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     Crime / Law Enforcement / Criminal Justice

See also:  Guns

University of Connecticut/Hartford Courant Poll. Jan. 22-28, 2013. N=1,002 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

"Do you think shootings, like the one that took place at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, reflect broader problems in American society, or are things like this just the isolated acts of troubled individuals?"

1/22-28/13

USA Today/Gallup Poll. Dec. 19-22, 2012. N=1,038 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 4.

"Are you in favor of the death penalty for a person convicted of murder?"

12/19-22/12

10/6-9/11

10/7-10/10

10/1-4/09

10/3-5/08

10/4-7/07

10/9-12/06

5/5-7/06

10/13-16/05

10/11-14/04

Pew Research Center. July 26-29, 2012. N=1,010 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.6.

"Thinking about the shooting in Colorado last week, do you think this shooting reflects broader problems in American society, or are things like this just the isolated acts of troubled individuals?"

7/26-29/12

NBC News/Wall Street Journal Poll conducted by the polling organizations of Peter Hart (D) and Bill McInturff (R). April 13-17, 2012. N=1,000 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.1.

"Have you seen, read, or heard the news coverage about the arrest and indictment of George Zimmerman for murder in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, in Sanford, Florida?" If yes: "And, do you agree or disagree with George Zimmerman being charged with murder in this case or do you not have an opinion at this time?"

4/13-17/12

CNN/ORC Poll. April 13-15, 2012. N=1,015 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

"As you may know, a man named George Zimmerman has been arrested in Florida and charged with second degree murder for the shooting of a teenager named Trayvon Martin. Based on what you have read or heard about this incident, do you think George Zimmerman should or should not have been arrested for shooting Trayvon Martin?"

ALL

Whites

Non-whites

ABC News/Washington Post Poll. April 5-8, 2012. N=1,103 adults nationwide, including an oversample of 100 blacks. Margin of error ± 3.5 for all respondents, 4.5 for whites, 8.5 for blacks.

"Do you think blacks and other minorities receive equal treatment as whites in the criminal justice system or not?"

ALL

Blacks

Whites

"There recently was a case in Florida in which a neighborhood watch volunteer shot and killed an unarmed teenager. As far as you've heard, do you think this shooting was justified or unjustified, or do you not know enough about it to say?"

ALL

Blacks

Whites

"Some states have a law that says a person is legally entitled to fight back with deadly force if they feel threatened, even if they could retreat instead. Do you personally support or oppose that law?"

ALL

Blacks

Whites

USA Today/Gallup Poll. April 2-4, 2012. N=3,006 adults nationwide (margin of error ± 2), including 2,334 non-Hispanic whites (margin of error ± 3), 242 blacks (margin of error ± 8). Interviews conducted as part of Gallup Daily tracking.

"How closely are you following the news about the fatal shooting in Florida of an African-American teenager named Trayvon Martin by a neighborhood watch volunteer named George Zimmerman: very closely, somewhat closely, not too closely or not at all?"

ALL

Whites

Blacks

"Next, we'd like you to think about whether George Zimmerman is guilty of a crime. From what you have heard or read about this case, do you think he is definitely guilty of a crime, probably guilty, probably not guilty, definitely not guilty of a crime, or is it unclear from the available information?"

ALL

Whites

Blacks

"Now, we'd like you to think about the events that led up to the shooting of Trayvon Martin and the shooting itself. Just your opinion, how much of a factor did racial bias play in these events -- was it a major factor, a minor factor, or not a factor at all?"

ALL

Whites

Blacks

"As you may know, authorities in Florida have not arrested George Zimmerman. Do you think he would have been arrested if the circumstances were the same except that the person he shot was white, or do you think Trayvon Martin's race did not make a difference?"

ALL

Whites

Blacks

CNN/ORC Poll. March 24-25 2012. N=1,014 adults nationwide. Margin of error ± 3.

"How much attention have you paid to the fatal shooting in Florida last month of a teenager named Trayvon Martin by a neighborhood watch volunteer named George Zimmerman: a great deal of attention, some, only a little, or not much attention?"

3/24-25/12

"Based on what you have read or heard about this incident, do you think the police should or should not arrest George Zimmerman for shooting Trayvon Martin?"

3/24-25/12

"As you may know, many areas have a 'neighborhood watch' program in which people who are not police officers patrol their neighborhoods and alert the police when they see a crime being committed. Do you think people who participate in those neighborhood watch programs should or should not carry guns?"

3/24-25/12

"Some states have enacted legislation known as 'stand your ground laws.' Under those laws, people who are in a public place and believe that their life or safety is in danger are allowed to kill or injure the person who they think is threatening them. Do you approve or disapprove of those laws?"

3/24-25/12