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Last updated on Friday, October 17, 2014
(LOUISVILLE) - A reality television show is exposing Louisville parents that are not paying their child support.
"Deadbeat" is a new take on court TV, produced in Louisville. Jefferson County District Court Judges Erica Lee Williams and Sean Delahanty open the doors to their courtrooms to expose the struggle of collecting child support.
WDRB reports that to be featured on the show the parent must be at least $1000 behind on child support.
While the producer of the show says the show is a public service, opponents say nothing positive can come from the exposure especially for the children.
Defense Attorney Ted Shouse says he can't see anything positive coming out of the show and several defense attorneys worry the judges will show off for the cameras and hand down harsher punishments.
Louisville Public Defender Clay Kennedy filed a motion and got "Deadbeat" cameras removed from a hearing last month.
Kennedy's client is more than $13,000 behind on child support payments according to court records but the hearing would reveal sensitive medical information that his client has the right to keep private.
"Deadbeat" Executive Producer Michael Lattin says his show is a public service exposing the problem and helps victims, ultimately the children who not getting what they need from their parents.
Ratings prove court shows are undeniable popular in daytime television and cameras are legal in Kentucky courtrooms.
With 450 criminal child support cases in Louisville, the hope is that "Deadbeat" doesn't do more harm than good.
The judges do not receive any compensation for appearing on the reality show.
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