The investigative series “Lake County Juvenile Justice” premiered on Saturday, July 4, 2009 on MSNBC. In July 2008, the Indiana Supreme Court announced it was once again allowing documentary filmmaker Karen Grau to have access to the Lake County juvenile court.
Grau describes the series as a program that “explores where juvenile crime begins, how it evolves over time, and what’s at stake for kids, families and professionals in the system.” Grau’s company, Calamari Productions, shot six one-hour episodes in the courtroom of the Honorable Mary Beth Bonaventura, Judge Lake Superior Court, Juvenile Division in Crown Point.
When Grau was given access to shoot inside the juvenile court she said the goal of the series was to shed light on the issues facing the court and also the children served by the court. With that understanding, the Supreme Court agreed to allow cameras in the courtroom. Chief Justice Shepard explained, “It is important to keep citizens informed about the issues facing the juvenile justice system. A national program produced by a respected journalist is one avenue to promote that understanding.”
Judge Bonaventura has worked with Grau in the past and agreed that the series would educate parents and teens. In February 2000, Grau produced the documentary “In the Child’s Best Interest.” It aired on WTHR, the Indianapolis NBC affiliate, as well as all Public Broadcast System (PBS) affiliates statewide. In April 2002, she produced two separate documentaries for NBC Dateline and for MSNBC called “For Their Own Good” and “In a Child’s Best Interest.” That was followed by the 2006 MSNBC two-hour special “No Place for a Child.” In February 2007, “Juvies” featured Judge Bonaventura’s courtroom in an 8-part documentary series that aired on MTV. Grau is the recipient of a 2002 Edward R. Murrow Award, along with multiple awards for programming on children and the courts.
For details about the series and Calamari Productions visit www.calamariproductions.com.