Judge in Providence Municipal Court dismisses red-light citation after mother says she was rushing son to hospital

An unidentified judge in the Municipal Court of Providence dismissed a red-light citation after the defendant told the court she was rushing her son to Hasbro Children's Hospital at about 4 a.m.

The judge, identified in the transcript only by role, raised the case with a light remark—“Maybe I should charge you with being a good mom”—which the defendant accepted. During brief questioning about the violation’s circumstances, the defendant said the maneuver was a right-hand turn and that she did not stop because she was hurrying her son to urgent care. “I was actually, rushing my son to the hospital to Hasbro Children's,” the defendant said.

The defendant described her son as having cerebral palsy and using a wheelchair, and said the family makes frequent trips to Hasbro. She told the judge she has three children, naming her oldest as Ryan (who uses a wheelchair) and noting younger children aged about nine and four. The defendant said her son is nonverbal but “super expressive” and “never doesn’t have a smile on his face.” The judge commented on the family’s devotion and, after a short exchange in which the judge addressed Inspector Carrington, stated, “Case is dismissed.”

The dismissal was a judicial ruling made on the record; there was no vote or other formal council action recorded. The transcript contains no reference to fines, a plea, or any scheduled follow-up. The judge closed the hearing with words of encouragement to the family.

The outcome reflects the court’s exercise of discretion after hearing the defendant’s explanation that a medical necessity—transporting a child with serious needs to Hasbro Children's Hospital at about 4 a.m.—was a factor in the alleged traffic violation.