A court for people with FASD?
A Manitoba court that specifically caters to people with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is a great idea that could work in Ontario, says Toronto criminal lawyer Matthew Friedberg.“Any court that’s going to address these issues in a more acute way is a really terrific thing,” Friedberg, partner with Caramanna Friedberg LLP, tells AdvocateDaily.com.
According to a CBC News story, while it’s not known how many people in Canada have FASD, “Health Canada says it’s the leading known cause of preventable developmental disability in the country … research suggests that up to one-quarter of inmates in federal corrections facilities could have the disorder.”
The special Manitoba court, which sits one day a week, is smaller and quieter than usual courtrooms, the story states, with fewer distractions and visual images “to make sure offenders understand what’s going on.” (Plus d’infos…)