Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

Legal cynicism and Blue Lives Matter movement: an exploration in a selected Hispanic community

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-2025

Abstract

Research on legal cynicism has primarily focused on its causes, such as social context and experiences with the criminal justice system, while its effects on public perceptions remain understudied. Using survey data from 564 respondents in a predominantly Hispanic neighborhood—including students from a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and local residents, this study examines the relationship between legal cynicism and support for the Blue Lives Matter (BlueLM) movement. Legal cynicism was measured as a latent construct based on four items assessing views on law enforcement. Findings indicate that individuals with higher levels of legal cynicism are less likely to support BlueLM. These results underscore the broader implications of legal cynicism for attitudes toward policing. The study concludes with a discussion of policy considerations to improve trust in law enforcement.

Comments

© 2025 taylor & francis Group, llc

Publication Title

Journal of Ethnicity in Criminal Justice

DOI

10.1080/15377938.2025.2530390

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