Research Interests
My research interests involve adolescent development in legal contexts. I am interested in how youth and their families understand and navigate the justice system, from law enforcement contact to court proceedings to corrections. I am particularly interested in police interviewing and interrogation of juvenile suspects. My research typically involves clear applications to law, public policy, and practice, and I enjoy collaborating with government agencies, nonprofits, and other entities to engage in research that advances both scientific knowledge and real-world best practices.
Selected Publications
Tenney, E. R., Cleary, H. M. D., & Spellman, B. A. (2009). Unpacking the doubt in “beyond a reasonable doubt”: plausible alternative stories increase Not Guilty verdicts. Basic and Applied Social Psychology, 31, 1-8.
Woolard, J. L., Cleary, H. M. D., Harvell, S. A. S., & Chen, R. (2008). Examining adolescents’ and their parents’ conceptual and practical knowledge of police interrogation: A family dyad approach. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 37, 685-698.
Woolard, J. L., Odgers, C., Lanza-Kaduce, L., & Daglis, H. Juveniles within adult correctional settings: Legal pathways and developmental considerations. International Journal of Forensic Mental Health, 4, 1-18.
Recent Courses Taught at VCU
- Applications of Statistics, undergraduate level
- Lifespan Developmental Psychology, undergraduate level

