Judge Frank Caprio dismisses parking ticket after McKenzie Savage says kiosk failed

Judge Frank Caprio dismissed a $25 parking ticket on the record after the defendant, McKenzie Savage, told Municipal Court of Providence she could not pay at a street kiosk.

McKenzie Savage said she was "heading to class" and, because she was late, tried to use the kiosk’s credit-card reader, which she said "wouldn't read" her card. She told the court she saw other cars parked without a payment slip, called the number on the receipt to report the kiosk, left a message for the contact listed and received no callback; she later found a ticket on her car and then another fine in the mail.

The judge summarized the account and confirmed the amount at issue, saying the citation was for parking at an expired meter and that the kiosk was alleged not to be working. He described the threshold question as whether he believed the defendant’s testimony. The judge referenced Inspector Carrigan’s police-academy training on recognizing behavioral indicators and asked whether the inspector believed Savage’s account. An officer identified in the proceeding as Inspector Carrigan replied, "Yes, your honor."

After hearing the testimony and the officer’s affirmation, Judge Caprio said on the record, "So, the matter will be dismissed," and excused the defendant.

The short proceeding did not reference any formal written evidence about the kiosk malfunction or a service report from parking authorities; the court’s disposition was based on the judge’s assessment of credibility. The recording that follows the hearing identifies the venue as the courtroom of Judge Frank Caprio and notes the program 'Caught in Providence.'