Richard Boylan is a Professor of Economics as well as an associate for Brown College at Rice University. He received his PhD from the California Institute of Technology and has previously held positions at the University of Alabama, the University of Mississippi, and the Olin School of Business at Washington University. His research focuses on issues in law and economics, political economy, game theory, and experimental economics. Recently published articles include “The Effect of Punishment Severity on Plea Bargaining”, Journal of Law and Economics (2012), “Salaries, Plea Rates, and the Career Objectives of Federal Prosecutors," with Cheryl Long, Journal of Law and Economics (2005) and "Salaries, Turnover, and Performance in the Federal Criminal Justice System," Journal of Law and Economics (2004).