Dr. Michael C. Gizzi

Criminal Justice Sciences - Associate Professor

Contact Information:

Phone:

(309) 438-5001

Email:

Office Hours:

Office:

SCH 422

Mon:

8 - 9:30am, 11 - 11:45am

Wed:

8 - 9:30am, 11 - 11:45am

Visit Dr. Michael Gizzi's Website:

Website:

http://www.ilstu.edu/~mgizzi/

Research Interests:

Constitutional criminal procedure, methamphetamine and crime, criminal courts

Specialization:

Dr. Michael C. Gizzi is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice.  He received his Ph.D. in political science from The University at Albany, State University of New York in 1995.   Dr. Gizzi  taught political science and criminal justice at Mesa State College, in Grand Junction, Colorado from 1995 – 2008. 

He is the co-author of The Web of Democracy: An Introduction to American Politics (2^nd Edition, Wadsworth).  His current research is divided between understanding the role of methamphetamine in the drug-crime nexus and Fourth Amendment issues involving search and seizure law and its place in drug interdiction. 

His study of "Methamphetamine and Criminal Behavior" (co-authored with Dr. Patrick Gerkin of Grand Valley State University) will be published in the International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology.   He is currently finishing an article on methamphetamine trends in the Western United States, through examination of the experiences of Mesa County, Colorado. 

Dr. Gizzi is actively researching Fourth Amendment issues involved in drug interdiction in the area of pretextual traffic stops and vehicle searches.  He has used affidavits from warrantless arrests to explore how police use the constitutional tools provided by the Supreme Court to pursue the war on drugs.   He has co-authored a study (with Dr. Craig Curtis of Bradley University) exploring the implications of the Supreme Court decision in Arizona v. Gant, and is conducting an impact study on the case.

Dr. Gizzi is also collaborating with Dr. Christopher Mulligan in the ISU Department of Chemistry on the policy implications using desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry to detect illegal contraband by law enforcement officers in traffic stops. This study considers the nexus between science and public policy. 

Dr. Gizzi is also collaborating with Dr. Bill Wilkerson (SUNY Oneonta) on a study of Chief Justice William Rehnquist's search and seizure jurisprudence.  Several ISU students are participating in this research. 

Professional Organizations:

American Political Science Association, Midwestern Criminal Justice Association, Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, American Society of Criminology

Profile:

A political scientist by training, Dr. Gizzi is an associate professor of criminal justice. He teaches a wide range of courses and is actively involved in research on the Fourth Amendment and on methamphetamine and crime.

Dr. Gizzi currently serves as the Treasurer of the Midwestern Criminal Justice Association.

Dr. Gizzi is a faculty member in Alpha Phi Sigma, the National Criminal Justice Honor Society, and Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society.