Acts of Kindness
Judge makes unheard-of offer after man walks 5 miles to court to pay fines
He didn’t even have a full dollar to his name when he showed up to court, but the judge took note of his accountability and struck a deal.
Jaclyn Abergas
05.12.23

Are you familiar with Judge Frank Caprio?

The Providence, Rhode Island-based judge has been dubbed the “Nicest Judge in the World.”

He has been serving as a Municipal Court Judge in Providence since 1985 and this is the court that we watch on his online channel.

Facebook - Frank Caprio
Source:
Facebook - Frank Caprio

Judge Caprio hears real cases and people.

It might seem like it could be scripted, but they’re real. He might joke with the people, but he is still there to make a decision about their future.

“I’m not here on the court to be an entertainer…my primary role is to do justice,” Judge Caprio wrote on his website.

YouTube Screenshot - Caught in Providence
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YouTube Screenshot - Caught in Providence

One case involved a young man. What was the crime? Parking violations.

Daniel Murray had 7 violations.

This included five 5 tickets. According to Judge Caprio, he had a total of $250 in fees and fines to pay.

Not knowing how he was going to pay it, he just replied, “Thank you, your Honor.”

YouTube Screenshot - Caught in Providence
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YouTube Screenshot - Caught in Providence

Then he asked for some flexibility.

“One quick question, Your Honor, is there any way – can that be deferred a little bit? I’m just in a bit of a financial situation,” Daniel asked.

YouTube Screenshot - Caught in Providence
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YouTube Screenshot - Caught in Providence

Judge Caprio asked how much he could pay.

“I have 92 cents in my account,” Daniel confessed. “I just walked from East Providence this morning to get over here.”

Pexels - Jeff Weese
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Pexels - Jeff Weese

Daniel lives 5 miles from the courthouse.

He had no vehicle though and no money for any public transportation. So he walked five miles to the courthouse.

It took him an hour and a half to get there. Judge Caprio asked if he could take an Uber to go home.

Daniel said he didn’t have the money and he was just going to walk back home again.

He doesn’t have money because all his money is spent on the youth lacrosse programs that he runs.

Pexels - Peter Fazekas
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Pexels - Peter Fazekas

Judge Caprio decided to help Daniel.

He gave Daniel $25 so he could take an Uber back home so he didn’t have to walk. Daniel was super grateful.

“Thank you very much. You saved me a great deal of time today – and money,” Daniel said.

YouTube Screenshot - Caught in Providence
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Caught in Providence

Judge Caprio wasn’t finished though.

He further explained that he founded the Filomena Fund, named after his mother.

People all over the world send money to the Filomena Fund to help out people going through tough times.

Judge Caprio said he intended to use a portion of these funds to pay for Daniel’s fines. All of them.

Pexels - Karolina Grabowska
Source:
Pexels - Karolina Grabowska

Daniel was speechless. He couldn’t believe what the judge did.

He already couldn’t believe that Judge Caprio was giving him $25. Now, he’s also paying for Daniel’s $250 fine as well.

Judge Caprio had one condition though.

“That’s our part, you have to do your part,” Judge Caprio continued. “You have to help somebody else. There are an awful lot of people out there who have similar problems and you are going to be in a situation to help them. Don’t forget them. Remember how you felt? So you have to give back.”

YouTube Screenshot - Caught in Providence
Source:
YouTube Screenshot - Caught in Providence

What a blessing for this man to have entered Judge Caprio’s courthouse.

More people are going to be blessed now because of this special stipulation.

See the blessed exchange between Judge Caprio and Daniel in the video below!

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

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