Judge asks child in Municipal Court of Providence to say 'guilty' during brief exchange

The presiding judge in the Municipal Court of Providence asked a child present in the courtroom to say whether the child’s father was "guilty" or "not guilty," and the transcript includes the word "Guilty."

The judge (name not specified), presiding at the Municipal Court of Providence, is recorded asking the child to look at the bench and respond. The judge said, "And who's this little guy? Thank you. Look up here. Look at the judge. Say hi." The transcript records the judge asking, "Now, we're talking about your father. Right? Now, you're gonna say guilty or not guilty. What do you say?" The record then includes the word "Guilty." The judge is recorded again saying, "Guilty. An honest boy. Take your hands. Your hands. You can go back," and later, "It's official. You are guilty."

The transcript provided does not identify the child by name, provide case details, or show any formal plea, charge language, or docket information. It also does not show any formal ruling, sentencing language, or written order tied to the exchange.

The exchange lasted under a minute in the available transcript and involved a single identified courtroom speaker, the presiding judge. The record does not indicate whether the child’s response was entered into the case file or whether any procedural safeguards (such as admonitions to witnesses or clarifications about the child’s role) were given on the record.

Because the transcript excerpt supplies limited context, the identity of the defendant, the case number, and what, if any, formal action followed are not specified in the record provided.