I suppose one could say there's good news and bad news.  The bad news is obvious:  When just over a quarter of the population has confidence in the criminal justice system, we are in trouble.  That degree of skepticism is a breeding ground for everything from self-help vigilantism to jury nullification.

The good news, if it can be called that, is that the criminal justice system is pretty much in the middle of the ranked institutions, and has lost less respect than most.  Another piece of good news is that the police are near the top  -- one of only three institutions enjoying the confidence of more than half the people.  And it could be worse:  It could be the presidency, which has lost a whooping 15% in one year.  (Big Business, by contrast has gained 3%, notwithstanding BP and Goldman Sachs).

Finally, last and certainly least, there is Congress.  Having lost 6% in a year, its decline is second only to the presidency.  And for public esteem, it comes in dead last.  Just above single digits  --  11%  --  have confidence in our national legislature.  With the election on the horizon, no wonder they just voted for more generous unemployment benefits.