Trust in justice

This article considers what it means for citizens to trust the police and criminal courts. First, a broad definition of trust is outlined. Four theories of trust formation and reproduction are then used to derive a set of propositions concerning the sources of trust in the legal system and the factors that sustain and/or undermine it. A brief review of existing criminological research that provides evidence as to the relevance of these factors is also provided. The article closes with a discussion of the relationship between the concepts of trust and legitimacy in the context of the criminal justice system.