Michael G. Cherbonneau

Michael G. Cherbonneau serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of North Florida, where he has contributed to academic research and teaching since Fall 2014. His expertise centers on the theoretical and empirical analysis of criminal behavior, with particular emphasis on real-world offender decision-making processes in violent and property crimes.

His academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Criminology from the University of Texas at Dallas
• M.S. in Criminal Justice from the University of Alabama at Birmingham
• B.A. in Criminal Justice and Psychology from the University of Alabama

Cherbonneau's research program employs intensive fieldwork, including direct interviews with active offenders involved in auto theft, carjacking, and dispute-based violence, to dissect the cognitive and situational dynamics of street crime. His methodological approach combines active offender research with targeted sampling within institutionalized populations, yielding rich qualitative insights into how criminals assess risks, opportunities, and rewards during criminal events.

His scholarly output reveals a consistent trajectory integrating behavioral economics with criminological theory, as seen in works examining patience, greed restraint, and ambiguity aversion in criminal decision-making. The 2025 publication on cultural appropriation of peyote ceremonies demonstrates his expanding interdisciplinary scope, connecting criminology with sociological and anthropological perspectives on cultural rights and religious practices.