Judge Paid A Man's Fine After He Walked Five Miles To Court With Less Than A Dollar To His Name

In 2021, a touching video from a courtroom scene was posted on the Facebook page of "Caught in Providence," a reality TV show that stars Chief Judge Frank Caprio.

The video captures the moment when Daniel Murray approached the bench to address a $250 fine due to "seven violations," which included five 'parking tickets.'

After receiving the fines, Murray asked Judge Caprio a "quick question."

He wanted to know if there was a chance to "defer the payment a bit," explaining that he was "in a bit of a financial situation."

The judge helped to pay the fine. Facebook / Caught in Providence

Judge Caprio, who disclosed his recent diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, inquired how much Murray was able to contribute immediately.

Murray's response was candid: "I have 92 cents in my account. I just walked from East Providence this morning to get over here."

It's reported that the journey from East Providence to Judge Caprio’s courtroom spans about five miles.

This distance generally takes someone between one hour and 15 minutes and one hour and 40 minutes to walk. It’s quite a long way to go.

During the proceedings, Judge Caprio asked if taking an Uber was an option for Murray, who leads "youth lacrosse" programs.

Murray emphasized once more that he had 'no money.'

Understanding Murray’s plight, Judge Caprio decided to extend a helping hand through his fund, named the Philomena Fund in honor of his mother.

The motorist explained he had less than a dollar in his account. Facebook / Caught in Providence

He gave Murray $25 from the fund and said: "I want you to take an Uber so you don't have to walk back."

Murray gratefully accepted this gesture, replying: "Thank you very much. You saved me a great deal of time today - and money."

But Judge Caprio’s kindness did not end there. 

"We're gonna help you out with these fines," he announced. 

"We're going to use this fund to pay for your fine, so you're gonna be all set."

Overwhelmed, Murray responded, "Wow, thank you so much. That's more than generous."

Judge Caprio then added: "You got 25 bucks to take an Uber. And you got this now. Let's hope things turn out for you."

However, he continued with a significant reminder: "Wait a minute. That's only half the battle. Right. That's our part, you have to do your part."

He went on: "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."

After its upload to Facebook, the clip quickly garnered a lot of attention and positive reactions.

Viewers were eager to express their admiration for Judge Caprio’s actions. 

One viewer commented: "This judge is so impressive!"

Another shared: "He's just a fantastic judge full of compassion."

A third viewer remarked: "This program has helped me see there is a lot of good left in the world."