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Adam Trahan

Chair

University of North Texas

Department of Criminal Justice

(940) 369-8860

Email: adam.trahan@unt.edu

Education

  • PhD, Indiana University, 2009
    Major: Criminal Justice
    Dissertation: Don't shoot the messenger: Capital jurors' perceptions of attorneys
  • MA, Sam Houston State University, 2004
    Major: Criminal Justice and Criminology
    Dissertation: The modern-day music man: A case study of consumer fraud
  • BA, Sam Houston State University, 2002
    Major: Criminal Justice

Professional Positions

  • Associate Professor, University of North Texas. University of North Texas. (2015 - Present).
  • Assistant Professor, University of North Texas. University of North Texas. (2008 - Present).
  • Associate Instructor, Indiana University. Indiana University. (2004 - 2008).
  • Jury Consultant, Lorinda Youngcourt. Lorinda Youngcourt. (2007 - 2007).
  • Research Assistant, National Consortium for Capital Defense Training Program. National Consortium for Capital Defense Training Program. (2006 - 2006).
  • Graduate Assistant, Sam Houston State University. Sam Houston State University. (2003 - 2004).
  • Academic Intern, Consumer Fraud Division, Harris County District Attorney's Office. Consumer Fraud Division, Harris County District Attorney's Office. (2003 - 2003).
  • Graduate Research Assistant, Sam Houston State University. Sam Houston State University. (2002 - 2003).
  • Graduate Research Assistant, Sam Houston State University. Sam Houston State University. (2002 - 2003).

Professional Memberships

  • Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. (Present).
  • Alpha Phi Sigma, National Criminal Justice Honor Society. (Present).
  • American Society of Criminology. (Present).
  • Golden Key National Honour Society. (Present).

Teaching

Teaching Experience

    University of North Texas

  • CJUS 2100 - Crime and Justice in the United States, 2 courses.
  • CJUS 2600 - Diversity Issues in Criminal Justice, 35 courses.
  • CJUS 3310 - Organized and Consensual Crime, 1 course.
  • CJUS 3500 - Diversity Issues in Criminal Justice, 2 courses.
  • CJUS 3600 - Criminology. 3600. Criminology, 16 courses.
  • CJUS 3700 - Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice, 6 courses.
  • CJUS 4500 - Administration of Criminal Justice Agencies, 1 course.
  • CJUS 4870 - Topics in Criminal Justice, 1 course.
  • CJUS 4900 - Special Problems, 1 course.
  • CJUS 4901 - Senior Seminar: Criminal Justice and Public Policy, 3 courses.
  • CJUS 4951 - Honors College Capstone Thesis, 2 courses.
  • CJUS 5600 - Advanced Criminological Theory, 26 courses.
  • CJUS 5800 - Topics in Criminal Justice, 17 courses.
  • CJUS 5850 - Directed Studies, 23 courses.
  • CJUS 5900 - Special Problems, 2 courses.
  • CJUS 5950 - Master's Thesis, 13 courses.

Directed Student Learning

  • Supervised Research Chair, "Undergraduate Research Fellowship," Criminal Justice. (March 2025).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Member, "Exploring the Relationship Bewtween Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Stable Housing, and Completion of the RISE Court Program," Criminal Justice. (October 15, 2023).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Member, "EXPLORING THE LINK BETWEEN MENTAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, AND STABLE HOUSING THROUGH THE RISE COURT PROGRAM," Criminal Justice. (January 2023 - August 2023).
  • Undergraduate Honors Thesis Chair, Criminal Justice. (2020 - 2021).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Chair, Criminal Justice. (2020 - 2020).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Chair, Criminal Justice. (2019 - 2020).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Member, Criminal Justice. (2019 - 2020).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Member, Criminal Justice. (2019 - 2020).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Chair, Criminal Justice. (2018 - 2019).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Member, Criminal Justice. (2018 - 2019).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Member, Criminal Justice. (2018 - 2019).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Chair, Criminal Justice. (2018).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Chair, Criminal Justice. (2018).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Chair, Criminal Justice. (2018).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Member, Criminal Justice. (2018).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Member, Criminal Justice. (2018).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Member, Criminal Justice. (2018).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Chair, Criminal Justice. (2017).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Member, Criminal Justice. (2017).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Chair, Criminal Justice. (2016).
  • Master's Thesis Committee Member, Criminal Justice. (2016).
  • Other, "UNT CONNECT," Criminal Justice. (2010 - 2010).
  • Other, "Emerald Eagle Scholar," (2009 - 2010).

Research

Published Intellectual Contributions

    Book Chapter

  • Trahan, A., Laird, K., Evans, D. (2017). The Topography of Capital Punishment: Geographic Variations in Seeking, Achieving, and Carrying Out the Death Penalty. Handbook on Capital Punishment. Routledge.
  • Trahan, A. (2016). Theory and research on latrinalia. Handbook on graffiti and street art. Routledge.

    • Journal Article

  • Trahan, A., Voss, A., Fowler, S. (2024). Attitudes on policy and punishment: Opposition to inequality-based government aid predicts support for capital punishment. International Journal of Criminology and Sociology. 12 172-183.
  • Evans, D., Trahan, A. (2024). Psychological and emotional impacts on families of people involved in the legal system for sex offenses. Crime & Delinquency.
  • Peshkopia, R., Trahan, A. (2023). Does the EU message impact public attitudes toward the death penalty in EU membership-aspiring countries? Lessons from Albania. Journal of Contemporary European Studies. 31 (3) 754-767.
  • Trahan, A., Evans, D. (2023). Perceptions of Legal System Legitimacy among Family Members of Individuals Incarcerated for Sex Offenses. Psychology, Public Policy, and Law. 37.
  • Evans, D., Trahan, A., Laird, K. (2023). Shame and Blame: Secondary Stigma in Families of Convicted Sex Offenders. Criminology & Criminal Justice. 23 (1) 78-97.
  • Peshkopia, R., Trahan, A. (2023). Support for the Death Penalty Reinstatement as a Protest Attitude: The Role of Political Trust. International Criminal Justice Review. 33 (2) 160-178.
  • Trahan, A., Pierce, K. (2022). Perceived immigrant threat and punitive attitudes: The moderating effect of economic insecurity. Crime & Delinquency. 68 (4) 499-525.
  • Soto, A., Trahan, A., McGrath, J. (2021). The Effects of Neighboring, Social Networks, and Collective Efficacy on Crime Victimization: An Alternative Systemic Model of Social Disorganization. Applied Psychology in Criminal Justice. 16 (1)
  • Trahan, A., Evans, D. (2020). Social exchange and the formation of prison visitation communities. Journal of Qualitative Criminal Justice and Criminology. 8 (2)
  • Trahan, A., Nodeland, B.E., Dixon, A.J. (2019). Public opinion of capital punishment: An intersectional analysis of race, gender, and class effects. Criminal Justice Review. 44 (4) 452-469.
  • Trahan, A., Laird, K. (2018). The nexus between attribution theory and racial attitudes: A test of racial attribution and public opinion of capital punishment. Criminal Justice Studies. 31 (4) 352-367.
  • Trahan, A. (2017). Public attitudes toward legal abortion, euthanasia, suicide, and capital punishment: Partial evidence of a consistent life ethic. Criminal Justice Review. 42 (1)
  • Trahan, A., Winkler, J. (2017). Race and Police Use of Force: A Regression Analysis of Varying Situational Approval from 1972 to 2012. 3 (2) 142-154.
  • Trahan, A.. (2015). Examining the utility of frontloading mitigation in capital cases when faced with overwhelming evidence of guilt. Criminal Law Bulletin. 51 (2)
  • Trahan, A.. (2013). The center holds quite well: An ethnographic study of social structure and control in Jehovah's Witness religious organization..
  • Trahan, A. & Stewart, D.M.. (2013). Toward a pragmatic framework for mixed-methods research in criminal justice and criminology..
  • Trahan, A. & Stewart, D.M.. (2011). Examining capital jurors' impressions of attorneys' personal characteristics and their impact on sentencing outcomes.
  • Trahan, A.. (2011). Filling in the gaps in culture-based theories of organizational crime..
  • Trahan, A.. (2011). Identifying factors that shape capital jurors' impressions of attorneys..
  • Trahan, A.. (2011). Identity and ideology: The dialogic nature of latrinalia.
  • Trahan, A.. (2011). In their own words: Capital jurors' reactions to mitigation strategies..
  • Trahan, A.. (2011). Qualitative research and intersectionality..
  • Pridemore, W.A., Trahan, A., & Chamlin, M.B.. (2009). No evidence of suicide increase following terrorist attacks in the United States: An interrupted time-series analysis of September 11 and Oklahoma City.
  • Pridemore, W.A., Chamlin, M.B., Trahan, A.. (2008). A test of competing hypotheses about homicide following terrorist attacks: An interrupted time-series analysis of September 11 and Oklahoma City.
  • Sandys, M., Trahan, A., & Pruss, H.. (2008). Taking account of the "'diminished capacities' of the retarded": Are capital jurors up to the task?.
  • Sandys, M., & Trahan, A.. (2008). The relationship between life qualification, automatic death penalty voter status, and juror decision making in capital cases.
  • Trahan, A., Marquart, J., & Mullings, J.. (2005). Fraud and the American dream: Toward an understanding of fraud victimization.

    • Popular Press Article

  • Sandys, M., Sundt, J., & Trahan, A.. (2006). A model capital defense training program: Evaluation and final report.

Presentations Given

  • Examining the utility of frontloading mitigation in capital cases when faced with overwhelming evidence of guilt., (2014 - 2014).
  • The form and function of frontloading mitigation in capital trials., (2014 - 2014).
  • Examining capital jurors' impressions of attorneys' personal characteristics and their impact on sentencing outcomes. Annual meeting of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, (2012 - 2012).
  • Ponzi Victims, (2012 - 2012).
  • Trahan, A. Paradoxical perceptions: Capital jurors' evaluations of defense attorneys. Annual meeting of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, San Diego, March, 1010., (2010 - 2010).
  • Trahan, A. Toward a framework for mixed-methods research in criminal justice and criminology. Annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology, San Francisco, November, 2010., (2010 - 2010).
  • Trahan, A. Capital jurors' perceptions of attorneys. Annual meeting of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, Boston, March, 2009., (2009 - 2009).
  • Discussant. Panel on The future of capital punishment in the United States. Annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology, Atlanta, November, 2007., (2007 - 2007).
  • Pridemore, W.A., Trahan, A., Chamlin, M.B. The impact of terrorism on subsequentviolence: September 11th, Oklahoma City, and homicide and suicide rates. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology, Atlanta, November, 2007., (2007 - 2007).
  • Trahan, A. Identity and ideology: The dialogic nature of latrinalia. Paper presented at the Eighth Annual Chicago Ethnography Conference, Chicago, April, 2006., (2006 - 2006).
  • Trahan, A. Collateral victimization: A critical analysis of the justice system's response to fraud. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Criminology, Toronto, November, 2005., (2005 - 2005).
  • Trahan, A., Marquart, J., Mullings, J. The modern-day music man: A case study of consumer fraud. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, Las Vegas, March, 2004., (2004 - 2004).

    • Panel Presentation

  • Laird, K.B. (Author & Presenter), Trahan, A. (Author), The effects of racism and locus of control on death penalty support, Southwest Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, Fort Worth, TX, United States of America. (2017 - 2017).

    • Paper

  • Voss, A. (Author & Presenter), Trahan, A. (Author), Fowler, S. (Author), Southwestern Association of Criminal Justice, Attitudes on policy and punishment: Opposition to inequality-based government aid predicts support for capital punishment, Southwestern Association of Criminal Justice, Dallas, United States of America. (2024 - 2024).
  • Trahan, A. (Author & Presenter), Evans, D. (Author), Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, The effects of incarceration on families’ physical and psychological well-being, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, Chicago, United States of America. (2024 - 2024).
  • Trahan, A. (Author), Evans, D. (Author), American Society of Criminology, Attitudes toward criminal justice among families of incarcerated persons, American Society of Criminology, Chicago, IL, United States of America. (2021 - 2021).
  • Trahan, A. (Author & Presenter), Trahan, A. (Author), American Society of Criminology, The Effect of Familial Incarceration on Perceptions of Criminal Justice, American Society of Criminology, Washington D.C., United States of America. (2020 - 2020).
  • Evans, D. (Author & Presenter), Trahan, A. (Author), American Society of Criminology, Criminals by proxy: Family members’ experiences with secondary stigma, American Society of Criminology, San Francisco, United States of America. (2019 - 2019).
  • Trahan, A. (Author), Evans, D. (Author), American Society of Criminology, Helping behavior and community building among families of the incarcerated., Atlanta, United States of America. (2018 - 2018).
  • Trahan, A. (Author & Presenter), Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, Public attitudes toward euthanasia, suicide, abortion, and capital punishment: Evidence of a consistent life ethic, Denver, United States of America. (2016 - 2016).

Contracts, Grants, Sponsored Research

    Grant - Research

  • Zettler, H.R., Craig, J.M., Trahan, A., Watson, W.L., "North Texas Reentry Guide," sponsored by University of Illinois Education Justice Project, Other, $2000 Funded. (2023 - 2023).

    • Grant - Teaching

  • Zettler, H., Craig, J., Dixon, A., Trahan, A., "Inside-Out Prison Exchange Network Team Mentoring Grant," sponsored by Office of Faculty Success, University of North Texas, $5000 Funded. (2021 - 2022).

Service

University Service

  • Committee Member, National Security Studies Program. (January 17, 2025 - Present).
  • Committee Member, Chairs Council. (August 31, 2022 - Present).
  • Chairperson, Department of Criminal Justice. (August 1, 2022 - Present).
  • Committee Member, Workload Equity Initiative. (August 31, 2022 - May 15, 2024).
  • Committee Member, Chair Academy. (August 31, 2022 - May 15, 2023).
  • Committee Member, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. (2020 - 2022).
  • Committee Member, University Faculty Grievance Committee. (2020 - 2022).
  • Faculty Advisor, Second Opportunity Networking Group. (2019 - 2022).
  • Committee Member, Reappointment, Promotion & Tenure Committee. (2015 - 2022).
  • Director, Graduate Program. (2014 - 2022).
  • Committee Member, Interdisciplinary Information Science Ph.D Program. (2014 - 2022).
  • Committee Member, Personnel Affaris Committee. (2014 - 2022).
  • Committee Member, Faculty Search Committee. (2013 - 2022).
  • Member, Evaluation of Administrators. (2017 - 2021).
  • Committee Member, Faculty Salary Study. (January 2017 - 2021).
  • Chairperson, Department Chair Search Committee. (2020 - 2020).
  • Committee Member, Dean Evaluation Project. (December 18, 2019 - 2020).
  • Committee Member, HPS Grievance Committee. (September 25, 2019 - 2020).
  • Co-Chair, Search Committee for Department Chair. (September 13, 2019 - 2020).
  • Faculty Mentor, Emerald Eagle Scholar program. (2009 - 2009).
  • University of North Texas College of Public Affairs and Community Service Distributed Learning Committee. (2008 - 2008).
  • Other (Graduate Peer Mentor), Department of Criminal Justice. (2004 - 2008).
  • Colloquium Committee. (2005 - 2006).

Public Service

  • Board Member, Denton County MHMR. (August 15, 2024 - Present).
  • Guest Speaker, United Way of Metropolitan Dallas. Dallas, TX. (November 20, 2019 - November 20, 2019).

Professional Service

  • Editorial Review Board Member, International Journal of Criminology and Sociology. Denton, Texas. (February 11, 2023 - Present).
  • Committee Member, Affirmative Action Committee. (2006 - 2007).