School of Criminal Justice - University at Albany

05/18/2026

05/12/2026

“We really don’t see the amount of work that really gets put into cases. This internship gives you that insight.”

Take a closer look at The Cold Case Analysis Center internship, where students gain valuable, hands-on experience and immerse themselves in the field.

Through the University at Albany’s Cold Case Analysis Center internship, students work with investigative agencies and families to review materials associate...

05/11/2026

Congratulations to the winners of the University at Albany Moot Court Tournament!

• Overall Winners: Esmeralda Martinez and Natalia Zehner, representing the Respondent’s argument

• Finalists: Shamaya Banks and Ashley Eliezer, representing the Petitioner's argument

• Best Advocate: Halimah Lawson

Nearly two dozen students competed in the two-day tournament last month, grappling with complex and timely legal issues. The event was judged by criminal justice professionals, including School of Criminal Justice alumni.

Thank you to our judges and all who came out to support our students!

04/27/2026

Scenes from this weekend’s University at Albany Moot Court Tournament.

Nearly two dozen students competed across Friday and Saturday, tackling complex and timely legal issues before panels of criminal justice professionals—including proud School of Criminal Justice alumni.

Thank you to our judges and to everyone who came out to support our students as they put their skills on display!

04/20/2026

Twenty-three School of Criminal Justice students have been grappling with tough and timely legal questions this semester as they gear up for the undergraduate Moot Court Tournament.

Set for Friday, April 24, and Saturday, April 25, it marks the return of the moot court program, which has been dormant since the pandemic and previously ran in partnership with Albany Law School.

Twenty-three School of Criminal Justice students have been grappling with tough and timely legal questions this semester as they gear up for the undergraduate Moot Court Tournament. Set for Friday, April 24, and Saturday, April 25, it marks the return of the moot court program, which has been dorman...

04/06/2026

If the U.S. Supreme Court sides with originalists in a pending death penalty case, the National Death Penalty Archive at the University at Albany will become an essential resource for scholars seeking to understand what the founders meant by “cruel and unusual” punishment.

Distinguished Professor James Acker of the School of Criminal Justice - University at Albany and Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy explored why in this op‑ed for the Times Union

The U.S. Supreme Court may reinterpret what is considered a "cruel and unusual punishment." If they do, Albany might become a key research center for setting new guidelines.

04/03/2026

🎓⚖️ Gear up for the UAlbany Moot Court Tournament ⚖️🎓

This long‑running program is back and the UAlbany community is invited to watch as 12 teams go head‑to‑head in this exciting showcase!

📅 Dates: April 24–25
📍 Location: Amphitheatre, Husted Hall

More details coming soon—stay tuned and come cheer on our competitors!

01/16/2026

“Overall, I was very impressed with the variety of classes offered at Rockefeller College and at SUNY Albany. The classes taught me the theoretical knowledge and technical skills that I needed for a rewarding career as an academic,” said Benjamin Kuettel, who earned his PhD at the School of Criminal Justice and went on to teach at the State University of New York at Oneonta.

The mentorship and interdisciplinary approach at Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy made all the difference for Soyun Jeong. “Rockefeller allows students to learn across public administration, public policy and political science, and that intersectionality helped me expand my academi...

11/18/2025

Justin Pickett, a professor in the School of Criminal Justice, co-authored this article delving into political violence.

“Most people who voice support for political violence will never commit violent acts themselves.

Yet such attitudes foster an atmosphere of tolerance, signaling that violence is acceptable and enabling its continuation. Our analyses show that these supportive attitudes are prevalent among white nationalists."

Active white nationalist groups operate in all but two U.S. states. Researchers have found that there’s a strong association between holding white nationalist views and supporting political violence.