Abstract

While secondary disabilities of FASD are well documented, the actual consequences of FASD with respect to the criminal justice system, both the risk of entering into and experiences within the system, have often been overlooked or disregarded. As knowledge and awareness of FASD have increased, the premise that voluntary actions based on free will and informed choices become paradoxical in its application to FASD offenders. There are few characteristics within the ten specific brain domains that are not affected within the criminal justice system, illustrating the need for urgent attention by criminal justice professionals.