Alaska Makes Ruling on Ferry Case

The Supreme Court of the State of Alaska ruled that the state has jurisdiction over crimes committed on board an Alaska state ferry, even though the ferry was located in Canadian waters when the crime was committed. In the instant case, defendant was charged with having committed sexual assault while the ferry was en route from Bellingham, Washington to Southeast Alaska. At trial, defendant argued that the court had no jurisdiction over the offense, as it occurred in another country. On appeal, the court held that the state could exercise jurisdiction over this crime because, even though it occurred in another country, the crime had a significant effect in the state due to the importance of the state ferry system. source: HK Law