It is clear that public education and outreach provide the strongest remedies to combat eroding public attitudes and rebuild trust and confidence in our legal system and institutions. Public Trust and Lawyer Conduct Public opinion is influenced by many complex factors including personal experiences and observations and information gained from other sources such as friends, family, and the media. The public image of lawyers can also be influenced by the profession's own conduct as well as the expectations of the public. Justice perceived may be justice achieved or not, within the context of public opinion. The American Bar Association's 1998-99 report on Perceptions of the U.S. Justice System found that citizens surveyed clearly lacked confidence in the legal profession and questioned the motives of lawyers.
Some lawyers even report sharing in the public's dissatisfaction with the profession.
The practice of law or licensure in Florida is a privilege, and not a constitutional right. Indeed, membership in the bar is a privilege burdened with conditions. A fair practice and professional character is one of these conditions. In fact, one seeking admission to The Florida Bar must meet certain eligibility qualifications. Among other requirements, the applicant shall produce satisfactory evidence of good moral character, an adequate knowledge of the standards and ideas of the profession, and proof that the applicant is otherwise fit to take the oath and perform the obligations and responsibilities of an attorney.