Friday, June 04, 2010
Stephen Breyer, Man of Mystery
John Roberts? Antonin Scalia? Ruth Bader Ginsburg? These names, as well as the rest of those serving on the U.S. Supreme Court, drew blank stares from 65% of respondents who were asked to name anyone currently on the nation’s highest judicial body.
Only 35% of those who participated in FindLaw.com’s survey could name even one active Supreme Court justice.
Even worse was the rate of those who could name all nine justices: 1%.
The justice named the most was Clarence Thomas, who was identified by 19% of participants. Chief Justice Roberts came in second with 16% and Sonia Sotomayor third with 15%. Only 3% could name Stephen Breyer, who has been a Supreme Court justice since 1994.
Men were more likely than women to be able to name at least one justice, 43% to 27%. Those Americans aged 35-44 led those aged 18-34 44% to 20%.
Many of the survey participants believed Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman to serve on the court, was still an active justice, even though she retired in 2006.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
Two-Thirds of Americans Can't Name Any U.S. Supreme Court Justices, Says New FindLaw.com Survey (FindLaw.com)
FindLaw Survey: Can You Name the Supreme Court? (by Tanya Roth, FindLaw.com)
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