Hartford Courant: FBI crime stats show state murder rate lowest since ’70s
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, discusses Connecticut’s declining crime rates after the release of the FBI’s 2019 Crime Statistics.
Michael P. Lawlor, J.D.
Criminal Justice Department
Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Science
Education
J.D., George Washington University
M.A., University of London
B.A., University of Connecticut
About Michael
Mike Lawlor is a nationally recognized expert on criminal justice reform which was a major focus of his 24 years as a member of the Connecticut House of Representatives and as former Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s undersecretary for criminal justice policy and planning in the Office of Policy and Management.
Elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1986 representing East Haven’s 99th district, he chaired the House Judiciary Committee from 1995 to 2011, taking a leadership role in a wide variety of criminal justice reforms, including a law that established rights for crime victims.
He was a founding board member of the Council of State Governments Justice Center, and he’s served on numerous national criminal justice reform commissions. He also led the push for legislation that made Connecticut the second state in the nation to pass a law allowing same-sex couples to enter into civil unions.
As a member of Governor Malloy’s administration, Prof. Lawlor developed and implemented initiatives including juvenile justice, bail, and drug policy reforms; post Sandy Hook gun control legislation, and repeal of the death penalty, as well as initiatives that addressed racial disparities in the criminal justice system and mass incarceration.
Those initiatives helped lead to a 41 percent drop in arrests in the state from 2008 to 2017, a decrease in violent crime, and a 65 percent decrease – from 2009 to 2018 – of 18 year olds committing crimes, getting arrested and ending up in the prison system. The state’s prison population also decreased from 20,000 inmates in 2008 to 13,000 in 2019.
Prof. Lawlor current focus is on is researching, writing, and collaborating with students on policy reforms, including new criminal justice policies for adults ages 18 to 21; developing initiatives to help prosecutors categorize offenders; and creating new sanctions that could help lead low-level offenders away from further criminal activity.
He is working to involve undergraduates and graduates in the University’s Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences in a Yale Law School project. Yale Law students and faculty are working to make certain that when people violate parole, they’re given a fair hearing with attorney representation. Prof. Lawlor envisions pairing Lee College students with Yale Law students to share their knowledge of criminal investigations and forensic science.
Prof. Lawlor, who has been a faculty member at the University since 1995, teaches courses in criminal law and criminal procedure.
Prof. Lawlor received his J.D. from George Washington University, his M.A. in Soviet area studies from the University of London, and his B.A. in Slavic and Eastern European studies from the University of Connecticut. He also previously earned a Fulbright-Hays scholarship that enabled him to study in Hungary.
Courses Taught
- CJST 1100 Introduction to Criminal Justice
- CJST 1102 Criminal Law
- CJST 2217 Criminal Procedure I
- CJST 2218 Criminal Procedure II and Evidence
- CJST 4400 Criminal Justice Capstone Seminar
Graduate Courses
- CJST 6608 Law and Evidence
- CJST 6637 Criminal Justice Policy
In the Media
KABC-AM: Peter Tilden Live
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, discusses the impeachment process and evaluating whistleblower credibility.
CT Post: Casting a ballot from behind bars: No easy process
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, discusses complications faced by prison populations eligible to vote.
Law & Crime: Legal Expert on Impeachment: You Don’t Need ‘Specific Allegations at First,’ Hearsay is ‘Fair Game’
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, explains the political nature of the impeachment process.
KGO-AM: The Impeachment Process
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, discusses the impeachment process as a former member of the Connecticut Select Committee of Inquiry considering the impeachment of Governor John G. Roland.
Journal News: Do red flag laws work? Here’s what we found in Indiana
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, discusses the increased use of the red flag law he authored as a Connecticut lawmaker in 1999 in other states.
CBS News: Author of early "red flag" law says it has "stood the test of time"
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, discusses the impact of the "red flag" gun law he authored as a Connecticut lawmaker in 1999.
CBS News: Can red flag laws help prevent gun violence
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, discusses Connecticut’s Red Flag Gun Law that he authored as a state lawmaker in 1999.
CT Post: Bridgeport jail hanging under scrutiny
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, discusses suicide prevention protocols in Connecticut prisons.
Washington Post: W.Va. scandal muddies legacy of Vatican’s longtime fixer from Baltimore
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, discusses archbishop William Lori as a former state representative.
CT Mirror: Federal ruling on conditions of confinement leaves state unsure of next step
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, comments on ruling that the conditions imposed on former death row inmates by the state of Connecticut.
CT Mirror: End of an era: Chief prosecutor Kevin Kane to retire
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, reflects on Chief prosecutor Kevin Kane’s retirement announcement.
iHeart Radio: Red Flag Law
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, discussed the 1999 Red Flag Gun law he authored as a member of the House of Representatives.
News Times: CT on par with nation in prison suicides but not part of rising trend
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, discusses the reasons why the number of suicides that occur in Connecticut prisons remains low.
WFSB: Face the State
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, discusses the Connecticut Red Flag gun law he worked on in 1999 as a former state lawmaker, now being considered a national tool to combat mass shootings.
The Register Citizen: CT high-security prison's population plummets in 10 years
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, and William (Bill) Carbone, senior lecturer and director of experiential education at the Tow Youth Justice Institute, comment on the recent decline in the number of juvenile offenders at Manson Youth Institution.
Middletown Press: CT’s red flag gun law increasingly used life saver, records show
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, discusses Connecticut’s red flag gun law. As a state representative, he helped craft the law that allows police to seize the firearms of people who may be a threat to themselves or others. The legislation, passed in 1999, is the oldest such law of its kind in the nation.
News 12 Connecticut: Former public safety director: Trump misses the mark on guns, mental health
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, discusses mental health, gun safety, and Connecticut’s Red Flag Law in response to statements made by the President.
The Register Citizen: Dan Haar: Blumenthal gun pact raises hopes of a tipping point
In light of recent mass shootings, Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, discusses the role he has played as a state legislator and as the undersecretary for criminal justice policy and planning under former Connecticut Governor Dan Malloy in shaping the state’s gun laws.
The Register Citizen: Dan Haar: Blumenthal gun pact raises hopes of a tipping point
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, discusses shaping the state’s gun laws after the recent mass shootings.
Hartford Courant: Jail alternatives dwindle for Connecticut defendants with mental illness
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, comments on the role of budget cuts in the reduction of available jail diversion beds in Connecticut.
CT Mirror: Whiting Task Force bemoans psychiatric hospital’s condition
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, discusses the future of Whiting Forensic Hospital as co-chair of the state task force charged with reviewing the facility.
Hartford Courant: Task force formed after abuse scandal questions patient mix at maximum-security Whiting Forensic Hospital
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, comments on the presence of patients who pose no risk to the community at Whiting Forensic Hospital, a maximum-security psychiatric facility.
Hartford Courtant: Democratic presidential debates provide clarity for some Connecticut party loyalists; others remain undecided
Michael Lawlor, former state representative and associate professor of criminal justice at the University of New Haven, comments on the performances of Kamala Harris and Pete Buttigieg at the latest Democratic presidential debate.
Hartford Courtant: Connecticut’s ‘red flag law’ was the first in the nation. Twenty years later, it’s saved many lives.
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, pens this article on the success of Connecticut’s "red flag law" that was originally met with skepticism, but has since saved "dozens, if not hundreds" of lives.
The CT Mirror: Incidents of harm and abuse at Whiting trending down, officials say
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, co-chairs the CVH Whiting Task Force, which was established to review and evaluate the operations, conditions, culture and finances of Connecticut Valley Hospital and Whiting Forensic Hospital after patient abuse allegations surfaced last year.
WNPR: Two Wethersfield, Conn. Officers Involved In Fatal Shooting Made More Traffic Stops Than Most
Associate professors of criminal justice John DeCarlo and Michael Lawlor discuss the importance of the state’s analysis of police data in light of a recent fatal shooting during a traffic stop in Wethersfield.
Hartford Courant: The simple proof that juvenile justice reforms work: Juvenile crime is down.
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, authors this op-ed regarding the effectiveness of the juvenile justice reforms enacted over the last ten years in Connecticut.
Connecticut Magazine: How Scott Semple Helped Turn Connecticut's Prisons Into a Nationally Recognized Labratory of Reform
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, comments on his time working with Scott Semple, Connecticut’s former correction commissioner, who was profiled for his work leading justice reform in the state.
The CT Mirror: It might soon be time to close another prison
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, authors a viewpoint article discussing Connecticut’s recent decline in prison population.
News 12 Connecticut: Connecticut’s Total Prison & Jail Population Down
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice and former prosecutor, tweets out that Connecticut’s total prison and jail population is at a low.
The Economist: Nebraska faces a prison-crowding emergency
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, comments on the process taken to help engineer a sizeable decline in Connecticut’s prison population.
NBC Connecticut: Talking Death Penalty with Mike Lawlor
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, explains the likelihood of someone actually receiving the death penalty and his thoughts on Connecticut’s change in policy.
Newstimes: Mike Lawlor: Impeachment 101 – A Political, Not Criminal, Process
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, offers some advice for congress regarding the recent wide-ranging investigation into potential misconduct by President Trump.
Fox 61: Juvenile Criminal Justice Reform
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, shares his opinions on the new proposed juvenile justice bill and whether or not it will have an effect on current criminal behavior.
Fox 61: Proposed Legislation Could Impose Stricter Penalties on Connecticut Juveniles
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, discusses the possible outcomes of the proposed changes to the legislation might have.
Fox 61: Inauguration Day
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice, joins Fox 61 on inauguration day for the new governor, Ned Lamont. Lawlor speaks about his time with the former governor Malloy and about the transitions between the different governors he worked with during his time in the Connecticut House of Representatives.
The CT Mirror: Malloy Leaves Office As National Leader on Criminal Justice Reform
Michael Lawlor, an associate professor of criminal justice, reflects on the strides he has made in the field of criminal justice reform. Lawlor, who worked together with Malloy on the Criminal Justice Policy Advisory Commission, will be returning to teach at the University of New Haven.
LMTOnline: Connecticut officials praise state criminal justice system
Michael Lawlor, an associate professor of criminal justice, reflects on the achievements made in 2018 with the criminal justice system. Lawlor has been thanked for his tireless efforts in tackling criminal justice issues.
CT News Junkie: Outgoing Officials: Criminal Justice System Is In Good Place
Michael Lawlor, an associate professor of criminal justice, looks back on his days as a state legislator. Lawlor along with other members of the Criminal Justice Policy Advisory Commission held their final meeting last week and took a look back on the positive changes they managed in the criminal justice system.
CT Mirror: Lawlor sees progress in prison reform
Michael Lawlor, associate professor of criminal justice who is on leave to serve as Connecticut’s undersecretary for criminal justice policy and planning at the Office of Policy and Management., comments on improves made to the criminal justice system while under the leadership of Gov. Dannel Malloy. This story originally was in the New Haven Independent.