Thanks to the plethora of television shows and movies out there featuring lawyers, police officers, prisons, criminals and the like, we all have an idea in our heads of how arrests, trials, and sentencing are supposed to go, even if we’ve never even stepped foot into a courtroom for so much as a speeding ticket.

Still, we all know – or at least, we all should know! – that the reality of the criminal justice system is a far cry from what we might see on Judge Judy or Law & Order. It’s usually too routine, mundane and, ultimately, sad to be the stuff of entertainment. Sometimes, though an incredible real life story emerges that puts anything in a script to shame— and that’s exactly what happened in a Miami bond court between Judge Mindy Glazer and suspect Arthur Booth.

In the video below from Inside Edition, you can see the hearing and the moment that went viral around the U.S. play out. As it begins, Mr. Booth is looking around nervously, but Judge Glazer has an odd expression on her face. After some typical court proceedings and some shuffling of paperwork, she asks a question that lets us know this hearing isn’t going to be a typical one:

“Did you go to Nautilus for middle school?”

Yes, this Judge and this suspect were former middle school classmates, ones whose lives have, obviously, gone on to take very different paths. When those paths crossed again in this Mimai courtroom, Mr. Booth was initially surprised and delighted . . .

. . . but then quickly dissolved into tears as the weight and enormity of this unusual moment hit him. He could only say “Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness!” over and over as he looked at his former friend.

Yes, “friend.” You see, these two former classmates didn’t simply know each other as anonymous faces in an English or biology classroom. As Mr. Booth weeps, Judge Glazer explains their connection:

I always wondered what happened to you, sir. This was the nicest kid in middle school. He was the best kid in middle school. I used to play football with him, all the kids, and look what has happened. I’m so sorry . . .”

Mr. Booth is absolutely overcome as she speaks, and it’s not hard to see why. There’s nothing quite like seeing your hopeful past come back to get you to take a look at your present, and reevaluate your life.

As The Washington Times reports, Mr. Booth’s cousin Melissa Miller told local ABC station WPLG Local 10 that:

she believed Mr. Booth felt ashamed when he saw Ms. Glazer.
“It just brought back memories of how smart he was,” Ms. Miller said, the station reported. “He was a scholar, well-rounded athlete, bilingual.”

While Judge Glazer had to sentence and set bail for her former friend, it’s clear that both of them have experienced something profound— and that they both hope this moment is the breakthrough Mr. Booth needs to change his life for the better.

Judge Glazer and Mr. Booth’s story together doesn’t end in that emotional court room. To hear what happened when he was released from prison after serving his sentence and what words of wisdom she had to offer – and to watch the moment of their initial reunion in court for yourself – check out the video from Inside Edition below.

What do you think of this incredible and unexpected moment of courtroom connection? Have you ever witnessed anything similar for yourself? What do you think of Judge Glazer’s advice to Mr. Booth, and what do you think of the way she handled his original appearance in her courtroom? Share your thoughts and feelings with us in the comments!