Spring/Summer 2014 issue of the Alaska Justice Forum

The Spring/Summer 2014 issue of the Alaska Justice Forum includes articles on marijuana laws and policies, homelessness statistics for Alaska and the U.S., the newly-created Alaska Criminal Justice Commission, and the Alaska Court System's Early Resolution Program (ERP) for family law cases. The 20-page issue includes the following articles:

"Shifting Marijuana Laws and Policies: Implications for Alaska" by Jason Brandeis

Marijuana regulation continues to be a pressing criminal justice and social policy issue both in Alaska and across the nation. A ballot measure that would legalize, tax, and regulate marijuana in Alaska will be before the state’s voters at the November 2014 general election. This article summarizes Alaska’s current marijuana laws, identifies recent changes to other state laws and federal policies related to marijuana use and possession, and discusses the impact of those changes on Alaska’s marijuana laws.

"The Homeless: Who and How Many?" by Barbara Armstrong and Sharon Chamard

Across the nation in both rural and urban areas, public and private agencies work to provide services for homeless people. One of the biggest challenges is collecting data about homeless individuals: how many people are homeless, who they are, what services they need most, and how long they have been homeless. This article looks at reports from 2012, 2013, and 2014 on estimates of homelessness in the U.S. and Alaska, the subpopulations of homeless individuals, and the various definitions of homelessness. References for sources cited are provided. Web supplements provide more detailed tables and an expanded bibliography of resources on homelesseness.

"The Alaska Criminal Justice Commission: A Legislative Call for Action" by Mary Geddes

With its enactment of Senate Bill 64 during the 2013–2014 legislative session, the Alaska Legislature created the Alaska Criminal Justice Commission. This article describes the work of the commission, which is charged with evaluating and making recommendations “for improving criminal sentencing practices and criminal justice practices, including rehabilitation and restitution” over a three-year period. An accompanying sidebar describes other provisions of SB 64, the omnibus crime bill.

"Early Resolution for Family Law Cases in Alaska’s Courts" by Stacey Marz

The Early Resolution Program (ERP), the first program of its kind in the nation, was developed by the Alaska Court System's Family Law Self-Help Center to provide self-represented litigants in family law cases with free legal assitance and mediation to help resolve issues and reach settlements without protracted court trials. This article discusses the ERP's goals and development, describes how cases are screened and processed, and presents ERP statistics though August 2014. An accompanying sidebar provides a program timeline, and a web supplement outlines how attorneys and judges approach various issues in a case at an Early Resolution Program (ERP) hearing.

"New Faculty"

Professor Lindsey Blumenstein has joined the Justice Center faculty as of the Fall 2014 semester.

Drs. Payne and Chamard display police research at UAA 2014 Faculty Showcase

Dr. Chamard with the research poster at the Alaska Arena.

Dr. Troy Payne and Dr. Sharon Chamard, Justice faculty, participated in the 2014 Faculty Research Showcase held as part of the opening events for the new Alaska Airlines Center on September 5 - 8.

Their poster, "Do Fees for Excessive Police Services Work," compared the count of police incidents before and after a notice of excessive police incidents at properties in Anchorage and Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Dr. Payne working on data for the research poster.

Justice Center holds reception to celebrate UAA-Willamette Law 3+3 program

L to r back row: Chancellor Tom Case, Willamette Law Dean Curtis Bridgeman, UA Regent Mary Hughes, Justice Center
Director Dr. André Rosay, Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Dana Fabe, UAA College of Health Dean Bill Hogan.
L to r back row: Willamette Law Director of Communications Karen McGlone, Justice Center Legal Studies faculty
Prof. Deb Periman, Willamette Law Assistant Dean of Admission Carolyn Dennis.

The UAA Justice Center hosted a reception  on September 11 to celebrate the new UAA-Willamette Law 3+3 Program. UAA and Willamette University College of Law have signed a memorandum of understanding to offer a 3+3 program allowing students to complete a bachelor’s degree and a law degree in 6 years, rather than the usual 7.

Chancellor Tom Case welcomed Chief Justice Dana Fabe of the Alaska Supreme Court who has actively championed expanding options for legal education and UA Regent Mary Hughes, a Willamette alum and strong supporter of increasing student opportunities. Willamette's Dean Curtis Bridgeman provided a mock law school class for students and described Willamette's historic connection with Alaska and commitment to Alaska students.

Prof. Deb Periman, J.D., Legal Studies Program Coordinator at the UAA Justice Center, worked with Willamette to develop the 3+3 program and is UAA’s point of contact for program advising.

Prior to the reception, Dean Bridgeman conducted a mock law school
class for Pre-Law, Justice, and Legal Studies students.

Don't miss the symposium about opportunities and change in Alaska's emerging frontiers - October 16 at UAA!

Fran Ulmer

Fran Ulmer, former UAA Chancellor and Special Advisor to the U.S. State Department on Arctic Science and Policy, is the opening keynote for the upcoming Alaska Law Review symposium - "North to the Future: Opportunities and Change in Alaska's Emerging Frontiers."

Dr. William Iggiagruk Hensley, Visiting Distinguished Professor, UAA College of Business and Public Policy, will give the luncheon keynote.

William Hensley

Date: Thursday, October 16, 2014
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Place: UAA/APU Consortium Library LIB 307
Cost: FREE
Parking: Free in the large lot by the Alaska Airlines Center - across the street from the Library.

Rapidly evolving changes in Alaska and the Arctic present challenges to Alaska's leaders and institutions in addressing the legal issues associated with economic development, climate change, and social and cultural impacts. This symposium starts a conversation about these issues.



Panel topics include:

• "Alaska Native Participation in the Territorial Governance of the North"
• "Managing the Multinational Development of the Arctic North"
• "Regulatory Oversight of Alaska's Arctic Shores"

Panelists:
Barrett Ristroph, The Wilderness Society
Mara Kimmel, UAA Institute of Social and Economic Research
Betsy Baker, University of Washington School of Law
Mike Levine, Oceana
Barry Zellen, Visiting Fellow, Institute of the North

The Alaska Law Review is published by Duke University School of Law for the Alaska Bar Association.

This event is sponsored by the Alaska Law Review, the Arctic Law Section of the Alaska Bar Association, and the UAA Justice Center.  Prof. Ryan Fortson, J.D., Ph.D., Legal Studies faculty in the Justice Center, is the faculty advisor for this event.

The Alaska Bar Association has approved this symposium for 4.5 hours of general CLE credit.

Khristy Parker, AJSAC researcher, interviewed by Alaska Dispatch News about Fact Sheet on drug arrests in Alaska

Khristy Parker, Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC) researcher, was interviewed by Suzanna Caldwell of the Alaska Dispatch News about the recent Fact Sheet on drug arrests in Alaska.

Click here to read the article:
"UAA report suggests drug arrests on decline in Alaska" by Suzanna Caldwell. The Alaska Dispatch News, Sep 9, 2014.

REVISION NOTE:
A revised issue of the Fact Sheet has been released.  Click here for a copy.  

Following the publication of the fact sheet — “Arrests for Drug Offenses in Alaska: 2000-2012” — the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC) was informed by the Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) that the UCR drug arrest data that had been published in Crime in Alaska (2012) — the source of data for this fact sheet — were incorrect due to incomplete data submissions for 2012.  DPS has since made note of these data issues in the Crime in Alaska (2012) publication, available at: http://dps.alaska.gov/statewide/docs/UCR/UCR_2012.pdf.

This fact sheet was revised following notification from Alaska Department of Public Safety of incomplete data reported for 2012 in Crime in Alaska. This notification precipitated the exclusion of 2012 data from the fact sheet. The title of this fact sheet has changed to reflect the change in data used.

Dr. Myrstol interviewed by KTUU Ch 2 News about drug arrests in Alaska

Dr. Brad Myrstol, Justice faculty and director of the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC) was interviewed about the latest AJSAC Fact Sheet by Mallory Peebles of KTUU Channel 2 News.

Click here to read the story:
"Juvenile Arrests Down, Possession of Marijuana Up in Alaska" by Mallory Peebles. KTUU Channel 2 News, Sep 10, 2014.

REVISION NOTE:
A revised issue of the Fact Sheet has been released.  Click here for a copy.  

Following the publication of the fact sheet — “Arrests for Drug Offenses in Alaska: 2000-2012” — the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC) was informed by the Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) that the UCR drug arrest data that had been published in Crime in Alaska (2012) — the source of data for this fact sheet — were incorrect due to incomplete data submissions for 2012.  DPS has since made note of these data issues in the Crime in Alaska (2012) publication, available at: http://dps.alaska.gov/statewide/docs/UCR/UCR_2012.pdf.

This fact sheet was revised following notification from Alaska Department of Public Safety of incomplete data reported for 2012 in Crime in Alaska. This notification precipitated the exclusion of 2012 data from the fact sheet. The title of this fact sheet has changed to reflect the change in data used.

Dr. Myrstol interviewed by Alaska Public Radio Network about recent Fact Sheet on drug arrests in Alaska

Dr. Brad Myrstol, Justice faculty and director of the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC) was interviewed about the latest AJSAC Fact Sheet by Josh Edge of the Alaska Public Radio Network (APRN).

"Statistics Show Downward Trend in Alaska Drug Arrests" by Josh Edge. APRN, September 11, 2014


REVISION NOTE:
A revised issue of the Fact Sheet has been released.  Click here for a copy.  

Following the publication of the fact sheet — “Arrests for Drug Offenses in Alaska: 2000-2012” — the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC) was informed by the Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) that the UCR drug arrest data that had been published in Crime in Alaska (2012) — the source of data for this fact sheet — were incorrect due to incomplete data submissions for 2012.  DPS has since made note of these data issues in the Crime in Alaska (2012) publication, available at: http://dps.alaska.gov/statewide/docs/UCR/UCR_2012.pdf.

This fact sheet was revised following notification from Alaska Department of Public Safety of incomplete data reported for 2012 in Crime in Alaska. This notification precipitated the exclusion of 2012 data from the fact sheet. The title of this fact sheet has changed to reflect the change in data used.

Prof. Fortson named Alaska Legal Services Volunteer of the Month for September

Prof. Ryan Fortson, J.D., Legal Studies faculty in the Justice Center, was named the Alaska Legal Services  (ALSC) Volunteer of the Month for September.

He served as an ALSC staff attorney for 4 years and regularly volunteers for the ALSC Attorney of the Day program by completing screening consultations with potential ALSC clients.  Prof. Fortson said, "By volunteering for ALSC, I am helping it to continue with its mission."

Click here to read the full story in the ALSC September Newsletter.

Prof. Knudsen presents to Alaska Bar Association Administrative Law Section

Prof. Kristin Knudsen, J.D., Legal Studies faculty in the Justice Center, presented to the members of the Alaska Bar Association Administrative Law Section at their September quarterly meeting. She discussed the use of empirical research to examine legal decision-making and findings from her own and other scholar’s research regarding administrative tribunals.

Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center releases Fact Sheet on arrests for drug offenses in Alaska 2000-2011

The most recent issue of the AJSAC Fact Sheet presents data for 2000–2011 on arrests for drug offenses made by Alaska police agencies - "Arrests for Drug Offenses in Alaska: 2000-2011."

The report presents drug offense arrest information for both adults and juveniles for the 12-year period, including number of drug offense arrests, drug offense arrests as a percentage of all arrests, drug offense arrest rate, and drug offense types. Data is drawn from the annual Crime in Alaska report of the Alaska Department of Public Safety, which represents the State of Alaska's contribution to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports (UCR) program.

The fact sheet is by Khristy Parker, research professional at the Alaska Justice Statistical Analysis Center (AJSAC). The AJSAC is housed within the UAA Justice Center and publishes Fact Sheets addressing various crime and criminal justice topics.

REVISION NOTE: This fact sheet was revised following notification from Alaska Department of Public Safety (DPS) of incomplete data reported for 2012 in Crime in Alaska. This notification precipitated the exclusion of 2012 data from the Fact Sheet. The title of this fact sheet has changed to reflect the change in data used.

2010 Alaska Victimization Survey noted in The Atlantic article on rape in Alaska

The 2010 Alaska Victimization Survey (AVS) was noted in a recent article in The Atlantic on rape in Alaska. The article references the statewide results of the 2010 AVS.

Click here to read the article:
"Rape Culture in the Alaskan Wilderness" by Sara Bernard.  The Atlantic, Sep 11, 2014.

Justice alum Simona Gerdts presents at webinar Sep 17 for NOMORE.org

Simona Gerdts, B.A. Justice '14, will present at a webinar on September 17 for NOMORE.org. NOMORE is a nationwide effort to increase greater awareness and action to end domestic violence and sexual assault.

Simona Gerdts and Kristen Speyerer, B.A. Justice '14, were the co-founders of UAA NO MORE during the Spring 2014 semester. The UAA NOMORE campaign will be featured during the webinar as an example to inspire others at colleges and universities across the nation.

Click here to register for the webinar
 Date: Wednesday, September 17
Time: 1:00 p.m. (Alaska Time).

The webinar is sponsored by the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA).

Dr. Payne interviewed by Alaska Dispatch about economics of marijuana

Dr. Troy Payne, Justice faculty, was interviewed about the economics of marijuana by Suzanna Caldwell of the Alaska Dispatch News. He commented on the lack of economic data and statistics on legal recreational use of marijuana, and the difficulty in drawing comparisons from other states at this time.

Click below to read the article:
"With no official forecast planned, revenue from Alaska marijuana taxes is anyone's guess" by Suzanna Caldwell. Alaska Dispatch News, Sep 11, 2014.

Dr. Blumenstein interviewed by Fox/4 News about violence against women in Alaska

Dr. Lindsey Blumenstein, Justice faculty, was interviewed by Fox/4 News about the high rate of violence against women in Alaska.

To see the interview, click below:
"Examining the murder of Alaska women" by Jessica Gruenling.  Fox/4 News, Sep 11, 2014.

Dr. Barnes participates in First-Year Faculty Social event for UAA students in North Hall dorm

L to r: Dr. Allan Barnes and Dr. Bruce Schultz,
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, at the event.

Dr. Allan Barnes, Justice faculty, and nearly 20 other UAA faculty and staff members met with first-year students on September 3 at the North Hall "First-Year Faculty Social."

The social gave first-year students living on campus the opportunity to engage with faculty members teaching fall semester 100-level courses that are part of the general education requirements (GERs) for the university.

The event also gave faculty the chance to see the classroom in North Hall that can be scheduled for courses. The classroom has iPads for 20
students and is equipped with "smart technology."

Ryan Hill, North Hall & First-Year Experience Residence Coordinator, organized this event  in response to research that shows students who are able to connect with faculty early in their education experience tend to stay in college and have higher GPAs at graduation.

Save the date - October 22 - 6th annual Women in Law Enforcement Recruitment Fair at UAA Student Union

6th Annual Women in Law Enforcement Recruitment Fair

Are you interested in an exciting career in law enforcement, but don’t know who to ask, where to start or what to do? Come to the Recruitment Fair!

• Date:  Wednesday, October 22
• Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Where:  UAA Student Union, Upper Level  next to the Wells Fargo Sports Complex
• Parking: Free

Everyone is welcome to attend.

Come by the 6th annual Women in Law Enforcement Recruitment Fair to learn about the tremendous rewards offered by the field, as well as how to get started. Representatives from local, state and federal law enforcement agencies will be present to discuss opportunities with you in a casual setting. Law enforcement agencies are actively recruiting for female officers

Sponsored by:

Women Police of Alaska
 with the support of
Alaska State Troopers
Alaska Association of Chiefs of Police
UAA Justice Center

For more information, contact the Justice Center at 786-1810. Dr. Brad Myrstol is the faculty advisor for this event.

Justice major receives 3rd $1,000 law enforcement scholarship

Lena Illig

Justice major Lena Illig has received a $1,000 Law Enforcement Education Program (LEEP) college scholarship for the third year in a row.  She is featured in the August 19 UAA electronic newsletter, Green & Gold Digest.

Lena's goal is to become an Alaska State Trooper and ultimately to work for the FBI. The LEEP scholarship is presented to students interested in pursuing a career in public safety and all of its related fields — law enforcement, police-fire dispatch, corrections officer, firefighting or emergency medical technicians (EMT).

She is an employee of Aviation Medical Services of Alaska, and is also an on-call volunteer with the Anchorage Police Department Search Team. Lena completed the 6-week Anchorage Police Department Citizens Academy, and is a graduate of the Alaska Military Youth Academy (AMYA).

The Law Enforcement Education Program (LEEP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to public safety research and education with a focus on child safety. LEEP was founded in 1997 and expanded nationally in 2004 to reach children and teens throughout the country.

Justice Center hosts reception Sep 11 to celebrate UAA-Willamette Law 3+3 program

The UAA Justice Center is hosting a reception to celebrate the new UAA-Willamette Law 3+3 Program. UAA and Willamette University College of Law have signed a memorandum of understanding to offer a 3+3 program allowing students to complete a bachelor’s degree and a law degree in 6 years, rather than the usual 7.

Date: Thursday, September 11, 2014
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Place: UAA/APU Consortium Library, Room 307

•  Meet Willamette University College of Law Dean Curtis Bridgeman and
Willamette alumni and staff.

•  Learn about the exciting new partnership between the University of
Alaska Anchorage and Willamette University College of Law.

•  Find out how qualified UAA students will be able to attend law school during their senior year
and graduate from law school in six years rather than the usual seven.

Prof. Deb Periman, J.D., Legal Studies Program Coordinator at the UAA Justice Center, worked with Willamette to develop the 3+3 program and will be UAA’s point of contact for program advising.

Faculty, staff, students, and members of the public are invited to attend.

Justice alumni meet to discuss activities for the upcoming year

Alumni plan the year's activities. L to r: Bridgette Ellis, Melanie Osborne,
Ezekiel Kaufman, Beth Mader, Dr. Allan Barnes (standing), Charles Gunther.

The Justice Alumni Chapter met at the home of Dr. Allan Barnes, chapter advisor, on August 24. They discussed possible activities and priorities for the coming year.

Charles Gunther, B.A. Justice '91, was elected the alumni chapter liaison officer and will work with the UAA Alumni Association, of which he is a board member.

Justice Center participates in Alaska Court System and Alaska Bar program for Anchorage secondary school social studies teachers

Alaska Supreme Court Justice Dana Fabe (seated center) with secondary school teachers and
volunteer attorneys in the Alaska Supreme Court courtroom at the close of the day's program.

Prof. Ryan Fortson, J.D.,  and Prof. Kristen Knudsen, J.D.,  Justice Center Legal Studies faculty, participated in the "Justice for All Social Studies Secondary Field Trip" on August 15. About 40 secondary school social studies teachers from Anchorage toured the Supreme Court courtroom, met and heard from Supreme Court Chief Justice Dana Fabe, and listened to a panel of judges including Presiding Judge William Morse, Judge Patrick McKay, and Judge Leslie Dickson.  The group also observed Wellness Court where Judge David Wallace presided, and met with volunteer attorneys as part of the Attorney Connect program.

Prof. Knudsen (r) talks with teachers and another volunteer
attorney, Sue Urig, about the Attorney Connect program.

The Attorney Connect program is a new project of the Alaska Bar's Law Related Education (LRE) Committee. The goal is to create a liaison between the schools and attorneys who are interested in legal education for their students. The volunteer attorneys will support teachers who have a legal question, need a presenter for a class, want to check their facts or law, or who otherwise need legal assistance in educating students on law-related subjects. The teachers were introduced to this new program and volunteer attorneys assigned to schools.  Prof. Kristen Knudsen will be the liaison to alternative schools in the Anchorage School District.

Prof. Fortson (standing) listens for questions from secondary school
teachers about the Alaska Youth Law Guide .

As part of the Attorney Connect agenda, Prof. Fortson made a presentation to the teachers about the Alaska Youth Law Guide -  a project of the LRE Committee of the Bar Association. The online guide helps teens and young adults understand the law and how it may affect them. It includes general information about many of the legal issues youth are likely to encounter, and some resources for getting more information or assistance.

The event was sponsored by the Alaska Bar Law Related Education Committee, the Alaska Court System, and the Anchorage School District.

Drs. Rivera and Garcia presented at international epidemiology conference

L to r: Dr. Gabe Garcia, Dept. of Health Sciences, and
Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice Center.

Dr. Marny Rivera, Justice Center faculty, and Dr. Gabriel Garcia, UAA Department of Health Sciences, presented their collaborative research,  "Is Race a Factor in Disparate Health Problems Associated with Violent Victimization in Alaska?" at an August 20 poster session for the 20th IEA World Congress of Epidemiology in Anchorage.

Dr. Rivera and Dr. Garcia discuss their research with
a conference attendee.

 This year's conference theme was "Global Epidemiology in a Changing Environment: The Circumpolar Perspective." The mission of the International Epidemiological Association  (IEA) is to facilitate communication among individuals engaged in research and the teaching of epidemiology worldwide, and to foster the use of epidemiology in all fields of health including social, community, and preventative medicine.
      

Conference attendees study Dr. Garcia and Dr. Rivera's
research poster.

 

Justice Center participates in College of Health all-college meeting

COH faculty and staff at the Fall 2014 All-College Meeting.

The College of Health (COH) held an all-college meeting and BBQ on August 15. Dean Bill Hogan presented information on the COH Strategic Plan 2014-2018 and the results of the recent prioritization process, and introduced new faculty and staff.

Dr.  Gabe Garcia and students from the Smoke-Free Campus Initiative addressed the group about their project. UAA is the first UA campus to join the Fresh Air Campus Challenge.

Breakout sessions included presentation on the new electronic approval system for travel, e-learning resources, and a tour of the new Allied Health facilities.

Justice Center faculty and staff at the COH All-College Meeting.

COH departments also set up exhibit tables to display recent research and programs.

See the slide show below.