Psychology Student Publications
Document Type
Poster
Publication Title
Northup Grumman Engineering & Science Student Design Showcase
Abstract
Trust in the American court system is a foundational pillar of the legal system, based on the public's belief that authorities will make fair and just decisions.1 Therefore, understanding what factors degrade the public’s faith in the system is crucial. Most research on this topic examines the amount of trust placed in the police or the government.2, 3, 4However, there are no articles that investigate the relationship between trauma and trust in American courts. This is an issue because, as previously mentioned, individuals who have any number of ACEs are more likely to encounter the criminal justice system, including courts.5Understanding how trauma affects individuals' faith in the courts can inform judges on the need to take a trauma-informed approach. Furthermore, it may allow us to determine if the courts are perpetuating additional trauma onto people, creating a vicious cycle. Therefore, the current study proposes to examine the effects of trauma on trust in the American courts
Advisor
Julie Costopoulos
Publication Date
4-24-2026
Recommended Citation
Wesley, Michael A. Jr., "ACEs and Trust in Courts" (2026). Psychology Student Publications. 18.
https://repository.fit.edu/psy_student/18