News, publications, thesis and dissertation list
Find master's theses and doctoral dissertations by Judicial Studies students and former students (names in bold), as well as program news.
- Don Shelton, a Ph.D. in Judicial Studies graduate, published the book "The Role of Science in the Criminal Justice System" (Routledge Press). This is Shelton's third book.
- In August 2026, Court Review: The Journal of the American Judges Association published the article "The Journey, Not the Destination: The University of Nevada, Reno's Judicial Studies Graduate Degree Program". This article is written by Hon. Dr. Melissa Jones, a Ph.D. in Judicial Studies graduate.
- Miller, M. K., McCall, B., & Healy, J. (in press). Law and Psychology of Lie Detection: Judges' perspectives on their ability to detect a liar. Cleveland State Law Review.
- Hammond, T.B., & Miller, M. K. (2026). Judges' perceptions of self-represented litigants: Addressing a growing concern for the judiciary. St. Mary's Law Review, 54, 678-717.
- Palmer, P., & Miller, M. K. (2026). Protecting judges' mental health through reducing safety threats: Judges' perspectives on judicial safety in and out of the courtroom. California Western Law Review, 62, 272-302. [Article based on Master's thesis]
- Miller, M. K., & Hill, K. (2026). The updated model of judicial stress. In S. M. Barton, N. L. Hogan, and E. G. Lambert (Eds.), Research handbook on criminal justice employees: Job satisfaction, attitudes and behaviors (pp. 102-121). Edgar Elgar Publishing.
- Valente, J. W., Marsh, S. C., & Ling, T. (2026). Was that wrong? Spontaneity’s role in judicial discipline allegations. Court Review, 61(3–4).
- Domitrovich, S., & Hirsh, M. (Eds.). (2026). An issue dedicated to court-appointed neutrals and experts [Special issue]. The Judges’ Journal, 65(1).
- Hardy, D. A. (2026). Profiles in Judicial Excellence: Territorial and Supreme Court Justices of Nevada. Book published by the University of Nevada Press.
2026
- McKinnon, L. (2026). Proportionality under the Eight Amendment's Excessive Fines Clause: What's included?
- Palmer, P. (2026). The reality of upholding justice and the rule of law: Judges' perspectives on judicial safety both in and out of the courtroom.
- Hammond, T.B. (2026). Judges' perception of self-represented litigants: Addressing a growing concern for the judiciary.
2025
- Morris, E. (2025). Dedicated probate judges: The next step in the evolution of the courts of the U.S.V.I.
- Willson, M. (2025). Texas appellate court decisions on model lease and JOA forms v. non model forms: A content analysis.
2024
- Kell, T. (2024). Should we rescue the ones drowning in the shallow end? Program evaluation of a lower-risk/lower-need drug court.
2023
- Manning, K. (2023). The retrial of Leo Frank.
- Miller, D. (2023). Preventing wrongful convictions: Assessing identification evidence in the digital age.
2022
- Easton, K. (2022). Padilla vs. Kentucky - collateral damage control: The "rest of the story" from the trial court judge...
- Hannon, T. (2022). Outer space mining and the future of space law.
- Harris, D. N. (2022). The inequity of the present Mississippi wrongful death statue: A proposal for change.
- Marsh, D. (2022). A descriptive evaluation of the grade court program in San Juan County New Mexico.
- Smith, K. (2022). A targeted approach to criminal justice reform.
- Valente, J. (2022). Was that wrong? Spontaneity's role in judicial discipline allegations.
2021
- Hamrick, B. (2021). The judge as gatekeeper: Preventing the jury from being misled.
- Martinez, S. (2021). Outcome effects of Nebraska's Creating Inclusive Communities training.
- Sweeney, E. (2021). Evidence-based sentencing as applied in a circuit court using Missouri Sentencing Advisor Commission recommendations.
2026
- Spoo, J. (2026). The trauma-based interface by police officers with victims coincident to the scenes of domestic violence: A qualitative study of original police domestic violence probable cause statements.
2022
- Carlisle Flowers, S. (2022). Judges speak out: Did the need to use distance technology to mediate during COVID-19 outweigh the potential ethical pitfalls related to its use?
2021
- Jones, M. (2021). Don't presume the presumption has been applied properly.
- Tobi, A. (2021). The role of the Nigerian judiciary in a democracy: A judge's dilemma.
Judicial studies news
Introducing the Center for Constitutional Law at the College of Liberal Arts
This Center will set a groundbreaking precedent in constitutional law education for the University
Renewed commitment to the Epicenter for Judicial Education at the University of Nevada, Reno
Collaboration offers exclusive headquarters for educating judges, improving justice system
Judge Ari Tobi-Aiyemo graduated Saturday earning a Ph.D. in judicial studies