Does Descriptive Representation Increase Acceptance of Judicial Decisions?

Increasing the descriptive representation of courts often has the aim of improving citizens’ views of the judiciary and thereby promoting acceptance of court decisions. This presumed impact, however, has been subjected to only limited theoretical and empirical scrutiny, particularly as it relates to the views of the minority groups presumed to benefit from diversification efforts. I argue, and then demonstrate with a survey experiment focused on a judge’s identity, that descriptive representation increases support for a court decision, but only insofar that one is not opposed to the decision and previously distrusted the courts. I further find that this effect is found among African-Americans but not among Hispanics or Native Americans, while among Whites there is a backlash from those who trust the courts when a minority judge issues a displeasing decision. These findings demonstrate benefits but also limitations and costs to diversifying the judiciary.