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Wednesday, September 07, 2005
Ind. Courts - Supreme Courts permits filming of juvenile court proceedings
The Munster (NW Indiana) Times reports today, in a story by RuthAnn Robinson, that a documentary film maker has been authorized by the Indiana Supreme Court to film juvenile court proceedings. Some quotes:
CROWN POINT | Cameras aren't allowed in Indiana courtrooms -- with one exception.Karen Grau, of Calamari Productions, was filming at the Lake County Juvenile Justice Center Tuesday.
Seven years ago, the Indiana Supreme Court gave Grau, of Indianapolis, unprecedented access to juvenile court proceedings. They lifted the veil so the world could view what goes on in the otherwise tightly secured proceedings, said Dave Remondini, spokesman for the state's highest court.
"Karen has a good reputation in Indianapolis for her work," Remondini said. "Her first two productions were high quality and told important stories about the challenges facing judges and kids. The justices felt in depth documentaries would educate a large number of people and ideally bring resources to bear on some of these problems."
The payback for the courts is the camera catches teachable moments. All footage Grau shoots is available for judge, lawyer and court volunteer training. * * *
Juvenile proceedings typically are shielded from the public eye -- to protect the child and the family.
Grau said hers is the only production company in the nation allowed access to juvenile court. After watching a juvenile court case years ago, Grau was riveted by the human drama, she said.
"Nine years ago I was involved in a study of the Indiana foster care system and sat in on a juvenile parental termination case," Grau said. "I had been a journalist and when I saw this case -- it was sadly intoxicating to watch -- it made me realize there were a lot of issues to be discussed."
Grau is sensitive to the rights of the people she films and has their consent before taping begins. "We never film anybody who doesn't agree and sign a release first, every time we're in the courtroom," Grau said. * * *
The filming done Tuesday is just the beginning. Every hearing and every visit from court officials will be filmed until the case is resolved. It could take years to document the human drama and for the footage to air.
Grau said her goal is to raise the public's awareness of the issues children face. "It took a long time to get permission, and we went through close to a year's worth of legal conversations," Grau said. "With five Supreme Court justices looking over my shoulder, I'm very sensitive to the issues."
Posted by Marcia Oddi on September 7, 2005 07:28 AM
Posted to Indiana Courts