Judge Frank Caprio dismisses overnight parking charge for Brown University student

Judge Frank Caprio dismissed an overnight parking citation against a Brown University student from Turkey, saying misleading signage and the defendant's unfamiliarity with local law made enforcement unfair.

The defendant told the Municipal Court of Providence that they parked at about 3:00 a.m. and returned roughly 1.5 hours later to find a citation, and that there was "no sign about the no parking here" to indicate overnight restrictions. "First of all, I am sorry for my English," the defendant said during the brief hearing, adding they had been in the United States about 10 months and study at Brown University.

Judge Frank Caprio acknowledged that posted signage at the location suggested parking was permitted during certain hours but said Providence city ordinances nonetheless prohibit overnight parking. He said the combination of the defendant's unfamiliarity and the confusing signs made it unfair to uphold the ticket. "So, that's the short version of saying that you won your case," the judge told the defendant. "The matter is dismissed."

The defendant thanked the judge, and the court session concluded. A program narrator identified the setting as "the courtroom of Judge Frank Caprio," describing the courtroom as one "where people and cases are met with compassion."

Background: Providence ordinances prohibit overnight parking, according to the court's explanation during the hearing. The transcript did not provide an ordinance number or citation, and no formal ticket language or fine amount was specified. The defendant's account—that they parked for about 1.5 hours and saw no clear overnight-parking prohibition at the location—was accepted by the judge as a sufficient basis for dismissal.

The case ended with the judge dismissing the matter; no further court action was recorded in the transcript.