Trump administration. Read key details about U.S. immigration programs.
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Many Americans see religious discrimination in U.S. – especially against Muslims
Most American adults (82%) say Muslims are subject to at least some discrimination in the U.S. today, according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in March – including a majority (56%) who say Muslims are discriminated against a lot.
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U.S. Jews are more likely than Christians to say Trump favors the Israelis too much
While U.S. Jews have a strong attachment to Israel, they are divided in their assessment of Trump’s handling of the Israeli-Palestinian issue.
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For black Americans, experiences of racial discrimination vary by education level, gender
Certain black Americans – particularly those who are college educated or male – are more likely to say they’ve faced certain situations because of their race.
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The gap between the number of blacks and whites in prison is shrinking
Blacks have long outnumbered whites in U.S. prisons. But a significant decline in the number of black prisoners has narrowed the gap.
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In Western European Countries With Church Taxes, Support for the Tradition Remains Strong
Giving a share of one’s income to the church has been a part of European tradition for centuries. Today, several countries continue to collect a “church tax” on behalf of officially recognized religious organizations, in some cases levying the tax on all registered members.
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In many countries, dissatisfaction with democracy is tied to views about economic conditions, personal rights
Dissatisfaction with democracy is correlated with views on economic conditions, whether key democratic norms are being respected and other issues.
