Judge Caprio dismisses two red‑light tickets and cuts Providence driver’s fines to $310

Judge Frank Caprio dismissed two red‑light citations and reduced the remaining fines for a Providence driver, ordering the balance set at $210 plus a $100 boot fee — $310 total — and allowing a one‑month payment plan.

The ruling occurred after the judge invited Kelsey Swanson, introduced in court as Miss Rhode Island USA 2017, to offer a recommendation. Following Swanson’s suggestion of the third option, the judge said, "So, it's going to cost you $310." The defendant, Giselle Lama, told the court she is not the registered owner of the vehicle and that the car is shared with her children's father.

The judge told Lama she faced nine unpaid violations totaling about $1,100 with penalties: two red‑light tickets and seven parking tickets. He outlined the consequences of failing to address the boot on her vehicle, saying a tow would cost about $100 and that unpaid towing could trigger a daily $30 storage fee, which could effectively prevent recovery of the car.

After discussing options — the judge described three possible resolutions (roughly $900, about $700, or $210 for the parking tickets plus a $100 boot fee) — Swanson recommended the $210 plus $100 boot fee option. The judge accepted that recommendation, asked how much Lama could pay immediately, and arranged for Lama to pay $200 on the spot and the remaining balance within one month.

The exchange was brief and ended cordially; the judge closed the matter with well wishes and the defendant left with the agreed payment arrangement. The proceeding was presented in the courtroom identified as the Municipal Court of Providence and was framed in closing narration as part of the 'Caught in Providence' courtroom series.