Others said it's largely a matter of the legal system doing a poor job of explaining itself, although they wished the schools and the news media would do more to help them out. But panelist Mary Hernandez, the vice president of the San Francisco School Board, cautioned against thinking the problems with the justice system boil down to better public relations. That adds to the perception that judges are just like any other politician, some participants said. The jury system needs attention. As one Maryland lawyer commented, jurors can be the best ambassadors for the courts, but they're too often treated poorly when they serve.
Little things count.
People who must deal with the legal system are frustrated by courthouses with no directional signs, grumpy clerks, a lack of parking and other inconveniences. Too often, the legal system washes its hands of criminals once they're sentenced. Legal fees seem excessive. The national tobacco case was a popular whipping post, but some lawyers cited national figures that indicate legal fees have been constant, overall, since 1990. Progress on any of these points will be slow.