Judge shows mercy on driver fined for running a red light after learning why he did it

When it comes to road rules, people sometimes fail to stick to the speed limit or follow traffic signals, especially when in a rush. One such driver, fined heavily for running a red light, found unexpected compassion from Judge Frank Caprio. On his show "Caught In Providence," where Caprio's cases and humorous exchanges are televised, the judge dismissed the driver's violation due to a heart-wrenching reason behind his actions.

When Caprio called Jean Lucardi to the stand, he was unaware of the hardships Lucardi and his family had faced. The judge began with light-hearted banter about Lucardi's impressive beard. When asked why he grew it, Lucardi quipped, "Because I'm bald. So, making sense with my face." This humorous exchange led Caprio to jokingly suggest that Lucardi missed the red light due to the sun's glare on his bald head. Lucardi, a Lyft driver, then revealed the real reason: a distressing call from his wife.

Lucardi supported his family by working for Lyft. The day he unintentionally broke the traffic rules was particularly tough. His pregnant wife had called him while he was at the signal, informing him of her miscarriage. This was their fifth loss. "When she called me, she told me she was bleeding and she was pregnant at the time, and I shut down the app, and I was trying to rush to go be with her because she was by herself in the house," Lucardi explained. He thought he was skipping a yellow light but realized later it was red. Though his wife eventually recovered, they lost their baby that day.

Moved by Lucardi's story, Caprio dismissed the case. "Based on those circumstances, I think it's appropriate that I dismiss this case," Caprio stated. He then inquired about the well-being of Lucardi's family. Lucardi shared that it had been a difficult time, and he had taken steps to help his wife heal from the trauma of multiple miscarriages. "Our thoughts are with you and your family. Good luck to you. The case is dismissed," Caprio said, allowing Lucardi to leave without paying the fine. This episode, titled "The Pain of Losing a Child," captured the man's profound agony.

In another instance, Judge Caprio helped a homeless woman in desperate need. In an episode titled "Homeless and Hungry," Caprio met a homeless autistic woman whose car had been booted, with ten violations in her name. She had just secured a job and was using her car as shelter. She requested a lenient payment plan, but Caprio, ever empathetic, covered $300 of her $400 fine through the Filomena Fund and gave her a month to pay the remaining $100. Learning that she ate only one meal a day, he ensured she left the court with enough money to buy food.