MTV News and Docs gets an exclusive look inside Indiana’s juvenile justice system in the new documentary series MTV JUVIES, premiering Thursday, February 8th at 10:00 PM ET/PT. Set in the Superior Court of Lake County, Juvenile Division and the Juvenile Justice Complex, the eight-part series depicts what happens to juvenile offenders during their stay at the detention center and offers an unprecedented look inside the courtroom where the lives and futures of young offenders are at the hands of a sole judge. From dealing with runaways to underage drinking, MTV JUVIES addresses many issues that affect young people today.
Also on February 8th, immediately following the premiere, MTV.com debuts LIFE AFTER JUVIES, where viewers catch up with the kids from the series after they come out of detention. The weekly series looks at the lives of the subjects today - months after their detention, as they discuss their experiences at the detention center and how it changed their lives and their relationship with their families.
Featured in this MTV documentary series:
Judge Mary Beth Bonaventura As Senior Judge of the Lake County Superior Court, Juvenile Division since April 1993, Judge Bonaventura has been recognized for her dedication and outstanding service to children since the start of her career in the Juvenile Court. It’s her job to help these kids, who are currently at a crossroads in their lives, to get back on the right path.
Cordell, 17 - With solid grades, lots of friends and a great relationship with his family, it comes as a surprise when Cordell is arrested for auto theft. Can this good kid convince Judge Bonaventura of his innocence?
Sara, 16 - Willful Sara packed up her things and drove down to Texas with some friends in pursuit of a better life. However, before reaching her destination she’s pulled over by police and arrested as a runaway.
Ryan, 17 - A self-proclaimed "pothead," Ryan isn’t necessarily a bad kid. He just doesn’t think much past the party he’ll be at on Friday night. While cruising with friends one night, Ryan gets into a car accident and flees the scene, landing him in the Lake County Juvenile Center.
Sierra, 16 - Having spent the morning in school, Sierra is stunned to be picked up by police on her walk home. She later finds out that her mother, who disapproves of her daughter dating a 19-year-old alleged drug dealer, has called police and reported her as a runaway.
Steve, 17 - This jock is arrested after running from the cops when he and his friends are busted for drinking. Steve ends up in juvie and soon learns that his football scholarships and dreams of playing in the pros could be shattered.
Karissa, 17 - After a two-week drug-hazed "vacation" to escape the pressures of school and high standards of her foster family, Karissa is brought into the Lake County Juvenile Detention Center as a runaway.
Jasmine, 17 and Jacinta, 16 - These sisters, always have each others backs. But now their loyalty has led them to a violent brawl with a group of bullies that escalated into a stabbing. After serving time together at LCJC, how will the sisters deal with the possibility that Jasmine may be released while Jacinta remains detained for attempted murder?
Dale, 15 - When his mother reports him as a runaway, aspiring rocker Dale arrives home from a weekend band practice to find two police officers in his living room. Can Dale convince the judge his problems would be solved if he could live with his father instead?
Francesca, 13 - Francesca has a problem with stealing, but now she’s been caught and has been given a sentence of five consecutive weekends in this detention facility. Will a weekend without TV, friends, cell phone and internet, finally make her change her ways?
Javier, 17 - He comes from a strong, hardworking immigrant family, but when Javier reverses his family’s teachings and is arrested for burglary, will the judge be lenient or will she be forced to teach him a lifelong lesson the harsh way?
Jeff, 17 - He rarely gets into trouble and receives good grades at school, but after he and some friends get caught firing a BB gun into a neighbor’s backyard, Jeff is forced to learn just how stern Judge Bonaventura can be.
Kashmiere, 17 - She’s a fiery spirit who likes to test the limits of authority even though she hopes for a bright future. Will Judge Bonaventura believe that she is sincerely remorseful for shoplifting, or will she put a damper on Kashmiere’s dreams in order to teach her a lesson?
Larico, 13 - A victim of Hurricane Katrina who has recently relocated to Indiana, Larico ends up in LCJC after retaliating against a school bully. After another confrontation inside the detention center, will Larico realize that his temper is only exacerbating the grief of his hurricane-stricken family?
Nathan, 17 - After Nathan lands in juvenile detention for allegedly burglarizing a home, he’s faced with a very scary reality. With his 18th birthday fast-approaching, Nathan learns he could be moved to adult court, where sentences are numbered in years instead of months.
Rashad, 13 - Troublemaking Rashad ends up in LCJC after putting a "Kick Me" sign on a peer and then fighting him. He enters LCJC like he owns the place but after a scary incident in the boys’ pod, Rashad realizes that this isn’t the place for himis his realization too late?
RJ, 16 - RJ has endured the overwhelming reality of being born without a right arm in a family in chronic poverty and having a mother with ill-health. Things come to a halt for him when a Xanax binge leaves him unable to remember a crime spree involving burglary, auto theft and criminal mischief.
Stephen, 17 - As a LCJC "weekender," Stephen is sentenced to five consecutive weekends for stealing a $16 pair of earrings. He soon learns his attempts at pushing his luck were definitely not worth the time he’s serving.
