Most Americans oppose jail time for misdemeanor crimes
Core finding
Just over half of Americans (54%) say people should not be sentenced to jail time for misdemeanor crimes, according to an April 2023 Verasight survey.
More than a quarter (27%) think jail sentences are warranted for misdemeanors, while 19% say they don't know.
Topline distribution
Most Americans oppose jail time for misdemeanor crimes.
Should people be sentenced to jail time for misdemeanor crimes?
n = 1,000 · Apr 19–27, 2023 · MoE ±3.6%
Methodology
Full methodology →| Mode | Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting |
|---|---|
| Population | United States adults who completed both waves of the survey |
| Field dates | Apr 19–27, 2023 |
| Base (unweighted) | 1,000 |
| Margin of error | ±3.6% |
| Module | MPSA 2023 Omnibus Survey #2023-032 |
| Sponsor | Verasight |
| Weight variable | weight |
| Weighting targets | age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status |
Sources
- verasight-mpsa-2023.tiiny.co
Should people be sentenced to jail time for misdemeanor crimes?
Cite this question
MPSA 2023 Omnibus Survey #2023-032, fielded April 19-27, 2023, N=1,000 United States adults who completed both waves of the survey, +/- 3.6%.