Judge Caprio Learns He Changed This Man's Life 18 Years Ago - Staff Picks

Judge Caprio reunites with a former 'bad boy' who changed his ways. Jose Jimenez was in traffic court to discuss two parking tickets. He knew about one of the tickets and had previously paid but was unaware of the previous one. Judge Frank Caprio has gained internet fame for his fair court rulings and understanding demeanor. When he learned that Jose had already paid the one ticket but the payment was marked as late, he was quick to dismiss the additional late fine. He also waived the original parking ticket and told Mr. Jimenez he was free to go. But that wasn’t all that Jose wanted to discuss with the judge.

“But I want to tell you something about my life…”

Eighteen years ago, Jose Jimenez was a different man. He described himself as a “bad boy” who was constantly in court for Driving While Intoxicated and to pay parking tickets. But one encounter with Judge Caprio changed his direction in life. Jose described the conversation and the questions that Judge Caprio asked him.

“What do you want to be later? Do you want to be in jail, you want to die? Or do you want to be somebody?”

That simple conversation changed Jose’s life forever. He knew he wanted to “be somebody”. Prompted to start fresh, Jose worked hard to earn his U.S. citizenship. After that, he earned his CDL and went on to be a truck driver. Because of the judge’s challenge to him, Jose returned to say “Thank you”.

“I will tell you something, you were down, and it’s not a crime to be down in life, but it’s a sin not to get up.”

The judge admitted to not remembering the situation but explained that whenever he sees a spark in someone he tries to encourage them to turn their life around.

“God love you. Congratulations on turning your life around, come up here I want to shake your hand!”