Question	Source	Years	Waves
Harshness of courts toward criminals In general, do you think the courts in this area deal too harshly or not harshly enough with criminals?	GSS	1972–2024	34
Dealing with urban unrest: force or fixing poverty Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven’t you thought much about this? (7-POINT SCALE SHOWN TO R)	ANES	1968–1992	6
Worse error: convicting innocent or freeing guilty person To let a guilty person go free	GSS	1985–2016	5
Rights of the accused vs. stopping crime Some people are primarily concerned with doing everything possible to protect the legal rights of those accused of committing crimes. Others feel that it is more important to stop criminal activity even at the risk of reducing the rights of the accused. Where would you place yourself on this scale, or haven’t you thought much about this? (7-POINT SCALE SHOWN TO R)	ANES	1970–1978	5
Harshness of courts toward criminals, no volunteered option In general, do you think the courts in this area deal too harshly or not harshly enough with criminals?	GSS	2021–2024	3
Harshness of courts toward criminals, volunteered option allowed In general, do you think the courts in this area deal too harshly or not harshly enough with criminals?