Department of Sociology

J.D., Old College, Nevada School of Law
Ph.D., Washington State University
B.A., M.A., Texas Tech University

Dr. James T. Richardson is Professor of Sociology and Judicial Studies and Director, Grant Sawyer Center for Justice Studies.  He received his Ph.D. from Washington State University in 1968 and his J.D. from the Old College, Nevada School of Law in 1986.  He has been teaching at the University of Nevada, Reno since 1968.  He directs the Masters and Doctoral Judicial Studies program for trial judges as well as the new Justice Management master’s program for others who work in the justice system.  

Dr. Richardson is the co-author and editor of 10 books, including Organized Miracles, Money and Power in the New Religions, The Satanism Scare, and most recently, Regulating Religion: Cases Studies from around the Globe.  He has also published numerous articles in the American Journal of Sociology, Sociology of Religion, Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, and other scholarly journals, including law reviews.  

His areas of specialization include the sociology of law, the sociology of religion, social psychology of law, and social movements.  He is currently engaged in research on law and religion, legal evidence, jury studies, and new religions.

Recent Publications:

Dahir, V. B., Richardson, J.T., Ginsburg, G. P., Gatowski, S. I., Dobbin, S. A., & Merlino, M. L. (2005). Judicial application of Daubert to Psychological syndrome and profile evidence. Psychology, Public Policy, and the Law, 11, 62-82.

Edelman, B., & Richardson, J. T. (2005). Imposed limitations on freedom of religion in China and the margin of appreciation doctrine. Journal of Church and State, 47, 243-267.

Richardson, J. T. (2004). Regulating religion: Case studies from around the globe. New York: Kluwer.

Beckford, J. A. & Richardson, J. T. (2003). Challenging religion: Essays in honour of Eileen Barker. New York: Taylor & Francis.

Edelman, B. C. & Richardson, J.T. (2003). Falun Gong and the law: Development of legal social control in China. Nova Religio, 6, 294-311.

Dobbin, S. A., Gatowski, S.I., Richardson, J.T., Ginsburg, G.P., Merlino, M.L., & Dahir, V. (2002). Applying Daubert: How well do judges understand science and scientific method? Judicature, 85, 244-247.

Dobbin, S.A., Gatowski, S.I., Ginsburg, G.P., Merlino, M.L., Dahir, V., & Richardson, J.T. (2001). Surveying difficult populations: Lessons learned from a national survey of state trial court judges. Justice System Journal, 22(3), 287-314.

Richardson, J. T. (2001). Public policy toward minority religions in the United States: A model for Europe? In P. Nesbitt (Ed.), Religion and Public Policy. New York: Alta Mira.

Richardson, J. T. & Introvigne, M. (2001). ‘Brainwashing' theories in European Parliamentary and Administrative reports on 'cults and sects’. Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, 40, 143-168.

Richardson, J. T. (2000). Discretion and discrimination in legal cases involving controversial religious groups and allegations of ritual abuse. In R. Ahdar (Ed.), Law and Religion. Aldershot, UK. Ashgate.

Richardson, J. T. & Shterin, M. (2000). Effects of the western anti-cult movement on development of laws concerning religion in post-Communist Russia. Journal of Church and State, 42, 247-272.

Richardson, J. T. (2000). Social Control and Minority Faiths and Religious Freedom in Israel. Religion, Staat, Gesellschaft, 1, 23-40.

Richardson, J. T., Ginsburg, G.P., Gatowski, S.I., & Dobbin, S. A. (1995). Problems of Applying Daubert to Psychological Syndrome Evidence. Judicature, 79, 10-16.

Richardson, J. T. (1995). Manufacturing consent about Koresh: The role of the media in the Waco tragedy. S. Wright (Ed.), Armageddon in Waco. Chicago, IL: Univ. of Chicago Press.

Richardson, J. T. & DeWitt, J. (1992). Christian Science spiritual healing, public opinion, and the law. Journal of Church and State, 34, 549-562.

Richardson, J. T., Best, J. & Bomley, D. (1991). The Satanism Scare. New York, NY: Aldine.

Contact Info:

You can e-mail Dr. Richardson at jtr@unr.edu

Dr. Richardson's Home Page

Dr. Richardson's Social Psychology Page

Dr. Richardson's Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Richardson's Judicial Studies Page

Dr. Richardson's Grant Sawyer Center for Justice Studies Page

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