Providence judge allows 5-year-old to sentence and fine his father – RAOK

5-year-old Jacob prepares to decide his father’s fate in open court.

Providence, Rhode Island – In a surprising – and very touching – move, Providence Chief Municipal Judge Frank Caprio allowed the 5-year-old son of a man to decide his father’s fate in open court. The father was in court related to a traffic violation and faced up to a $90 parking fine.

The man in court, who has not been identified, is the owner of a pizza restaurant and had received the parking ticket after he illegally parked his vehicle to make a quick delivery of one of his signature pies.

79-year-old Judge Caprio is the television judge on ABC’s Caught in Providence. He is also the chief municipal judge in Providence, Rhode Island and the former Chairman of the Rhode Island Board of Governors.

5-year-old Jacob helps Judge Frank Caprio decide his father’s fate, related to a parking ticket.

As the parking violator was called before Judge Caprio, he happened to bring along his 5-year-old son Jacob into court with him.

To everyone’s surprise, Judge Caprio called young Jacob up to the bench where he questioned him about his father’s pizza business as well as the young man’s own aspirations for the future. Not surprisingly, young Jacob told the judge he wanted to be a cook and work in a pizza parlor just like his father.

Jacob was given three options – for his father to pay a $90 fine, a $30 fine or to have the ticket dismissed entirely. After a few moments of thought, the young boy decided to split the difference and order his dad to pay a $30 fine.

Other citizens waiting to have their cases heard in the courtroom react to Jacob’s response to Judge Caprio.

Not surprisingly, Judge Caprio had a better idea in mind for the pizza shop owner, as seen in the accompanying touching video.

Great job Judge Frank Caprio. You made the day of both Jacob and his proud father and reminded us all that a bit if kindness can go a long way!

Our only question at this point is what young Jacob ordered for his big celebration breakfast with his dad!

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