Margaret, 71, told the Municipal Court of Providence she ran a red light on Dec. 14 while she was returning to the hospital after her husband's surgery, and the presiding official said the court would give her leniency.

Margaret said she did not realize she had gone through the light until she received the citation and watched the mailed video: "I wasn't even I didn't even know I went through that light until I got the ticket in the mail," she said. The presiding official asked whether the location was Pleasant Valley Parkway and Valley Street and confirmed the incident occurred "just before Christmas at 09:00 in the morning."

The presiding official noted Margaret's driving record and told her the circumstances warranted a break: "So I'm gonna give you a break on it. Based on the circumstances. So this is your 1 shot, OK?" Margaret responded, "Yes, sir," and thanked the official.

The exchange in court established the facts the defendant offered as mitigation'that she was returning from the hospital after her husband's surgery and that she had not previously received tickets'and resulted in a discretionary leniency statement from the presiding official. The transcript records the presiding official's decision to grant a break and warn the defendant that further infractions would not receive the same treatment.

No formal motion language, fine amount, or further penalties are recorded in the transcript provided.