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American Justice

(Rated TV-14, Reality TV, Starring Bill Kurtis, Where to watch: A&E, DVD)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Docu looks at crime from a legal point of view.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–18

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Featured cases often deal with disturbing criminal social behavior. Criminals, victims, and others affected by the case are of diverse ages, sexual orientations, races, and ethnic backgrounds. The show also highlights the intricacies of the legal system, including laws that can be considered discriminatory.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Violent acts -- including sexual assaults, shootings, stabbings, and murder -- are described, often in great detail. Gang violence is also discussed. These events are never seen happening, but sometimes bloody crime scene photos are shown.

  • Sex:

    Criminal sexual behavior (including prostitution, pedophilia, and assault) is often explicitly discussed within the context of a criminal case, but the events are never seen or re-enacted.

  • Language:

    Some accounts of past events and recordings of conversations held by alleged criminals include swearing, from "damn" and "hell" to "s--t" and "f--k" (the stronger words are bleeped).

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Alcohol and drug abuse is sometimes detailed. Some cases deal with illegal drug transactions or drug-related gangs. Cigarette smoking is sometimes visible in file footage.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About American Justice

Parents need to know that this somewhat dry documentary series focuses on criminal cases, most of which feature violent acts and/or sex crimes -- including mass murder, rape, and pedophilia. While the acts themselves are never shown, the discussions of the events are often graphic and explicit (and occasionally include bloody crime-scene photos). Expect some bleeped cursing and talk of drug and alcohol abuse as well.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the American justice system. Is it always just? Are there times that the system fails? How is the legal system usually portrayed in movies and TV shows? How accurate do you think that is? How do you think this show's featured cases are chosen? Why do you think one case would be chosen over another?
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