JPL-2010-38-4-08-Jeffery, An Arctic Judge’s Journey with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders

A trial court judge knowledgeable about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum
Disorders struggles with adapting the operations of his court to
the needs of FASD-affected individuals in the Alaskan Arctic. His
background in learning about FASD through cases and training and
the methods he has brought to the Barrow Superior Court to attempt
to make the justice system more understandable and fair to persons
affected by FASD are described. His frustration at not being able to
evaluate the degree of impairment from FASD experienced by the
affected persons in the courtroom and the appropriate
accommodations needed for each person are also described.