Abstract
Webster defines justice as "the maintenance or administration of what is just, especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments." This article explains the importance of understanding the role of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) in adjudicating juvenile offenders. The author notes a systemwide lack of critical knowledge of FASD and provides a historic overview and explanation. She also includes data on the prevalence of FASD in the juvenile justice system and demonstrates how social adaptive behaviors, learning disabilities, and behavior problems associated with FASD affect individuals in the juvenile justice system. The author concludes by calling for recognition of the effects of FASD on juvenile offenders and recommendations for systemic changes.

Sharon J. Williams
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Center for Excellence
Sharon Williams is the Deputy Project Director with the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Center for Excellence and is a licensed attorney. She holds an MPH from the University of Texas and a JD from the George Washington University Law School. She has 8 years of experience with substance abuse and disease prevention. Email: Sharon.Williams@ngc.com