Judge helps out homeless defendant who was eating one meal a day: 'You are smiling now, it's better'

Assistance can arrive unexpectedly during our most challenging moments. This was the case for a woman who found herself in a court hearing, where she was aided by a compassionate judge. A Reddit user, u/EcstaticSociety4040, shared a video capturing a poignant exchange between a judge and a woman in distress. In the video, the judge, Francesco "Frank" Caprio, informs the woman that her motor vehicle has been booted. Judge Caprio's judicial work is televised in a program called "Caught in Providence." 

In response, the woman confides: "I'm just going through a lot right now, to be honest." She reveals that she is being stalked and is currently homeless, adding that she has been staying with various family members, but their support has been temporary. As she shares her struggles, tears well up in her eyes.

"I was sleeping in my car. Just to work on the situation," she informs the judge. However, she shares that her car has since been taken, and to make matters worse, she has received ten violations. The judge notes that without a vehicle, she may no longer have a place to live and asks about her employment status. She responds, "I just got a job. I was working before. I was actually working at Smart Green. I was dealing with homelessness and just a lot of things. I was jobless for a little while. Now, I am working at restaurants."

"I was just hoping that I could do some kind of payment plan to be able to keep my car. And I don't know, if my license is suspended," the woman told the judge.

The judge emphatically responds, "You have gone through a lot, based on what you are telling me." He asks her about her educational background and she says she dropped out of school after being in a difficult relationship and she does not wish to return to school. The woman further reveals that she is facing financial hardship and only has $5 in her possession.

The judge imposes a $400 fine but informs her that $300 of the amount will be covered by the Filemona fund, named after his mother. He explains that the fund receives donations from individuals worldwide and enables the court to offer aid at its discretion to those in need. The judge grants the woman a month to pay the remaining $100 and urges her to return if she cannot meet the deadline. He assures her that if her circumstances do not improve, he will arrange for the payment to be covered as well.

Upon hearing the judge say this, for the first time in this 5-minute-long video, we see the woman smile with some sense of relief and joy. She also looks emotional. The judge concludes: "So when you leave here today, the boot will be taken off your car and you will have your car. You know it's very easy to be strict, but I try to take people's personal situations into account. We are also going to arrange $50 in cash, so you get something to eat. You are smiling now, it's better. You have something to smile about."

This touching video warmed the hearts of many and has garnered 22k upvotes and 714 comments. u/anniearrow commented, "We need more Judge Caprios & Giancarlos in this world. What beautiful souls. I pray the young woman's circumstances improved and she's no longer living in her car." u/psychological-art-131 wrote, "Such people keep humanity alive and keep others from turning evil. I hope people find that hidden goodwill within them and bring it to the surface so that they can help more people. I promise that I will, as soon as I am capable."